Schools
Matawan Regional Teacher Helps Teen With Tourette Syndrome
Wishnick was nominated by Matawan mom Martha Santiago, who said this teacher has made a profound difference in improving her son's life:
MATAWAN, NJ — A special-education teacher at Matawan Regional High School has been named the 2023 Educator of the Year by the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders.
The teacher is Jennifer Wishnick.
Since 2004, this award has been given to a New Jersey teacher who made a significant difference in the life of a child who has Tourette Syndrome. Tourette Syndrome is a disorder of the nervous system where children, teens or adults have uncontrollable "tics" or nervous twitches.
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Wishnick was nominated by Matawan woman Martha Santiago, whose son Noah has been in her English and Science classes for three years.
According to Santiago, Wishnick has made a profound improvement in her son, and helped him overcome his disability.
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“She has really been able to connect with my son as a teacher and mentor,” Santiago said. “Noah struggles with school refusal and Mrs. Wishnick will call him at home to try and encourage him to attend. On days that he hasn't attended, she'll stop by the house on her way home to drop off schoolwork and give him a few words of encouragement to attend the next day.”
Santiago further explained that Wishnick took the time to understand her son's Tourette Syndrome and reached out to her for help on meeting his needs in the classroom.
She mentored Noah on controlling his emotions in the classroom, and has spent time helping with his social skills.
“I can tell you that she goes above and beyond, but that still falls short in describing the type of teacher she is. I truly trust that Mrs. Wishnick has Noah's best interest in mind.”
“We are grateful to educators like Mrs. Wishnick who take the time to make a difference and help all students succeed,” NJCTS executive director Patricia Phillips said. “It is part of our mission that all students with Tourette Syndrome are empowered and accepted like Noah has been in her classroom.”
Wishnick will be presented with her award at a luncheon on June 2 in Bridgewater.
Congratulations, Mrs. Wishnick!!
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