PARSIPPANY — As the school year draws to a close, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education took the opportunity at its last meeting in May to recognize some of the schools district’s most outstanding teachers.
The Teacher of the Year Recognition Award was established to honor an outstanding teacher in each of the Parsippany schools. The Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education presented the awards at their meeting on Thursday, May 25.
EASTLAKE SCHOOL – Melanie Rodzen
Each day Mrs. Rodzen comes to school with a passion for teaching and a commitment to learning. She is dedicated to her students and shows the desire to grow as a professional.
Mrs. Rodzen is the type of teacher who has a plan for each and every student. She not only reaches them academically, but socially and emotionally as well.
Her day is filled with literacy and math concepts in addition to teaching life skills such as good personal hygiene, fine and gross motor skills and positive interactions amongst her students.
While Melanie understands the importance and value of teaching the curriculum to her three and four-year-old preschool students she also knows that fostering a love for learning is the most important task before her. Her passion, dedication and commitment to the school community has prepared our youngest students for a positive elementary school experience.
INTERVALE SCHOOL – Kenneth Valleau
Kenny has been teaching in some form for most of his life. As a child, Kenny had his own chalkboard and overhead projector in his basement so he could truly play school with his friends. After teaching for eight years in Arizona, Kenny came home to New Jersey. He has spent the past three years at Intervale sharing his love of teaching with his students and co-workers. Kenny quickly became an integral part of Intervale, bringing his knowledge of curriculum, pedagogy, and technology to the school community. His coworkers often rely on him for questions on curriculum and technology. He has coached the school’s Expressive Reading Team for the last two years and helped one of Intervale’s students bring home a first place trophy for the school. He is currently attending Graduate school, completing course work to become a supervisor. Kenny is an excellent choice and a worthy recipient of Intervale’s Teacher of the Year award.
KNOLLWOOD SCHOOL – Danielle Ciccone
Danielle began working at Knollwood School in 2008 as a student teacher in the fifth grade. After completing her student teaching, she was hired as an Instructional Paraprofessional and spent the next year and a half working with students in grades K – 5. Danielle began teaching first grade in 2010 and has been there ever since.
Danielle goes above and beyond for both her colleagues and students. In the classroom, she gets to know her students on an academic level as well as on an emotional level, creating a learning environment which is structured, engaging and respectful. She develops instructional activities that are rooted in meaningful curriculum-based objectives and puts 150% effort into everything she does.
Danielle is always willing to take time out of her busy day to help her colleagues. She’s been known to lend a helping hand with technology, served on the district progress report and I&RS committees and even mentored two first-year teachers.
Always dedicated, Danielle continues to enrich her curriculum and teaching by attending professional development courses. She obtained her special education certification, assistive technology certification and master’s degree in education. Danielle is a huge asset to Knollwood School and proud to present her with the Teacher of the Year award.
LAKE HIAWATHA SCHOOL – Ashley Radiotis
Mrs. Ashley Radiotis is a devoted teacher who is recognized for her commitment to teaching and to her students. She is a collaborative educator who is professional, creative, and hard working. She is always open and willing to share her classroom and ideas with colleagues and student interns. She has been an active turnkey leader, helping with the transition to new initiatives and programs. Mrs. Radiotis fosters a respectful classroom environment and promotes this throughout the school by her willingness to serve as an advisor to groups such as Expressive Reading, K-Kids and Safety Patrol. She is truly a role model who has forged strong and positive relationships with students, families, and staff.
LAKE PARSIPPANY SCHOOL – Kristina Weber
Mrs. Kristina Weber has demonstrated true professionalism in all she does. This year’s teacher of the year was described as hard working, dedicated, kind, considerate, thoughtful, innovative, and inspiring. Her ability to utilize various teaching strategies, supports her efforts, as she strives to meet the needs of her students.
Mrs. Weber’s highly organized approach supports her punctuality and ability to multi task in the best interests of student needs. Her organized approach further allows her to make modifications and adaptations to help her students.
