On Thursday, April 23, the Finger Lakes Secondary School (FLSS) Assistant Principal, Alison Cantu, was presented the Region 11 2026 George Vito Administrator of the Year Award during a dinner ceremony at the Webster Golf Club for SAANYS, The School Administrators Association of New York State.
Celebrating alongside her that evening were fellow administrators and staff members from both FLSS and W-FL BOCES.
“Alison exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding middle/high school administrator through her unwavering dedication, instructional leadership, and deep commitment to students, staff, and families,” said FLSS Building Principal Dan Healy. “Alison brings expertise, compassion, and a persistent drive to make school a positive experience for all students."
On top of the passionate, contagious spirit she carries with her daily, she has been an integral part of strengthening the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) at FLSS, collaborating with staff to refine data collection, analyze student needs, and implement targeted interventions.
However, her leadership extends beyond MTSS. As the head of the districtwide math curriculum committee, she ensures alignment with standards, supports teachers through modeling and coaching, and helps guarantee fidelity with Everyday Math.
An excerpt from her nomination reads, “This year, Alison took the lead in implementing a new math curriculum across our sites, grades K-8. She not only coordinated the rollout but also spearheaded the development of priority standard lessons for all grade levels, strengthening instructional coherence and alignment. Her ability to move complex initiatives forward while keeping student needs at the center has resulted in measurable program improvements and increased instructional consistency.”
Adding to her list of credentials, Alison is also a certified TCI-S trainer, building staff capacity in trauma-informed practices, crisis prevention, and de-escalation strategies. She plays a critical role in fostering safe, structured, and responsive learning environments for students with significant behavioral and emotional needs.
Alison is described as deeply loyal to her principal and the W-FL BOCES organization, aligning her leadership with shared goals and consistently acting in the best interest of students and the school community.
Lisa Meade, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning at W-FL BOCES, weighed in on Alison’s nomination stating, “Alison’s leadership, integrity, and unwavering dedication make her exceptionally deserving of this recognition. I am honored to work with her every day.”
According to the SAANYS website, "This program was established to recognize educators who demonstrate outstanding leadership skills and have made exceptional contributions to the educational process."
The SAANYS has been serving public school leaders and their communities since 1972. Their mission is "to provide direction, service, and support to our membership in their efforts to improve the quality of education and leadership in New York State schools." They currently support over 22,000 public school principals, assistant principals, directors, coordinators, and essential service leaders in many of New York’s public schools and BOCES.
We extend our deepest gratitude and congratulations to Alison. We are lucky to have her at Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES!