Metuchen Board honors teachers, education-service professionals with Governor's awards

The Metuchen Board of Education used its Jan. 6 reorganization meeting to honor district educators and education-service professionals selected for Governor's awards.

Moss School named Stephanie Candel Governor's Educator of the Year and Sandra Spinelli its Education Service Professional of the Year. Candel, a veteran kindergarten teacher, told the board the award is humbling and credited colleagues and paraprofessionals, saying, “Receiving this award is incredibly humbling because anyone who knows anything about teaching knows that no one does this work alone.” Spinelli, who works in Moss’s integrated preschool program, described the work as ‘‘rewarding’’ and credited collaborative colleagues for student progress.

Campbell Elementary highlighted educators recognized for literacy leadership and shared decision-making. Campus honorees included Ms. Santasiri (recognized for leadership in literacy instruction) and Jody Reiner, Campbell’s Education Service Professional of the Year, who described efforts around dyslexia awareness and classroom-level literacy supports.

Edgar Middle School honored Rick Carter, recognized for adaptive physical education and leadership, and Dr. Courtney Crawford, Edgar’s school psychologist, who was praised for managing a broad caseload and coordinating services for students with special needs.

Metuchen High School recognized Emily Caponigro (Educator of the Year) and Dana Donatelli (Educational Specialist of the Year). Caponigro said her goal is to help students see struggle in learning as part of growth: “I teach math with the belief that struggle is not failure, it is learning.” Donatelli and other honorees thanked colleagues and families for support.

Board members noted each honoree will also receive county-level notification later in the semester. The board presented certificates at the meeting and said formal county recognition will follow.