Pictured (from l to r): Andria Navarra, William Mason Teacher of the Year; Tammy Minsky, Hilldale Teacher of the Year; Claudia Heim, Lazar Educational Services Professional of the Year; Kimberly Beiermeister, William Mason Educational Services Professional of the Year; Sarina Nesto, Hilldale Educational Services Professional of the Year; Dara Conte, Valley View Teacher of the Year; Lillian Main, Valley View Educational Services Professional of the Year; Trudy Coppola, Cedar Hill Teacher of the Year; Maria Nord, MTHS Princeton University Distinguished Secondary Teacher of the Year; Joseph DiLascio, Cedar Hill Educational Services Professional of the Year; Sandra Vermaelen, MTHS Teacher of the Year; Catherine Lomauro, MTHS Educational Services Professional of the Year Diane Colaiacovo, Woodmont Educational Services Professional of the Year; and Jane Mancuso, Woodmont Teacher of the Year. Not pictured: Derek Lynn, Lazar Teacher of the Year.
WATCH VIDEO OF CEREMONY
On January 17, 2023 the Montville Township Public Schools Board of Education recognized 15 outstanding educators of the year for the 2022-2023 academic school year. The BOE meeting was held at the Montville Township Municipal Building.
Principals from each of the district’s schools introduced the honorees to the members of the Montville Township BOE. Superintendent Dr. Thomas A. Gorman presented each honoree with a certificate.
The elementary, middle, and high school educators who received the recognitions were named in one of two categories: Teacher of the Year and Educational Services Professional of the Year. Additionally, the high school also named a Princeton University Distinguished Secondary Teacher of the Year.
“This is a special time of year,” Gorman said. “It is joyful to recognize our outstanding educators. These dedicated individuals are creative and passionate about education, and we are excited to thank them for their commitment to the students and the district.”
Many of the 15 who received recognition on January 17 have been in the MTPS district for over 20 years.
There are seven Montville Township Public Schools. The district includes: five elementary schools, Cedar Hill, Hilldale, Valley View, William Mason, and Woodmont; one middle school, Robert R. Lazar; and one high school, Montville Township High School.
The following is a list of the 2022-2023 MTPS educators that were honored by the Montville BOE on January 17, 2023.
Teachers of the Year:
- Cedar Hill - Trudy Coppola
- Hilldale - Tammy Minsky
- Valley View - Dara Conte
- William Mason - Andria Navarra
- Woodmont - Jane Mancuso
- Lazar - Derek Lynn
- MTHS - Sandra Vermaelen
Educational Services Professional of the Year:
- Cedar Hill - Joseph DiLascio
- Hilldale - Sarina Nesto
- Valley View - Lillian Main
- William Mason - Kimberly Beiermeister
- Woodmont - Diane Colaiacovo
- Lazar - Claudia Heim
- MTHS - Catherine Lomauro
Princeton University Distinguished Secondary Teacher of the Year:
The honored educators were nominated by their peers. Within each school there is a committee that accepts nominations. From there one educator at each school is selected to serve as Teacher of the Year and one is selected to serve as Educational Services Professional of the Year. At Montville Township High School one educator is also selected as the Princeton University Distinguished Secondary Teacher of the Year.
Each of the Teachers of the Year and Educational Services Professionals of the Year that are named at the district level are also submitted to the Morris County competitions. If an educator is named at the Morris County level, that individual is then reviewed on the state level and competes to be selected by the Governor as an outstanding educator.
In the past, Montville Township Public Schools has been home to two Morris County Teachers of the Year: Lazar Science Teacher Cheryl Zanone (2015-2016) and MTHS Social Studies Teacher Christopher Butchko (2020-2021).
According to the state.nj.us/education website, the Governor's Teacher of the Year and the Governor’s Educational Services Professional of the Year programs highlight educational innovation, student achievement, the rewards of teaching, and important services outside the classroom environment that lead to student success. These two recognitions “seek to attract public attention to the positive aspects of our educational system.”
Additionally, the Princeton University Distinguished Secondary School Teacher recognition affords Nord the opportunity to be consideration by Princeton University to be honored at the University’s spring 2023 commencement.
According to the teacherprep.princeton.edu website, “Each year since 1959, Princeton University has honored at its Commencement four outstanding New Jersey teachers from public and independent schools for their contributions to the lives of the state’s secondary school students and to their school communities.”
Video of the Montville Township BOE ceremony honoring the district’s 2022-2023 award-winning educators can be viewed on the Montville Township Public Schools YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/TTHrTpyX3qs