Roxbury board honors educators, educational service providers and retiring staff

The Roxbury Township School District Board of Education used a regular meeting to recognize Educators of the Year and Educational Service Providers of the Year from each school and to read a list of staff retirees and their years of service. The meeting transcript does not specify the calendar date of the session.

Principals from the district’s schools introduced award winners and described their work. "We are honored to gather here this evening to celebrate the heart and soul of our schools," Kennedy Elementary Principal Nicole Acevedo said while introducing that school’s winners. Kennedy’s Educator of the Year was named as Kathy Byrne, a second‑grade teacher; Kennedy’s Educational Service Provider of the Year was identified as Tracy Bridal (paraprofessional).

Eisenhower Middle School Principal Paul Gallagher named Tiffany Martino as Eisenhower’s Educator of the Year and Caroline Lumentard (school counselor) as Educational Service Provider of the Year. Lincoln‑Roosevelt School Principal Christopher Argenziano introduced Nicole Gauthier as that school’s Educator of the Year and David Klein as the Service Provider of the Year. Roxbury High School Principal William Crispino named Monica Levin as Roxbury High’s Educator of the Year and Susan LaManna as the school’s service provider honoree.

Other schools recognized included Jefferson School (educator: Britney Tiger; service provider: Nancy Betona), Franklin Elementary (educator: Sarah DeLorenzo; service provider: Shelby Barbato), Nixon Elementary (educator: Sherry Ralston; service provider: Jennifer Babis), and Kennedy, Eisenhower, Lincoln‑Roosevelt and Roxbury High winners as noted above. Presenters described winners’ classroom practices, student supports and community engagement.

Superintendent Dr. Santora read the district’s retiree roll call and thanked staff for their service. The retirees and years of service listed in the meeting transcript were: Mary DeRosa, science teacher, Roxbury High School, 18 years; Barbara Derrick, special education teacher, Jefferson Elementary School, 27 years; Rick Engel, special education teacher, Eisenhower Middle School, 26 years; Kelly Friend, second‑grade teacher, Franklin Elementary School, 21 years; Maya Elena Esquierdo, Spanish teacher, Roxbury High School, 3 years; Patricia Cline, special education teacher, Jefferson Elementary School, 17 years; Gina Recapra, school counselor, Roxbury High School, 24 years; Meredith Urban, ISL teacher, Franklin School, 22 years; Donna Cuff, special services professional, Nixon School, 26 years; Cynthia Dexter, bus driver, transportation, 33 years; Carmel Gula, paraprofessional, Lincoln‑Roosevelt, 16 years; Naomi Martin, HR secretary and benefits coordinator, central office, 13 years; Joanne Rogers, accounts receivable secretary, central office, 26 years; Betsy Snyder, bus driver, transportation, 26 years; and Thomas Woods, computer technician, computer services, 25 years of service.

After the recognitions, the meeting recessed briefly for photos and refreshments.

The honors segment was presented during the regular meeting; principals and the superintendent provided the background and citations for each recipient.