Fifteen individuals and seven organizations recently received the Union County Human Relations Commission’s prestigious Unity Award for Achievement, an honor given to role models who dedicate their time and efforts to activities and programs that raise and honor the human spirit.
The awards were handed out during a special presentation held at the Kean University’s STEM Building in Union Township on Monday, May 7, 2018. The 2018 awards marked the 17th year in which the Commission has named honorees.
Samantha Vetter Kosty was presented with the Unity Achievement Award by an Educator for providing enthusiastic encouragement and support that lasts a lifetime. Below is preprinted from the event’s program.
Samantha Vetter Kosty is a school counselor at Linden High School. She is, in fact, a student favorite, possessing a calm and friendly nature that most high school students look for in their counselors, and that the students’ parents truly appreciate. She is truly a 21st-century educator.
She of course pays close attention to the students and attends to all of the queries they have. But she stands apart because she always goes those extra miles to help students who are struggling with their work or classes, or are facing personal problems or family issues.
Samantha’s highest priority as an educator and school counselor is to serve the needs of her students. She sets high, but not unreasonable, standards for her students, and gives them the tools to succeed, and they learn and thrive through her guidance and support. She also pays close attention to supporting the students’ parents, meeting with them around their schedules and answering emails. She also speaks calmly and openly with them to ensure that they have the outside support to ensure that each student’s mental, physical, and emotional well-being is met.
As a school counselor, Samantha has consistently shown strong leadership qualities. She has been instrumental in reaching out to the community, and in developing programs for the upcoming freshman class to welcome and encourage upcoming students, including an orientation night for middle-school students and parents.
She has embraced technology and social media in a very relevant way, providing updates about upcoming scholarship opportunities, general collaboration, and generally leveraging technology and social media to improve the academic lives of students.
She is also an amzing problem solver. Instead of seeing the challenges of our evolving educational system as a frustrating obstacle, she embraces them, learns from them and adapts without compromising her values and her students’ needs. Refusing to say ‘no’ or admit defeat, she works tirelessly to make sure a solution is found.
She is truly an inspiration. She is dedicated to the students, and playing an active role, has earned the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues.
Simply stated, Samantha Vetter Kosty is one of those people that students fondly remember for the rest of their lives.
(above) Samantha Vetter Kosty receives Unity Achievement Award by an Educator.
