NYSEC Educator of Color Leadership Award Named for Uniondale Educator

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK—The New York State English Council (NYSEC) recently honored Turtle Hook Middle School English teacher Michelle Peterson-Davis as the inaugural recipient of its Educator of Color Leadership Award during its annual conference in Albany. This newly established award will celebrate educators of color who demonstrate exceptional educational leadership at the school, community, state and/or national level. For her selection, NYSEC pointed to Mrs. Peterson-Davis’s commitment to equity, support for fellow educators and efforts to ensure that diverse voices and experiences are represented.

In further recognition of Mrs. Peterson-Davis’s contributions to education and her distinction as NYSEC’s first president of color, the organization named the award the Michelle Peterson-Davis Educator of Color Leadership Award. Mrs. Peterson-Davis served as NYSEC president in 2013, 2020 and 2021 and supported the organization in numerous executive board roles as well.

“My hope is that this this award will help us recognize educators whose contributions deserve greater visibility and encourage others to see a place for themselves in the leadership of this organization and our profession,” Mrs. Peterson-Davis said.

A standout English teacher in the Uniondale School District, Michelle Peterson-Davis has three decades of educational experience, with expertise in classroom teaching, reading instruction, department leadership and school and district administration. She is noted for her remarkable work in developing literacy frameworks, mentoring educators, strengthening curriculum and assessment tools and cultivating partnerships with families to enhance literacy opportunities.

On the state level, Mrs. Peterson-Davis has served on the New York State Education Department’s English Language Arts Content Advisory Panel and in the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education work group. She has shared her wealth of knowledge through professional writing and presentations at state and national conferences, focusing on literacy instruction, student identity, diverse texts and educational leadership.

“Michelle Peterson-Davis is a phenomenal educator who inspires and supports our students in their growth and achievement each day,” Uniondale School District Superintendent Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil said. “The District congratulates her on this well-deserved honor.”

As NYSEC continues to present the Michelle Peterson-Davis Educator of Color Leadership Award in the future, they aim to honor educators who emulate Mrs. Peterson-Davis’s devotion to advocacy, educational opportunity and community.

For more information about the Uniondale School District, please visit the District’s website at https://district.uniondaleschools.org and “like” the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/uniondalek12.