She is always willing to share her knowledge and expertise to benefit her colleagues. Mrs. Weber is a strong collaborator, and her efforts in sharing her repertoire demonstrate that she is truly a team player. Mrs. Weber’s dedication to students, families, and commitment to Lake Parsippany are on display each day.
LITTLETON SCHOOL – Melanie Dully
Melanie Dully is a reading specialist at Littleton School and a teacher in the Parsippany-Troy Hills School district for twenty years. She is a true professional in every sense of the word with impeccable character. Melanie will do anything for her students to help them succeed. She is well-respected by all of her peers and supportive of her colleagues. Her positive attitude is felt and seen daily with students, parents, and colleagues, which makes her a role model to all.
In addition to being a reading specialist and outstanding citizen, Melanie serves as an active member of the crisis team, Parsippany Education Foundation, ADK, Expressive Reading, Junior Great Books, and Student Council advisor. Melanie received a PEF grant this year for an anti-bullying program. She is an asset to all committees and programs she participates in.
Melanie displays empathy, compassion, and is never judgmental. She is a friend to all and has a heart of gold. It is truly deserving for her to receive Littleton’s Teacher of the Year award.
TABOR SCHOOL – Jeanne Glodek
Mrs. Jeanne Glodek has demonstrated incredible professionalism and dedication to the students of Parsippany-Troy Hills during her thirteen-year career. Mrs. Glodek has very high expectations of all her students and of herself. She provides her fourth grade students with opportunities to expand their love of learning, build knowledge, develop their ability to get along with others, and explore the world around them. She creates a welcoming learning environment in which each student’s ideas and opinions are valued. When you enter her classroom, students are engaged in group activities exploring and sharing ideas on how to solve problems or complete tasks. It is evident that students feel safe to express their feelings and learn to respect and listen to others.
Mrs. Glodek takes great pride in delivering a high quality education to her students and collaborates with her colleagues on an ongoing basis to strengthen her craft. Her love and passion for teaching shine through. She is always willing to go the extra mile to carry out the mission of our school and we are fortunate to have her as a member of our Mt. Tabor staff.
NORTHVAIL SCHOOL – Jessica DeZao
Northvail School is proud to have Jessica DeZao selected as teacher of the year. Jessica began student teaching at Northvail School under the guidance of last year’s teacher of the year, Jenelle Garcia. Upon graduation, Jessica was hired as a maternity leave replacement followed by being hired as a permanent staff member.
Jessica has been at the forefront of the inclusive classroom and co-teaching. She is extremely adept at differentiating instruction in order to meet a child’s needs, helping them reach grade level goals and beyond. This is evidenced by one of her colleagues stating, “To me, she is the queen of differentiation, analyzing student strengths and weaknesses to better tailor instruction.” If you walk into one of Jessica’s lessons you will most likely see students in stations working with one another, Jessica and/or her co-teaching colleague. Jessica understands the need for a child’s brain to be engaged in several modalities during a long class period and thus every tweny minutes the children will rotate to a new activity. The children not only retain the information better, but enjoy what they are learning.
Jessica’s interaction with students, parents, and staff is above par. She creates such a positive classroom environment that students feel cared about which gives them the motivation to achieve their goals. Jessica uses the Remind App to keep parents apprised of their child’s progress and is always willing to help a colleague. A fellow co-worker stated, “She always amazes me with her different aspects of looking at things with new eyes.”
Jessica has served as turnkey trainer for many of the district’s technology initiatives and was the first to implement google classroom at Northvail several years ago.
One of her colleagues noted, “she utilizes technology on a daily basis and designs activities to enhance instruction and make concepts more relatable to students.”
It is truly difficult to convey Jessica’s unique, engaging teaching style as well as energetic personality, which makes everyone around her laugh, in this short written blurb. However, if you watch Jessica in action you will understand why the Northvail Community is extremely proud to have selected Jessica as Northvail’s Teacher of the Year.
