Canajoharie Central School District School Resource Officer Jason Peruzzi has been named the recipient of the 2025 “Innovation in the Classroom Award” by The National Road Safety Foundation and the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO).
The award recognizes innovative teaching of traffic safety in schools by a police officer. Peruzzi was selected by a panel of his peers in NASRO and will receive the award July 7 at the annual NASRO Conference in Grapevine, TX.
Peruzzi has been in law enforcement since 2007 and became the Canajoharie School District’s first school resource officer in 2016. He works with children from pre-K through high school, so they get to know him, building trust in him and in police officers in general.
During his time at Canajoharie, Peruzzi has created a number of programs for students. For first and second graders, he runs a bike rodeo, which teaches the basics of understanding and respecting traffic signals and traffic laws. His programs for middle schoolers focus on crashes and their impact on drivers, passengers, families and friends.
At the high school level, he coordinates with the driver education teacher and covers speeding, impairment and other safety issues, supplementing lessons with having students drive a course with drunk driving goggles. He puts together a teen driver safety week, which includes placing crashed cars on school property to demonstrate the aftermath of a crash.
“I didn’t create these programs to win awards, but rather to keep students safe. However, I am honored to be recognized by NASRO with this incredible honor.” Peruzzi said. “Road safety isn’t just about rules—it’s about responsibility. I’m proud to stand with families, schools, and communities to make sure our youngest travelers are never left behind.”
“We are thrilled that Officer Peruzzi’s hard work and dedication are being recognized on a national level. His commitment to student safety goes far beyond the call of duty. Through innovative programs and engaging outreach, he has empowered our students with the knowledge and tools they need to travel safely and responsibly,” said Canajoharie CSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nick Fitzgerald. “ His efforts have not only made a lasting impact on our school community but have also set a standard for excellence in school safety education. We are incredibly proud to have him as part of our team.”
“Officer Peruzzi’s efforts demonstrate how a dedicated, ongoing presence in schools from start to finish can build trust and respect for police officers with young people,” said Mo Canady, Executive Director of the National Association of School Resource Officers.
“We are pleased to recognize the outstanding work that Officer Peruzzi does at all grade levels in his school district,” said Michelle Anderson, Director of Operations at The National Road Safety Foundation. “His creativity and passion pays off when the teens he has mentored get behind the wheel.”
The National Road Safety Foundation, Inc. (NRSF) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit charitable organization that for more than 60 years has been dedicated to reducing crashes, deaths and injuries on our nation’s highways by promoting safe driving habits through greater public awareness.