School Board Honors Teacher of the Year Grelis

physics and chemistry teacher Doris Grelis offers some simple words for anyone entering the teaching profession: “You’ve made the greatest decision in the whole world to come teach.” This is the philosophy that has propelled Grelis through a nearly one-quarter of a century career teaching students and offering them important counsel.

Because of her own dedication and strong belief in her own words, Grelis received a significant honor from the and the State of New Jersey – naming her district Teacher of the Year. This award is part of the 2011-2012 New Jersey Governor’s Teacher Recognition Program, which honors outstanding teachers and educational professionals at all grade levels. The Board of Education recognized Grelis at its Monday meeting.

Grelis said she feels as though a big part of her job is not simply to teach about theories, hypotheses and Absolute Zero, but that it goes beyond the four walls of the classroom.

“It is important to me when I hear from students and receive letters from students thanking me for what I was able to give them, especially the guidance, and not just what they learned in the classroom, but the encouragement they received outside the classroom. This includes the sports and clubs that they are a part of, and I am always willing to go and help them outside of the classroom,” she said.

Clutching a bouquet of of lilies and mums, accented with baby’s breath, Grelis talked about her 24 years of experience moulding young minds, and she made a comparison between her students and her own four children.

“Because I’ve been through the college application process a couple of times they (the students) come and ask questions, and that’s one of the things that I find gratifying  because I’ ve already been through it because I have children of my own and feel as though my experiences have been extremely helpful to them,” she said.

Grelis began teaching in West Virginia but has spent a majority of her career at Hightstown High School. “I strongly believe that my role as a teacher leader is to earn respect, be enthusiastic and motivated, foster learning, be caring, become a role model, instruct students but not be a totalitarian, and guide students through the road to success,” she said.

In addition to Grelis’ recognition, six other teachers from the district were honored with the Governor’s Award. They include:

• Andrew Elko, history teacher,
• Joanna Chierici, science teacher,
• Shari Leventhal, first grade teacher,
• Lauren Reardon, second grade teacher,
• Kim Armneti, third grade teacher,
• Gail Siggelakis, fifth grade teacher,

Also honored at last evening’s awards ceremony were 10 people or organizations that have provided financial donations in support of the school district’s various efforts to assist students. Among those honored were individual residents, Bristol-Myers Squibb and the United Way of Greater Mercer County.

“Tonight’s an opportunity for the school board to recognize the professionals in our school district, so we get a chance to recognize one from each school, and tonight we’ll recognize people that are exemplary examples of what we have going on in our schools,” said Superintendent Ed Forsthoffer III.