South Country School District Director of Humanities Jaclyn O’Hagan has been recognized with the 2024-2025 Outstanding Social Studies Supervisor Award by the New York State Council for the Social Studies. She will be presented with the award at a ceremony in Albany on March 6.

O’Hagan earned the award for her track record of being a transformative leader who empowers and inspires teachers in her district.

“Receiving the NYSCSS Outstanding Social Studies Supervisor Award is not just a personal honor, but a testament to the power of collaboration,” said O’Hagan. “It reflects the hard work and dedication of an incredible team all working together toward a shared vision.”

During her tenure in South Country, O’Hagan has been committed to supporting project-based learning in the classroom and equitable and culturally responsive social studies instruction. She, along with social studies teacher Andrew Budris, spearheaded the district’s Generation Citizen initiative, in which students work toward earning a New York State Seal of Civic Readiness on their diplomas. Over the past four years, 90% of the district’s graduates have earned the seal.

“It is hard to overstate her positive impact on our department,” said Budris. “Since her arrival, our social studies teachers have been constant presenters at local, state and national conferences. South Country has become synonymous with innovative teaching practices around New York State.”

South Country Superintendent of Schools Antonio Santana also praised O’Hagan. “Our civics program has become a beacon of best practices not only in soliciting visitations from other school districts, but also in informing our students on how they can best engage in advocacy through civic engagement,” he said. “Her honor is very well deserved.”

O’Hagan has served as the director of humanities for grades K-12 since 2017. She holds a Master of Science in social studies education from Hofstra University and an Advanced Certificate in Educational Leadership from Stony Brook University. Additionally, she was a participant in the 16th cohort of the New York State Council of School Superintendents’ Future Superintendents Academy for the 2024-2025 school year.