Lacey Schools Honor Teachers Of The Year

LACEY, NJ — Six Lacey teachers, one from each school in the district, were celebrated as the Teachers of the Year.

"Behind every successful student is a teacher who has not only taught, has inspired, motivated, coached, championed his or her students, and we can't thank our teachers of the year enough," said Vanessa Pereira, Lacey schools superintendent, at a recent Board of Education meeting.

"Outstanding teaching is an art," she said. "And in the words of Albert Einstein, 'It is the supreme art of a teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.'"

Periera said that the six teachers chosen exemplify the art of teaching.

Lacey Township High School - Gianna Gearity

Gearity, a science special education teacher, has impacted the school's "most needy students," said LTHS Principal Gregory Brandis.

Brandis shared how the school chose Gearity to teach seniors in an English inclusion classroom during the second Covid year, which was out of her "content comfort zone," he said.

"Not only did she get them across the finish line for graduation in the most difficult time, she actually made a difference in their lives and every life she comes across with in Lacey Township High School," Brandis said.

"She may be small in statute, but she's got the heart of a lion," he said.

Lacey Township Middle School - Alison Brannick

"She is a teacher, but more importantly, she is an educator," said Jason King, LTMS principal, of Brannick.

Brannick, an algebra teacher, both pushes successful students and supports those who need it, King said. "To be with them as they push through that and find success on the other end is truly a magical gift," King said.

Brannick also is the lead director of the drama department and "brings life to the art," King said.

"Mrs. Brannick is a constant in her building," King said. "Prove us wrong - that's a math joke."

Mill Pond - Shannon Fisher

Mill Pond Principal Holly Niemiec described Fisher as having a "contagious" passion for teaching.

"She makes sure everybody feels welcome," Niemiec said.

"She is sunshine in everyone's day - not just the students, but the staff and families as well," she said.

Fisher loves her family, Niemiec said, and her students are part of that. "Her classroom's not just a classroom, it's a community and a family," she said.

Cedar Creek - Marykate Casaletto

Casaletto started working at Cedar Creek 12 years ago as a student teacher, and principal Jacqueline Ranuska said she immediately knew the school needed her fulltime. Casaletto now teaches first grade.

Casaletto does so much for the school, Ranuska said, even attending extracurricular events of her students. She loves her students as her own, Ranuska said.

"Mrs. Casaletto is an instructional leader," Ranuska said. She has numerous certifications and achievements, she said.

"She has gone above and beyond to educate herself for the benefit of her students," Ranuska said.

Forked River - Jenna Flynn

"Mrs. Flynn's passion and creativity and dedication are boundless," said the school's principal Eric Fiedler. She has taught second and third grade in her 19-year tenure at the school, he said.

Flynn is a proud advocate of her students' education, and most importantly, their overall growth and wellbeing, he said.

Fiedler read a letter from a former student of Flynn's from 18 years ago, who said that Flynn had a "positive imprint" on her education. The student fondly remembered Flynn's class even though it was years ago, and mentioned that Flynn even attended her high school graduation.

"Mrs. Flynn demonstrates for us all the ancient African proverb 'it takes a village to raise a child,'" Fiedler said.

Lanoka Harbor - Leah Davies

"What can I say about Mrs. Davies? She's just the best!" Jeffrey Brewer, Lanoka Harbor School principal, said.

Davies has a long history with the Lacey Township School District, starting as a kindergarten student at the Forked River School, he said.

Brewer said that it's no surprise that Davies is being honored, saying that she has contributed very much to the school.

"There is no one that has the passion that she has for this school district," Brewer said. "And it really is inspiring how she brings that Lacey pride to her students every day."