Manchester Schools Honor Teachers, Educational Service Professionals Of The Year

(Manchester’s honorees; Back row L-R: Jamie Mnich, Cynthia Petruzzi, Stacey O’Connor, Tracy Kiernan, Jamie Velazquez, Phoebe Pennypacker, Michelle Nichol, Jessica Geiger. Front Row L-R: Jill O’Cone, Mary Henderson, Jeffrey Bishop, Shannon Findlow. Credit: Lee Bruzaitis, Manchester Township Schools)

Manchester Township announced its Teachers and Educational Service Professionals of the Year at the Board of Education meeting last week.

Superintendent of Schools, David Trethaway, explained that in the past the Teacher of the Year recognition was open to all certified staff but recent changes by the state limited it to only classroom teachers. That is why this year each school is honoring a teacher and an educational service professional.

Each honoree was introduced by their principal or vice principal, presented with a gift and will get a special reserved parking spot at their school for the coming year.

Ridgeway Elementary School

Teacher of the Year Jamie Velazquez, has been a fourth grade teacher at Ridgeway since 2006.

“Jamie is an innovative teacher, a true leader and a positive member of our school community,” said Principal Diane Pedroza. “She dives in to create a positive learning environment where all of her students will be successful while she incorporates the use of technology to support and enhance everyday instruction. As a teacher leader, she has become a guru of all things related to Chromebook and Google. She has provided in-service instruction to the district to educate her colleagues and most recently shared her knowledge at a Tech Expo offered to educators throughout the county. Her dedication to her profession, her students and the school community is displayed in her everyday actions. Whether it’s helping a colleague troubleshoot a technology issue or being the emcee during our school Tree Lighting ceremony, she innovatively and eagerly meets the challenges presented to her. She lets her children fly by pushing them to explore, watching them discover and supporting their thinking. “

Educational Service Professional of the Year Michelle Nichol has been the Literacy Coach at Ridgeway for the past five years. She started her career as a teacher at Whiting and then at MTES.
“She is hard working and dedicated. Her position is complex as she works and assists in a variety of ways,” remarked Mrs. Pedroza. “She works with teachers to develop new and exciting approaches to instruct literacy. Her programs such as Muffins with Mom and Donuts with Dad motivate parents to focus on reading and to reinforce strategies to assist their children...She assists administration, teachers, parents and students to enhance literacy instruction and is instrumental in her role working collaboratively supporting BEST practices and implementation of CCSS. Michelle is a champion who never gives up and understands the power of connection and insists that we become the best we can whether it is as educators, readers, even administrators. I am grateful to her for all that she has done to propel our school.”

Whiting Elementary School

Teacher of the Year Tracy Sloan Kiernan, graduated eighth grade from Whiting School in 1976 and from MTHS in 1980. In 1984, she was hired to teach second grade at Ridgeway School, becoming the first Manchester graduate to be hired as a teacher in the district. She was transferred to Whiting in 2010. In addition to her teaching degree, she holds an Master’s in Ed. Admin and Principal’s Certificate. She was previously honored as Teacher of the Year at Ridgeway Elementary in 1992. Mrs. Kiernan has served as Co-advisor of Junior Impact Club, Assistant to the Principal, Anti-Bullying Specialist, Mentor Teacher, and Whiting School 60th Anniversary Celebration Chairperson, among other things. She also helped to secure a $15,000 from Ocean First Foundation to remodel and update the Whiting School
computer lab.

“Her years of experience have given her a wealth of knowledge and she is not afraid to share it. But, more significantly, all of Tracy’s knowledge works for the betterment of Whiting School and its students,” said Principal Evelyn Swift. “Tracy can be counted on to follow through, to advocate for her students, to craft new ideas, to challenge kids, and just plain work hard. She meets every task with commitment and distinction. The only thing equal to her excellence in teaching is the pride she takes in this community. When she speaks of childhood experiences, her many years teaching at Ridgeway and her subsequent tenure at Whiting, it immediately brings a smile to her face.”

Educational Service Professional of the Year, Jamie Mnich, holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech Language Pathology, a Master of Science in Speech Pathology, and a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). She previously worked as a case manager and Speech Language Specialist for Monmouth-Ocean Educational Services and as a Speech Language Specialist in the Ocean Township School District. She came to Manchester Twp. Schools in 2007 as the Speech Language Pathologist providing integrated services in the Preschool Disabilities Program at Whiting School.

