Congratulations to Mark Laurrie, who has been selected as the 2023 DeMauro Award Winner.
Mark Laurrie has dedicated his professional life to education. In a career spanning over four decades, he taught elementary and special education and served as assistant principal of two schools, principal of two schools, chief educational administrator of Niagara Falls High School and deputy superintendent. Since 2016, he has been the superintendent of the Niagara Falls City School District.
Mr. Laurrie continues to receive accolades for service and leadership from organizations throughout our region. The Niagara USA Chamber recognized him as Business Person of the Year for 2023. Among his many honors are the Police Athletic League Sportsperson of the Decade, Niagara Organizing Alliance for Hope Service to Community Award, Kiwanis Leadership Award, the Excellence in Literacy Award for North America from the Reading Recovery Community, the Distinguished Alumni Award from Leadership Niagara, the Spirit Award from the Niagara Falls Boys and Girls Club and the Educator of the Year from Niagara University.
Mr. Laurrie also remains active in several charitable and community organizations. He is the current board president of both Destination Niagara USA and the United Way of Niagara. He also serves as the vice president of Junior Achievement of Western New York and sits on the boards of directors of the Mental Health Association of Western New York, the Francis Center, Niagara Falls Education Foundation, Niagara County Opioid Task Force, Niagara Falls Health Equity Task Force, Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital Cardiac Cath Lab Committee, Health Association of Niagara County Inc. (HANCI) Community Volunteer Committee and Leadership Niagara.
Mr. Laurrie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in political science from Niagara University. He earned a Master’s Degree in special and elementary education from the State University College at Buffalo and a Master’s Degree in administration and supervision from Niagara University. He has taught undergraduate education and graduate level educational leadership courses at Niagara University and D’Youville College. Mr. Laurrie was asked to give the 2023 commencement address to the graduating class of Niagara County Community College on May 13th, 2023.
Mr. Laurrie is a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls where he lives with his wife Laura. They have three children, Matthew, an English teacher in Niagara Falls, Katherine, a recruiter for a national recruitment company and Michael, a certified public accountant with Price Waterhouse Coopers.