Bradley Gardens Teacher and Educational Services Professional honored

The pride of the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District was honored at the Staff Recognition Reception on Tuesday, May 2.

The highly popular ceremony, which drew over 150 administrators, board of education members, staff and teachers as well as families from the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District, was held at the Somerville Elks Lodge.

The event was held to honor the 2022-2023 Governor’s Teachers of the Year and the Governor’s Educational Services Professionals for all 11 schools in the school district.

A total of 22 staffers—two from each school–were honored for their achievements and passion as members of the school district.

The ceremony was funded by the Bridgewater-Raritan Education Association (BREA) and was held for the first time at the Elks Lodge after the previous ceremonies were performed at Bridgewater-Raritan High School cafeteria.

Superintendent Bob Beers opened the festivities with his usual upbeat remarks.

“It is our great pleasure to honor the dedication to your craft that you do every day,” Superintendent Beers announced. “Thank you for the dedication and impact that you have on our children.”

He continued.

“Teaching is a lifestyle and you do need the support of your family. We thank your families for that support.”

Laura Kress, the President of the Bridgewater-Raritan Education Association, followed Superintendent Beers to greet the award winners and the audience.

“This ceremony is our (BREA) most pleasurable event,” Ms. Kress revealed. “Thank you to Suzanne (Klos) for putting this on.”

Ms. Klos’ title is Executive Secretary to the Superintendent but she is arguably one of the school district’s most valuable staff members.

She coordinated the ceremony and the new venue for the 2023 reception was well received by all.

Ms. Kress, a Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School Teacher, praised her peers.

“I look at our primary school teachers and what a miracle that they do to teach our kids to read. It is amazing and we teach more than the curriculum. We teach how to forgive and how to have compassion. Life’s lessons help us all grow,” she explained. “We learn from our students and you all play a key role.”

Ms. Kress added:

“You all are the best of the best.”

Each of the 11 school principals introduced their Teacher of the Year and their Educational Services Professionals of the Year.

Members of the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District Board of Education assisted with the presentation of gifts to the recipients.

 Principal Matt Lembo of the Milltown Primary School could not attend the affair but he was substituted at the podium by Dr. Dan Fonder, the Assistant Superintendent for Personnel, who introduced the two recipients from that school.

Here are the profiles of the Bradley Gardens Primary School Teacher of the Year, Kathryn Kaye, and the Educational Services Professional of the Year, Katherine Rayburn.

 

Kathryn Kaye

Bradley Gardens Primary School
Special Education Teacher

 It is a sincere privilege to announce Mrs. Katie Kaye as Bradley Gardens Primary School’s Teacher of the Year. A strong contender for the title for several years, Katie has been making a positive and lasting impact on our students since 2002.  She earned her BA in Social Work, her first career, prior to earning a Master in Education with a certificate in special education from La Salle.  Besides teaching literacy in Philadelphia for two years, she has spent the last 19 years in Bridgewater, with a home at Bradley Gardens.

If flexibility had a mascot, I’m sure it would be Katie. She has co-taught in most grades and has also served as a resource room teacher in the building. Katie’s room has been relocated almost every year and yet, she sets up her new location with a smile and a passion for creating an environment that supports our students in the critical areas. Katie mentors novice teachers every year, offering support and guidance in special education. She is a respected and trusted member of the staff, so much so that when teachers are told they will co-teach with her, they literally jump for joy! Katie serves on the SCIP team and has presented workshops to staff over the years.

Katie writes, “There are so many aspects that make me feel fortunate to be a Special Education teacher! First, is the relationship that I form with my students. Working with students in small groups and one-on-one, not only do I get to truly understand their strengths and needs, but I also get to know them on a much deeper and more personal level. Second, is the relationships that I have established with classroom teachers at every grade level, whether through co-teaching or collaborating about a shared student. I feel so very lucky to have been a part of the Bradley Gardens family for almost 20 years!”

 

Katherine Rayburn

Bradley Gardens Primary School
Media Specialist

Four years ago, Ms. Kochis and I were presented with what we thought would be an impossible challenge. We were to find and hire a candidate that could successfully teach in the roles of a Media Specialist and Technology. We thought we were on the hunt for a unicorn. With many interviews under way and shattered hopes, we brought in a candidate that held the appropriate certification in Media and was a certified trainer in Google as well. To say that we struck gold is an understatement when we met and hired Mrs. Katie Rayburn. In a few short years, she has proven to be an incredible asset to our school and district and I’m honored to call her our Educational Services Professional for Bradley Gardens Primary School.

Mrs. Katie Rayburn accepted a position that had no footprint. In addition, in that first year, she had to switch gears to a virtual/hybrid model. She forged on, never complaining, always positive, and extremely flexible. She has brought a contagious love for literacy to our building while partnering with the teachers to target areas of their curriculum in her lessons. The tech classes evidenced students laughing and working together to code and work with the robotics. The makerspace is an inviting challenging area of our library. Katie always has a smile on her face, a soft librarian whisper voice, and a passion for infusing technology.

Katie writes, “From early childhood, I have always loved learning and books.  Being a librarian allows me to share my love of literature with students and teaching technology enables me to connect our learners to the world around them.  I am so very excited to receive the Educational Services Professional award because being a part of the outstanding Bradley Gardens team means a great deal to me.”

Here are our award winners from each of the 11 schools in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. Their teaching/staff position is listed after their name.

GOVERNOR’S EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR 2022-2023

ADAMSVILLE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Meghan De La Rosa, English as a Second Language

 

BRADLEY GARDENS PRIMARY SCHOOL

Kathryn Kaye, Special Education Teacher

 

CRIM PRIMARY SCHOOL

Abigail Goldstein, Grade 2 Teacher

 

HAMILTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

Tammy Miller, Grade 4 Teacher

 

JOHN F. KENNEDY PRIMARY SCHOOL

Robert Cirino, Health and Physical Education Teacher

 

MILLTOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL

Danielle Caulfied, Grade 1 Teacher

VAN HOLTEN PRIMARY SCHOOL

Matthew Swinsburg, Grade 3 Teacher

 

EISENHOWER INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

Deborah Ronning, Grade 5 Teacher

 

HILLSIDE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

Carmelina Geiger, Grade 5 Teacher

 

BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN MIDDLE SCHOOL

Sarah Martin, English/Language Arts Teacher

 

BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL

James Olivola, Teacher of Mathematics

 

GOVERNOR’S EDUCATIONAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL AWARD FOR 2022-2023

ADAMSVILLE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Maryellen Filep, Learning Disabilities Teaching Consultant

 

BRADLEY GARDENS PRIMARY SCHOOL

Katherine Rayburn, Media Specialist

 

CRIM PRIMARY SCHOOL

Gretchen English, School Nurse

 

HAMILTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

Sharon Fargo, Speech Language Specialist

 

JOHN F. KENNEDY PRIMARY SCHOOL

Linda O’Brien, Intervention Specialist

 

MILLTOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL

Theresa Torraca-Sheats, Instructional Specialist

 

VAN HOLTEN PRIMARY SCHOOL

Shawn Danus, Intervention Specialist

 

EISENHOWER INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

Alice Piscadlo, School Counselor

 

HILLSIDE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

Kinjal Barad, Instructional Assistant

 

BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN MIDDLE SCHOOL

Kelley Beahan, Learning Disabilities Teaching Consultant

 

BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL

Erin Lowman, School Psychologist

Below is a link that contains the Staff Recognition Reception program, which includes the bios on all 22 award winners, 

2022-2023 Staff Recognition Award Booklet