Dukes County Sheriff’s Office Major Bishop is MA LEAD Instructor of the Year

Major Bishop, Recipient of LEAD Award, with Sheriff Robert W. Ogden

Dukes County Sheriff’s Office would like to recognize Major Sterling Bishop, who was named Massachusetts' LEAD Instructor of the Year at the 5th Annual 21st Century Drug & Violence Prevention Training Conference And Summit on Monday, February 24th. Throughout the school year, Major Bishop may be found across the Island in classrooms, gymnasiums, and playgrounds, running the Law Enforcement Against Drugs (LEAD) program. Currently in Tisbury, Oak Bluffs and Edgartown Elementary Schools, LEAD is an evidence-based program which emphasizes social and emotional learning through fun and interactive lessons, aiming to build the self-confidence young people need to make healthy choices and achieve success. It is not uncommon to spot 6th grade student leaping, running, jumping and smiling as Major Bishop guides them through the many activities of the 10-week curriculum, building skills in the areas of goal setting, decision making, effective communication, anger management, media literacy, social and emotional competency, and pro-social bonding.

“This program not only provides me the opportunity to have a pro-active approach to the substance use problem that is negatively affecting the youth in our community; it helps to build the necessary life skills for our kids to grow into successful adults.” says Major Bishop.

“Major Bishop epitomizes an innovative and progressive approach to public safety and drug use prevention as a talented educator and resource to students, in and out of the classroom.”, says Sheriff Ogden. “I am very proud of Sterling and his accomplishments, in particular his development of the LEAD program on the Island, greatly advancing drug prevention in the Martha’s Vineyard school system. I could not think of anyone more deserving of this award.”

Dukes County Sheriff’s Office is proud to continue a centuries-long commitment to drug use prevention programming for youth. When Major Bishop is not facilitating LEAD courses, he may be found on the DCSO DARE Ropes Challenge Course with 6th & 8th grade students, providing a forum for young adults to learn life skills in conflict resolution, communication, problem solving and healthy response to stressful situations during social interaction with peers and adults.

Congratulations, Major Bishop! To learn more about Dukes County Sheriff’s Office’s Community Outreach work, please visit www.dukescountysheriff.com/community-outreach-programs.