BY PATRICIA KELLER
WEST MILFORD - Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alex Anemone announced the 2019 Teachers of the Year and Educational Professionals of the Year for each of the eight schools in the West Milford Township Public School district at the Jan. 22 Board of Education meeting.
According to the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), “the purpose of this recognition program is to acknowledge the state’s best teachers and educational services professionals. A Teacher of the Year: “Must be an Effective or Highly Effective educator that meets all the eligibility requirements.”
Each of the State level winners are then recognized at a National level competition.
“The New Jersey Department of Education is committed to recognizing and rewarding the excellence achieved by New Jersey educators and schools. Within the Office of Recruitment, Preparation, and Recognition, our work on recognition will continue to focus on aligning educator evaluation and support systems with opportunities for acknowledgment and appreciation. As educators are recognized through a variety of national and state programs each year, we will continue to keep clear lines of communication open with these educators in order to inform them of and seek their participation in statewide and national initiatives. We also intend to implement a statewide effort to highlight all of the many contributions effective educators make to their students, schools, and communities.”
How it works
Judging panels at individual schools review applications and select one qualified candidate to be their School’s Teacher of the Year, and one for their Educational Professional of the Year.
Those selected then represent their school and district in the County level competition. A County panel of judges selects a winner for each of the twenty-one Counties to compete at the State level. The winner for each State then competes for the National Teacher of the Year title.
Judging Panel Members:
• School-Level: Must include at least four (4) people who represent a cross section of administrators, teachers, parents, and county education association.
• County-Level: Must include at least four (4) people who represent a cross section of
administrators, teachers, parents, and county education association representatives
(Note: Current County Teacher of the Year must be on the panel)
• State-Level: Consists of 8-10 members representing the state education associations.
According to the state, “The New Jersey Teacher of the Year Program and the Governor's Teacher/Educational Services Professionals Recognition Program have been integrated into the Governor's Educator of the Year Program. This program highlights educational innovation, student achievement, the rewards of teaching, and important services outside the classroom environment that lead to student success. Further, it seeks to attract public attention to the positive aspects of our educational system.”
West Milford's Top Teachers for 2019
The West Milford Schools Teachers of the Year for each school are:
West Milford High School-
Alison Scully, Special Education: Resource Center Teacher
13 years teaching
Seven years Teaching at West Milford Township High School
“I am both honored and humbled to be recognized by my colleagues at the high school.”
Macopin Middle School-
Robert Callamari, Social Studies Teacher
Six years teaching in West Milford
"Personally, I am honored to have been nominated and selected as Macopin's Teacher of the Year. I am proud to represent Macopin Middle School, as it is filled with some of the most dedicated and competent educators that I know. Their support has been outstanding throughout the selection process, and for that, I am most grateful."
Apshawa Elementary School-
Catherine Clinton, Special Education Teacher: Resource Center
13 years teaching
Five years teaching in West Milford
“I am so honored to be named Teacher of the Year at Apshawa Elementary School. It is a great privilege to be chosen by my esteemed colleagues and I am forever grateful to work with such wonderful educators and students.”
Marshall Hill Elementary School-
Tara Guarino, Third Grade Teacher
Eight years teaching in West Milford
“It is a complete honor to be awarded this honor from my school. I love what I do and I am the teacher I am because of the great people I am surrounded by every day.”
Maple Road Elementary School-
Kristen Rosimini, Second Grade Teacher
16 years teaching
15 years teaching in West Milford
“I am humbled and honored to be named Maple Road's Teacher of the Year. I truly enjoy being able to come to work everyday to do something that I love.”
Paradise Knoll Elementary School-
Melissa Keil, Fifth Grade Teacher
12 years teaching
12 years teaching in West Milford
“Teaching my fifth grade students at Paradise Knoll Elementary School has been and continues to be very fulfilling. Receiving the Teacher of the Year award by my colleagues, recognizing my hard-work and dedication to my students, has truly been an honor.”
Upper Greenwood Lake Elementary School-
Deena Accardi, Third Grade Teacher
16 years teaching
16 years teaching in West Milford
“I feel honored and humbled to be chosen by my colleagues as UGL's Teacher of the Year. I work with the best staff - my UGL family!”
Westbrook Elementary School-
Lynn Doherty, Special Education: Resource Center Teacher
28 years teaching
18 years teaching in West Milford
“I am honored and humbled to be chosen as the Westbrook Teacher of the Year. I work with an amazing group of people, without them, this honor would not have been possible.”
The Messenger will feature West Milford’s Educational Professionals of the Year next week.