Alumna Gail Strong to be honored

The Alumni Association Educator’s Award will go to the former Family and Consumer Science teacher.

CANASTOTA » Gail Strong is to be presented with the Canastota Alumni Association Educator’s Award for her dedication to her students and to her profession during her 32 year teaching career.

A 1971 graduate of Canastota Central Schools, Strong went on to receive an associate’s degree in liberal arts from SUNY Morrisville in 1973 and a bachelor of science in home economics from SUC Oneonta in 1975. Throughout her career, she pursued gradu- ate work at Cortland, Oswego and SUNY IT.

Strong was hired by the Canastota Central School District as a Family and Consumer Science teacher at the junior-senior high School in 1976 and remained in this position until her retirement in 2008. During these years, she served as Junior Class Advisor for one year and the Senior and Graduation Advisor from1985 through the late 1990s. She also co-chaired and was a member of the Model Schools committee.

Strong joined the building planning team in 2005 and served as weight room supervisor for several years.

In 2005 Strong was honored with the Teacher of the Year Award presented by Mohawk West Family and Consumer Science Educators Assoc., where at one time she held the office of treasurer. She was a member of the Canastota Teacher’s Association where she held positions as building representative, and both treasurer and Sunshine treasurer. She is a member of NYSUT and CREW(Canastota’s Teacher’s Retirement Group.)

Community service and volunteerism have been an important part of Strong’s life. She has been an active, long-time member of ZontaClub serving as president from 2005-2007 and treasurer from 2009-2018. Her volunteer work includes service for the Kallet Civic Center, the Oneida Healthcare Auxiliary, the Red Cross and St. Agatha’s Bereavement Committee.