The Manchester Township Education Association (MTEA) hosted its Third Annual Excellence in Education Celebration on January 25th. MTEA members, members of the Board of Education, and MTSD Administrators joined on Saturday at the Clarion in Toms River for the celebration!
After attendees were welcomed by MTEA's Justin Jacobs and Lisa Mitchell, Superintendent Pedroza opened the program as their guest speaker. She shared with the audience that "the work we do is not always easy. Education requires resilience, creativity, and above all, passion. Yet, time and again, you rise to the occasion. Your hard work and dedication serve as the foundation for the Manchester Pride that runs through our district. It is this unwavering pride—rooted in our shared commitment to our students and community—that makes us stronger together." Superintendent Pedroza continued by reiterating that, "this afternoon, as we celebrate those who exemplify going above and beyond, we are reminded of the importance of recognizing greatness not only in grand accomplishments but also in everyday moments."
MTEA President Dan Staples shared Mrs. Pedroza's encouraging words as he spoke to members and, after acknowledging the 2024-25 Governor's Award Recipients, moved into the 2024-25 MTEA Excellence in Education recipients, as follows. Congratulations to:
MTEA Paraprofessional Year: Sandra O'Mara
MTEA Teacher Assistant of the Year: Christine Salvemini
MTEA Secretary of the Year: Dana Himpele
MTEA Bus Driver of the Year: Frank Kern
MTEA Bus Aide of the Year: Theresa Schmidt
MTEA Building & Grounds Custodian of the Year: Christine Sloan
MTEA The Julius Bee Award for Outstanding Achievement as an Education Support Profesional: Julius Bee
Congratulations to the honorees! Your recognition is well-deserved and a reflection of the impact you have made in the lives of so many.