Lincoln School Names Shannon Valenti Teacher of the Year for 2011

special education resource room teacher Shannon Valenti has been named Teacher of the Year for 2011.

Lesa Brinker, principal gathered staff members in the media center after school Monday to announce this year’s recipient. She surprised Valenti with the honor and her husband John and daughter Gianna were invited to take part in the celebration.

“I couldn’t be the teacher that I am if it weren’t for all of you guys, you’re a really nice team to work with. You make my job a lot easier,” she told her fellow teachers.

Valenti, who was raised and Hasbrouck Heights and is a graduate of its school system,  has been teaching at Lincoln School for the past decade. Aside from teaching, Valenti says some of her favorite things are reading and spending time with her daughter Gianna.