SAYREVILLE – As they prepare to retire, two longtime staff members in the Sayreville School District are being saluted for their service that began for both educators in 1992.
Teresa Watters, a second grade teacher at the Emma L. Arleth Elementary School, and Ann Cosentino, an assistant cook at Sayreville War Memorial High School (SWMHS), have announced they will retire. Watters’ retirement will be effective July 1 and Cosentino’s retirement will be effective May 1.
Board of Education members honored the retirement of Watters on Feb. 19 and honored the retirement of Cosentino on March 5.
According to Superintendent of Schools Richard Labbe, Watters joined the district in 1992 as a paraprofessional and has taught at Arleth since 2002.
“During her first year, Terry worried that she would never be good enough to be a real teacher,” Labbe said. “Her fears were unfounded as anyone who has had the pleasure, as I certainly have, and the privilege to work with her can attest.
“Ms. Watters was nominated as Teacher of the Year in 2005, a very well deserved honor. She worked closely with three principals during her tenure at the Arleth school to continuously improve her skill set and eventually to be giving back and helping novice teachers the way she herself was helped in 1992.
“[The three principals] have fond memories of Ms. Watters and all speak incredibly highly of her dedication to the profession and our school district,” Labbe continued. “Terry Watters is a staple in the Sayreville community and her passion for teaching, as well as her bright smile, will be very missed.
“On a personal note, Ms. Watters is someone I have had the opportunity to get to know quite well since I’ve been here as superintendent and I have to tell you she is the consummate professional and her dedication day in and day out, as well as her proficiency and competency, impress me every time I see her, but moreover, her love and adoration for the students who she serves so impeccably, inspires me. She will be greatly missed,” he said.
Cosentino, according to Labbe, started working in the district as a substitute cafeteria employee in 1992 at all of the district’s schools before she was hired as a permanent part-time cafeteria worker at SWMHS in 1994. At one point she was transferred to the Samsel Upper Elementary School as an assistant cook, before returning to the high school.
“Ann’s warm and comforting personality created an environment where her co-workers and students feel welcome,” the superintendent said. “Whether it’s a co-worker’s birthday or just the right day to have cake, she always had something baked just for you.
Ms. Cosentino went out of her way to create new recipes for the students as they were feasting on her table. We will sorrowfully miss her for not just her hard work, but for the person she inspired her co-workers to be – caring, compassionate and hard-working,” Labbe said.
