41 Montville Teachers Honored for a Combined 770 Years of Service

Forty-one members of the Montville Township Public Schools’ faculty, staff, and administration were honored in a virtual ceremony on Wednesday, September 1, 2021. Together the educators, who were recognized for their Years of Service, have dedicated a combined 770 years as representatives of the district’s motto to: “Educate. Inspire. Empower.”

Eighteen were honored in each of the 15 and 20 Years of Service categories. Three were highlighted for 25 Years of Service, and Katherine Klein, of Cedar Hill, and Donald Heyburn, of Montville Township High School were honored for 30 and 35 years, respectively.

Superintendent Dr. René Rovtar congratulated the forty-one educators whose Years of Service to the district mark significant milestones.

“Today we recognize a number of staff members who have reached milestones in their service to the Montville Township Public Schools District,” Rovtar said. “We are grateful for your commitment to the district and thank you for your dedication to our students. You truly make a difference. The work that you do is wonderful. And the length of time – your careers – that you have committed to our students is fantastic. We are so grateful to all of you.”

The faculty and staff recognized for Years of Service include: 35 Years of Service: Donald Heyburn, MTHS. 30 Years of Service: Katherine Klein, Cedar Hill. 25 Years of Service: Jason Jones, Hilldale; Roxanne Larangeira, Hilldale; and Diane Oberlin, William Mason. 20 Years of Service: Carmela Barbera, Valley View; Maria D’Apolito, Lazar; Donna DeMarco, Lazar; Kimen Dolch, MTHS; Mykhailo Fedorchak, Facilities; Sue Ann Handschuh, Valley View; Kurt Kilanowski, MTHS; Diane Luizza, MTHS; Deborah Meenan, Lazar; John Melahn, Lazar; LeMing Penque, Hilldale; Dori Pintabone Cedar Hill; Nicole Portnoff, William Mason; Wendy Reinknecht, MTHS; Patricia Stryker, Supervisor of Special Services; Austin Thompson, Supervisor of ITS; Liliana Villarreal, Business Office; and Heidi Walden, Cedar Hill. 15 Years of Service: Harry Baum, Valley View; Randi Bsales, Valley View; Lorraine Carlucci, Valley View; Pamela Gray, Cedar Hill; Rosalia Infusino, Hilldale; Michele Jones, Hilldale; Jacqueline Keiser, Lazar; Maureen Kennedy, Cedar Hill; Christine Manisera, Lazar; Tammy McMahon, Valley View; Elise Miller, Supervisor of Elementary Education; Seth Miller, Lazar; Paul Moench, MTHS; Jamie Novak, Lazar; Michael Raj, Principal Cedar Hill; Kathryn Slattery, Valley View; David Tubbs, Supervisor of Humanities; and Sharon Yuhas, Lazar.

In her opening remarks to all faculty, staff and administrators, the Rovtar also said: “I want to thank you all for making Montville an amazing place to work. I continue to be impressed with your passion and commitment to the students and the community.”

The initial segment of the district’s two-day kick-off to the 2021-2022 school year was held virtually. All staff reported to their classrooms or offices in the district buildings where they work on a regular basis. From there they met virtually through a district-wide Zoom.

Rovtar, who will be retiring on January 1, 2022, reflected on the past six years as the Superintendent of Schools for Montville Township Public Schools.

“What we have accomplished is substantial,” she said, “and the end product of tremendous teamwork. I am tremendously grateful to all of you.”

In preparation for the start of the 2021-2022 academic year, faculty and staff participated in both virtual and in-person training sessions following the Years of Service recognition ceremony.

The first 2021-2022 In-service Day of the school year included a district-wide Life Lines training webinar, which will assist in continuing and enhancing the district's on-going initiatives with regard to mindfulness and mental health. The full-day programming also included in-person Professional Development in the areas of New Teacher Mentoring, as well as grade, curriculum and department PD, in-person building level activities, and classroom set-up time.

Due to wide-spread flooding from hurricane Ida, In-service Day two, on Thursday, September 2, 2021, was held virtually. Staff will have an opportunity to follow-up with in-person preparation on Friday, September 3.

The district has seven schools which will welcome 3,407 Pre-K through Grade 12 students for the 2021-2022 school year. Montville Township Public Schools includes Montville Township High School, Robert R. Lazar Middle School and Cedar Hill, Hilldale, Valley View, William Mason and Woodmont Elementary Schools.

Students will return to Montville Township Public Schools on Thursday, September 9, 2021.