JACKSON – It’s that time of year again, the Grammys and the Oscars came and went but more importantly for residents of the township, it was time to honor the school district’s educators.
During a recent school board meeting, the 2020 Teachers of the Year were named.
School Board President Michael Walsh welcomed those who came out to the Jackson Memorial High School Arts Center that night adding, “on behalf of the entire Board of Education, it is our honor to have you all here tonight to recognize our annual Teachers of the Year and Educational Services Professionals of the Year.”
Walsh said that during the session the board would be honoring members of the school district’s staff. He noted that early last month, “we honored another person. He didn’t work in a school, but he was certainly a teacher – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It feels right to use some of his words here tonight. Specifically:
“Intelligence plus character – that is the true goal of education,’’ Walsh said.
“I’ve heard that phrase quoted before. What I didn’t know until recently is that he wrote those words not during his adult life as a civil rights leader, but when he was only 18 years old. They were published in an essay entitled “The Purpose of Education” for the Morehouse College school paper,” Walsh added.
“For those of you who have seen our very own district mission statement, that same idea is also part of our district philosophy of Scholarship. Character. And Initiative. These are the qualities we celebrate in our students. These are certainly the qualities that run deeply through every person we are about to bring on stage tonight,” Walsh added.
Walsh described those who received the awards saying, “These are the people who are responsible for shaping the future, and they take that responsibility seriously. They innovate. They inspire. And we are indebted to them for all they do to ignite learning, to offer academic and emotional support, to inspire both intelligence and character.”
This year’s Teachers of the Year and the Educational Professionals of the year were summoned up on stage along with their respective principals.
From Crawford-Rodriguez Elementary School:
Teacher Kevin Maher and Paraprofessional Alessandra Alvear.
From Elms Elementary School:
Teacher Kerri Rotundo and Basic Skills Interventionist Dana Bellino.
From Holman Elementary School:
Teacher Megan Polhemus and Guidance Counselor Maryann Garbooshian.
From Johnson Elementary School:
Teacher Lorraine Glushko and Occupational Therapist Denise Barrett.
From Rosenauer Elementary School:
Teacher Cynthia Amey and Reading Specialist Donna Donner.
From Switlik Elementary School:
Teacher Monique Placek and Paraprofessional Joanne Murray.
From Goetz Middle School:
Teacher Yvonne Thomas and LDTC Amanda Sobel
From McAuliffe Middle School:
Teacher Melissa Svoboda and Guidance Counselor Debra Long.
From Jackson Liberty High School:
Teacher William Beaver and LDTC Susan Goodwin
From Jackson Memorial High School:
Teacher Elizabeth Marvin Student Assistance Coordinator Tracie Kearney.
Walsh said, “each year we also have the very difficult decision of selecting a district Teacher of the Year and district Educational Services Professional.”
This year’s District Educational Services Professional of the Year went to Elms Elementary School – Basic Skills Interventionist Dana Bellino.
Walsh described her as an educator who “embodies the concept of life-long learning, compassion and persistence. She is committed to researching and applying innovative techniques to help her students advance their skills.
“She uses every opportunity both during school and before the school day to help students grow academically, and in their social emotional development. She is supremely adept at fostering relationships, at teaching problem-solving skills and at encouraging lasting relationships,” he said.
Bellino serves on many teams within her school and brings a balanced viewpoint to each role, he said. She is an informed and passionate voice for her colleagues and is always focused on finding ways to build positive relationships and collaboration. She mentors younger teachers, while at the same time being open and eager to embrace the changing world of education.
“Parents routinely talk about how lucky they feel to have this person in their children’s lives. They appreciate that she takes the time to get to know every child – the introvert, the extrovert, the child who is starting to grow out of their or her comfort zone… all of these students benefit greatly from her guidance,” Walsh said.
The award for District Teacher of the Year went to McAuliffe Middle School teacher Melissa Svoboda.
“This teacher has been described as the quintessential, consummate educator. She also seems to have a reputation for having her happy and energetic voice echo throughout the hallways of her school,” Walsh said.
“In the words of one of her peers, she ‘simply cannot contain her enthusiasm,’ which is apparent to anyone who has seen her in action,” Walsh said.
“Creative, hardworking and empathetic, this teacher works selflessly to make sure all students have what they need – whether it is a basic need such as food or clothing or extra help – or sometimes just a sympathetic ear,” Walsh said.
She has unofficially mentored a number of notice teachers, collaborates regularly with veteran teachers and is always the first to volunteer in many school-based initiatives, he said.
“Her patience, high energy level and engaging personality create a safe classroom environment in which students feel respected, nurtured and challenged all at the same time,” he added.
