Dr. Mark Joyce Honored: Received a 2016 Educational Champion award from the New England Secondary School Consortium.

Dr. Mark Joyce, executive director of the New Hampshire School Administrators Association, received a 2016 educational Champion award from the New England Secondary School Consortium for his unique contributions to the effort to raise graduation rates, lower dropout rates, and send more students on to college and postsecondary-certification programs in New Hampshire.

Dr. Joyce was one of seven Champions recognized this year for their extraordinary commitment to ensuring that public-school students across New England have a chance to succeed in school, live a fulfilled and meaningful life, and make a positive contribution to the world.

The New England Secondary School Consortium's 2016 state and regional Champion Award winners:

New England Regional Champion: Nicholas Donohue, president and CEO of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation

Connecticut State Champion: Allan Taylor, chairman of the Connecticut State Board of Education

Maine State Champions: Christine Hesler, director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment for the Regional School Unit 14; and Christopher Howell, principal of Windham High School

New Hampshire State Champion: Mark Joyce, executive director of the New Hampshire School Administrators Association

Rhode Island State Champion: Sharon Lee, former director of the office of multiple pathways at the Rhode Island Department of Education

Vermont State Champion: Helen Beattie, executive director and founder of UP for Learning (Unleashing the Power of Partnership for Learning)

"Ensuring high quality learning for every student is a broad-based effort that needs support from a variety of people-but in all cases, it's individuals that need to accept this challenge, shape this work, and influence our collective efforts," said David Ruff, executive director of the Great Schools Partnership and the New England Secondary School Consortium. "These champions do this through their deep thinking, their tireless energy, and their unwavering commitment to students they will never know. Far too few students will ever know that their lives have been positively influenced by the efforts of the 2016 New England Secondary School Consortium Champions."

Dr. Joyce is now completing his 44th year as an educator. He has taught students in grades 7-12 and at the graduate school level, and has served as both a secondary and elementary school principal and an assistant superintendent of schools in New Hampshire. He has also been a superintendent of schools in both New Hampshire and Maine.

Dr. Joyce earned his BA from Niagara University and a teaching certification and Masters in Education, specializing in Educational Administration, from the University of New Hampshire. In 1986, he earned his Doctorate in Education from Boston College, graduating with highest distinction, and specializing in leadership, curriculum, and instruction.

Dr. Joyce has served for the last twenty years as the executive director of the New Hampshire School Administrators Association, a private nonprofit organization that represents all school system administrators in New Hampshire and advocates on behalf of all children and public education. In addition, he is a frequent speaker and consultant to businesses and organizations on the topics of education, leadership, and communication.

The awards were given out on Thursday, March 17th, at the annual High School Redesign in Action conference, which is hosted by the New England Secondary School Consortium in collaboration with the departments and agencies of education in Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Now in its seventh year, the conference attracted more than 900 educators, students, policy makers, and business leaders representing 17 states. Nearly 30 New England schools, districts, and community organizations were invited to present at the conference. All presenters have made significant progress raising student achievement, graduation rates, college-enrollment numbers, or other indicators of educational success.

For more information about the New England Secondary School Consortium go to www.education.nh.gov/spotlight/ne_secondary.htm.

Posted 4/2/16