“Jamie is known for her million dollar smile,” said Mrs. Swift. “She comes to school each day smiling from ear to ear as if she knows a secret we don’t. Guess what, Jaime? It’s not a secret. It’s something everyone has figured out - you love your job and you love the children. Jamie is an integral part of our Preschool Disabilities team. Her expertise is a vital part of the program and contributes to its success.

She can be found working with small groups on receptive and expressive language, articulation, fluency and the like...She impacts these students in the most important way by developing the communication skills that will aid them in being successful in school and successful in life.”

Regional Day School

Teacher of the Year Jeffrey Bishop, has been teaching Industrial Arts at the Regional Day School for the past 31 years. He began his teaching career in 1975 and worked in several schools for the disabled before coming to Regional Day School in 1984. He is also Coordinator of the Work Study Program, Advisor for the Student Council and Advisor of the Student Safety Patrol. He was previously recognized as Teacher of the Year in 1987 and 1997.

“Jeff is the epitome of creativity, vibrancy, compassion, and multi-tasking. At any given time there are multiple projects in various stages being crafted by our students,” remarked Principal Lisa Michallis. She mentioned projects such as wooden toys for Manchester students, signs for the schools (including the Teacher of the Year parking space signs), birdhouses for a state bluebird project, and puppet theaters for the Ocean County Library.

Michallis said that when she asked Mr. Bishop what his philosophy of education was he responded, “To teach is to give, open your heart, roll up your sleeves and instill the message, ‘You can if you think you can’ for all students.” “Just like the various types and rareness of wood and its grain, as well as the uniqueness of each project, Mr. Bishop is truly one of a kind,” said Michallis. “Each day he opens his heart, rolls up his sleeves, puts on his wooden bow tie and beams his ‘can do’ mantra...Jeff, you truly have a generous spirit and have made a significant and positive difference in lives of so many children, families and colleagues.”

Educational Services Professional of the Year Phoebe Pennypacker holds a Master’s in Psychology and Certificate in School Psychology. She worked on the Child Study Team in the Southern Regional School District for before coming to Manchester. She has been at Regional Day School for the past 12 years. As the School Psychologist, Mrs. Pennypacker provides counseling services for students from ages 5 to 21. She is a member of the school’s Crisis Team and Teachers’ Advisory Committee and is a School Testing Coordinator.

Principal Lisa Michallis said that Mrs. Pennypacker works collaboratively with her team members, has effective problem solving skills, and incorporates a community service component in her program. “On any given day Mrs. Pennypacker can be found cheering on a student, handling a crisis situation, completing spreadsheets for uploading testing rosters, lending support to a colleague, teaching lessons on tolerance and diversity, or typing progress notes,” Michallis remarked. “Phoebe, you truly have a generous spirit and have made a positive difference in lives of so many children, families and colleagues.”

Manchester Township Middle School

Teacher of the Year Jessica Geiger is an eighth grade Basic Skills language arts teacher.
She also assists and supports extra-curricular activities such as drama, chorus, the eighth grade fundraising committee, the Dinner Dance, and various school based committees. She assists her colleagues with technology and played a key role in providing professional development with the transition to Chrome Books. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Administration and Supervision. “Ms. Geiger contributes so much to the Middle School and is so deserving of this honor,” said Principal Nancy Driber. “She is well respected and admired by her colleagues and her students know her to be kind, compassionate, and fair. Student centered activities are observed daily in her classroom and Ms. Geiger transforms her students from Middle Schoolers to young adults prepared for the challenges of high school. Ms. Geiger is truly an asset to the Middle School.”

Educational Service Professional of the Year Cynthia Petruzzi is a social worker and member of the Child Study team. Her role is to assist in developing individualized education plans and behavior plans and to coordinate student out of district services and placements. She initiated several programs of her own at MTMS to provide additional support to targeted students, including a Peer to Peer Social Skills Group and a Girls Lunch Bunch self-esteem group. She is also a member of the Ocean County Interagency Coordinating Council.

Vice Principal Steven Ninivaggi said that Mrs. Petruzzi often serves as a lifeline for students in crisis and their families and is well respected by her colleagues for her broad knowledge of student resources and her keen insight into how best to craft a plan that addresses a child’s individual needs. “Mrs. Petruzzi is one of the many unsung heroes who work behind the scenes to support teachers in the classroom and their students who face many challenges every day,” Ninivaggi remarked. “She is by nature a quiet and kind person, and students and teachers alike admire her ability to really listen (and hear) the issues they face...It is her dedication to her students’ success and well-being that can often make the crucial difference in whether or not they succeed in school...Mrs. Petruzzi is truly our secret
weapon to student success.”

