Nominate an Outstanding Rural School Teacher!
The Rural Schools Association of NYS seeks to highlight the wonderful level of teaching in rural school districts. In selecting a NYS Rural Teacher of the Year, we hope to spotlight the best among us, inspire others, and help increase the awareness of the value rural education brings to its communities.
Submitting your nomination is easy! Click here to Download the Nomination Packet, complete each step, and send it to us as a PDF or Word Doc via the form below.
Ready to Submit Your Nomination?
Once your nomination packet is completed and condensed to a single PDF or DOC file, complete the following form and upload it for consideration. You can also add up to three photos.
Expenses for travel and overnight accommodations will be covered
by our corporate partners, C&S Companies and SEI Design Group.
Meet Last Year's Teacher of the Year
Mr. Christopher Romanchock
Canisteo-Greenwood Central School District
“I think that small town life is some of the best life to be had in America, and it gets routinely overlooked and derided. I think that we do some of the best education that anybody does in the country right here in our small rural schools.” – Mr. Christopher Romanchock
Christopher Romanchock teaches Social Studies in grades 7-12 at Canisteo-Greenwood High School.
Since the 2020 School Year Mr. Romanchock has not only brought a world-class educational experience to the students in this rural, 60% economically disadvantaged district, he’s also expanded students learning far beyond the classroom walls.
In addition to three straight years of growth on student achievement results on the NYS New Framework Global Studies and World History exam, Mr. Romanchock has created and offered six new elective courses including studies in WWI and II, the Cold War and Vietnam, a Wilderness Survival Class, and a HAM Radio class.
Through these expanded course offerings he’s also brought incredible experiences such as the YMCA’s Youth and Government program, the NYS Archive’s National History Day competition, an FCC licensure and call sign for the district, junior volunteer fire corps, chess club, and games club to the district’s students. He is literally a one-person enrichment program!
Through Mr. Romanchock’s hard work and dedication our students’ aspirations and possibilities have been greatly expanded. The district has had multiple students recognized and published for their historical work in the NHD competition, students present at gaming conventions on the use of games in school, have had multiple students licensed as HAM radio operators, have had students that have gone on to participate in Conference on National Affairs through the YMCA or earn internships within NYS’s court system, participate in community service, and meet and form lasting connections with people from places far outside this quaint little valley.
It’s not just history he’s gifted his students with, it’s a knowledge and wisdom that life is full of endless possibilities and attainable paths on which to pursue them. More than test scores and credits, that right there is the greatest gift an educator can give.