Introduction of NJCTE’s Educator of the Year,

Laura Nicosia, at the 2012 NJCTE Spring Conference

Laura Nicosia is a powerhouse of energy who makes things happen.  When she accepts a task, she follows through and then shares the kudos with those who worked with her and for her.  NJCTE members have only to look at the work that she has done to make the NJCTE conferences at Montclair University successful.  She schedules sessions in suitable spaces, arranges the catering, and meets and greets our visiting authors. She follows through on her commitments.  This is where I first saw Laura in action.  However, I soon learned that in addition to her organizational skills, she is a model of academic integrity, with an inquiring mind and a willingness to share her resources.

Laura is a presence in the digital world.  Her facebook posts are informative and wide ranging.  She is curious about many things and asks probing questions; she suggests sites that range from stories about miraculous medical anomalies to academic research about Willa Cather, to an article about comic books, to a NY Times article about authors electronically signing ebooks.  I am enriched by being Laura’s facebook friend.  These posts show her to be nurturing and helpful to students, but not at the expense of her own family.  Teachers sometimes fear that they give their best to other people’s children; Laura appears to have found a perfect balance of family life and academic obligations.

Laura has written a great number of articles, book chapters, book reviews, and is currently under contract  for Educators Online: Preparing Today’s Teachers for Tomorrow’s Digital Literacies.  New York: Peter Lang.  She has also created a new course at Montclair: Young Adult Literature. ENGL 305. which was accepted in the fall of 2009.  I urge students to enroll!  In addition to her grant participation, applications, and collaborations, her list of conference presentations and workshops is extensive.  These include both literary and pedagogical offerings.

Laura Nicosia’s record of service to her profession, her university, her college, her department, as well as her public service and her many honors make her a teacher worthy of emulation.  She is a woman who well deserves to be named Educator of the Year.

Susan Reese

March 31, 2012

Nominations and self-nominations.

Each year the New Jersey Council of Teachers of English (NJCTE) recognizes an exceptional English/language arts educator -- a dedicated, innovative, dynamic educator whose activities have significantly and widely impacted New Jersey English language arts education. The selected educator becomes eligible as well for a coveted New Jersey Governor's Award in Arts Education.

Submit the name of a New Jersey pre-school to university teacher, supervisor, or administrator. Provide the opportunity for that special person to be added to the list of past recipients.

Completed applications must be submitted by November 30 of each year.

All nominations received remain viable for three (3) years.

Notification will occur no later than April 1 of each year.

Click below for an application form.

Awards are given each spring for the previous year.

2012:   Laura Nicosia, PhD, Montclair State University

 2011:  Dr. Liz deBeer, Point Pleasant Beach High School

2008:  Dr. Patricia Schall, College of Saint Elizabeth

Awards are given each spring for the previous year.

2012:   Laura Nicosia, PhD, Montclair State University

 2011:  Dr. Liz deBeer, Point Pleasant Beach High School

2008:  Dr. Patricia Schall, College of Saint Elizabeth

The NJCTE Executive Board has created two new awards for early career teachers:

The M. Jerry Weiss Early Career Teacher Award

and

The Marcia Holtzman Pre-Service Teacher Award

You may nominate an outstanding early career teacher and/or encourage an outstanding early career teacher to apply.

Applications are due by February of each year.

We look forward to receiving your nominations and applications!

For more information about these awards, click below:

2012 Winners:

M. Jerry Weiss Early Career Teacher Award Winners 

Aimee Ambrose, Special Education Kindergarten Aide, Bloomfield

Elizabeth Dunn, English Teacher, Hightstown H.S.

Kathleen Tobin, Union Catholic H.S., Scotch Plains, NJ

Marcia Holtzman Pre-service Teacher Award Winners

Megan Bolger, MSU, Little Falls, NJ

Giuliana Cocilovo, MSU, Caldwell, NJ

Daniela Maria Conte, TCNJ, Kinnelon, NJ

Steven Criscuolo, MSU, Manalapan, NJ

Michaela Ensminger, TCNJ, Marlton, NJ

Lauren Fitzsimmons, TCNJ, Bound Brook, NJ

Allison Greer, TCNJ, Edison, NJ

Kelly Kosch, TCNJ, Brick, NJ

Amanda Rhea, TCNJ, Cherry Hill, NJ

Ashley Robinson, CSE, Somerville, NJ

2011 M. Jerry Weiss Early Career Teacher Award recipients:

Vanessa Rasmussen, Vineland H.S., Vineland

Lisa Anne MacDonald, Rev. George A. Brown Memorial H.S., Sparta

Henry Baldwin, Bergenfield H.S., Bergenfield

Kristine Mintel, Union Catholic H.S., Scotch Plains

2011 Marcia Holzman Pre-service Teacher Award recipients:

                   Jessica DeNizio, Student Teacher, Black River M.S., Chester; College of St. Elizabeth

                  Janine Sullivan, Teacher Candidate/Practicum Student, Governor Livingston H.S.;

                                    Berkeley Heights, College of St. Elizabeth