NYSAEOP sponsors an annual Office Professional of the Year Award, offering recognition of office professionals, nominated by affiliate associations, who are ascribed by both their supervisors and peers as possessing exemplary professional and personal characteristics.

2010

Doreen Berrios-Castillo, New York City Department of Education

Doreen Berrios-Castillo has been employed by the New York City Department of Education since 1992, working for District 4 in East Harlem NYC for the past 18 years.  Beginning at the Manhattan West/Art Institute Middle School, where she was in charge of Pupil Personnel and Secretary to the Director, Doreen is currently the Payroll Secretary for PS 146M, a Manhattan elementary school.

Doreen has been a member of NYSAEOP since 2004, NAEOP since 2006, and has been on the NYSAEOP Executive Board as the Lower Hudson Region Director for the last two years.  In addition, Doreen is a member of NYS United Teachers; United Federation of Teachers UTF, where she has been a convention delegate since 2007 and a member of the Latino Caucus since 2009; and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), where she is a newly elected convention delegate.  Doreen was recognized by her peers in 2007 when she was elected as the District 4 Secretaries Coordinator.  She is also a member of the New York League of Puerto Rican Women.  Doreen continues to earn college credits, has attended numerous workshops and conferences, and obtained her Associate Professional, Option 1, PSP certification in May of this year.

Doreen is recognized by her supervisor as “an extremely competent person who goes beyond the call of duty to get her job done”.  One of her peers indicated that Doreen has become the “go-to” person in their district when it comes to analyzing the myriad memoranda of changes to procedure, implementation and reporting that seem to permeate the ever-changing policies in the New York City Department of Education and Chancellor’s office; that she is extremely well versed in many areas of payroll and pupil personnel services; and that she attends all of the professional development opportunities throughout the year, sharing the information with her peers.  A teacher in her building said that over the past four years Doreen has shown that she is a dedicated professional who loves to share her extensive knowledge with others, that she possesses a thoughtful communicative style and no matter how demanding or pressing the situation, Doreen shines.  Doreen was described as an outstanding, dedicated, self-motivated leader who is more than willing to take time out of her busy day to personally show someone how to do something; that she is always approachable and assessable when someone needs assistance; and that her school would not be the same with her nor would it run as smoothly.

One belief was repeated throughout her application:  Doreen deserves this recognition for her hard work, dedication, commitment, energy and devotion to her school, community and culture.  NYSAEOP couldn’t agree more.

It is with pride and honor that NYSAEOP recognizes Mrs. Castillo as the NYSAEOP 2010 Office Professional of the Year.

Submitted by Peggy Strubbe, Bronx, N.Y.

 

Past Recipients:

1985: Eleanor Carter, CEOE 1986: Helen Nicloy, CEOE 1987: Charlotte Ash 1988: NO OPY nominated 1989: Joyce Ellis 1990: Joyce Clintsman 1991: Thelma Rose 1992: No OPY nominated 1993: Cynthia Marx, CEOE 1994: Margaret Bowhall 1995: Joyce Everts, CEOE 1996: Josephine Manuse

1997: Veronica Walker, CEOE 1998: Sharon Kane 1999: Diane Wright, CEOE 2000: Rose Van Volkenburg 2001: Donna Snyder 2002: Rose Shulgay 2003: Connie Jackson 2004: Arlene Connelly, CEOE 2005: Deborah Johnson, CEOE 2006: Connie Van Hoesen, CEOE 2007: Rose Bain, CEOE 2008: Joette Capello