(above l-r) Mr. Scott McKinney, Assistant Superintendent; Mrs. Tara Oliveira, Assistant Principal at Governor Livingston HS; Mrs. Susan Poage, Mrs. Ann Bird, Mrs. Gina Holzmann, Ms. Ashlee Smith, Ms. Sharon Leahy, Mrs. Kathryn Finkelstein, and Mrs. Judith Rattner, Superintendent of Schools.
On May 19th, the Berkeley Heights Board of Education honored six staff members as the Educator of the Year in their respective schools for the 2015-2016 school year. The honorees are: Mrs. Susan Poage – Mary Kay McMillin Early Childhood Center Mrs. Ann Bird – Thomas P. Hughes School Mrs. Gina Holzmann – Mountain Park School Mrs. Kathryn Finkelstein – William Woodruff School Ms. Ashlee Smith – Columbia Middle School Ms. Sharon Leahy – Governor Livingston High School.
2015-2016 “EDUCATORS OF THE YEAR” MRS. SUSAN POAGE Grade 1 Teacher, Mary Kay McMillin Early Childhood Center Susan Poage started her career in the Berkeley Heights Public Schools in September 2000 as a Substitute Teacher. She was hired as a Classroom/Special Education Teacher Aide at Hamilton Terrace School in March 2001 and then served as a HELP Teacher at the Early Childhood Center during the 2001-2002 school year. Mrs. Poage was first employed as a Kindergarten Teacher at Hamilton Terrace in September 2002, and she taught Kindergartners at the school through the 2013-2014 school year. Susan has been teaching First Grade at the Mary Kay McMillin Early Childhood Center for the past two years.
“Mrs. Poage is a highly-effective teacher who applies content-area knowledge to instructional practices that connect big ideas to meaningful, independent exploration and practice, providing multiple avenues to success,” explained Anne Corley-Hand, Principal of Mary Kay McMillin Early Childhood Center. “Upon entering her classroom, however, you might think you had entered K-Mart after a blue-light special, as there will be materials and children taking up all available table and floor space. Her childcentered, project-based classroom is alive with enthusiastic students who are motivated and encouraged to use their talents and gifts to be the best that they can be.”
Mrs. Poage earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from the State University of New York at Cortland and she received her Master of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education from Kean University. Well-known for her outstanding ability to teach scientific concepts to the youngest of learners, Susan was presented with a Presidential Award in Mathematics and Science Teaching by the National Science Foundation in 2009. During her career at the Early Childhood Center, Mrs. Poage has served as a member of the Strategic Planning Committee, Science Curriculum Committee, Science Textbook Review Committee, Grammar Committee and Council on Instruction. Susan has also been a workshop presenter and an active participant in the annual Berkeley Heights Education Foundation Basketball Game for many years.
One of her nominators has written that “Mrs. Poage’s classroom is one of excited learners whose individual needs are met through unique and engaging learning centers, as well as many hands-on activities. Children are encouraged to be creative and their learning can be demonstrated in a variety of ways.” A colleague added that “Susan has always been a vocal advocate for students who were out of the mainstream in our community. Through classroom lessons, bulletin boards, and parent visitations, she has supported all students who don’t fit the norm, championing and supporting various cultural differences.”
MRS. ANN BIRD Speech-Language Specialist Thomas P. Hughes School Ann Bird began working in the Berkeley Heights Public Schools as a Supplemental Speech Correctionist during the 1978-1979 school year. She was then hired to her first full-time Speech position, working with students at Thomas P. Hughes and William Woodruff Schools, on September 1, 1979. Since that time Mrs. Bird has worked tirelessly with students in Grades Pre-Kindergarten through 8 throughout our school district, helping them to develop their speech and language skills.
“Ann Bird is the kind of teacher that you wish YOU had as a child,” said Jessica Nardi, Principal of Thomas P. Hughes School. “She has the innate ability to connect with kids and not only effectively helps students with their speech and language needs, but she also helps students have an overall positive school experience. Children feel good about themselves when they are with Mrs. Bird, and this helps foster their academic and social growth across their school day.
