15 'Exceptional' Scotch Plains Educators Honored At Board Meeting

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — At Thursday's Board of Education meeting, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools recognized 15 educators for their dedication to teaching and demonstrating leadership in the schools.

The District nominated 15 "exceptional" teachers and educational services professionals for the 2021-2022 Governor's Educator of the Year Award.

To qualify for this nomination, educators must connect with all students to "enhance learning, collaborate with colleagues and families to create a strong school culture and always demonstrate expertise, leadership in and out of the building."

“Our teachers and educational services professionals give so much to our students and their families, especially over the past two challenging years,” Superintendent Dr. Joan Mast said. “We want to celebrate their hard work and dedication and let them know that their contributions are noticed and appreciated.”

At the Board of Education meeting on Thursday, the district honored the following people:

• Karen Joseph Lee, 2nd grade teacher at Brunner Elementary School
• Melissa Paine, nurse at Brunner Elementary School
• Michelle Kolbeck, 2nd grade teacher at Coles Elementary School
• Danielle Hoey, classroom aide at Coles Elementary School
• Jessica Prussman, SPED teacher at Evergreen Elementary School
• Connie Roth, classroom aide at Evergreen Elementary School
• Candice Testa, 1st grade teacher at McGinn Elementary School
• Cheryl Ward, nurse at McGinn Elementary School
• Caitlin Disney, 1st grade teacher at School One
• Lori Lidofsky, SAS/social worker at School One
• Adrienne Stack, 5th grade teacher at Nettingham Middle School
• Ellen Makely, classroom aide at Nettingham Middle School
• Alex Passucci, health & PE teacher at Terrill Middle School
• Rasheeda Adams, LDTC at Terrill Middle School
• Matt Krip, science teacher at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School

For more information about the 2021-2022 GEOY awards, visit www.nj.gov/education/recognition/educators/geoy/.

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