Patch Series: Meet Your Local Educators in Hoboken

Editor Note: The following article is part of a series. More Hoboken Educators of the Year will be featured in future posts.

Hoboken Public Schools has named its teachers of the year and educational services professionals of the year.

This year, the New Jersey Department of Education has combined the Teacher of the Year program with Governor’s Teacher/Educational Services Professional Recognition Program. Schools selected one teacher and one educational services professional to be recognized at the school level. The teacher awardees can then nominate themselves for the County Teacher of the Year program.

The following biography information is provided by the Hoboken Public School District.

Michael Scott: Connors School

Michael Scott has been working in the Hoboken School District for six years.

Scott’s first year of teaching in the district was as the kindergarten art, physical education, and music teacher at Brandt. After one year in that position, he was transferred to Connors School, where he has spent the last five years.

In his first year at Connors, he taught second grade, but now teaches math and science to fourth grade students. Teaching these subjects has been a great opportunity, since he has always loved, and excelled in, both subjects. He finds it particularly rewarding when his students are excited by math or when they realize they have grasped a difficult concept. He has always believed in shrouding education in fun and games, and students in his classroom can often be seen rolling dice, completing math puzzles, or using technology to stay engaged.

In addition to his classroom responsibilities, Scott teaches his Connors School Robotics Club about engineering, design, and basic computer programming. He has participated in after-school tutoring for NJASK and the Connors summer program. To help keep the Connors community up to date on news and events, Mr. Scott manages the school’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. This year, he also became co-coach of the Positive Behavior Supports in School (PBSIS) Universal Team. This committee manages the Connors C.A.R.E.S. initiative, designed to improve the school climate and reward students for positive behavior.

Scott aims to create life-long learners. He still loves to learn new things and is always asking questions or researching information, whether useful or random. Building on his undergraduate degree from Boston College and graduate degree from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), he is currently working on a second master’s degree, in urban education with a specialization in educational administration and supervision from New Jersey City University (NJCU). He hopes to follow in the footsteps of his father and one day become a well-respected school principal, which he thinks will afford him the ability to share his educational beliefs and develop a staff and student body dedicated to the academic achievement and social success of all students.

In addition to being honored as a Hoboken Teacher of the Year, 2015 has proved to be an eventful year for Scott and his wife, who welcomed their first daughter, Abigail Rose, in January.

Scott thanked the students and staff of the Connors family who continue to help him develop, both professionally and personally.

Send Hoboken news tips and releases to Eric.Kiefer@Patch.com