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Nassau BOCES Education Partner Awards

A group of 19 honorees pose for a photo at the Education Partner Awards Gala

Accepting the 2026 Nassau BOCES Education Partner Awards are, back row from left: Matthew McElwee, Gina Marie DaRocha, Dr. Marc Isseks, Elizabeth Roemer, Michael Weinick, Michael Cuellar, Rachel Morin M.S. Ed., John Mangione, and Meryl Waxman Ben-Levy. Front row, from left: Tania Kapoor, Dr. Anita Gauld, Lisa Paolucci, Maisyn Cardinale, Olivia Lawrence, Christian Maguire, Lidia Velasquez, Angelina Castro-Boutin, Dr. Gabriella Franza, and Dr. Susan Poser.

Hundreds unite to salute Nassau BOCES' Education Partners

Long Island’s public-education community gathered April 22, 2026, at Crest Hollow Country Club as Nassau BOCES honored 18 outstanding advocates during its Education Partner Awards Gala. The annual program — created by the agency, a strategic partner to school districts since 1967 — recognizes individuals and organizations that share Nassau BOCES’ commitment to delivering high-quality learning for students of all ages and abilities.

The honorees are:

(click to learn more about each honoree)

Elizabeth Roemer

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Island Trees UFSD; Adjunct Instructor, Molloy University

Watch the tribute video

Proceeds from awards gala to fund educational innovation

The 2026 Nassau BOCES Education Partner Awards Gala was sponsored by the Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation, an independent non-profit organization which raises funds for innovative educational programs that fall outside of the agency's budget.

Grants in Action: Since 2007, the Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation has awarded more than 350 grants totaling over $700,000 to benefit thousands of Nassau BOCES students.

Past Honorees