NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving Recess
The City School District of Albany Board of Education has appointed veteran Albany High School teacher Leah Evans as the district’s full-time coordinator for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs. The board appointed Evans to the new position at its meeting Thursday night. She will begin in that role Feb. 25.
The process to replace Evans in the classroom is underway. The school will have more specific information about that process for students in Evans’ classes.
A social studies teacher, Evans has taught at Albany High for 11 years. She is the 2015 Albany High recipient of the district’s Golden Apple award recognizing excellence in teaching at each school, and the 2016 recipient of the Crystal Apple, the annual district-wide teacher of the year award.
In her new role, Evans will oversee the numerous opportunities Albany High offers students to take rigorous college-level courses through the AP and IB programs. Albany High is a regional leader in AP courses with 20 offerings, and was one of the first high schools in the Capital Region to offer the prestigious IB program.
In accepting the position at Thursday’s meeting, Evans described a future vision for creating AP and IB pathways from the district’s elementary schools and middle schools to Albany High. She also emphasized an equity plan to ensure that all district students are prepared to choose Albany High’s high-level courses.
“Every student – EVERY student – should be equipped with the academic tools to make the decision to enter these programs,” Evans said.
“I am passionate about this work and about our kids. I know that every single one of our students is capable of doing this work, and I truly believe that all of our students can reach success through these programs.”
Evans was a triple-major during her undergraduate studies at the University at Albany, earning degrees in business, communications and history. She earned a master’s in secondary education at UAlbany.
If you have any questions, please contact Principal Jodi Commerford at (518) 475-6200.
The mission of the City School District of Albanyis to work in partnership with our diverse community to engage every learner in a robust educational program designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for success. The district serves approximately 9,500 students in 18 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at Albany High School.
