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Principal Daria Murphy.

Daria Murphy, principal of the Scotchtown Avenue Elementary School, was awarded this year’s Orange-Ulster BOCES School Library System Administrator of the Year Award. This award is presented annually to honor an educational administrator who has made a significant contribution to school librarianship.

Mrs. Murphy was nominated by Scotchtown Avenue Elementary School Librarian Christine Banuls on behalf of all librarians in the district. In her nomination letter, Mrs. Banuls explained how Mrs. Murphy “has always been an energetic and spirited supporter of reading and the library.”

She discussed the tremendous support the principal has given over the past 10 years, including providing assistance when the school’s new library was built in 1999; encouraging professional development; using the library for her own personal resources; collaborating with the librarian and aide during student activities and understanding the responsibilities of her library’s staff.

“What impresses me most about Daria is her understanding of the job responsibilities of a school librarian,” said Mrs. Banuls. “Daria Murphy is an administrator who understands and supports the school library from the bottom up.”

Before becoming principal in 1999, Mrs. Murphy served as Scotchtown’s reading specialist for six and-a-half years. “Literacy has always been an upmost priority, especially as leader of a K-2 building,” said Mrs. Murphy.

“I have an absolutely outstanding faculty and staff, so while it is an honor to receive this award, it’s an even greater honor to have been nominated by my librarian,” said Mrs. Murphy.

A luncheon will be held in Daria Murphy’s honor on May 16 in the Round Room at the Orange-Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Education Center, where she will receive her award.