Child & Family Resources announces S.H.I.N.E. Educators of the Year

S.H.I.N.E. Educator of the Year Awardees

Child & Family Resources is proud to announce this year’s S.H.I.N.E. Educator of the Year Award to four worthy recipients. On March 16, 2023, Child & Family Resources (CFR) will be hosting their annual S.H.I.N.E. Educator of the Year Awards Gala, honoring four admirable Morris County professionals as Educator of the Year. This will be an in-person event at the Mansion at Mountain Lakes. The purpose of this award is to acknowledge educators who exemplify the spirit of CFR’s mission and values and whose professional practice and advocacy for the profession are deemed exemplary.

If asked to reflect on which educator had the most significant impact, we can easily recall who that person was. They worked long hours, went out of their way to motivate, and inspire students, and made personal sacrifices. All too often they are overworked, underpaid, and rarely appreciated. In keeping with our mission to support the development of children and strengthen families, we recognize educators as essential partners. It is in this spirit that Child & Family Resources has created the S.H.I.N.E. (Serves, Helps, Inspires, Nurtures, and Excels) Educator of the Year Award.
Susan O’Donnell is the chief executive officer of the Head Start Community Program of Morris County. Susan has served as a Morris County early childhood leader for nearly two decades, leading Head Start since 2015 and spending the prior nine years as executive director at El Primer Paso, where she remains on the advisory board. She also serves on the steering committee for United in Care, United Way of Northern NJ’s program.

Gerald Papa, a resident of Morris County, has been an educator in the Parsippany-Troy Hills School District for 12 years. He is a business education teacher at Parsippany High School and thoroughly enjoys having such an important role in the community. Gerald has always gone above and beyond for his students, most importantly, helping them to see the positivity in life. As William A. Ward once stated, “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” Mr. Pappa has a passion for inspiring his students so that they will see the world as an opportunity they have much to contribute. In his personal time, he enjoys the outdoors, playing competitive sports, and spending time with family and friends. He has been happily married to his wife Jenna, his inspiration, for over 4 years. Together they have a recent addition to the household with their energetic, fun-loving puppy, Mickey.

Officer Chelsea Whiting is a motivated law enforcement professional with over 4 years of experience, dedicated to maintaining the high level of professionalism of her agency by improving relationships with the community and developing innovative ways to address community issues. Her career began at the Morris County Correction Facility in 2017 maintaining the security and safety of civilians and inmates. In 2019, she was assigned to the Morris County Sheriff’s Office- Protective Services Division, Family Court. In 2020, she was assigned to the Community Outreach and Planning Section to cover community service details, including Hope One. On March 5, 2021, Officer Whiting launched the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Hope Hub, a multidisciplinary panel made up of law enforcement, social services, mental health services, healthcare providers, treatment providers, and recovery specialists, working together to help individuals and families struggling in Morris County. Her passion to help individuals in the community is reflected by connecting individuals/families to life-changing services.

Dr. Antoine Gayles is currently the Program Coordinator for College Readiness Now at the County College of Morris which focuses on helping Morris County high school students in six partner high schools develop college and career readiness skills in preparation for life after high school. Dr. Gayles is also a member of the Mount Olive Board of Education, a Board of Trustee for Norwescap, the largest community action program in northwest NJ, sits on the Board of David’s Shoes in Irvington, NJ, and has coached recreation athletics in Mount Olive. Dr. Gayles’ career includes a rich background in the public and non-profit arenas.

🎫Registration for the event can be found here: S.H.I.N.E. Registration
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/child-family-resources-shine-educator-of-the-year-award-gala-2023-tickets-405240574467?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

✨Sponsorship opportunities https://cfrmorris.org/s-h-i-n-e

ℹFor more information CHILD & FAMILY RESOURCES 111 Howard Boulevard, Suite 104, Mount Arlington, NJ 07856 Tel: 973-398-1730
Email: info@cfrmorris.org HOURS OF OPERATION Monday-Friday: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Wednesdays: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm