51 educators honored as 'the best of the best' in Cumberland County

Fifty-one educators were recognized as “the best of the best” in Cumberland County classrooms on Tuesday at the 11th Annual County Teacher Recognition Program luncheon at the Ramada Inn.

The county teacher recognition program is sponsored by the Cumberland County Office of Education, in collaboration with the Superintendent’s Roundtable, which includes the chief school administrators of the county’s 16 districts.

Among those honored was Kristen Estep, a third grade teacher at Mennies Elementary School, who reigns as Cumberland County Teacher of the Year.

Guest speaker was Ms. Karen Ginty, New Jersey Teacher of the Year. “I am a teacher. I am enormously proud to make that statement,” said Ginty, a kindergarten teacher at Monmouth Beach Elementary School with more than 30 years experience. “I am also proud to be representing the many talented, dedicated and creative teachers of New Jersey, many of whom are in this room today. This is truly a shared honor.”

The top teachers in each district were chosen based on the following criteria:

• effective instructional techniques and methods;

• establishment of productive classroom climate and rapport with students; and

• development of feelings of self-worth and love of learning in students.

Each honoree was praised for “their dedication to their profession and thanked for making a difference in the lives of our children.”

Master of ceremonies for the event was Dr. Daniel Mastrobuono, Cumberland County Superintendent of Schools.

Also participating was Sen. Nicholas Asselta, R-1, and Assemblyman Doug Fisher, D-3.

“You do have people in Trenton who care about you and respect the work that you do,” said Asselta. “We will continue to fight for your pensions and your health benefits, because we firmly believe that your job is one of the most critical there is in society today – particularly in New Jersey.”

“I’m here to thank you as educators for the positive effects you have on all of our lives,” said Fisher. “Each day, each month, each year it becomes more difficult for you to do educate our children – more mandates, more policies, more people who think they know what you inherently know about educating our children – at times it could be overwhelming. But despite these challenges we are still putting out the best product in the country. New Jersey has some of the highest rankings in the country and this is because of your efforts. I wanted to be here today to salute you and to thank you for your work.”

Vineland teachers honored for their contributions this included: Teresa Rosa Rhoades, Vineland High South; Ronald Cropper, Vineland High North; Francesca Finazzo, Landis Middle School; Betty Slusarczyk, Veterans Memorial Middle School; Jeanette Fung, Rossi Middle School; Peter Moniodis, Dane Barse; Staci Bays, Cunningham; Andrea Evans, D’Ippolito; Cynthia Doulis, Marie Durand; Maria Rosado-Negron, Johnstone; Sandra Amari, Wallace Middle School; Lorraine Pino, Dr. William Mennies; Shari Testa, Petway; Aimee DeLucia, Dr. John Winslow; and Susan Bontempo, IMPACT.

Also honored:

Bridgeton - Marie Keith, ECHOES; Sharon Foster, ExCel; Julie Snead, Broad Street; Joan McGill, Buckshutem Road; Sheri Cummines, Cherry Street; Barbara Zirilli-Lonergan, GOFECC; Isolde Waddington, Indian Avenue; Patricia Flournoy, Quarter Mile Lane; Shanell Madrey, West Avenue; and Ann Marie Johnson, Bridgeton High;

Commercial Township - Kerri Zeleniak, Halleyville-Mauricetown; and LouAnn Gaddy, Port Norris;

Millville - Winnie Hammell, Child Family Center; Paula Ford, R. M. Bacon; Lori Ann Minklei, Mt. Pleasant; Maria DeMaria-Jones, R. D. Wood; Cynthia Jenkins, Holly Heights; Elizabeth Oliver, Rieck Avenue; Ismael Jimenez, Silver Run; Barbara Kern, Lakeside Middle; Bill Shaughnessy, Memorial High; Carol Nagao, Millville Senior High; and Dana Marie Trout, Alternative;

Upper Deerfield Township - Kathleen Sandelier, Charles F. Seabrook; Dee Halley, Woodruff; and Laurie McGuire, Moore.;

Also: Cumberland County Technical Education Center; Alan Homan, Jr., Cumberland Regional; Deborah Pipitone, Deerfield Township; Sherri Miller, Downe Township; Kelley Becker, Fairfield Township; Kelli Manski, Hopewell Township; Mary Nardelli, Lawrence Township; Matthew Maguire, Maurice River Township; Karen Avis, Shiloh Borough, and Charlotte Chroniger, Stow Creek Township.