Rachel Shanagher, Grade 1 Teacher at Mary Kay McMillin Early Childhood Center, has been chosen by the Berkeley Heights Public Schools to be the district’s nominee for Union County Educator of the Year recognition.
Mrs. Shanagher was named Educator of the Year at McMillin Early Childhood Center last spring, along with honorees from each of the other five Berkeley Heights Public Schools, in accordance with the Governor’s Educator of the Year program. She has since been selected from that group of outstanding educators to represent the Berkeley Heights school district in the competition for county-level honors.
Mrs. Shanagher has been serving as a Grade 1 Teacher at The Early Childhood Center since September 2013. She began her employment in Berkeley Heights just a few months after earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics/Elementary Education from Ramapo College of New Jersey and completing her student teaching experience at John F. Kennedy Primary School in Raritan.
“I remember the first time I met Rachel when I interviewed her for the position she currently holds,” said Anne Corley-Hand, Principal of McMillin Early Childhood Center. “Poised and confident, I felt like I was speaking with a seasoned staff member rather than a recent college graduate and beginning teacher.”
Along with a few of her colleagues, Rachel has implemented an afterschool enrichment program at Mary Kay McMillin. She also serves as a representative on the Elementary Math Curriculum Committee and Council on Instruction, and is a frequent participant in and volunteer at PTO family events and in the annual Berkeley Heights Education Foundation Basketball Game.
“Mrs. Shanagher’s classroom is an atmosphere of caring, encouragement, and collaboration,” Mrs. Corley-Hand continued. “She puts her whole heart into teaching. When asked to describe Rachel, her colleagues used words such as ‘creative, enthusiastic, dedicated, passionate, caring, innovative, resourceful, and determined.’ She was dubbed the ‘Whiz Kid’ shortly after her arrival in our school and continues to be a shining star at the Early Childhood Center.”
Photo by Berkeley Heights Public Schools