Manchester Township Elementary School

Teacher of the Year Stacey O’Connor teaches first grade at MTES. Her teaching career began in 1993 in Colts Neck, where she was a Basic Skills Teacher. She came to Manchester as a Kindergarten teacher in 2008. She holds a Music Certification in addition to her Education and English degree. “Mrs. O’Connor, through her passion for teaching and her special gift of music, enriches our students on a daily basis at MTES,” said Principal Linda Waldron. “I am honored to have such an organized, hardworking teacher as Stacey O’Connor at our school. She has high expectations for her students, which are challenging and stimulating, yet developmentally appropriate. She uses data to plan for instruction, exhibits knowledge of subject matter, actively engages all students in the learning, and
incorporates differentiation of instruction to the needs of all learners. Children in her class are active learners who are included in decision-making. Our students are fortunate to have her as their teacher.” “When asked what her favorite thing about MTES was, she said working together as a community and having a sense of family. While Mrs. O’Connor loves teaching math and reading to her young students, it is music that lights up her life. Should you walk into her first grade classroom you would hear rules set to music and see the teacher playing the keyboard while tapping her feet and singing songs...We are honored to have such a positive, dedicated, committed teacher to represent us at MTES.”

Educational Services Professional of the Year Mary Henderson has been a teacher in the Manchester Township School District since 1976. She started her career teaching first grade at Whiting School, and became the Media Specialist in 1990. When MTES opened their doors in Feb. 1992, she moved over as the Media Specialist. She graduated from Kean University with a BA in Early Childhood Education and then later from Rowan University with her Masters in Library Science. She was previously honored as Teacher of the Year at Whiting in 1987 and MTES in 2008. Principal Linda Waldron said that Mrs. Henderson is a wonderful role model for her school community.
“While Mary has a true love of reading, she has other loves worth mentioning. She is mother to Kate, Christopher and Patrick and grandma to Amelia and Maisie. Mary is active in the community, church and many school organizations. After 39 years in Education, Mary has decided to retire. We wish her the very best of health and happiness…Congratulations Mrs. Henderson on a well-deserved honor.”

Manchester Township High School

Teacher of the Year Jill Ocone teaches English and journalism at MTHS. She is also adviser for the yearbook and school newspaper and organizes the annual Veterans Day Ceremony. Last spring, she was named the VFW teacher of the year from our local unit. “From the moment she started working at the high school in September 2001, Mrs. Ocone has been impacting the lives of students and staff,” said Vice Principal Tracey Raimondo. “She entered as a
passionate and caring educator, who always went above and beyond for her students. In this, her 14th year at Manchester Township High School, that same enthusiasm and dedication remains. “Mrs. Ocone is an exceptional teacher. She is meticulous in her planning, differentiating instruction to help students of all levels meet with success. Through her supportive and caring demeanor she is able to set high standards and help students meet them and her students show remarkable growth throughout the year – every year. “In journalism classes, Jill has been able to develop the skills of the beginning students while advancing the experienced students to higher levels of independence and mastery. In fact, just this week, our journalism students’ yearbook from 2014 was recognized by Balfour Yearbooks with an Honorable Mention Certificate of Recognition for its outstanding contribution to scholastic journalism. Whether through the Veteran’s Day Ceremony, English classes, the school newspaper or the yearbook, Jill is always helping students find their voice, tell their story and create memories.”

Educational Service Professional of the Year Shannon Findlow is a Guidance Counsellor at MTHS. In addition, she is active with Kevin Kids, School Safety Team, Testing Coordinator, Chair of the Scholarship Committee, and I&RS Committee Member Coordinator. “Shannon is our Guidance All-Star,” Principal Dennis Adams said. “She is compassionate, organized, a tireless worker, energetic, fiery, and always a strong advocate for her students. She is always willing to go above and beyond for her students. After all the teenage counseling sessions, she is still highly motivated, has an outstanding rapport with students and staff, and remains dedicated to fulfilling her responsibilities in the spirit of excellence. “She takes great pride in leading, guiding, and assisting students in preparing them for the future. She understands the setbacks and hurdles that come with her position yet remains a rock for students to share their concerns, drama, and pain during their teenage life. She is just ‘like a good neighbor’ - Shannon Findlow is always there. “Shannon is the calm before, during, and after the storm. I am proud to be working with an individual that displays such humbleness while having such a large impact on student’s lives. She is quietly the Hope of the Hawks.”