At the December 9th Board of Education meeting, Board Members and District Administration honored teachers, students, and outgoing board members for their time and dedication to West Essex.
Board President Maryadele Wojtowicz thanked board members Bethany Buccino and Joseph Sabol for their tireless commitment and dedication to the board and wished them well in their future endeavors. Board Vice President Deborah Sacco-Calderone presented them both with a token of appreciation.
Later in the meeting, Middle School Principal Dr. Gina Donlevie congratulated this year's recipients of the Governor’s Educator and Service Professional of the Year awards. This year's WEMS Governor Educator of the Year is Ms. Deana Hagel! Ms. Hagel is an alumna who has dedicated 15 years to our community as a middle school English Language Arts teacher and athletic coach. Her passion for middle school students is evident in her integration of social-emotional learning (SEL) into her classroom. Her belief that “inclusive environments help us develop empathy and social responsibility” inspires all students to reach their full potential. Ms. Hagel’s teaching philosophy centers on empathy, authenticity, diversity, and “seeing everyone as a human being.” This perspective informs her commitment to differentiated instruction. She uses both academic and personal data to tailor her lessons to meet the unique needs of every student. Congratulations, Ms. Hagel!
This year’s WEMS Governor Service Professional of the Year is Mrs. Carly Davis! Since 2017, Mrs. Davis has served our school community as a school counselor in the guidance department, making a profound impact on students and colleagues alike. Mrs. Davis strongly believes in the words of world-renowned educator Rita Pierson: “Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.” This philosophy guides Mrs. Davis in her daily work with students, fostering an environment where each child feels supported and empowered to succeed. Mrs. Davis is a person of great character—an ethical decision-maker and a dedicated team player. We are fortunate to have her on our team!
WEHS Principal Dr. Kimberly Westervelt also recognized the recipients of these awards from West Essex High School. This year's WEHS Governor Educator of the Year is Mrs. Maria Faggiani! This educator exudes positivity and exemplifies everything a teacher should be. She is deeply dedicated to her profession. She tirelessly creates engaging lessons and actively promotes awareness of the self-contained Language Learning Disability students and the "Bridges" program itself. Over the years, she has organized countless fundraisers, enabling her students to raise money in order to participate in specific events, like the Essex County Special Olympics, an event her students eagerly anticipate each year. Every lesson in her classroom is thoughtfully designed to captivate and educate her students. Whether it's conducting a science experiment, teaching them how to cook pancakes and eggs, or using interactive tools, every aspect of her lessons is geared towards enhancing their educational experience. She instills confidence in her students by encouraging them to express themselves all while fostering their independence. She serves not only as a teacher but as a role model, connecting her lessons to everyday experiences that her students can relate to. Beyond lesson planning, she also organizes a weekly Community-Based Instruction (CBI) schedule, which allows the LLD population to go into the community twice a week. These trips are not only enjoyable for the students but also crucial in teaching necessary life skills, such as situational awareness, safety, dining out etiquette, and financial literacy. This educator ensures that every student in her class feels safe, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential. Her rapport with students and their parents is unparalleled; her warmth, positivity, and selflessness are evident in everything she does. She is reliable, supportive, and incredibly hardworking, always available to any student, past or present, who needs a listening ear. She challenges everyone to think outside the box, but most importantly, to always believe in themselves. She wholeheartedly embodies what it means to be an incredible teacher and truly deserves this honor. It takes a big heart and extraordinary patience to take on the role of a Special Education teacher, both of which she possesses in abundance. Congratulations, Maria Faggiani!
This year’s WEHS Governor Service Professional of the Year is Mr. Anthony Emering! This educational services professional wears so many hats in this district, it is hard to know where to start when praising his contributions. He has helped navigate many delicate situations for staff, students, and parents. He will always make time to listen and make plans to help our students who are struggling with low grades, poor attendance, substance abuse issues, self harm, bullying, etc. I have seen the results of his interventions with my own eyes many times. While students may not always be vocal in expressing their gratitude, a good number over the years owe their success in this school in part to his interventions. On top of all his wonderful work, he is humble and gracious in his interactions with other staff. He is the consummate professional and goes above and beyond for the students and his co-workers on a daily basis. He comes in during the summer to follow up and works well after the final bell rings. He has an excellent working relationship with our local law enforcement and mental health clinics. There are few people in this school who work as hard as he does and I cannot think of anyone more dedicated to his students. Congratulations, Tony Emering!
At the meeting, Dr. Donlevie also honored the WEMS WE Care Spotlight Winners. West Essex Middle School believes in educating the whole child—a philosophy that values academics while also prioritizing each child’s social and emotional growth. With this in mind, we appreciate the opportunity to recognize students who exemplify our WE C.A.R.E. core values of collaboration, awareness, resilience, and empathy. Congratulations to 7th graders Salvatore Adamo, Aikaterini Baladima, Jude Conti, Frank D’Angelo, William Kettner, Hayden Klapper, Yimeng Liona Li, Vito Pomaco, and Marlena Roensch. Congratulations to 8th graders Dean DiMarco, Gianna Gaudiosi, Stella Lavezzo, Nicholas Ledgister-Marin, Michael Martino, Pietro Velardi, and Julia Williams.
Lastly, Dr. Kimberly Westervelt honored Marking Period 1 and 2 ShopRite Stars. Every marking period, WEHS and Sunrise ShopRite in West Caldwell identify 5 high school students who demonstrate outstanding achievement in the areas of academics, leadership, service, arts, and athletics. Congratulations to the the following students for their awards in MP1 and MP2: Isabella Sun & Julia Shamosh (Academics), Natalie Smith & Meadow Doerr (Arts), Sophia Sisco & Anthony Drago (Athletics), Har-El Shrem & Kylie McCarthy (Leadership), and Ayane Shrestha & Melilah Sanchez (Service to the Community). Congratulations everyone!