The Governor’s Educator of the Year Award is presented to teachers who
exemplify the amazing efforts of being an educator. In October, a Google Form
was sent out to the Manville School District, in which the community nominated
the educators who fit the criteria of this award. When the form was closed, an
organized committee consisting of staff and students evaluated the nominees
using a specialized rubric. With this evaluation, the committee was able to decide
a winner.
exemplify the amazing efforts of being an educator. In October, a Google Form
was sent out to the Manville School District, in which the community nominated
the educators who fit the criteria of this award. When the form was closed, an
organized committee consisting of staff and students evaluated the nominees
using a specialized rubric. With this evaluation, the committee was able to decide
a winner.
One of the nominees was Alexander Batcho Intermediate School’s Jennifer
Pisano. Mrs. Pisano got her teaching education from Kean University and Seton
Hall, which is ranked in the top 300 colleges for math in America. After deciding
being a pre-med major wasn’t for her and coaching for such a long duration of
time, she just knew teaching was her calling.
Before becoming an educator in Manville, Mrs. Pisano student-taught here,
which gave her a good view into what the community was like. Mrs. Pisano
stated, “The community is the reason I stayed: the families, the kids, the staff has
always been tremendous, it is a true family…that is definitely what drew me
here.” Mrs. Pisano has taught in the Manville School District for 26 years, starting
at Roosevelt school in 1997. Initially, she taught 4th and 5th grade, until 2012,
when she moved up to ABIS to teach 6th grade math. The relationships she has
with students and families are a main reason why Mrs. Pisano has found herself
teaching in the district for over 20 years. She describes this connection to her
students as caring and showing them that she is always in their corner.
Over the years, teaching has changed a great deal. However, if Mrs. Pisano
could give one piece of advice to a novice teacher, it would be to give
themselves grace. She says, “Things aren’t always going to work out as planned,
and that’s okay. Everyday is a new opportunity.” Her main goal as an educator is
to help develop students into quality people. She hopes she can be a part of
encouraging them to reach their full potential, as she wants everyone to know
she is someone who cares. Not only about her career, but about the success of
each and every one of her students. After seeing this inside view of Mrs. Pisano,
there is no doubt in why she was a nominee for the Governor’s Educator of the
Year Award.
