Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week

Welcome to a special edition of the LTSD Superintendent's Newsletter.

Today marks the first day of Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week, which is May 2-6. The weather is getting warmer and we are approaching the end of the school year. With only 35 days left in the school year, I hope you can reflect back on your accomplishments and milestones and know that you made a difference in a student's life.

So this edition is dedicated to our amazing Lacey Township School District Teachers, Principals, Administration, and Support Staff. Thank you for your hard work, your dedication, your willingness to think outside the box, and most of all, for the countless hours you've spent developing new ways of teaching and supporting our students both inside and outside the classroom.

Tune in throughout the week as this newsletter will feature a special message each day of the week to commemorate Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week 2022!

Marykate Casaletto – Cedar Creek Elementary School ~ I am truly honored to have been chosen as Cedar Creek Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year. Since as far back as I can remember, I wanted to follow in my mom’s footsteps and become an elementary school teacher. Teaching at the very same elementary school in which I attended as a child is simply icing on the cake! Cedar Creek will always be a second home to me. In the past 11 years I have worked with the Lacey Township School District, I have taught 6th, 3rd, and 1st grade. Every day that I step foot in the classroom, I teach as if my own two children were in the room. I truly care for all of my students as if they were my own. I take great pride in being a teacher, and I am looking forward to making a difference in the lives of my students for many more years to come!

Jenna Flynn – Forked River Elementary School ~ I am humbled to have been recognized as Forked River School’s Teacher of the Year. Since I was very young, I knew that education was the career path I would take. In 2003, I began teaching second grade. Throughout the last nineteen years, there have been many changes in education. Despite these challenges, I continue to be motivated and inspired by my students, families, and supportive colleagues. In addition to being a wife and mother of three children, being a teacher has also been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. It is my goal each day to create an environment that is positive, caring, and nurturing, in which my students feel confident enough to take risks in their learning. I am always striving to find new and exciting ways to engage my students and make my teaching more effective. Being recognized for my dedication is truly an honor.

Leah Davies – Lanoka Harbor Elementary School ~ I am humbled and honored to have been chosen as our school’s Teacher of the Year. I have been very fortunate to be a part of the teaching staff at the Lanoka Harbor Elementary School for so many years doing what I truly love. Being a first grade teacher is exciting every day. The students’ love of learning, the excitement they express, and the tremendous growth that they make throughout the year are exhilarating. Their excitement encourages me to continue learning different ways to enhance my instruction so that they continue to enjoy coming to school each day ready to learn. Making connections, and building relationships with my students, families, and school community, are also important and rewarding. I am so fortunate to be able to walk our halls every day with the best of the best. The lifelong relationships that I have with all of these wonderful people are truly a blessing that I am thankful for every day.

Shannon Fisher - Mill Pond Elementary School ~ I am honored to have been selected as Mill Pond Elementary School's Teacher of the Year. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to have worked with so many amazing families, dedicated and caring colleagues, and supportive administration throughout my years teaching here in Lacey. Over the last 20 years, I have formed so many positive professional relationships, allowing me to be the best I can be for my students. My favorite part of teaching is watching my fifth graders come in as young moldable minds and seeing them leave as strong, confident members of our school community. Watching them learn, grow, and choose kind is a gift in and of itself. My heart swells when they come back to visit and share their stories of success. I truly believe in educating the whole child, not just academically, but socially and emotionally. I am a firm believer that it takes a village to raise a child and I feel very fortunate that I get to be a part of so many journeys as my students progress and accomplish wonderful things.

Alison Brannick - Lacey Township Middle School ~ I am honored to be selected as Lacey Township Middle School’s Teacher of the Year for the 2022 -2023 School Year. Giving back to my community by teaching in the district that I attended as a child, and that inspired me to become a teacher, is a tremendous honor. It was my very own Lacey teachers that helped me fall in love with both mathematics and music. For the last nineteen years, I have been fortunate to share my love of mathematics with many students in my classroom. Creating a safe, nurturing environment to learn mathematics has always been my top priority. Additionally, I believe it is important to help students’ make connections between math and the real world so they can see the importance and beauty of mathematics in life. After teaching algebra all day, I am privileged enough to share my love of music with students. I have directed fifteen school musicals and work as the assistant chorus director for the last several years. Through all of these tasks, I have lived by the mantra “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” I love what I do!

Gianna Gearity - Lacey Township High School ~ I am humbled and honored to have been awarded the title of Teacher of the Year. After completing my student teaching in Lacey in 2015, I was lucky enough to be hired here, where my teaching journey began. Throughout the years, I have learned so much from working in this district, and I have been fortunate to work with some of the most amazing and passionate educators who offer me support, camaraderie, and encouragement. While I have taught many levels in LTSD, the one thing that remains consistent is that regardless of grade, level, or content, our jobs as educators allow us to show up each day and make a difference. I strive to give my students the tools that they need to be successful learners and good people. I want them to know that they are capable and worthy of success. I am thankful for a job that allows me to have this kind of impact, and I truly could not imagine spending my life doing anything else. It takes a special kind of person to teach, especially after these past few years. It truly takes a village and I am forever grateful for mine.

Email: vpereira@laceyschools.org
Website: laceyschools.org
Location: 200 Western Boulevard, Lanoka Harbor, NJ, USA
Phone: 609-971-2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laceyschools/
Twitter: @LTSDSup