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Faculty members earn state honor
(by Kathryn A. Burger - April 15, 2008)
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Photos Courtesy of River Vale Public Schools
Maureen Monaghan, a guidance counselor at
Holdrum
Middle School is pictured with her husband Patrick Monaghan.
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Established in 1985, the Governor’s Recognition Award recognizes outstanding educators in
New Jersey ’s public schools.
The
River
Vale
Public
School District recently announced its 2008 award winners: Maureen Monaghan at
Holdrum
Middle School ; Patricia Davis at
Roberge
Elementary School , and Carol Malone at
Woodside
Elementary School .
Superintendent of Schools David Verducci said, “A committee of representatives from the administration, faculty and the community-at-large reviewed the many nominations received and voted to honor these outstanding educators.”
At its inception, the award program was designed to recognize classroom teachers. In 2004, the pool of eligible staff members was broadened to include faculty who operate outside the standard classroom setting. These professionals include special services, child study team and media professionals, among others. Verducci advises that the New Jersey Department of Education requires that the award winners, “be exceptionally knowledgeable, dedicated and skilled [in their chosen field]; be able to inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn; and to have the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues.”
This year, two classroom teachers and a guidance counselor were selected.
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Patricia Davis, a first grade teacher at
Roberge
Elementary School , is pictured with her father, James Mongon.
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Holdrum
Middle School
Maureen Monaghan, the guidance counselor at Holdrum, has been a member of the faculty for more than 10 years. Verducci said those nominating her for the honor described her as an incredibly compassionate person who is, “always there both for her students and her colleagues.” He said another nominator referred to her as, “a real lady in the finest sense of the word.”
Roberge
School
Patricia Davis, a first grade teacher, has been with the district since the spring of 2003. Verducci, commenting on the nominating petitions submitted, said, “Dedication and professionalism were words repeated again and again in describing her.” He said that in 2006, she and her grade-level team, won the New Jersey State Department of Education Best Practice Award. “Her reputation has been built, in part, on her willingness to do whatever is necessary to help a student achieve his or her potential,” Verducci said, adding that she was consistently described as “warm and caring.”
Woodside
School
Carole Malone is a speech therapist for two district schools. Verducci said nominators referred to her as “Woodside’s School Spirit” person and cited her, “extraordinary success working with the students in her Sign Language Club.” Verducci said, “Her efforts in this area have helped to develop, in both children and adults, a greater sensitivity to the deaf and hearing impaired.”
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Carole Malone, a speech therapist at two of the
River
Vale
School District ’s schools, is pictured with her husband, Steve Malone.
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The three award winners were honored at a recent board of education meeting where they were presented with certificates in recognition of their selection.
They will also attend a luncheon in May that will honor the
Bergen
County teachers who were named Teachers of the Year in their respective districts.
Kathryn A. Burger's e-mail address is burger@northjersey.com.
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