Senate Resolution No. 513

BY: Senator THOMAS

HONORING Joseph Flick upon the occasion of his
designation as an Extraordinary Educator by
Curriculum Associates

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of
and publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and
character whose endeavors have enhanced the quality of education in this
great State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Joseph Flick upon the occasion of his designation as an Extraordinary
Educator by Curriculum Associates; and

WHEREAS, Curriculum Associates' Extraordinary Educators is an annual
program that celebrates and connects exemplar teachers from around the
country; these teachers exhibit best-in-class use of i-Ready and/or
Ready, illustrate growth and achievements via formal assessments,
demonstrate innovation and engagement practices for students, and have
been teaching for at least two years; and

WHEREAS, Thirty-one educators from classrooms across the nation have
been selected as Extraordinary Educators; the honorees range in
specialties from elementary math and English teachers to high ability
and specialized academic instructors, to interventionists and
coordinators; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Flick holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a
master's degree in Special Education; and

WHEREAS, An advocate for children with special needs at Brook Avenue
School, in Bay Shore, New York, Joseph Flick describes his classroom
culture in three words: we learn together; and

WHEREAS, Before data-driven instruction was all the buzz, Joseph
Flick was monitoring output from his students; whether it be formative
or summative, this information allows him to lead each of his students
to higher mathematics; and

WHEREAS, A remedial math teacher, Joseph Flick has spent the
majority of his 19-year career in the field of mathematics education;
while most of his experience has been working with struggling students
in grades one through five, he has had an opportunity to teach advanced
elementary math classes as well; and

WHEREAS, Immediately after Bay Shore adopted a new math program,
Joseph Flick spent the first four years of implementation as the
district math coach, a role he still fills unofficially alongside his
teaching responsibilities, helping K-8 teachers become familiar with the
newly adopted program and pedagogy embedded within; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Flick has provided numerous professional development
sessions for administrators, teachers, parents and classroom

paraprofessionals within the district; he continues to consult with
districts nationwide as they work to implement new pedagogy and
standards in mathematics education; and

WHEREAS, A significant contributor to education in New York State,
Joseph Flick continually demonstrates an impressive dedication, an
unparalleled devotion and an unremitting enthusiasm for the quality of
the educational programs and opportunities offered at Brook Avenue
School for the benefit of its faculty and students, as well as for the
entire community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Joseph Flick upon the occasion of his designation as an
Extraordinary Educator by Curriculum Associates; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Joseph Flick.