School Directors to Honor Master Teachers

The Colonial Board of School Directors announced in a release that it will recognize the district's seven new master teachers at its meeting Thursday night.

According to a statement from the district, teachers may apply for Master Teacher status each spring. Potential candidates need to have proper certification, receive satisfactory final ratings in all categories for a minimum of five years without having any "needs improvement" ratings during the same time period and "demonstrate leadership among their peers."

A teacher who meets those requirements is qualified to undergo a peer and administrative evaluation process, after which a teacher gains the distinction. The "Master Teacher" title is a two-year designation as long as the requirements are maintained, and accepted teachers receive an additional salary increment of $5,000 per year, according to the release.

The seven new Master Teachers are:

• Sandy Connelly, Plymouth Elementary School

• Liz Jones, Plymouth Elementary School

• Cecilia Quarino, Plymouth Elementary School

• Linda Colantonio, Ridge Park Elementary School

• George Hankins, Colonial Middle School

• Traci Rovinsky, Colonial Middle School

• Jill Ruggiero,

Connelly, Colantonio, Hankins and Ruggiero have all served as master teachers previously.

According to the release, the district-wide program began in 2001 and serves to provide "career ladder opportunities for classroom teachers wishing to remain in the classroom while assuming leadership responsibilities."

The school director's meeting is at 7 p.m. at Colonial Elementary School.