Jeff Craig '87, M '92, CAS '97 may be in the middle, but he's also at the top.

The School Administrator Association of New York State named Craig the "Middle School Principal of the Year" for his work in the Jamesville-Dewitt district in Central New York. The award is given to "a member of SAANYS who has set the pace, character, and quality of education for the children in his or her school."

Craig is also eligible for a national version of the award.

"I think it's possible to make a difference and you start to see the fruits of that labor" in the middle school years, Craig said. "There's nothing like being smack dab in the middle of that process."

"First, you have to love kids," he said. "No. 2, you have to value education, the lower case ‘E' and the upper case - the whole idea that education is the future of our society."

Craig was steered toward administration over the course of his three stints earning degrees at Oswego.

"The work I did was pretty rigorous," said Craig, who also recognized that tough professors handled students with dignity as well. "I was always treated with respect whether I was 21 or 31."

One of his most influential teachers was Professor Emeritus Ray Bridgers. His experience in the Student Association also made an impact, Craig said.

A doctoral candidate at Syracuse University, Craig plans to use his degree to teach college-level classes - possibly at his alma mater, where he currently does some adjunct work.

- Shane M. Liebler

PHOTO CAPTION:
Jeff Craig '87, M '92, CAS '97 is the 2008 School Administrator Association of New York State "Middle School Principal of the Year."

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