Teacher of the Year

Newark surprises its 2017 Teacher of the Year

NEWARK — Walk into Brian Klasner’s classroom and odds are, you won’t find him sitting at his desk or lecturing at the front — he’ll be among his students.

On Tuesday, when a dozen school administrators, members of the media and fellow colleagues surprised Klasner to crown him Newark’s Teacher of the Year, he was sitting near the back of the room with a group of students.

“These are my parents guys,” Klasner, 29, said as he stood up to greet Schools Superintendent Christopher Cerf and his parents, Lisa and Joe Klasner.

“It’s validation of years of people telling me ‘No, you can’t do this,’ ‘No, that doesn’t work, use a textbook, don’t break the mold,'” said Klasner, a social studies teacher at East Side High. “I’ve always had these ideas and I’ve pushed as much as I could.”

Students sit in groups peering over iPads and talk about the internships they’ve landed at the East Orange Animal Hospital or as a physical education instructor. Their business cards are displayed along a wall.

“Coming from elementary school for me, it was difficult to adjust to high school,” said junior Romaine Johnson, 16. “He was always there for me and making sure I was on the right track … if it looks like if you have a bad day, he’ll say a pointed joke and just brighten your day.”

“Other teachers won’t take time out of their day to help you even with your personal issues,” said student Destiny Diaz, 16. “We’re learning in a different way.”

Diaz said the Klasner is always finding new ways to learn through technology. She looked around the room and said, “I don’t even know where the textbooks are.”

Klasner’s classroom is coated in posters of history icons like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., but also quirky images like a photo of a viral cat meme with the words “Mr. Klasner’s caring face.”

“I can never see myself sleeping in his class,” Johnson said — partly because Klasner will draw on your face with a dry-erase marker if you do, Diaz added.

Students say Klasner is always making jokes and showing funny pictures. The classroom Smart Board on Tuesday was projecting a picture of a baby elephant.

“If you’re singing a song, he’ll ask who sings it and say, ‘Let’s keep it that way,'” Johnson added.

Klasner was chosen from a pool of 22 other educators who were nominated by their principals. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, Klasner has taught for seven years and leads the school’s first Comic Book Club.

“This is a tremendous honor and a very well deserved one. We are incredibly impressed,” Superintendent Cerf said.

Klasner is an advisor for the school’s Big Picture Learning program, a national model that challenges traditional forms of schooling and lets students to take control of their learning through practical applications, such as internships.

The Big Picture academy enrolls 110 students at East Side and requires every student complete an internship.

“You don’t need a textbook to teach,” said Klasner who has taught at East Side for four years. “I also want to take them outside of the school, outside of class. Every one of my students has a business card, everyone has a resume, everyone has a cover letter, everyone has interviewed … there’s great traditional teachers, but I’ve been supported with every one of my crazy ideas.”

Source: By Karen Yi | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

NPS Honors Teacher of the Year and Governor’s Recognition Award Recipients

June 17, 2014 (Newark) – Newark Public Schools (NPS) announced today the selection of Jennifer Cohan, a third grade teacher at Camden Street Elementary School, as the 2013-2014 District Teacher of the Year. At a ceremony this morning, Superintendent Cami Anderson and School Advisory Board Chair Rashon Hasan honored Cohan, the Teacher of the Year finalists and the winners of the Governor’s Recognition Award Program.Serving as a teacher and instructional leader in Newark Public Schools since 2006, Ms. Cohan’s work – particularly in literacy – has resulted in great gains for all of her students, “Born to be a teacher,” Ms. Cohan seeks to improve her craft each and every day so, just like her students, she does not stagnate in her growth. She also dedicates countless hours as a lead teacher in Camden Street’s after school program, teaching culinary arts as an enrichment program.

“The teachers honored today represent some of the best of Newark Public Schools,” Superintendent Cami Anderson said. “Their work, along with their administrators who support what they do every day, not only improves our students’ lives today, but also opens the door for more opportunities for success in college and career tomorrow.”

The Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors the contributions of outstanding classroom teacher leaders who possess a special talent for inspiring a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities. A Selection Committee – comprised of a teacher, a parent, and two district administrators – picked the Teacher of the Year on the following attributes, aligned to the district’s Framework for Effective Teaching:

· Effective Instructional Techniques
· Creating a Culture of Achievement for all Students
· Bringing Students Towards Mastery
· Commitment to Personal & Collective Excellence

“Jennifer’s commitment to our school, her belief that all students can be successful and attend college, and her passion for teaching are all reasons why she embodies the District Teacher of the Year award,” said Camden Street Principal Sam Garrison.Cohan was selected among six finalists who were named Teacher of the Year for their respective schools.

Theresa Collins – Early Childhood South:
“Ms. Collins has dedicated her career as an educator to the young children of Newark and prides herself on being a lifelong learner,” said Vice Principal Jeanne Ramirez. “Her teaching style allows children to progress at independent rates while still feeling part of the whole group. It is evident that Ms. Collins provides the youngest learners with a challenging, engaging, supportive, and highly interactive environment.”

Catherine Dias – Lafayette Street:
“Ms. Dias has something that great teachers possess—the ability to make students feel good about themselves,” remarked Principal Maria Merlo. “I am highly impressed with creativity and enthusiasm that she brings to her classroom and to building a relationship with the students’ parents.”

James Intrabartolo – Oliver Street:
“Mr. Intrabartolo has a team approach and always puts his students and their education first,” Principal Douglas Petty said.

Tracey Roudez – Madison Elementary:
“Ms. Roudez brings great enthusiasm and dedication to her profession, motivating her students to become critical readers and life-long learners,” Principal Armando Cepero said.

Doretta Sockwell – Science Park High School:
“Ms. Sockwell is a life changer and an igniter of many students’ fighting torch,” said Vice Principal Kena Culver. “With her growth-oriented mindset, she pushes all she encounters out of their comfortable and fixed positions.”

Maria Iatesta – Ridge Street School:
“With her goals in mind, Ms. Iatesta’s demeanor reflects an educator who is dedicated to establishing an inquiry-based classroom conducive to teaching all students,” Vice Principal Caren Verde said. “Indeed, Maria’s belief system reflects the fact that it is her responsibility to help students know their potential.”

Governor’s Teacher Recognition Award recipients, like the School Teacher of the Year Award recipients, stand out as top teachers in their schools based on instructional excellence and leadership. As the committee reviewed all applications, these teachers were nominated for and won the Governor’s Recognition Award.

Christa Cordes – East Side High School:
“Ms. Cordes is never satisfied with the status quo, is relentless in improving her craft as an educator, and strives to make learning relevant and provocative for her students,” Principal Mario Santos said.

Krishna Dalal – BRICK Avon Academy:
“Mrs. Dalal’s high-quality instruction for her students has resulted in significant gains in reading and math,” said Vice Principal Christopher Perpich. “Additionally, her work with her colleagues to shift teacher perspective has resulted in more effective instruction for students across our school.”

Lenore Furman – Abington Avenue School:
“With over 30 years serving the Newark Public Schools, Ms. Furman has had many honors, served generations of students, and guided untold numbers of novice and veteran educators toward better practices,” Vice Principal Sandra Heintz said.

Patricia Jeffers – Belmont Runyon:
“Ms. Jeffers demonstrates every day, the belief that ‘if we give the students high quality instruction, they WILL learn,’” Principal Dorothy Handfield said.

Karla Rahner – Miller Street:
“Ms. Rahner is an excellent, dedicated teacher who instructs her students with the utmost professionalism, passion and creativity, and volunteers her time for the Miller Street community,” Vice Principal Shawn Oxendine-Walter said.

NJ.COM: Camden Street’s Jennifer Cohan named Newark Teacher of the Year
By: Peggy McGlone/The Star-Ledger
June 18, 2014

Camden Street Elementary School third-grade teacher Jennifer Cohan has been named the 2013-2014 Newark Teacher of the Year for her exceptional classroom leadership and for inspiring her students with a love of learning.