By Matthew Sockol
Correspondent
MILLSTONE – Administrators in the Millstone Township K-8 School District have named the district’s teachers of the year.
At the Millstone Township Primary School, where pupils in pre-kindergarten through second grade are educated, the Teacher of the Year is Erica Scarnati, a first grade teacher who has taught in the district for 12 years.
“Mrs. Scarnati is an exceptional teacher who works hard day in and day out to help her students enjoy and excel in language arts, math and all subjects,” Principal Trisha Bogusz said. “She is the grade level leader for her team and someone who can be counted on to make sure the entire grade level is successful. She is top-notch and is so deserving of this award.”
At the Millstone Township Elementary School, where pupils in grades three through five are educated, the Teacher of the Year is Nicole Filippone, who has caught in the district for 10 years as a special education teacher.
“Ms. Filippone works with students in a number of ways, but her support of students as they grow in the area of a reading is exemplary,” Principal Suzanne Guidry said. “She is a dedicated professional who continually strives to enhance her own professional knowledge so she can design instruction to meet the needs of individual learners. We could not be prouder of her accomplishment.”
At the Millstone Township Middle School, where students in grades six through eight are educated, the Teacher of the Year is Mary Jane Russo, a special education teacher with 29 years of service in the district. Russo teaches a self-contained class that is attended by students from all three grades at the school. Her instruction is focused on language arts, math and life skills.
“I cannot think of a teacher more deserving of this award than Mrs. Russo,” Principal Christopher Huss said. “She is a dedicated educator who handles all aspects of her job well. Mrs. Russo is a master technician who is always looking for innovative and creative ways to reach her students. On top of all that, it is obvious that she truly enjoys working with the students and coming to work each day. We are proud to have Mrs. Russo as a teacher at the middle school.”
District administrators recognized Marnell Winn as the Educational Service Professional of the Year. Winn is a social worker at the primary school and a member of the district’s child study team.
“Mrs. Winn is one of the first educators that many people in this district meet when their children start here at an early age,” Bogusz said. “She is warm and welcoming to all, always focused on the needs of the individual child and educational supports for their families. She is the consummate professional and someone who we all value on a daily basis for her guidance and support.”
