By KAYLA J. MARSH
Staff Writer
ABERDEEN — Students, family and community members alike packed Strathmore Elementary School to honor Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District’s 2015-16 Teachers and Educational Service Professionals of the Year.
At the Board of Education’s Feb. 22 meeting, 14 members of the district family were praised by their respective principals and received their awards to thunderous applause.
At Cambridge Park Elementary School, principal Wayne Spells said he believes the district has the greatest staff in the state and honored Teacher of the Year Sonali Anderson.
“She loves teaching her little ones,” he said. “To be the first teacher in a child’s educational journey, she has a huge responsibility and she gives them her all.
“She gives them safety, security and the first steps to love to learn and said she truly couldn’t imagine any other career.”
Spells also congratulated Educational Service Professional of the Year Jacqueline Kruzik, who has lived in the district for 25 years and has been an active part of the community.
“For Mrs. Kruzik, her favorite part of working with her ‘little pumpkins’ is watching them learn and listening to what they have to say,” he said.
“She is grateful to be one of the many teachers who come in contact with the children when they first start education in Matawan … and believes that she has been the benefactor of far more than she gave.”
Cliffwood Elementary School principal Valerie Ulrich was thrilled to name Susan Generoso Teacher of the Year.
“Mrs. Generoso works with students with autism and passionately advocates for them, helps them achieve the largest of goals, partners with parents and helps us all understand and appreciate the diversity of Cliffwood School,” she said. “Mrs. Generoso has also been a resource for our staff, [helping] them better meet the needs of their students … and [her] students are so blessed to have [her] in their corner.”
Ulrich was also pleased to announce Mary Ann Reese as Educational Service Professional of the Year.
“Mrs. Reese has been the cornerstone of Cliffwood for generations of students as school nurse,” Ulrich said. “She not only inspires trust in our parents, but a sense of home to our students.
“She is an advocate and caretaker of some of our most challenging students and is always watching out for their well-being.”
Joseph Jerabek, principal of Lloyd Road Elementary School, named fifth grade math and science teacher Casey Barilka Teacher of the Year.
“What always interests me is to hear and see what students, colleagues and parents say as they submit their forms for the candidates,” he said.
“A leader in and out of the classroom, a colleague said Mr. Barilka has not only had a positive affect on the students in his classroom, but also on the teachers in our school, as well as the teachers in the entire district.”
Jerabek also discussed what community members said about Rosalie Preuss, school nurse and Educational Service Professional of the Year.
“We all know that sometimes the students visiting the school nurse are not always truly extremely ill, but rather maybe just need a few words of encouragement or reassurance that they will be okay and Mrs. Preuss offers that to them during each visit,” he said.
Ravine Drive Elementary School principal Patricia A. Janover said Teacher of the Year Jill Donovan was hired by the district in March 2007.
“Mrs. Donovan has taken on a leadership role assisting new teachers [and] has worked closely with her team and administration to met the needs of all of the students,” she said.
“The parents of Mrs. Donovan’s students have shared that they know she is committed to helping their children succeed [and] have stated on numerous occasions that Mrs. Donovan is dedicated and concerned about each one of her students.”
Janover said Educational Service Professional of the Year Barbara Danback, was hired by the district in May of 1996.
“Mrs. Danback’s role extends to well beyond the title of guidance counselor,” she said. “She takes an active role within the school including working closely with child study teams, assisting new staff members and providing families with information outside school for support.”
Third grade teacher Sheryl Preiser was awarded Teacher of the Year at Strathmore Elementary School.
“Mrs. Preiser is a true educational professional and is a member of many school and district committees,” Principal Kelly Bera said.
“When she first came to New Jersey, she intended to pursue a career in social work [and] while job-searching she volunteered in an office for a couple who ran a youth-ministry group.
“One evening they needed an extra pair of hands, and that night she knew there was no better way to spend her life than working with children.”
Speech and Language specialist Linda Gumina was awarded the Educational Service Professional of the Year.
“Mrs. Gumina has always loved working with children, but actually began her college career as a business major,” Bera said. “After taking a college course in sign language and speaking with the professors in the speech and language and hearing science department, she realized that she had found her perfect field.”
Eighth grade class president Anthony Fosu presented the Matawan-Aberdeen Middle School (MAMS) awards.
“Saying congratulations is not simply enough to describe what [Teacher of the Year Samantha Dansky] and others do as teachers,” he said. “It is often understated what great educators do to [empower] the scholars of tomorrow.
“Ms. Dansky’s profound impact to create an aura of trust … has made her a key factor in making the MAMS experience a true experience and an experience that makes productive, respectful members of society.”
Educational Service Professional of the Year Joy Edelstein joined the MAMS family in 2004.
“She has developed a unique bond with her students and coworkers,” Fosu said. “On any given day you can see Joy cutting, pasting, stapling, copying, assisting and instructing — you name it, she does it … and she has created a dynamic program where kids can learn, relax and are valued as individuals.”
Matawan Regional High School Principal Michele Ruscavage presented Mary Jane Friscia with the Teacher of the Year award.
“She has served as a teacher, case manager and director for children and adults with special needs for the past 30 years,” Ruscavage said. “Her commitment to our students, parents and colleagues is exemplary.
“Mary Jane is the type of educator we all aspire to be each and every day — loyal, passionate and dedicated to the educational journey of all our students.”
The high school’s Educational Service Professional of the Year award went to Donna Godowski. “Donna is a hometown girl and a proud Husky 1980 graduate,” Ruscavage said.
“Her work includes acute nursing in the ICU and the CCU setting, and she assisted in the opening of the cardiac catheterization unit at Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel.
“She is an integral part of our school community [and] her expertise, her compassion and her empathy are valued by students and staff alike.”
At the end of the recognitions, Superintendent Joseph Majka left all winners with a piece of advice.
“On behalf of the board I congratulate everyone tonight and more importantly thank you for all you do every day for our children and young adults,” he said.
“Never lose your passion because the passion you bring to the classroom rubs off on the children and it is self-evident tonight.”