ROCKAWAY MEADOW SCHOOL – Gina Masterson
Mrs. Masterson joined the Parsippany Troy-Hills School District in 2003. Her first position was a building-wide substitute at Troy Hills School; a position she held for three years. When presented with the opportunity to become a first grade teacher at Troy Hills School in 2006, she embraced it. Although it was only a one year position, Mrs. Masterson showed her value to the district. In the fall of 2007, Mrs. Masterson moved to Rockaway Meadow School to teach fourth grade; the same position she currently holds today.
Mrs. Masterson shows warmth, caring, respect, and fairness for all students. She exudes high expectations and conveys to her students that they can and will be able to reach the goals that have been set. Mrs. Masterson finds new ways to motivate and inspire the young minds in her classroom presenting material using a wide range of well-chosen, effective strategies.
Mrs. Masterson is a positive team player; contributing ideas, expertise, and time to support the overall mission of our school.
Thank you, Mrs. Masterson, for all that you do to enhance the RMS learning community.
TROY HILLS SCHOOL – Maura O’Toole
Miss O’Toole is a dedicated, hard-working and most caring teacher. Her first graders walk into their classroom each morning, with smiles on their faces, excited for another day of first grade learning! Maura teaches these young children to become responsible students. She sets high expectations for her students to think critically, as they explore exciting new topics. Maura loves reading, and she shares that joy with her students, who enjoy sitting on the colorful classroom carpet, listening to their teacher read a fun book!
This busy educator also takes the time to participate in and lead various school-wide committees. Congratulations to Miss O’Toole, the Troy Hills Teacher of the Year!
BROOKLAWN MIDDLE SCHOOL – Tiffany Schifano
When our BMS’s Teacher of the Year Committee read nominations for teacher of the year, it was clear we were proud to nominate our vocal music teacher, Mrs. Tiffany Schifano. As one teacher explains, she is “dedicated and creates a positive, inclusive environment for all her students.” Another staff member shares Mrs. Schifano “is so positive, empathetic and she is so talented.”
Another teacher explains, “Since Mrs. Schifano began teaching vocal music at BMS, the number of students opting to take chorus has grown dramatically. This is due not only to her passion and knowledge about music, but also the compassion and dedication that she shows each of her students. Every student in Mrs. Schifano’s class, regardless of his/her musical ability, is made to feel valuable and an integral part of the choir. The level of music that the students are performing is well beyond what a typical middle school choir would perform. She is a skilled musician and compassionate teacher who has created a nurturing and supporting environment where the students are willing to take risks and rise to the challenges she presents. She knows precisely how to break down the complexity of pieces into manageable parts that students can achieve and feel proud about accomplishing. In doing so they are not only becoming better musicians, but they are also developing a confidence themselves that they will carry with them in everything they do.” Her building administration and supervisor could not be prouder.
Lastly, in the words of her students, “Mrs. Schifano always encouraged us to be ourselves and be proud of who we are, and I am truly grateful to have her as a teacher and someone I feel comfortable and safe to be myself around.” Another student shares, “She inspires us to sing to our fullest potential and put our hearts into the music. She constantly reminds us, the choir, it is not just a class, but also a family and team where we all have one strong and life-changing passion in common-music.”
CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL – Diane Pierce
Central Middle School’s Teacher of the Year is Child Study Team Learning Consultant, Mrs. Diane Pierce. Mrs. Pierce routinely meets and exceeds all of the criteria for the award. Mrs. Pierce shows tireless dedication to students, parents and colleagues at Central Middle school. She consistently puts students first and is a wonderful resources for teachers. Mrs. Pierce is visible and accessible to all during the school day and is consummate professional. Central is proud and fortunate to have Mrs. Pierce as a member of our learning community.
