LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Mr. Bernard Gassaway upon the occasion
of his designation as recipient of the Outstanding Educator Award by the
Girls High School Alumnae Association

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that individuals who
distinguish themselves in service to their community merit the highest
commendation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Mr.
Bernard Gassaway upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Outstanding Educator Award by the Girls High School Alumnae Associ-
ation; and
WHEREAS, Born in Macon, Georgia, Bernard Gassaway later moved and
attended New York City public schools; after high school, he attended
LeMoyne College, a catholic school in Syracuse, New York; he was elected
President of the Minority Cultural Society in his junior year; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from LeMoyne with a Bachelor of Arts degree
in English in 1982, two years later, Bernard Gassaway earned his first
Master's degree from the State University of New York at Albany in
public administration; for two years, he worked for the New York City
Department of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, In 1986, shortly after his mother, Annie, passed away, he
resigned from the Department of Transportation and began his teaching
career at Public School 40Q, in Jamaica, New York; two years later, he
transferred to Boys and Girls High School where he taught English and
computer literacy; and
WHEREAS, After several years as a high school teacher, and a brief
attempt to start a small computer consulting business, Bernard Gassaway
returned to teach at Intermediate School 59Q, in Springfield Gardens,
New York; while teaching at 59Q, he completed his second Master's degree
in Education Administration and Supervision at Baruch College; and
WHEREAS, Shortly after, Bernard Gassaway became an assistant principal
at Junior High School 192Q, in St. Albans, New York; six months later,
he transferred to become the assistant principal of pupil personnel
services at Far Rockaway High School in 1994; and
WHEREAS, In April 1997, Bernard Gassaway was assigned and later
appointed the first African-American principal at Beach Channel High
School; after his first year at Beach Channel, he was the recipient of
the New York State Title I Distinguished Educator Award, and in 2001,
the Queens Borough President's African-American Advisory Council
selected him as Queens Educator of the Year; and
WHEREAS, In that same year, Bernard Gassaway also received an award
for Educator of the Year from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; after five
years as principal, Bernard Gassaway resigned to become the Director of
New School Initiative for the New York City Board of Education Alterna-
tive Schools Superintendency, and in July, 2003, he became Senior Super-
intendent for Alternative Schools and Programs; and
WHEREAS, Bernard Gassaway was also selected as a Revson Fellow at
Columbia University; in June 2005, after 18 years with the New York City
school system, he resigned to continue to fight the good fight for chil-
dren; and
WHEREAS, After leaving his position in 2005, Bernard began his
doctoral studies at Teachers College, Columbia University; in August
2009, he answered another call to serve his community, and agreed to
serve as the principal of Boys and Girls High School, where he is now
beginning his third year; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his daughter, Atiya Lilly, who
feels privileged to be a part of his life and rejoices in his achieve-
ments; and
WHEREAS, Bernard Gassaway has certainly distinguished himself in
service to his community and is worthy of the recognition and appreci-
ation of this Legislative Body and the citizens of the great State of
New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Mr. Bernard Gassaway upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Outstanding Educator Award by the Girls High School
Alumnae Association; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bernard Gassaway, Principal, Boys and Girls High School.