Not one, but two of the top teachers in the entire state have ties to the village of Fredonia. The Fredonia Central School District was proud to highlight its own teacher for being recognized by the state at a recent meeting of the Board of Education.

Ellen Foley was named as one of four finalists for the New York State Teacher of the Year award. The award is presented by New York State United Teachers (NYSUT).

“This is a huge honor, and I think it’s so well-deserved,” said Fredonia Superintendent Dr. Brad Zilliox. “Ellen Foley is one of those people that you hear so many positive things about. Any time I swing by her room, it is fantastic.”

Foley teaches at Wheelock Early Childhood Center, led by Principal Amy Piper. Foley was celebrated by Piper and her colleagues at Wheelock on Wednesday.

“It’s an unbelievable achievement. Hundreds of thousands of teachers in New York State and she’s in the top four,” Piper said. “It’s pretty remarkable.”

The winner of the award was Zachary Arenz, a music teacher at Flower City School Number 54 in Rochester. Arenz, a graduate of SUNY Fredonia, has taught vocal, general and instrumental music to students from elementary to high school in Rochester since 2013.

“Zach exemplifies the life-changing work our teachers do every day, whether that’s guiding children and families through restorative practices, turning his classroom into a refuge where students feel supported or ensuring parents have the resources to engage with their kids’ learning,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person in a press release. “The mark he is leaving in Rochester is inarguable proof that emphasizing the whole child is key to healthy students, public schools and communities. We are proud to congratulate him on this honor.”

Piper joked that Foley “felt a little bit better” that the winner was a SUNY Fredonia graduate. “In true Ellen fashion, she was thrilled for the person that won. She was honored to be a part of it,” Piper said.