Life Skills Center Named After Late Educator Betty Maddalena

Betty Maddalena will always be remembered by her friends and colleagues in the West Orange School District — walking down the hallways with a smile on her face, a pencil behind her ear and a BlackBerry in her pocket.

The former director of student support services, and Livingston resident, , but her legacy is now immortalized as more than just a memory.

The Betty Maddalena Life Skills Center officially opened Tuesday with a ribbon cutting at the high school auditorium.

The life skills center will offer pre-vocational training for special education students aged 18 - 21 and for cognitively impaired and autistic students.

Students will receive business training and learn about food services, clerical and maintenance duties.

"This will prepare students for real-life work," said Connie Salimbeno, director of student support services.

School officials lauded Maddalena's life and ultimate dedication to the students she served during Tuesday's ceremony.

"She brought a lot of sunshine to all of us in this room," Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anthony Cavanna said before an auditorium full of parents and residents. "She taught me to be student-centered … people in this room, people in the district have made that turnaround due to the love that she brought to work every single day."

Board of education president Laura Lab remembered Maddalena for her jokes and laughs, adding that her legacy would live on. "It was Betty who was a true advocate for our special needs students and her legacy to our students will be what is taught for years to come," she said.

Lab also acknowledged parents Ann Ahmed and Krisy Gray, who were able to in the wake of Maddalena's death.

The newly minted Betty Maddalena Life Skills Center contains several computers and long desks for the students. Business supplies are nestled in each corner and a quote in black writing adorns the light green walls. It reads:

"It is my mission to be a person of integrity under all circumstances. — Elizabeth Maddalena"

"Betty was not only one of the finest educators I've ever met, she also possessed the unique ability to make each and every one of us believe that we were her special friend," Salimbeno said.