JACKSON – During a recent board meeting held at the Jackson Memorial High School Fine Arts Auditorium, teachers and educational service professionals took to the stage to be honored for their dedication to students.
Board of Education members John Burnetsky and Sharon Dey joined them on stage during the awards program. Burnetsky quoted psychologist Carl Jung who said, “One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.”
“To me this idea encompasses all of the people we are celebrating tonight,” Burnetsky said. “All the teachers and educational professionals who work together every day to figure out how to best educate, guide and nourish our students.”
Burnetsky added that “the heart of the school district is in the people who come to work day after day and say, “What can I do today to help these kids? There are countless people here in our wonderful district who do just that and we are so proud to have some of them here with us tonight.”
Each of the 20 winners were escorted to the stage by their respective school’s principal. Jackson Township has two high schools, two middle schools and six elementary schools.
The winners included teacher Helenmae Bilder and paraprofessional Justyna Zemel of the Crawford-Rodriguez Elementary School, teacher Lori Ann Rudenjak and occupational therapist Alexis Goldberg of the Elms Elementary School, teacher Jere Albertino and literacy interventionist Sandra Morales from the Holman Elementary School, teacher Kristy Beline and paraprofessional Paulette Stilwell from the Johnson Elementary School, teacher Maria Caloia and speech language specialist JoAnn Westreich of the Rosenauer Elementary School and teacher Tracey Kahn and paraprofessional Sharon Potenza from the Switlik Elementary School.
Middle School winners included teacher Dianna Kennedy and paraprofessional Katherine Mitchel from the Goetz Middle School and teacher Eileen Kochis and paraprofessional Corey Rutenberg from the McAuliffe Middle School.
High School winners included teacher Dina Tilker and guidance counselor Signe Myres from the Jackson Liberty High School and teacher Jaclyn Kerrigan and athletic trainer Nicolle Figaro from the Jackson Memorial High School.
Dey said that “each year we also have the very difficult decision of selecting a district teacher of the year and district educational services professional.”
The district educational services professional of the year for 2019 is Holman Elementary School – Literacy Interventionist Sandra Morales, who they described as having worked to build skills, confidence and self esteem in her students. Morales takes weekend classes, presents workshops on social and emotional learning and is always willing to assist, advise and cooperate with her colleagues.
The District Teacher of the Year for 2019 is teacher Dina Tilker from Jackson Liberty High School, who was described as not only being a master in the subject areas she teaches, but a master at finding ways to engage students which this year included turning her classroom into a CSI investigation of the Medici murders during the Renaissance, an escape room based on the French Revolution and a film studio to focus attention on modern day issues.
Superintendent Dr. Stephen Genco said “we are very proud of all our winners here tonight who do an outstanding job every day.”
Board Chooses New Leadership
During the board’s recent reorganization meeting, members elected John Burnetsky as its new board president, replacing Scott Sargent who lost his re-election bid last fall. Sharon Dey was elected among the board to serve as its new vice president replacing Vicki Grasso who was re-elected to the board in November’s election.
Along with Grasso and Burnetsky, Gus Acevedo was also sworn in for a three-year term on the board. Acevedo had previously served several prior terms on the board.
The board’s next meeting is at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 19 at the Board of Education Administration Building.