On a personal note, it always brightens my day when Mrs. Bird brings her students to the office to tell me jokes!” Ann earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech from Douglass College of Rutgers, The State University; and she received her Master of Science Degree in Speech Pathology from the Rutgers Graduate School of Education. An active member of numerous Speech-Language and Hearing associations, Mrs. Bird has helped enlighten her fellow staff members as a workshop presenter, has been a member of the district’s Wellness Committee, and has served as a cooperating professional for college students completing their internships. Also, during the 1994-1995 school year, Mrs. Bird was chosen as the Teacher of the Year at William Woodruff School.
Her nominators have said that “Mrs. Bird has an excellent rapport with her students and she develops and nurtures a love of learning in them. She develops creative ways to help students accomplish their speech and language goals. While reading books, Mrs. Bird will bring in manipulatives, pictures, or objects to help students understand the language and the context of the story. Ann and her students put forth great effort during these lessons, but the students hardly notice that it is work. Mrs. Bird also communicates effectively with parents and she is always available to teachers and parents to discuss the progress being made by her students.”
MRS. GINA HOLZMANN Grade 3 Teacher Mountain Park School Gina Holzmann has been employed in the Berkeley Heights Public Schools for the past 15 years. She started as a Grade 5 Teacher at Thomas P. Hughes School in September 2001 and moved to Grade 3 at Hughes before becoming Assistant Principal at Columbia Middle School in July 2008. Mrs. Holzmann served as the CMS Assistant Principal for nearly three years before returning to the classroom and her current position, Third Grade Teacher at Mountain Park School, in September 2011.
“Mrs. Holzmann combines the use of the creative aspects of teaching that students enjoy with a very structured and thorough approach,” said Jon Morisseau, Principal of Mountain Park School. “By employing technology, differentiation, and cooperative learning, she is able to teach the whole child. Her annual efforts to obtain grants which fund special projects and learning opportunities further enrich her students’ educational experiences. In addition, Mrs. Holzmann serves as an integral part of the district’s K-5 Language Arts Committee, where her knowledge of writing instruction is an extremely valuable asset.” Gina earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Douglass College of Rutgers, The State University; and she received a Master of Arts Degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from the Rutgers Graduate School of Education as well as a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Recognized as the 2006-2007 Teacher of the Year at Thomas P. Hughes School, Mrs. Holzmann has served her school and the district as a member of the Council on Instruction, Language Arts Committee, Spelling Committee, Textbook Review Committee, Safety Committee and Strategic Planning Committee. Earlier in her career, Gina served as Writing Club Advisor at Hughes School and as Assistant Softball Coach at Governor Livingston High School. Mrs. Holzmann’s nominators have described her as “an exceptional educator who personifies the best qualities that we look for in individuals that teach in our schools every day.” Those who observe her classes have commended her for “creating a classroom environment that is welcoming and structured with established routines and expectations for students. Her friendly smile and encouraging comments help foster an atmosphere of support and success.”
MRS. KATHRYN FINKELSTEIN Teacher of Special Education William Woodruff School Kathy Finkelstein started her teaching career in her hometown of Hasbrouck Heights, working there for six years before coming to the Berkeley Heights Public Schools in September 1991. She has been teaching at William Woodruff School for the past 25 years, having educated students in various settings including Primary Perceptually Impaired classes, self-contained Language and Learning Disabilities classes, and in her current role as a Resource Room and In-Class Support Teacher.
“Mrs. Finkelstein is an exceptional teacher; a rare gem of a person who was given the gift to teach,” explained Patricia Gasparini, Principal of William Woodruff School. “She looks at each day as an opportunity to help her students gain confidence, learn skills, and further acquire new strategies to help them find success. Kathy’s ever-present smile, calm manner, and constant encouragement inspire her students to believe, reach, and achieve. Mrs. Finkelstein is vested in her students, their lives, and their interests. She uses this to develop hands-on, high-interest, and motivating lessons that build on success. All of the students, staff, and school community celebrate Mrs. Finkelstein’s passion, creativity, collegial style and willingness to support all.” Kathy earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education from Trenton State College, now The College of New Jersey. During her years in Berkeley Heights, Mrs. Finkelstein has served as a member of the District Special Education Monitoring Committee, Social Studies Curriculum Committee, School Objective Committee, Differentiated Supervision Committee, and as a Workshop Presenter and Summer School Teacher. Kathy was chosen as the Teacher of the Year at William Woodruff School for the 1995-1996 school year. One of Mrs. Finkelstein’s nominators, a colleague, stated that “Kathy dedicates herself to foster the highest level of understanding in her students. She has an excellent rapport with those in her classes, is highly regarded by parents and colleagues, and participates extensively in professional development opportunities. Kathy taught me so much in the early years of my career and I am still learning from her many years later.
