Clinton Township Newsletter

1 7 j a n u a r y 2 0 2 4 2 0 2 4 ! Happy New Year! Patrick McGaheran School The Patrick McGaheran School is proud to announce Kerri Harbison as Educator of the Year. Mrs. Harbison exemplifies dedication and excellence in teaching, making her a worthy recipient of this year's award. Mrs. Harbison is unmatched in her dedication to the growth and well-being of students, flexibility in meeting diverse needs, classroom innovation, and school leadership. Her passion for teaching and connecting with young learners is evident the moment one enters her classroom. Students are actively engaged, challenged, and proud, with lessons tailored to support each child. Mrs. Harbison excels at cultivating an environment of support as well as high expectations, where students feel safe to take risks and achieve their full academic and social potential. PMG is delighted to recognize Mrs. Stacy-Ann James, an exceptional teacher assistant, as the Educational Services Professional of the Year. In her time in our district, Mrs. James has demonstrated outstanding dedication and skill in her critical support role. Her deep compassion and unwavering commitment to our students' growth makes her incredibly deserving of this special recognition. Mrs. James has a unique ability to merge empathy and high expectations when working with students. By emphasizing their strengths and building a trusted bond, she helps children believe in their own ability to succeed. Round Valley School The Round Valley School is proud to name Jennifer Powell as our Educator of the Year. Ms. Powell is a dedicated 5th grade special education teacher who meets the needs of each of her students in a caring, respectful manner. She goes above and beyond to ensure her learners feel encouraged and supported, taking the time to get to know them individually. Ms. Powell's thoughtful approach helps unlock the potential in every child. Her compassion and commitment to nurturing young minds is an inspiration to students and fellow staff alike. We are thrilled to recognize Jennifer Powell's outstanding work, empowering students with diverse needs here in the Round Valley community. Round Valley School is proud to name Ronda Ferri as our Educational Service Professional of the Year. Currently serving as one of our literacy support teachers and dean of student supports, Ms. Ferri deeply cares a b o u t t h e a c a d e m i c , s o c i a l , and emotional growth of each s t u d e n t . S h e g o e s t h e e x t r a mile to provide struggling readers with individual instruction and encouragement to develop their skills. In her role supporting student services, Ms. Ferri implements positive behavior programs and helps make sure no child falls through the cracks. A life-long learner herself, she continuously gains new knowledge and skills in teaching literacy. Whether it's nurturing a love of reading, being a compassionate listener, or guiding students to make good choices, Ms. Ferri makes a real difference for our kids each day. Her dedication to student success exemplifies the spirit of an Educational Service Professional. We are delighted to honor Ronda Ferri's outstanding work supporting the Round Valley School community. Clinton Township Middle School C l i n t o n T o w n s h i p M i d d l e School is proud to announce Tara Cantagallo as Teacher of the Year in 2023. Throughout her 22 years of working in Clinton Township, she has demonstrated unparalleled d e d i c a t i o n , p a s s i o n , a n d innovation, not just in her ELA classroom, but across the entire school community. Within the classroom, Ms. Cantagallo's ability to maintain a consistently engaging teaching style stands out. Her lessons are dynamic, effectively capturing the attention of her students, pushing them towards excellence, and kindling a genuine love for literature and language arts. Ms. Cantagallo has demonstrated a continuous drive to serve the school and the larger township community. With her unparalleled skill as an ELA teacher, she truly stands out as an exemplary figure in our educational landscape. Awarding Ms. Cantagallo with the Teacher of the Year distinction is a well-deserved acknowledgment of her unwavering dedication and the lasting mark she has left on the district over the past two decades. CTMS is proud to announce G r e g J a m e s , s c h o o l counselor, as Educational Service Provider of the year. Mr. James has helped the school community in many behind-the-scenes ways as he deals privately and professionally with his students. This type of work is often overlooked as there isn't usually a grand finale event or product, but rather, he helps the students by listening, suggesting, and most importantly, following up with parents. His efforts not only demonstrate his dedication to his profession, but also underscore his rapport with the students and parents. He has strong relationships with staff members as well and, inherently, is the go-to person for all things social. He often takes his students under his wing and helps them navigate what may be considered small situations. However, to a middle schooler, these issues are wildly important. Mr. James offers ideas to his students and makes suggestions, immediately meets with them in a most timely fashion and follows up with parents right away. One of the most important things to note is that Mr. James leads and works from his heart. He shares his personal experiences as a parent and helps parents to apply them to their own middle schooler. CTMS is sponsoring our 14th Relay for Life, a family FUNdraiser for the American Cancer Society, on Friday, FEBRUARY 23! Our school community has raised over $430.000 in the fight against cancer, and will continue this year. YOU are invited to be a part of it! Sign up online at: CTMS Relay for Life (https://t.ly/ Nc9we). For more information contact Ms. Cormican: dcormican@ctsdnj.org! I N O U R S C H O O L S :

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