Clinton Township Newsletter

1 5 F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 7 letters stated that Mrs. McRae always shares a smile and encouraging words with her students. Other nomination letters described her innovative instructional methods, including her involvement with problem-based learning and her development and implementation of the new science curriculum. A colleague shared that Mrs. McRae is level-headed and dependable, as well as cheerful and happy to be around. We are thrilled to be able to recognize Mrs. McRae with this very well deserved honor! Mrs. Karen Sinagra - Educational Service Professional of the Year Mrs. Sinagra is our school's Occupational Therapist and is so deserving of her recognition as ESP of the Year! Mrs. Sinagra works regularly with students to help them gain skills to be successful learners. She contributes to our school by being a member of committees and consulting with teachers. Mrs. Sinagra has reorganized the school's sensory classroom, making it warm, welcoming and developmentally appropriate. Students working with Mrs. Sinagra describe her as, "cool, fun, awesome and excellent." One student shared that their favorite part about going to her classroom is that, "She teaches me things that I'll need to know for class, helping me to get ahead." Another student shared that Mrs. Sinagra helps his teachers help him. We are very excited to recognize Mrs. Sinagra as our ESP of the Year! World Language at PMG and SRS: ¡Hola a todos! (Hello, everyone!) February has been designated Discover Languages Month by ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages), so here's an update on what we're doing in our Spanish classes in Clinton Township! At both Spruce Run and Patrick McGaheran, students practice what they already know through songs and games that can be found on the Spanish teachers' page through the Clinton Township website. (http://clinton.oncoursesystems.com/websites/12866129) In kindergarten, we are learning how to count to 20 and first graders are learning months of the year and classroom objects. In second grade, we are learning how to ask about the weather and third graders are discovering where the Spanish-speaking countries are in the world. Rd V Scho Round Valley School is happy to announce that Mrs. Jennifer Paccione and Mrs. Ruth Stieh have been recognized as the Outstanding Educators for the 2016/2017 school year! Governor's Educator of the Year Award ~ Mrs. Jennifer Paccione "This year I was surprised with the honor of being named Teacher of the Year for Round Valley School. My goal and passion as a literacy teacher is to inspire students to love to read and write, as well as be the best reader and writer they can be. One of my proudest accomplishments as a literacy teacher at Round Valley was collaborating with my fellow teachers Mrs. Zockoff and Mrs. Zappulla and creating Round Valley Summer Reading online. In the past three years we have challenged all the students at Round Valley to read more books than the previous summer. We have met our goal the past three years and I look forward to Summer Reading 2017 being the best year ever. I am fortunate to work with students in a small group and work with students and their teachers in the classroom too. I learn everyday from students and my colleagues and I want to inspire them everyday too. I never get tired of hearing students say, "I love this book". Another part of my job is working with the ELA curriculum, this is a side of my job that many do not get to see, but one that I enjoy and I am proud of. Many years have been spent on developing the curriculum for the Reading and Writing Workshop Model used in 4th and 5th grade. I attended Kean University for my undergraduate degree in Special Education, Walden University for my Masters degree in Elementary Literacy and my Supervision Certification from Centenary College." – Jennifer Paccione Governor's Educational Service Professional of the Year Award ~ Mrs. Ruth Stieh "I am overwhelmed and touched at receiving this honor. I am privileged to work with many dedicated, caring colleagues, who always share their knowledge, ideas and innovations. Seems like only yesterday I started with Clinton Township and now it is 13 years already. Watching the "light bulb go on" with students, who after struggling, find with perseverance anything and everything is possible, makes each day special. The Round Valley School Community has become our family, where we support each other, work hard, laugh hard, and share in each other's achievements. Thank you for giving me Clinton Township School District Mission Statement: The Clinton Township School District, in partnership with the community, achieves excellence for each child by ensuring a meaningful and challenging educational experience in a supportive environment, developing life-long learners who are responsible and productive citizens. this opportunity to grow individually, professionally and personally. I will continue to try to make a difference each and every day in our students' lives." – Ruth Stieh ton Tohip Midd School Clinton Township Middle School is happy to announce that Ms. Sherri Ann Parsh and Mrs. Dawn Hauck have been recognized as the Outstanding Educators for the 2016/2017 school year! Sherri Ann Parsh ~ CTMS Teacher of the Year "I am truly honored to have been chosen as the Teacher of the Year from the group of highly dedicated educators at CTMS! This is my eighteenth year teaching seventh grade math in Clinton Township. Working with seventh graders is always interesting! Since the time I was a student myself in the third grade, I wanted to be a teacher, and my passion for teaching has remained strong. When I was a student in seventh grade, I had to work hard to earn high grades and to master concepts in math. This helps me to better understand the struggles my own students' experience. In class, I share personal stories about my experiences and help students realize that success will come if they try their best. I believe that students should be challenged to meet their goals. I set high expectations for my students in a supportive environment that also engages them. The rigorous course in seventh grade can be overwhelming at times, however I want my students to see the benefits of diligence and dedication. Not only am I teaching them pre-algebra concepts, but my students can practice important skills in my class, such as communication, teamwork, collaboration, perseverance, and problem-solving, they can apply these to their everyday lives. With my amazing teaching partner, I create and utilize hands-on assignments, cross-team activities that build a seventh grade math community, competitive activities that challenge the students, differentiated lessons, and technological applications. These are implemented in an environment in which students can safely take a risk and have some fun. I pride myself in knowing my diverse group of learners and fostering personal connections. I enjoy talking with students about books, music, sports, family, and other topics beyond pre-algebra. I constantly reflect on my teaching and ways to better meet my students' needs. It is rewarding to see students who work hard and earn grades that make them proud. I measure my success by the successes of my students, and I am willing to work hard to help each of my students reach their goals." – Sherri Ann Parsh Dawn Hauck ~ CTMS Educational Service Professional "I am honored beyond words to have been chosen as Educational Service Professional amongst all my colleagues and friends. I have been privileged to be working in district for over 15 years. It is a family affair as my daughters both travelled through our district and my oldest now teaches at Round Valley, plus after retiring from the Department of Corrections my husband now subs throughout the district. I see my job not only as a taxpayer, but as a mother and staff member and feel blessed to be here each and every day. I believe that children will flourish in an environment where their needs are enriched in all facets of their time in school. We are a partnership with their parents to build, mold, and develop a well-rounded young adult. Whether they excel in math, language arts, science, history, music, sports, or clubs, a whole child is where I love to help and aid them to be successful and graduate feeling they left their mark with us. We have great days and some frustrating days, but when all is said and done if they look back at their time with us and can say they learned, grew, and developed, it's a fantastic day. Children are our future and I am blessed to be a very small part of their time at CTMS. Thank you for the honor!" – Dawn Hauck

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