Marguerite Cahill, Ridge High School Counselor, Named 2017 Ridge High School Teacher of the Year

Marguerite Cahill’s path to becoming a school counselor has been circuitous. After first practicing defense law in Trenton, New Jersey for a small private firm, Cahill struggled to find a balance between work and home life; she wanted to find a career that would allow her more flexibility to be present for important milestones in her daughter's life. Soon after consulting with friends and family, she determined that working in an educational setting where she could use her educational background in Clinical Psychology would be ideal. It’s clear that Cahill has found her niche. Marguerite Cahill, Ridge High School Counselor, has been named the 2017 Ridge High School Teacher of the Year.

“Being named Teacher of the Year at RHS is a particular honor because I work amongst an incredibly talented team of faculty,” Cahill says. “I love my job and enjoy coming to work each day. Each one of my students is an individual with his or her own strengths and weaknesses, personality, and unique path. It is my job to help each student find that path, to foster any successes, and to assist in navigating stumbling blocks.”

Cahill, a Hillsborough Township resident, is a mother of two and wife of Ridge High School math teacher Matthew Cahill. Both of Cahill’s children attend Bernards Township schools.

Aside from her role as a school counselor, Cahill serves the school community in a number of ways. She co-advises Ethics Club, National Honor Society, and Habitat for Humanity while also serving on the Ridge Graduation Speech Committee. As an active member of the Bernards Township Education Association (BTEA), Somerset County Education Association (SCEA), and New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), Cahill actively serves on the Grievance Committee, POET Committee, and NJEA PR&R Committee aside from working as the Ridge High School Head Building Representative. Reflecting on her work with the BTEA, Cahill notes that she has “had the honor of supporting many members, ensuring that they feel heard and that they are treated fairly and respectfully and supported by their union.” Cahill finds these roles “both challenging and incredibly rewarding” and to be recognized for her efforts by her colleagues is “invaluable.”

Colleagues remark on Cahill’s dedication to her job, citing that “even in the most challenging of situations, if it is the right thing for the student, [Cahill] will advocate for [that student] relentlessly. [Cahill] is always willing to go beyond the scope of her job to help a student or colleague who is in need of advice or her expertise.” Another colleague lauds Cahill’s selflessness: “She will get up from eating her lunch or literally stop on the way to the bathroom if someone needs to talk to her. She figures out the most unique ways to help and she doesn't give up until she's able to do that. She is always positive with her students. With her involvement in the BTEA, it's no different - even in the midst of our busiest times, she finds the time to meet with, talk, and help members - even (and especially) with sensitive, potentially even uncomfortable situations. She does NOT back down from a challenge.”

At Ridge, Cahill is well regarded by faculty and administration alike. “Ms. Cahill truly seems to believe in a ‘team effort,’ and she values collaboration with others,” notes Jillian Shadis, Director of School Counseling. “[Cahill] is one of the first volunteers to assist with an extra project or program that will benefit the department, and she eagerly takes advantage of any opportunity presented to her to learn from others.”

In the community, Cahill serves on the committee known as Community in Crisis which fosters communication between residents, school districts, and local organizations in an attempt to support students in crisis.

“Because Ms. Cahill is also very much involved with the Ridge community outside of her role as school counselor, she is ‘known’ to a lot of people and represents the department extremely well. Always willing to answer a question or provide guidance, in the community’s eyes, she has greatly improved the perception of accessibility of the Counseling Department over the years,” comments Shadis.

Cahill, who graduated from Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School in 1996 went on to attend The College of New Jersey where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2000, earning a Baccalaureate Degree in Psychology and Law & Justice with a minor in Chemistry. In 2002, she received her Master of Arts degree in Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology (now Alliant International University) and has all but dissertated for her doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Cahill then went on to attend California Western School of Law where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with her Juris Doctor in 2005. In November 2007, Cahill joined the Counseling Department at Ridge High School.

“[Cahill] truly will go above and beyond for students whether it's related to college, school, personal, family,” notes another colleague and fellow counselor. “Students that she builds relationships with value it and continue to keep in touch with her well past leaving Ridge.”

Bernards Township Board of Education President Bev Cwerner feels fortunate to have worked with Cahill: “By the luck of alphabetical order, our daughters were assigned Mrs. Cahill as their guidance counselor. Her knowledge and enthusiasm has provided great support to our children in both the scheduling and college selection process.” Cwerner also mentions that her daughters “have great respect for [Cahill] and, more importantly, incredible confidence in the ideas and advice she provides to them. They have no hesitation in reaching out to her, and they feel comfortable in the fact that Mrs. Cahill is always accessible and supportive when they have a question.” Cahill’s dedication to her professional truly leaves a lasting impression.

Another one of Cahill’s colleagues reflects on her contributions to the department: “As someone who works directly across from her, I witness her going above and beyond for her students, parents, and colleagues every day. No matter what is going on she makes time for anyone who needs her. [Cahill] brings fun, honesty, and so many laughs to our department. We would be lost without her.”

Ridge High School’s Teacher of the Year is selected by a committee of previous recipients; nominees for this award are recommended by fellow colleagues.