Meet Your Jaycees Distinguished Service Award Winners: Educator of the Year

The following bio comes courtesy the Nutley Jaycees. 

Educator of the Year

Joseph Cappello, Educator of the Year, has distinguished himself not only as a classroom teacher, but for the past 13 years, engaged in mentoring Nutley grade-school youngsters struggling with such issues as harassment and bullying along with alcohol and drug abuse.

Cappello's concern not only has been with youngsters afflicted with early forms of substance abuse, but in advancing an on-going dialogue among grade-school pupils themselves, including those as early as the fourth grade.

His initiatives include developing a series of weekly theme events such as "team up against drugs day" and "One School, One Goal: Bully Free Week."  Another of his unique innovations is "Mix It Up Day" designed to break down barriers among youngsters by assigning students random numbers for lunchtime cafeteria seating.

Mr. Cappello has also worked closely with parent workshop groups, assisting in the development of the district's drug and alcohol policies, and serving as a member of both the Nutley Municipal Alliance Committee and the Nutley Juvenile Conference Committee.