Twelve teachers were honored as Teacher of the Year March 7 at The Chandelier Restaurant. The event, attended by more than 300 people, was sponsored by the Bayonne Education Foundation.
“I’m totally honored and touched to have received this acknowledgement,” said Gina Hladik of Washington Community School. “I’m humbled—very humbled by it—because it comes from your peers.” Caught by surprise by the selection, she said it was a culmination of years of educating.
Washington School Principal Kenneth Kopacz had high praise for Hladik.
“Gina’s been teaching over 30 years,” he said. “She treats each child as she treats her own.”
Said Loren Quinonez of Nicholas Oresko School: “I’m very excited. I’m just honored that I was chosen this year. It means a lot because it means all my hard work and my dedication have paid off in being recognized.”
Like the other 11 honorees, Quinonez is well respected by her associates.
“She absolutely displays the exemplary skills of what being a teacher is all about,” said Oresko Principal Maria Kazimir.
A number of criteria guided teachers in their selection of their peers, including conduct in the classroom, creativity, engagement of students, and involvement in extracurricular activities.
“You see how involved so many of them are,” said Bayonne Education Foundation President John Rodrigues.
The foundation raises money for creative afterschool programs and programs that supplement the educational experience.
“Tonight we honor the teachers of the Bayonne school system for their passion, their dedication, and most importantly their love of children,” said Superintendent of Schools Patricia McGeehan.
“We honor our teachers and applaud them for all they do to help our students become successful.”
District Teacher of the Year
McGeehan also lauded district-wide Teacher of the Year Marie Aloia who left her job as a chemical engineer in the private sector to become an educator.
“Her science students have reached county and state recognition,” she said. “She is truly worthy of this distinction.”
List of honorees
The 2013-2014 Teachers of the Year for the Bayonne School District are: Mary Harrington, Henry E. Harris; Stacey Janeczko, Philip G. Vroom; Emily Shade Mazur, Walter F. Robinson; Kathleen Stamler, Mary J. Donohoe; and Angela Fearon, Lincoln Community.
Also, Kristen Delesky, Horace Mann; Carole Cupo, Midtown Community; Gina Hladik, Washington Community; Jennifer Geis, Woodrow Wilson; Peter Kouvel, John M. Bailey; Lorena Quinonez, Nicholas Oresko; and Marie Aloia, Bayonne High School.
Event sponsors
Besides the Bayonne Education Foundation, BCB Community Bank, Josten’s, About You Salon, and Public Service Electric & Gas sponsored of the event.
Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com.