She tirelessly searches for methods which can help any and all children learn and she readily shares those ideas with her peers. I would call Kathy a ‘teacher’s teacher.’”
MS. ASHLEE SMITH Teacher of French Columbia Middle School Ashlee Smith is in her fourth year of teaching the French language to students at Columbia Middle School. She arrived in Berkeley Heights after having taught French at Bedminster Township Public School for two years. “Ms. Smith seeks ways to fully immerse her students in the French Language; she has gone as far as to ask me to throw away the desks in her classroom and install a sidewalk café,” said Frank Geiger, Principal of Columbia Middle School. “In her classroom, students often take the lead, sharing their discoveries perhaps dressed as Claude Monet while Ms. Smith conferences with others in the target language. Ms. Smith plants the seeds early, visiting the elementary schools to promote her course of study. A student who completes three years of French with Ms. Smith has seen the sights of France through online virtual tours, studied the country’s culture, prepared and tasted French food as members of the French club, and speaks the language with confidence.” Ms. Smith earned her Bachelor of Science Degrees in World Language Education-French Language, French and Francophone Studies- Applied French, and International Studies from The Pennsylvania State University. She is currently pursuing graduate studies in the Master of Arts in Teaching program at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education. Ashlee has served as faculty advisor to the CMS French Club and Student Council during her employment at Columbia Middle School; and she co-founded the Ski and Snowboard Club through the Berkeley Heights YMCA, which has proven to be a very popular organization with the middle school students. Her nominators wrote that “Ms. Smith loves the French language and sharing her excitement for it with her students. She creates a warm, welcoming and fun environment in her classroom and she helps to do the same at Columbia Middle School as a whole. Ashlee’s students write to pen pals in France, send out holiday greetings to their teachers in French, and learn about food, fashion and culture in French-speaking countries throughout the world. She also takes the time to create an accepting climate in her classroom by teaching students about tolerance. Ms. Smith listens to her students, gets to know them and their interests, learns about what is going on in their lives, and that truly resonates with the girls and boys in her classes.”
MS. SHARON LEAHY Teacher of Social Studies Governor Livingston High School Sharon Leahy has been teaching Social Studies at Governor Livingston High School for the past 13 years, providing instruction in courses such as Advanced Placement (AP) World History, Sociology, World History Honors, and Global Studies. She first arrived in the Berkeley Heights Public Schools in 2003 after having worked in the private sector for over 10 years. “Sharon Leahy is so much more than just a great educator,” said Robert Nixon, Principal of Governor Livingston High School. “The ultimate professional, Ms. Leahy is a top-notch coach and advisor in addition to being a master teacher.
Students love to take her class because they know that they will learn in a highly-engaging environment. The way Ms. Leahy runs her classroom fosters inquiry. She challenges her students to substantiate their claims and to prove the validity of their opinions to their classmates.”
The 2010 Teacher of the Year at Governor Livingston, Ms. Leahy earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Providence College and she received her Master of Arts Degree in Teaching from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She currently serves as the Head Coach of the Governor Livingston Golf Team and as Assistant Coach of the GL Swimming Team, in addition to being one of the faculty advisors to the school’s Interact Club. During her years at Governor Livingston, Sharon also has been a member of the district’s Council on Instruction, Technology Committee and Strategic Planning Committee, in addition to serving as National Honor Society Advisor. Outside of school, Ms. Leahy’s subject area expertise has led to her employment by The College Board as a Reader for AP European History Examinations as well as being a contributor of questions for the new AP Exam.
One of Sharon’s nominators for Educator of the Year wrote that “Ms. Leahy is the type of teacher who makes it look easy. When you watch her teach, she is in complete command of the classroom. Her lessons are marvelous – they are always clever, well-constructed, student centered, on-point, and rigorous. Although she makes teaching look easy, Sharon is constantly working to improve and looking to incorporate new ideas and practice into her instruction; she will often work with other teachers both within and outside the Social Studies department in order to achieve this goal. She is a credit to her department, GL, and the entire district.”
