Dear Staff and Administration:

There is no greater honor for an educator than to be recognized by students, parents, and colleagues for excellence and contribution to the field. Please join in congratulating the Burlington Township 2014-15 Building Teachers of the Year, and the 2014-15 Burlington Township School District Teacher of the Year.

B. Bernice Young School - Ms. Beth Baker, Special Education Teacher

Ms. Baker has served as a teacher in Burlington Township for ten years. She is currently a Pre-School Disabilities classroom teacher. She is truly a teacher leader. She routinely coordinates instructional reinforcement strategies with support staff, collaborates about best practices with colleagues, and plans daily with case managers, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and other staff to promote student progress. She maintains student interest through creative techniques, humorous and imaginative strategies, which all support student learning. She provides opportunities for students to demonstrate understanding through assessment techniques geared to individual student's abilities. Ms. Baker sees the strengths in her students.  She takes time to see the whole child.  It can be challenging for her students to articulate their feelings about Beth. One student simply stated, quite lovingly, "Ms. Baker does a good job."

Fountain Woods Elementary School - Ms. Leslie Ghaul,  Elementary Classroom Teacher

Ms. Ghaul has been a teacher in Burlington Township for seventeen years. She currently teaches fourth grade in an In-Class Resource setting. Ms. Ghaul teaches all four main content areas, carefully designing engaging lessons and learning activities that are differentiated to meet the diverse needs of her students. Her lessons are hands-on and fun. Leslie genuinely cares for the children in her class. She creates a warm and inviting classroom in which the children feel safe and loved. Ms. Ghaul sets high standards and expectations for both academic performance and behavior. Her students rise to the expectations due to Leslie's apparent care and love for them.

Leslie's students say:

• Ms. Ghaul is the best teacher.

• She is nice.

• She is caring.

• She teaches us in a way that is fun.

• She is kind to others.

 

Burlington Township Middle School - Mrs. Melissa King, Mathematics Teacher

This is Mrs. King's eleventh year as a mathematics teacher in our school district. She is well respected by administrators, staff, parents, and students. Mrs. King is a committed educator with a strong desire to assist students in realizing their potential. Anyone who walks into her classroom can tell instantly her passion for teaching children mathematics. Her classroom is warm and inviting, and is an effective learning environment. Mrs. King is a very organized teacher with a process for every aspect of instruction. She is creative, energetic, caring, and fun. Mrs. King works tirelessly to improve herself, her students and her craft.

Melissa's students say:   

• She makes math fun with journaling.

• She is really creative.

• Mrs. King has good ideas.

• She helps as much as she can.

• She is always there for us.

• She uses many ways to keep in touch with us.

• She sends us text messages to remind us of work assignments.

• Mrs. King explains things thoroughly.

• She gives us assignments on the weekend to keep our skills up.

 

Burlington Township High School - Mrs. Annette Slaney, Science Teacher

Mrs. Slaney has been a teacher in our district for five years. She is the epitome of what an outstanding teacher should be.  She comes to work every day full of energy and enthusiasm.  She truly believes in the philosophy that No Child Should Be Left Behind.  She is always working individually with students with the short term goal of teaching them the material, and the long term goal of positively impacting their lives.  Annette is loved by her students and colleagues alike.  She always has a smile for everyone and greets both students and fellow faculty members like they are good friends.  

Annette's students say:

• She individually cares for each of her students.

• She is a hands-on teacher

• Mrs. Slaney cares for each of us.

• She is a mother to many of us.

• She makes a connection to her students.

• She stays after school to help us not fail.

• Students can come to her for anything, anytime.

• She makes a point to know student's names.  She knew my name before I came to her class.

 

The 2014-15 BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEARS IS...Mrs. Annette Slaney!Congratulations Annette! We all wish you well in the running for 2014-15 Burlington County and New Jersey State Teacher of the Year.

On behalf of the Board of Education, administration, and staff, we honor and thank these educators for their hard work and dedication to the children and families of Burlington Township. The Teachers of the Year will all be honored at a County Teacher of the Year program and during an upcoming public Board of Education Meeting.

Sincerely,

              

Dr. Christopher M. Manno,

and Joey Imburgia led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.  American pride runs deep in Burlington Township.  Congratulations to all of you on a job well done.