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Westfield Board of Education honors teachers and staff with annual awards
Summary
At its May 12 meeting the Westfield Board of Education presented district and community-sponsored awards recognizing classroom teachers, support staff and coaches, including the Charles Philhower Fellowship and the Wayman Steengrafe award.
The Westfield Board of Education on May 12 recognized a slate of teachers and support staff for teaching excellence and long service during an awards ceremony that opened the board’s regular meeting at Westfield High School.
Superintendent Dr. Gonzalez opened the recognitions by thanking staff for their “extraordinary commitment, talent, and care” and said the district was proud to highlight individuals whose work “has made a lasting impact.” Rotary Club of Westfield president Jim Healey presented the Charles Philhower Fellowship and Wayman Steengrafe awards and spoke about the club’s decades-long partnership with the district.
Nicole Barka, a third-grade teacher at McKinley Elementary School, was named the 2026 Charles Philhower Fellow. A board resolution cited Barka’s “outstanding teaching, interest in children, and continued pursuit of professional growth.” Dr. McKay described her classroom as “welcoming and nurturing,” and Barka, accepting the honor, thanked the Rotary Club, her principal and her colleagues. “I accept this honor with all of you in mind,” she said.
The Rotary Club’s Wayman Steengrafe Fellowship went to Francesco Dory, assistant head night custodian at Westfield High School. Westfield High principal Mary Asfendis praised Dory’s leadership of the custodial team; Dory thanked colleagues and said he aims to “make sure all the teachers and kids feel welcome.”
Community groups presented additional awards. The Optimist Club of Westfield honored intermediate-school teachers Jessica Mikulicz of Edison and Linda Morrison of Roosevelt with its Intermediate School Outstanding Teacher awards. At Westfield High School, James Rowan received the Robert and Linda Foose Memorial Award (Latin program), Jeffrey Knight received the Jeffrey Family Above and Beyond Award, Leah Jarvis was named the PTSO Outstanding Teacher of the Year, and Caitlin Cheddar was honored as the Westfield High School Distinguished Teacher of the Year. Each recipient was recognized by a reading of a board resolution and given the opportunity to make brief remarks.
The awards segment concluded with group photos and sustained applause. The board then moved on to routine business, including personnel and governance items.
Why it matters: These awards publicly acknowledge classroom practice and operational roles that directly affect daily student experience while highlighting community partnerships — such as the Rotary and Optimist clubs — that support district programs.
