The following is what was said about Ed this past fall when he was named Educator of the Year - Phi Delta Kappa, Long Island, Chapter 1055  2002-03.  It says it all.  Well deserved recognition!

Every successful organization needs a driver, a leader who keeps it focused, hones its vision and nurtures it as a way of developing and maximizing its potential. For the Long Island Regional School Support Center that person is its Executive Director, Edward J. Zero.

Ed has been involved with education since 1973 as an Environmental Guide, Teacher Trainer, Director of Environmental Education Services, Adjunct Instructor, Administrator and developer of a alternative school called Walden, Regional Manager of the Effective School Consortium Network – Metro Region, Consultant and now the Executive Director of the Long Island Regional School Support Center. The lessons learned during those years are the bedrock upon which he and an extremely competent and dedicated staff developed a powerful technical assistance strategy to serve high poverty low performing schools in the region. The districts and schools served by the LIRSSC are identified as needing improvement under the State’s school accountability system (SASS) and as measured by the VESID’s Key Performance Indicators (KPI). Implementation of the LIRSSC services is driven by an ongoing analysis of student achievement data. 

I should add that under Ed’s leadership the BOCES Outdoor Environmental Education Program received special recognition from:

• The Regional Laboratories for Improvement in Science and Mathematics;

• The National Science Teachers Association, National Science Supervisors Association and the Council of State Science Supervisors, as a National Exemplar in the “Search for Excellence” in Science Education Program, and;

• The New York State Education Department, Bureau of Science Education State as the State’s Science Program Exemplar.

Ed received his B.A. in Biology with a minor in marine sciences and secondary education from Long Island University, Southampton College campus. He earned a Master of Science in Applied Science at S.U.N.Y. at Stony Brook, College of Engineering and Applied Science, Department of Technology & Society.  Ed also attended New York University, Department of Organizational & Administrative Studies where he completed education administration certification requirements for the (S.A.S & S.D.A.).

Ed has served in a leadership capacity on a number of committees and advisory boards, including:

• BOCES 2000 Strategic Priorities Committee

• BOCES Divisional Administrative Council

• Founder & Co-chair - Friends of Marion Carll Farm, Inc. –-

• Chairman under Governor Cuomo - Governor’s Environmental Education
  Task Force

• National Science Teachers Association - Environmental Education Task Force

• Vice-President and Program Chair - Alliance for Environmental Education
   AEE is North America’s largest environmental education advocacy  
   organization

• National Congress for Environmental Education, Future Policies and Practices Committee

• Vice-President - New York State Outdoor Education Association

• Long Island Water Resource Curriculum Council

In the past he has been awarded:

• Harlan “Gold” Metcalf Award for outstanding leadership on the state and national level - New York State Outdoor Education Association ‘93

• Distinguished Alumnus Award - S.U.N.Y. at Stony Brook, College of Engineering, Department of Technology and Society finalist

• Certificate of Appreciation - National Science Supervisors Association

• Certificate of Appreciation - New York State Education Department, Excellence in Science Education

• Leadership Award - New York State Outdoor Education Association

• Conservation Achievement Award in Education - National Wildlife Federation

• Proclamation - Suffolk County Legislature 

He lives in Setauket where he raised two daughters.  In what spare time he has he enjoys boating and saltwater fly-fishing!