Clinton Township Newsletter

1 4 F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 0 W W W . C L I N T O N T W P N E W S L E T T E R . C O M C L I N T O N T O W N S H I P S C H O O L N E W S www.ctsdnj.org Governor's Educator of the Year Program The New Jersey Department of Education has announced the Governor's Award for Outstanding Educator of the Year for the 2019- 2020 school year. This celebratory program continues to recognize our state's best teachers and educational services professionals. Clinton Township School District would like to recognize several of our staff for their excellence, dedication and service to the children of the district for the Governor's Educator and Educational Service Professional of the Year program. Each year, staff and parents nominate both teachers and service professionals for this recognition. The selection process includes letters of nomination that are reviewed by a panel of administration and former winners. A L e t t e r f r o m Michele Cone, Superintendent of Schools Dear Clinton Township Community Members: I N O U R S C H O O L S : Spruce Run School Laura Krupnik (Teacher): My name is Laura Krupnik. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. While growing up, I always took care of my younger brother and cousins. When I was sixteen years of age, I moved to Hillsborough, NJ. Throughout high school and college, I worked many odd jobs. I stocked shelves, worked as a cashier, customer service representative, daycare worker, and a teacher's aid for an afterschool program. During my undergraduate studies, I realized that I wanted to pursue a career in teaching because I genuinely enjoyed working with children. I had a sense of fulfillment while watching children play and learn. I earned my Bachelor's in Sociology and MAT in Early Childhood Education from The College of New Jersey. While working towards my MATl (Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning), I had my first lead teaching job in 2004 for the Plainfield School District. I then worked in New Brunswick for ten years as a preschool teacher. My students at that time were mostly English language learners and from a low socioeconomic background. Throughout the years, I understood the importance of preschool for all children to prepare them to be life-long learners and succeed in school. When I was working in New Brunswick, I decided to further expand my education. I earned my MS in Reading and Literacy Education from Walden University and my certification in Special Education. Currently, I live in Flemington, NJ with my husband and two year old daughter. This is my second year teaching in Clinton Township. I consider myself honored to be teacher of the year. Teaching and experiencing all the children grow and become strong, independent learners all through the years has truly been a blessing. Leonora Possumato (ESP): • I have a B.A. in Psychology from Stockton University with a focus on early childhood development. • I have been working in the field of early childhood education for over 30 years. • I enjoyed many roles in this field from teacher assistant, teacher, workshop presenter, to Director. • Presently I am a teacher assistant at the Spruce Run School working with our youngest learners. I have been working in this position for 2 years. I have worked for the Clinton Township School District on and off over the last 10 years. • I am extremely fortunate to work with the amazing staff at CTDS. Their knowledge, support, and care has inspired me to be the best educator I can be. • I can honestly say that teaching preschool has always been my passion. I love my job and would not trade it for the world. Patrick McGaheran School KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP REMINDER! Kindergarten Round-Up is now occurring for the Clinton Township School District. A child must be 5 years of age on or before October 1, 2020 to be eligible for kindergarten during the 2020-2021 school year. If you have a child who will be eligible for kindergarten next year, please notify our district as soon as possible by completing the Kindergarten Round-Up Survey online at http://bit.ly/KPMG2020. Please visit our website for more information regarding Kindergarten Registration. If you should have any questions regarding the kindergarten registration process, please contact Ms. Carmella Shaw at: cshaw@ctsdnj.org or: 908.236.7235, ext. 521. Thank you! McGaheran School Education Services Professional - Elise Pozensky- Cohen, Behavior Specialist: I began as a behavior specialist in Clinton Township School District in 2015 after beginning my career in higher education administration in 2000. I changed directions by starting as a teacher assistant in an ABA classroom, then home-care provider, until finding my clinical placement in New York. I received a Masters in Inclusive Early Childhood Special Education from Hofstra University and my BCBA from Penn State. What I love about ABA and working with children, families and teachers is that "Aha!" moment. It's that instance when everything comes together, when everything that you have been working towards finally clicks. It doesn't always come easy or quickly. Mistakes are made. But, as I try to remember, "a failure is not always a mistake...the real mistake is to stop trying." Patrick McGaheran School Teacher of the Year: Kelly Newgarde, Second Grade Teacher. I began teaching with the Clinton Township School District in 1987 as a third grade teacher. Currently I am teaching 2nd grade at Patrick McGaheran School and have taught 5th grade as well. In 1985 I graduated from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. I earned a Master's in Education from Seton Hall University in 1993. It is my belief that a positive school culture is vital to student success. Much of my career has been in an inclusion Congratulations to our recipients: S p r u c e r u n S c h o o l : Laura Krupnik (Teacher) Leonora Possumato (ESP) p a t r i c k M c G a h e r a n S c h o o l : Kelly Newgarde (Teacher) Elise Pozensky-Cohen (ESP) r o u n d V a l l e y S c h o o l : Danielle Nugent (Teacher) Stephanie Yager (ESP) c l i n t o n t o w n S h i p M i d d l e S c h o o l : MaryBeth Guidi (Teacher) Mary Junge (ESP) Thank you! Dr. Michele Cone, Superintendent of Schools

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