Summit Teachers Become Students

SUMMIT, NJ - More than 40 educators went from teacher to student as part of the Summit Educator Training (S.E.T.) at the Summit Public Schools last week.

The mix of new hires included teachers, guidance counselors, and Child Study Team members. Organized by Jenn McCann and Adam Leaman, S.E.T. is an event comprised of three days of training followed by one day of building-based preparation. The S.E.T. schedule is planned around different themes such as Community & Communications, Innovative Teaching, and Professional Responsibilities.

This year, Principal Matt Carlin led a bus tour, complete with music and trivia, so new staff could visit our nine school locations and learn about the Hilltopper community. They visited the YMCA and other local spots such as City Hall, where they met with Mayor Nora Radest and Police Chief Robert Weck.

“It is terrific that they were available to meet with us. It reinforces the strong partnerships that exist between the school and community,” said Carlin.

After returning to the district, instructional facilitators Jackie Arturi and Randy Wallock spoke about the ethnic and socio-economic diversity that strengthens ours schools. New teachers learned ways to appeal to different subsets of students in relevant and engaging ways. The afternoon included presentations on Technology by Doug Orr and the Technology Team, as well as on the Summit Educational Foundation by SEF member Sue Thatch.

Innovative Teaching was the theme of the second day, where the focus was on expectations and initiatives in the classroom. Jenn McCann and Tanya Lopez talked about building relationships and being a champion for all children. They also spoke on the district's teacher evaluation model and created opportunities for hands-on learning and interaction.

“Teaching for Understanding” was presented by Cheryl Moretz, Matt Carlin, and Pam Southard; it included classroom management techniques, effective instructional strategies, and a focus on the importance of providing essential questions to direct learning.

Special Education Director Doreen Babis, and Special Education Supervisors, Angela Seavy, Christine Lijoi, and Nicole Allen hosted an afternoon session on the topic of Special Education in Summit. They shared information about their department and the types of supports available for special education students in each school. They reviewed the special education process, and discussed progress monitoring and data-based decision making. To conclude the day, Susan Permahos, Susan Tamhankar, and Ann-Marie Aymer visited staff to talk about the Summit Free Public Library, and all that it has to offer in terms of support and resources.

On Day 3, Professional Responsibilities was the theme. Along with Lieutenant Rick Proctor, Stacy Grimaldi introduced ALICE security drills to the new hires. ALICE is an options-based security protocol that allows staff to determine the best way to respond to an active threat in the school. Donna Gallo and John Ciferni presented a workshop called “Peppering Policy into Practice” to ensure that new staff became aware of policy pertinent to the district. The session allowed them to exercise critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity to solve problems and apply local policies to real-world situations. To conclude the Summit Educator Training workshops, Lauren Banker and Janice Tierney joined Caitlin Crimmins, Staci Kaplan, and Matt Santos, to share professional practices in the area of literacy.

"S.E.T. is a great opportunity for our new staff to gain the foundation they need to have a successful school year and develop relationships with colleagues and administrators," said McCann.

The new staff members for 2019-2020:

Jefferson Primary Center

• Delane Bickelhaupt
• Heather Hans
• Jill Legg
• Catherine Lenahan
• Colleen Manion
• Jennifer Schedlbauer
• Wilson Primary Center
• Marcelino Brand
• Chantal DuBrey
• Rachel Petrella
• Beverly Verdi
• Franklin Elementary School
• Julia Ciccarelli
• Brayton Elementary School
• Kevin Russoniello

BES/FES

• Kayla Ryder
• Anne Terkovich

FES/JES

• Lauren Mortenson
• Jefferson Elementary School
• Vanessa Abrantes
• Bianca Brucato
• Laura Kuruc
• Laura Lieberman
• Brooke Trayer

JES/JPC

• Natalie Petrides
• Lincoln-Hubbard Elementary School
• Nicole Higgins

Washington Elementary School

• Mackenzie Kiesel
• Jessica Prisco
• Thomas Savage
• Kristen Staub

Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School

• Joseph Cannuscio
• Melissa Daly
• Amanda Christie
• Chloe Genakos
• Sasha Hicks
• Laura Muller
• Alicia Muncey
• Iris Nunez
• Rebecca Pomeroy
• Dale Yelner

Summit High School

• Roland Bussiere
• Oscar Carballo
• Stephanie Goncalves
• Brittany Hulmes
• David Jimerson
• Chiara Levy
• Matthew Lisiecki
• Jack Maranhao
• Carrie Odgers Lax
• Caitlin Reilly
• Elisabeth Sato

District

• Robert Gardella
• Greg Montgomery
• Dort Murat

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