Educators Of The Year Honored

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BRICK Teachers and educational services professionals who were chosen as each school’s 2024–25 Governor’s Educator of the Year were honored by the Brick Township School District.

Recognizing educators who have gone above and beyond in their devotion to New Jersey students is the goal of the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program. The initiative honors excellence, fosters pride, and draws attention to the efforts of exceptional teachers. Using a rubric, each school community is asked to nominate educators and educational services providers in November, marking the start of the nomination process. In December, each school committee selects its representatives after reviewing the nominations.

The following Governor’s Educator of the Year honorees were honored at a recent Board of Education meeting:

ECDC in Herbertsville

  • Teacher: Katelyn James
  • Services Professional: Donna Cargill

ECDC Warren H. Wolf

  • Teacher: Caitlin Vergason
  • Services Professional: Diane McGrath

Drum Point Elementary

  • Teacher: Donald MacCarrick
  • Services Professional: Joann Abello

Young Elementary Emma Havens

  • Teacher: Shannon Golden
  • Services Professional: Alix Coughlin

Lanes Mill Elementary

  • Teacher: Stephanie Rebecchi
  • Services Professional: Margaret Hershowitz

Midstreams Elementary

  • Teacher: Katie Schmidt
  • Services Professional: Jillian Walsh

Osbornville Elementary

  • Teacher: Noel Whitall-Johnson
  • Services Professional: Jill Nalewicki

Veterans Memorial Elementary

  • Teacher: Sarah Giles
  • Services Professional: Amanda Santoro

Middle School in Lake Riviera

  • Teacher: Jennifer D Erasmo
  • Services Professional: Dean-na DiCorcia

Middle School Veterans Memorial

  • Teacher: Thomas Trembulak
  • Services Professional: Laura McGuire

High School in Brick Township

  • Teacher: Christopher Capone
  • Services Professional: Kaitlyn Donahue

Brick Memorial High School

  • Teacher: Jacqueline Castellano
  • Services Professional: Amanda Agiovlasitis

Jacqueline Castellano also received the Brick Township District Teacher of the Year award.

Brick Memorial High School science instructor Castellano is renowned for her creative teaching strategies, dedication to student achievement, and enthusiasm for scientific instruction. She contributed to the creation of the assessment and lesson plan templates. She has participated in the Staff Wellness Initiative and DAT Committee at the district level. Her AP Biology and S.T.E.M. Academy classes have benefited from her relationships with Ocean Medical Center and the New Jersey Sharing Network. A student’s S.T.E.M. passion project in 2022 led to the creation of the pre-med club, which she now serves as adviser for.

Mrs. Castellano teaches more than just biology. According to Brick Memorial High School Principal Ed Sarluca, she is a visionary teacher, an inspirational mentor, and a real role model.

During her address, Castellano expressed gratitude to her family, colleagues, and the government for their support and validation of her work throughout the years.

“It’s a great feeling to be recognized for just doing what I love,” Castellano remarked. My friends and coworkers, you make my days so much simpler. I am grateful to all of you for your support, friendship, cooperation, and advice over the past 24 years. My science department in particular, who I know contributed to my first nomination, has become my family and my safe haven away from home.

I want to remind you that teaching is more than just imparting knowledge. It involves multitasking, exercising authority, and setting an example. We prepare kids for the real world by setting an example of empathy, structure, discipline, and compassion. But without your help, this is not possible. support that gives us the money, dignity, and regulations we need to accomplish our jobs. Being the enemy is not why we became instructors. “To serve our community, we became teachers,” she remarked.

As she wrapped up her remarks, Castellano read letters from previous pupils thanking her for her encouragement and support.

My greatest honor is you, my students. I do this because of you. Hearing from you years later is everything, Castellano said, adding that your excitement, bravery, and curiosity make every day worthwhile.

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