West Essex Regional School District Announces Teachers of the Year

West Essex English teachers Thomas Lancaster and Olivia Macaluso have been named the 2014 West Essex Governor’s Teacher Recognition Winners.

Lancaster, who teaches English in the Middle School, and Mrs. Macaluso, who teaches English in the high school, were honored at the May 5 faculty meeting by Middle School Principal Vee Popat and High School Principal Gary Suda.

In addition, the following middle school teachers were recognized as nominees: Shannon Corcoran, Stephanie Graham, Jennifer Kelly, James Massa, Raquel Williams and Jean Zuhl. The following high school teachers were recognized as honorees: Taciana Barros, Cassie Lo, Anthony Minnella, Amanda Procaccino, Nancy Randazza-Ford and Jamie Wall. All of the teachers were presented with special certificates. Following the ceremony, faculty enjoyed cake in the cafeteria honoring the winners. The two winners will also be honored by the West Essex Regional Board of Education at an upcoming meeting.

Lancaster, who began his teaching career at West Essex High School in 2003, moved to the middle school in 2007. He is the advisor for the National Junior Honor Society and coaches basketball and baseball. "I began my career at the high school where I learned from exceptional staff," he said. "Amongst this group was Olivia Macaluso, so sharing this honor with her brings back many wonderful memories."

Lancaster said he also owes thanks to his teaching mentor Tina Lane, who was a longtime teacher at West Essex. "The list of West Essex teachers whom I admire is too great to list, so I hope my sincere appreciation to everyone will suffice."

Lancaster is a resident of Rutherford.

Macaluso, a resident of Livingston, was a meeting and event planner for the New York Marketing Association in Manhattan, but missed literature and pursued her graduate studies at Montclair State University before becoming an English teacher at West Essex in 2002.

"I am so honored to have been selected as Teacher of the Year, and more honored to represent the West Essex English Department along with my friend and colleague Tom Lancaster," she said. "To share this honor with Tom on behalf of our hardworking, passionate, and tireless department colleagues is a privilege for which I am most grateful.
"The inordinate amount of time English teachers spend responding to student writing and prepping to teach novels, plays, and poetry certainly can disrupt any attempt at striking an appropriate work-life balance. This award validates the late nights, early mornings, demanding days, and sacrifices made to do justice to the weighty and important work we do in the English classroom. If I have challenged my students to think critically about the world in which they live, to appreciate the beauty and the power of the written word, or to have empathy for fellow human beings given the vast realm of emotion we all share, then I am doing the job I set out to do. Thank you for acknowledging my efforts."

Macaluso's daughter Sofia, 8, also attended the ceremony to see her mother recognized. "I am proud of my mommy," Sofia said in between bites of cake after the ceremony. "She is a good teacher."