Education Professor Kristi Fragnoli Honored with Statewide Outstanding College Educator Award

Dr. Kristi Fragnoli, an education professor at The College of Saint Rose, was recently selected as the first-ever recipient Dr. Benita Jorasky Outstanding College Educator Memorial Award, presented by the New York State Council for the Social Studies (NYCSS).
“Kristi has the qualities of an excellent educator and is most deserving of this award,” the award ceremony program stated. “She has a passion for students and is among the best college educators in NY State.”

Fragnoli’s nominator said that at a recent Capital District Council for the Social Studies conference, she realized that Fragnoli had personally known or taught the majority of those present. The nomination noted that the pre-service activities around the NYCSS conferences would likely not exist without Fragnoli encouraging her students to attend and take advantage of the opportunities. She always volunteers at conferences and is looking for student-teaching placements for her students.

Fragnoli teaches within the undergraduate- and graduate-level programs at Saint Rose, including adolescent, childhood, and special-education certification programs. She also is serving as the first chair of the New York Council for History Education (NYCHE), which was created last year and will bring together a team of educators from nine New York State regions. NYCHE will create networks of educators, historians, and cultural organizations and provide locally-focused professional development and outreach activities.

She has presented at international, national, state, and regional conferences for the National Council of Social Studies, the National Council of History Education, and the American Association of College for Teacher Education. Her research interests include white racial identity, civic literacy, and historical document analysis.

In addition to her higher education experience, Fragnoli has taught grades five, six, seven, and 11 and was a teacher of global studies in grades nine and 10 in Castleton. Fragnoli is an alum of Saint Rose, having earned her M.S. Ed. in Childhood Education in 1992.

“Professional organizations, such as the NYSCSS, allow me and my students to participate in a network of knowledgeable educators and cutting-edge professional development opportunities,” Fragnoli said. “These venues allow my students to connect and learn from the best. I feel fortunate that the College supports my students and myself in the development of these important professional relationships.”