PARSIPPANY HIGH SCHOOL – Samantha Regenye
Sam Regenye is a talented and dedicated Social Studies teacher at Parsippany High School. She is a member of our Freshmen Team and is a perfect choice to introduce ninth graders to life as a high school student. Sam also teaches ESL history and has worked hard to become an expert at teaching students despite any language barriers that exist. Mrs. Regenye is intelligent, patient, enthusiastic, and possesses an endless supply of kindness and compassion. She genuinely care about her students and demonstrates this every day through engaging lessons, positive support and generous use of her time. For years, she has volunteered her afternoons to run the “Homework Club” and uses this time to connect with students and to provide them with strategies to be successful in and our of the classroom. Student enjoy Mrs. Regenye’s class and adore her as a person, and her peers respect her talent, integrity and dedication. The staff and teachers at Parsippany High School are proud to have Samantha as the 2017 Teacher of the Year.
PARSIPPANY HILLS HIGH SCHOOL – Elizabeth Mejia
The staff at Parsippany Hills High School is proud to have Elizabeth Mejia representing our Viking family as the 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year. Elizabeth contributes to the school in many ways. She is an integral part of our Ninth Grade Team, and a highly respected and revered teacher amongst all students and staff. Mrs. Mejia has been on the front lines of our iPad initiative, using the latest technology and educational programs to deliver quality instruction to our students. Her passion for literature, and her love for students, is felt on a daily basis. Mrs. Mejia has been a Student Council advisor for several years and has assisted with many new Student Council initiatives and programs at PHHS, as well as contributing to a charitable cause year after year through the group. She has also taken on other co-curricular responsibilities like the yearbook and the Academic Decathlon Team. The Vikings are very proud to have Mrs. Mejia as our Teacher of the Year.
The Distinguished Faculty Award was given to a staff members recognized for excellence, creativity and community commendations. This year’s winner was Erica Engfer Pizza. She is a teacher at Parsippany Hills High School.
Erica Engfer Pizza epitomizes the hard working educator that sets high expectations for herself and students. She exhibits a passion for teaching, having deep content knowledge that comes from accomplished artisanship and ability to translate into meaningful learning for students. Lessons are yes, engaging and instill motivation because they are student centered and deconstruct the skills and sense of imagination and creativity to produce good art. The faculty member believes in students and works persistently to inculcate a growth mindset that includes independence, taking creative risks: thinking, creating, succeeding and growing. One supporting student’s letter attests to the life changing interest inspired by this teacher’s instruction.
Erica promotes art in this district. She has brought in numerous artists to speak to her classes. She has helped create new courses for the middle and high schools. She organized the first Artist Trading Card event that brought together all art teachers in the schools. She proposed and developed an Advanced Ceramic and Digital Photography course that has had high enrollment. She has brought AP Studio Art to the high school. She is a leader in sharing strategies and new ways to teach art at our professional development sessions. She has been awarded an Artist in Education Grant over the past two years and used her experiences there to develop our Digital photography course in 2015 and Printmaking in 2016. It is my understanding that this award was granted to her again this year and will enable us to continue the student project work in her building. She organizes an Arts Festival every spring which showcases our student work in our schools and public places. She proposed an Artist award for outstanding senior art work that would be permanently displayed in the school. She celebrates with her students, National Art Appreciation Week, again by displaying their work.
Erica is a model for the educator that extends herself beyond the classroom. She is the PHHS Peer Leadership Advisor, an important organization in helping our students transition from the middle to high school. She promotes competitions that feature our student work and has served as team management leader for K-12 Art. She takes professional interests in her students, helping them with their art portfolios for college and giving them valuable advice on how to critically frame their talents.
Erica is the consummate professional. She rarely misses work, is conscientious in her work, keeps meticulous records and generously extends her time for students and colleagues throughout the day. Her art commitment is present as part of the vitality at PHHS. I invite you to walk into the library and see the iconic print exhibit on the columns or walk the halls and see the Viking tiles her students created. She is an invested individual in our school community, vitally promoting the Arts in PTHSD.
