2006.06.07-13_Retired Lakeland teacher earns prestigious honor
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Title
2006.06.07-13_Retired Lakeland teacher earns prestigious honor
Source
"Yorktown History Scrapbook" Binder, Volume 5 - People
Publisher
North County News
Date
2006.06.07-13
Contributor
Compiled by the staff of the John C. Hart Memorial Library
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This item is made available for research and educational purposes by the John C. Hart Memorial Library. Rights status is not evaluated.
Format
PDF
Language
English
Type
Text
Coverage
2006
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Text
During his illustrious 31-year teaching career, Stewart Bogdanoff racked up an impressive list of honors and accolades.
The longtime physical education teacher at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School was named New York State Teacher of the Year in 1983 and was honored at a White House Ceremony by President Ronald Reagan.
In 1992, he received the Project Inspiration Award from the National Association for Sport and Physical Education.
A year later, he was the first teacher from New York State inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame in Kansas. That honor was recognized by President Bill Clinton at a Rose Garden event.
In 1995, he received the J.C. Penny Golden Rule Award was Westchester County United Way Volunteer of the Year for his work in organizing student fundraisers for various charities.
A Special Olympics Worldwide Commemorative Games Coin was given to him in 1996 for years of service to the Special Olympics.
And the recognition just continued following his retirement from Lakeland School District in 1996.
Among the honors was his selection in 2000 as one of the Most Influential People in Westchester County during the 20th Century.
Two months ago, Bogdanoff, 65, again found himself in the winner's circle when he was selected as an inaugural member of the International Biographical Centre's Top 100 Educators in the World for 2006.
"It was a complete surprise to me," Bogdanoff said recently from his Heritage Hills home in Somers.
Nicholas Law, director general of the International Biographical Centre, which is located in England, pointed out that the distinct company Bogdanoff was in as part of the list.
"As holder of this distinction, you can be assured of your place in our history and be gratified that your work has not only been noticed but recognized as outstanding," Law stated in his correspondence to Bogdanoff.
"These are people whose daily work makes a difference-not just those who populate the headlines," Law added.
Bogdanoff, who is waiting to receive his medal and certificate that comes with the honor, said thousands of professional educators are considered for the list, but noted he did not apply for it.
"It's up there," he said when comparing it to some of his previous awards.
A trophy case is named after Bogdanoff at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, where he also served as acting principal for one year in the mid-1980s.
But Bogdanoff said one accomplishment he is proud of that was never officially recognized was his role in establishing the Lakeland High School girl's lacrosse team in 1986, which he funded with a $3,000 donation.
"Once it started it really caught fire," he said. "The program has thrived and flourished and a lot of kids have gotten scholarships from the program. That's wonderful."
When he started the program, Bogdanoff asked Sharon Sarsen to coach it, and 20 years later, she remains at the helm.
"Stu Bogdanoff gave us resources to start a girls program at Lakeland, when the budget could not afford to," Sarsen said this week. "He helped with getting the side field at Thomas Jefferson playable, and donated his own monies for the start of the program, including equipment, coaches' salary and supplies."
"The timing of some great girl athletes, myself arriving on board with a girls lacrosse background, and his ability to get the approval of the superintendent and Board of Education were exactly what was needed to get this program off and running," Sarsen said.
During his career, Bogdanoff estimated he raised more than $250,000 for charities by running sports-oriented fundraisers.
For Bogdanoff, it's clear helping others was a natural extension of his profession, and the awards from many levels are indicative of the positive difference he made on man lives.
The longtime physical education teacher at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School was named New York State Teacher of the Year in 1983 and was honored at a White House Ceremony by President Ronald Reagan.
In 1992, he received the Project Inspiration Award from the National Association for Sport and Physical Education.
A year later, he was the first teacher from New York State inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame in Kansas. That honor was recognized by President Bill Clinton at a Rose Garden event.
In 1995, he received the J.C. Penny Golden Rule Award was Westchester County United Way Volunteer of the Year for his work in organizing student fundraisers for various charities.
A Special Olympics Worldwide Commemorative Games Coin was given to him in 1996 for years of service to the Special Olympics.
And the recognition just continued following his retirement from Lakeland School District in 1996.
Among the honors was his selection in 2000 as one of the Most Influential People in Westchester County during the 20th Century.
Two months ago, Bogdanoff, 65, again found himself in the winner's circle when he was selected as an inaugural member of the International Biographical Centre's Top 100 Educators in the World for 2006.
"It was a complete surprise to me," Bogdanoff said recently from his Heritage Hills home in Somers.
Nicholas Law, director general of the International Biographical Centre, which is located in England, pointed out that the distinct company Bogdanoff was in as part of the list.
"As holder of this distinction, you can be assured of your place in our history and be gratified that your work has not only been noticed but recognized as outstanding," Law stated in his correspondence to Bogdanoff.
"These are people whose daily work makes a difference-not just those who populate the headlines," Law added.
Bogdanoff, who is waiting to receive his medal and certificate that comes with the honor, said thousands of professional educators are considered for the list, but noted he did not apply for it.
"It's up there," he said when comparing it to some of his previous awards.
A trophy case is named after Bogdanoff at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, where he also served as acting principal for one year in the mid-1980s.
But Bogdanoff said one accomplishment he is proud of that was never officially recognized was his role in establishing the Lakeland High School girl's lacrosse team in 1986, which he funded with a $3,000 donation.
"Once it started it really caught fire," he said. "The program has thrived and flourished and a lot of kids have gotten scholarships from the program. That's wonderful."
When he started the program, Bogdanoff asked Sharon Sarsen to coach it, and 20 years later, she remains at the helm.
"Stu Bogdanoff gave us resources to start a girls program at Lakeland, when the budget could not afford to," Sarsen said this week. "He helped with getting the side field at Thomas Jefferson playable, and donated his own monies for the start of the program, including equipment, coaches' salary and supplies."
"The timing of some great girl athletes, myself arriving on board with a girls lacrosse background, and his ability to get the approval of the superintendent and Board of Education were exactly what was needed to get this program off and running," Sarsen said.
During his career, Bogdanoff estimated he raised more than $250,000 for charities by running sports-oriented fundraisers.
For Bogdanoff, it's clear helping others was a natural extension of his profession, and the awards from many levels are indicative of the positive difference he made on man lives.
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“2006.06.07-13_Retired Lakeland teacher earns prestigious honor,” John C Hart Library Archive, accessed April 29, 2024, https://hartarchive.omeka.net/items/show/393.