Brick Schools Honor Teachers, Support Staff For Commitment To Students

As school districts around the state begin to wind down the school year, they also are honoring their teachers and staff for their dedication to the students they teach.

The Brick Township School District released its list of the honorees from each school. In addition, one teacher was chosen as the District Teacher of the Year for her work with her students.

Brittany Bucco was surprised in her classroom at Lake Riviera Middle School by interim Superintendent Richard Caldes and other administrative staff with the notification. (Watch the video below.)

Bucco, a Spanish teacher, has been in the district for seven years.

“Mrs. Bucco is an exceptional teacher who skillfully balances engaging and rigorous classroom instruction with sincere care and commitment for her students and their individual needs,” the district said in a news release. “Her classroom personifies high quality instructional practices, providing students with an experience where they are inspired and committed to learning.”

“I couldn’t have done this without the dedication of my students and the support of my colleagues and my administration,” Bucco said, when she was surprised in front of her eighth-grade class.

“All of the nominees clearly represented their commitment to their students, school and the Brick Township Pubic School District,” Caldes said. “It is indeed an honor to be working with such a dedicated group of professionals.”

The full list of honorees:

• Brick Memorial High School: Katherine Boeckel, Career & Technology Department; Nina Rettino, Student Assistance Coordinator
• Brick Township High School: Carolyn Segreto, Computer Science Teacher; Lori Roland, Student Assistance Coordinator
• Lake Riviera Middle School: Brittany Bucco, World Language; Michelle Corus-Ratkowski, Guidance Counselor
• Veterans Memorial Middle School: Colleen Brennan, Special Education; Shauna Vandegraaff, School Social Worker
• Drum Point Elementary: Michelle McNeary, Special Education; Rita Knittel, School Nurse
• Emma Havens Young School: Jaclyn Koczan, Grade 4; Stefanie Gray, Guidance Counselor
• Herbertsville School: Cheryl Larned, Grade 3; Pamela Levandoski, Occupational Therapist
• Lanes Mill: Dean Albanese, Physical Education/Health; Annette Cioffi-Parker, Occupational Therapist
• Midstreams Elementary: Jennifer Farrar, Special Education; Wendy Fogler, Physical Therapist
• Osbornville School: Kristie McCarry, Grade 3; Amelia Tallarida, School Nurse
• Veterans Memorial Elementary: Kim Troncone, Grade 2; Karen Yaegel, Counselor
• Warren H. Wolf Elementary: Donna Wittmann, Special Education; Susan Heschle, Physical Therapist