the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Public Schools is pleased to honor ten outstanding educators in the 2020-2021 school year. The Teacher Recognition Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, June 15 at 7 PM in the Benjamin Franklin Middle School Auditorium.
This year’s recipients are as follows.
We are pleased to honor our Educational Services Professional of the Year, Ms. Colleen Manke!
Colleen Manke is the Ridge School nurse and the nurse coordinator for the district. This recognition of Ms. Manke’s knowledge, compassion, and contributions to the Ridge and Ridgewood communities is well-deserved, especially this year! Please join us in congratulating Ms. Manke!
We are delighted to honor Ms. Christine Lee, RHS Teacher of the Year!
Ms. Lee embodies all the characteristics of an exemplary educator and person. With her trademark and ever present smile, she engages students and colleagues alike with a compassion, sense of humor, and focused purpose that invariably result in respect and admiration for who she is and what she represents. While her modesty would prevent any self-congratulations, Ms. Lee is well-deserving of this recognition and award!
Please join us in congratulating Ms. Lee!
We are delighted to honor the GWMS Teacher of the Year, Ms. Deborah Feit!
Deborah Feit is an extraordinary person, a team player and the source of much of the positive energy at GW! She has worked hard during the pandemic to be sure that science experiments were accessible to ALL students. She is also a tireless advocate for students with unique needs.
Please join us in congratulating Ms. Feit!
Deborah Feit is an extraordinary person, a team player and the source of much of the positive energy at GW! She has worked hard during the pandemic to be sure that science experiments were accessible to ALL students. She is also a tireless advocate for students with unique needs.
Please join us in congratulating Ms. Feit!
We are pleased to honor Ms. Trecia Donnelly, BFMS Teacher of the Year!
Ms. Donnelly is a superb advocate for students. Throughout her career and especially during the pandemic, Ms. Donnelly has gone above and beyond to help our at-risk students thrive through this most difficult of years, as well as supporting and coaching her colleagues!
Please join us in congratulating Ms. Donnelly!
We are delighted to recognize Ms. Rebecca Dodd, Willard Teacher of the Year!
Ms. Rebecca Dodd is a talented and dedicated kindergarten teacher who brings her love of children and learning to her daily instruction. With her creativity, enthusiasm, and student-centered approach, she gave her remote students an outstanding experience this year. The Willard community is thrilled to recognize Ms. Rebecca Dodd as this year’s Teacher of the Year.
Please join us in congratulating Ms. Dodd!
RPS is proud to honor Mr. Casey Schick – Travell Teacher of the Year!
In his fourth-grade classroom, Casey Schick meets the needs of individual learners while also stressing the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and movement!
Please join us in congratulating Mr. Schick on this well-deserved recognition!
Today we are honoring Ms. Lauren Carr, Somerville Teacher of the Year!
Ms. Carr is a dynamic and devoted teacher at Somerville School. Her students benefit from her unbridled enthusiasm, detailed planning and giant toolbox of engagement and instructional strategies. Congratulations to Ms. Carr!
Please join us in showing appreciation for our Teachers of the Year!
We are pleased to honor Mrs. Danielle Vandervelt, Ridge Teacher of the Year!
“Danielle Vandervelt’s first-grade classroom is a combination of hard work, silliness, fun, and joy – just as every first grader wants and deserves! Ridge School and Mrs. Vandervelt are a perfect fit (she even attended Ridge as a child!)” – Dr. Jean Schoenlank, Ridge Principal
Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Vandervelt!
Today, we are honoring Mrs. Molly Mansbach, Orchard Teacher of the Year!
“Mrs. Mansbach began her teaching career at Orchard in the fall of 2014. Mrs. Mansbach is a big part of our school! She is our teacher tech coach and also the coordinator for “Orchard’s Got Talent!” Mrs. Mansbach is not only a great colleague to staff members, but she is also well known to all students at Orchard. We are so proud to have Mrs. Mansbach as our Teacher of the Year!” – Mrs. Mary Ferreri, Orchard Principal
Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Mansbach!
Recognized for what?
For pushing WOKE agendas and ruining a once premier school system that continues to slide in quality and state rankings???
Well, I guess “everybody gets a trophy” applies to teachers as well…
An award, really. How about giving out all the custodians clean the dirty bathrooms every day. Just amazing.