Dear Staff and Administration

January 12, 2015

Dear Staff and Administration:

There is no greater honor for an educator than to be recognized by students, parents, and colleagues for excellence and contribution to the field. Please join me in congratulating the Burlington County Special Services School Districts 2014-15 Educators of the Year.

Lumberton Campus

Mr. Jack Cotrell, Teacher of the Year Mr. Cottrell has been teaching for over 32 years. He has worked with the Capital Academy students along with regular education students. He considers himself a behaviorist, believing that some students lack socialization and need the right tools for success. He believes he was born with a gift to teach and has demonstrated that to be true at the Lumberton Campus.

Mr. Anthony Charry, Teacher Assistant of the Year Mr. Charry has been working as a Teacher’s Assistant for a few years. Though his title is Teacher Assistant, he operates as a teacher, mentor and role model for the students at Lumberton. He is a reliable teammate no matter what the situation, and an innovator when it comes to designing and implementing programs and activities that reach even the most challenging students.

Elementary Campus

Ms. Jill Bennett, Teacher of the Year Mrs. Bennett is in the process of developing a functional living center. She assists with the Holiday Show every year. Whenever a teacher is in need she is always there to help out. She has also embraced the concept of WIGS (Wildly Important Goals) and is very supportive of administration.

Ms. Angela Cummiskey, Educational Services Professional of the Year, Speech Language Therapist She is very versatile and can work with all populations and all ages. She will do anything for her students and is very supportive to the staff. She is a great resource and works with the Assistive Technology for the Autistic students. She is always very professional and focused on her job and her students.

Ms. Kelly McGrogan, Teacher Assistant of the Year She is a TA for a Teacher that is a Team Leader. She is highly professional. Students love her. She is known to have the most patient and calm demeanor. She is very positive and upbeat person.

PASC Campus

Ms. Karen Bakely, Teacher of the Year Mrs. Bakely is a PLC Leader and participates in many community outings with the students. She can also be found making poster presentations that highlight her students accomplishments or at PTO events. She was also honored as the 2012 Teacher of the Year and she earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree from Maywood College in Scranton, PA. Mrs. Bakely is a patient, quiet leader that is collaborative, flexible and open to feedback. She exhibits a positive attitude and is extremely reliable. True professional. Never complains. Creates a great community.

Ms. Rosalind Kind, Educational Services Professional of the Year, LDTC Rosalind Kind has great relationships with parents and staff. She is a master of conducting intakes efficiently and successfully. She is always professional and collaborative. Throughout the year, she often leads IEP and APA Trainings and Clinics. Without a doubt, she is a “Go To” person.

Ms. Teresa Chandler, Teacher Assistant of the Year Students show improvement in goals when Ms. Chandler works with them. She has worked with a variety of age groups effectively. She is reliable, patient, calm and always willing to learn. Embraced ABA and intensive teaching.

High School Campus

Ms. Jacqueline “Jackie” Willey, Teacher of the Year Mrs. Wiley is a team leader. She helps organize the Prom and helps out with the BCSSSD Foundation. She is developing her leadership skills to move the High School in a positive manner. She helps with SGO Training. Mrs. Wiley coordinates the Annual Lip Sync show and runs the Book Fair.

Ms. Jennifer Nizio, Educational Services Professional of the Year, Occupational Therapist Mrs. Nizio is very dedicated and committed to students and is a great resource to staff. She organizes extra/special projects like “Cards for Veterans” and works with student interns. She also offers a lot of support in the Sensory rooms. Mrs. Nizio is known to be very upbeat. She also incorporates therapy in the classroom and mentors students that want to be Occupational Therapists.

Mr. Stephen “Steve” Mayberry, Teacher Assistant of the Year Mr. Mayberry is a 1:1 Teacher Assistant that is very caring and is wonderful at working with all types of students. Mr. Mayberry is also thought of as a “Go To” person that never complains and does a lot of the dirty work. He never gets flustered or upset and is always willing to help. He is a total team player. Jr./Sr. Campus, plus these Three Teachers Received “District” Teacher of the Year

Ms. Michelle Stewart, Teacher of the Year Mrs. Stewart is a Team Leader and somehow is everywhere helping everyone all the time. The Holiday Show is her passion and she is very involved with the Prom. Some would characterize her as a Cheerleader for the school. Mrs. Stewart is also involved with the BCSSD Foundation. Her dedication is unbelievable and she is full of spirit. She turnkeys information for the benefit of the staff. Mrs. Stewart is also a young mother of two children.

Ms. Jennifer Higgs, Educational Services Professional of the Year, Social Worker Mrs. Higgs is very outgoing and caring. She is a true patriot and participates in a Veteran’s Day Program every year with the students. Even when she was in Afghanistan she was thinking about her students. She never forgot her students when she was there. She also is very involved with the Prom. Outside of school she has made presentations about Drug and Alcohol Abuse to the local Boy Scouts of America troops. Mrs. Higgs is also in the Air Force Reserves as a senior flight examiner and Aeromedical Evacuation Technician on fixed wing aircraft; C-17, KC-135 and C-130.

Ms. Bethann Guenther-Misunas, Teacher Assistant of the Year Ms. Guenther-Misunas is a longtime advocate for Special Olympics. She is also known as a “Go To” Person. She is involved with the Prom and also serves as a Bus Aide to ensure that students get home safely to their parents. She has worked on almost all of the campuses at BCSSSD. She has been very successful with all students. She is working on her Teacher Certificate and is Substitute Certified.

On behalf of the Board of Education, administration, and staff, we honor and thank these educators for their hard work and dedication to the children and families of the Burlington County Special Services School District.

Sincerely,

Dr. Christopher M. Manno, Superintendent of Schools c: Board of Education