RAQUEL GONZALEZ HAS WON THE GALA AWARD FOR 2010!

The Gala Foundation has announced the winner of the Gala Award for 2010. Ms Raquel Gonzalez, the venerable Associate Administrator to the Foundation and the Editor of La Fundacion Gala, has won the Gala Award for her Outstanding Service and Dedication to the ideals of the Gala Foundation. There will only be one Gala Award for 2010. Ms Raquel Gonzalez has worked tirelessly with the Latin Wing of the Foundation's Communications Web-Sites and has recently been inducted to the board of Gala Officials. Gala's Director,Noel Serrano called Raquel , this afternoon to congratulate her and to thank her for her resilient hardwork and dedication to the cause of the Organization. Noel informed Raquel ;"You are an inspiration to us all and it would be a major oversight, on our part, if you had not been recognized for the Noble effort and the steadfast dedication to the ideals and principles of our Association" Irving Serrano, a Fellow Associate Administrator conferred with Noel and declared; " agree, Raquel has been a busy be in Her contributions to the Gala Foundation". " Raquel comes from a Legendary Family and was raised in the same church in Manahattan as the the Serranos, Maldonados and Boschs. It is the Beloved home church of La Sinagoga. Raquel is a very humble servant of the Lord and her yearning desire has always to obtain an administrative position that provides opportunity for promotion and offers experiences enhancing leadership and intellectual development. This became quite apparent in her current role in her life and also in her new responsibilities at the Gala Foundation• Raquel has a wealth of qualifications that has served to bless the lives of all whom she comes in contact with.Demonstrates outstanding teaching experience • Works collaboratively with students, staff, parents and other constituents • Provides strong leadership in Literacy and Elementary Education • Knowledgeable about NYS Standards, Assessments and use of Technology • Possess strong interpersonal and communication skills • Bilingual (Spanish) Raquel Gonzalez received her education , primarily in New York• Post Graduate studies in Educational Leadership, Hunter College, New York, NY • Masters Degree in Bilingual Education, Hunter College, New York, NY• Bachelors Degree in Education, Hunter College, New York, NY CURRENT EXPERIENCE • She serves as Assistant Principal, Washington Irving Intermediate School, Tarrytown, NY 2004 to present. Raquel Assisted in providing leadership for the overall operation of a multicultural, multidimensional intermediate school (4-6) with 670 students and 86 staff members. Directed and implemented a series of community relations projects, curriculum development, student discipline, NYS testing coordination, general building operations. Assisted in providing staff development, observations and evaluations. Established and maintained relations with teachers, staff, and parents. • K-6 Teacher, Washington Irving Intermediate School, Tarrytown, NY 2000-2004 Head teacher – LEAD/Transitional Programs Fourth Grade Team Leader Sleepy Hollow Summer Institute -English as a Second Language teacher Grant Writer: educational projects • K-6 Teacher, Bilingual Bi cultural Mini School, NY, NY 1995-2000 Taught gifted and talented students at fourth, fifth, and sixth grade levels Facilitated Junior Great Books Program (grades fourth through sixth) Trained and tutored in The Project Read and Voyager Reading Programs Evaluated for the Board of Education Teacher Mentorship Program Supervised Project Read Summer Institute Collaborated with the Museo del Barrio, Creative Arts Program and The Museum of the City of New York • program Coordinator, East Coast Migrant Head Start Programs 1992-1994 Assisted the Head Start Director in program operations Developed and implemented educational programs for the Migrant Head Start Ensued program compliance with Federal, State, and Local policies and procedures Implemented and developed performance standards according to Federal guidelines Developed, proposed, and obtained grants for program funding • Interim Director/Media Marketing Specialist, Settlement Health 1990-1992 Coordinated all aspects of media promotion Networked radio and television stations and newspaper media Coordinated quarterly drives Supervised and evaluated staff personnel Submitted quarterly program reports to New York State • Community Organizer, Cornell Cooperative Extension Program 1989-1990. Raquel Coordinated and planned a Healthy Heart Educational Program and Recruited community volunteers. Raquel Developed and implemented media marketing campaigns Designed health information publications, fitness calendars and monthly newsletters. She has Educated community organizations, agencies, and schools about heart disease • Ms Gonzalez also worked as Curriculum Consultant, Settlement Health 1989-1990. She Collaborated with program nutritionist on the development of curriculum Implemented and evaluated nutritional programs for schools and agencies. She Designed and implemented a pilot program entitled “Snack Busters” She also Prepared health education materials for a low literacy Hispanic population. Raquel Participated in Educational trainings at Columbia University Raquel also worked as District workshop facilitator in Differentiated Instructions • Macintosh Educational software programs • Raquel is excellent in Computers, She is familiar with Microsoft Windows, XP Home/Professional software suite and Word Perfect • She is Fluent in Spanish. She obtains a New York State Permanent Elementary Teaching License • Raquel has received several licenses and Honors such as,New York State English as a Second Language License • New York State Bilingual Extension Certification • New York State School Administrator and Supervisor Certification AWARDS • Administrator of the Year Award - WCSMA• New York State Teacher Recognition Award • New York City Teacher of the Year Award • Junior Great Books Leadership Award • Distinguished Woman Award – El Diario-La Prensa PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS • Kappa Delta Pi Association • National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) • National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) • National Education Association (NEA) • National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) We want to congratulate this Woman of God for all of her dedication and Outstanding Service to the community that she loves and the Gala Foundation is fortunate to have her onboard. She truly deserves this Gala Life time Achievement Award and may God continue to hold her under the Shadow of His mighty Wings.