Emmy-award winning broadcast journalist Ellen Kolodziej and videographer and editor Tim Stollery from “Jersey Matters,” a local news program, saw the perfect opportunity to highlight Warren Township Schools after four Warren Township Middle School teachers – Mrs. Josephine Brasile, Mrs. Lynn Degen, Mrs. Traci Haise and Mr. Robert Hartshorn – were honored by the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission for their excellent efforts in continuing the Warren Middle School Grade 8 Historical Tour of Warren Township, also known as Warren History Day.
The morning of June 8, 2018 provided optimal conditions for the Grade 8 Historical Tour. The student docents and teacher honorees took their places spread amongst the different historical locations in Warren including Coddington House, Kirsch Ford House, Baptist Meeting House, Hofheimer Grotto, Angelo L. Tomaso School and Washington Rock State Park.
In addition to touring their peers and teachers throughout each site, Jersey Matters correspondent Ellen Kolodziej and Tim Stollery joined the fun! Some student docents were even “mic’d up” during their tours and given a one-on-one interview with Ms. Kolodziej while Mr. Stollery recorded the segment.
With a great deal of confidence and poise, students shared with Ms. Kolodziej their feelings of excitement about touring their peers throughout the historical sites that are right here in their own town, how student learning can be enhanced through student to student teaching and how being present at these sites motivates an understanding of the historical relevance of American History in the Warren community in a meaningful and memorable way.
Not only did Ms. Kolodziej remark how impressed she was with the student docents and their knowledge of these historical sites, the teachers and administrators were equally as impressed.
“For me, the highlight of Warren History Day is seeing my Peer Leaders shine! Dr. Cooper, (Warren Middle School teacher) and I work with them on their leadership skills all year long and Warren History Day is the culmination of their leadership development, stated Mrs. Degen. “The Peer Leaders research, create, develop and deliver their own docent presentations at the various sites. Every year, they do a tremendous job for their peers and we are so proud of them.”
The last stop of the tour was Washington Rock, one of the oldest state parks in NJ, which served as a valuable lookout point for General George Washington during the American Revolution. This picturesque, scenic vantage point was a fabulous ending location to a spectacular day. The 8th grade students and staff were treated to pizza and ice cream compliments of the Middle School PTO before filling the busses and heading back to school.
“The historical tour experience is the epitome of the engaged tenet of the whole child approach to education,” stated Dr. Matthew Mingle, superintendent. “Our students actively engaged in learning by connecting with the history that exists in around their local community. This is one of my favorite days of the year in the district; our teachers and students do a phenomenal job.”
Make sure to keep an eye out for information on when the segment will air. Additionally check out the Warren Township Historical Society website to plan your visit to some of these amazing ! Who knows, maybe one of the Warren Township student docents will volunteer to give you a tositesur!
Photographs courtesy of Warren Township Schools
(above) Emmy-award winning broadcast journalist Ellen Kolodziej and videographer and Editor Tim Stollery from “Jersey Matters” reporting from the Baptist Meeting House, on the corner of King George Rd and Mt. Bethel Rd.
(above) Grade 8, Warren Middle School student Maya Aerts sharing her thoughts on the Warren History Day with Ellen Kolodziej.
(above) Grade 8, Warren Middle School student Josh Claxton having a one on one interview with journalist Ellen Kolodziej inside of the Baptist Meeting House.
(above) Grade 8, Warren Middle School student Francesca D’Amore speaking with Tim Stollery from the lawn of Angelo L. Tomaso School about the historical relevance of the location.
(above l-r) Warren History Day would not have been possible if not for Warren Middle School teachers Mrs. Traci Haise, Mrs. Josephine Brasile, Mrs. Lynn Degen and Mr. Robert Hartshorn.
(above l-r) Ellen Kolodziej, Warren Middle School students Josh Claxton and Maya Aerts and Tim Stollery.
