Hightstown High School teachers Jack Dunn and Richard Tuliszewski are honored for their innovative teaching methods.
By: Marisa Maldonado
HIGHTSTOWN Jack Dunn says storytelling is important to his work as a teacher. And Richard Tuliszewski once stuck gum in his hair to teach his students about polymers.
These teaching methods might seem like a throwback to elementary school, but using innovative methods is one thing that these two award-winning teachers from Hightstown High School have in common.
Social studies teacher Jack Dunn, a 21-year veteran of the district, recently was named the district’s Teacher of the Year.
And Mr. Tuliszewski, who has taught at the district since 1971, recently was named one of Wal-Mart’s Central Jersey Teachers of the Year. The chemistry teacher won a $1,000 grant that will go toward the high school’s science department.
Mr. Dunn, who teaches American history and classes on the individual and society, said he enjoys talking about the subject he loves his father was a history buff and he remembers reading history books in early elementary school.
The hardest part for him is taking attendance before classes he said it disrupts his lesson plans.
"Everything else I enjoy," said Mr. Dunn, who received $500 for being named Hightstown High School’s Teacher of the Year and a matching prize for the districtwide award. "People will laugh when I say attendance, but it’s true."
He particularly enjoys 20th century American history, which he currently teaches, including subjects such as the Depression, the New Deal and the Vietnam War.
"Sometimes I’m glad I don’t teach about 2000 B.C.," Mr. Dunn said. "Students would say, ‘A. How do you pronounce the names, and B. Who cares?’"
Both teachers received high praise from administration and students. Superintendent Ronald Bolandi called both "sounding boards" for him to bounce ideas off during his first year as leader of the district.
"You don’t get many opportunities to validate the people you work with," Mr. Bolandi said at the May 9 Board of Education meeting.
Mr. Tuliszewski, who started at the high school as a student teacher in 1970, said constantly being surrounded by the students’ "boundless levels of energy" keeps him young. However, an increasing level of distractions can make it harder to grab their attention, he said.
But watching students forget these distractions and grab concepts is one of the best parts of his job, he said.
"You actually see the light bulb light in the kid’s head. That never gets old," he said. "That’s why you’re there. You’re hoping they do get it."
Kim Cormack, a senior in Mr. Tuliszewski’s Advanced Placement Chemistry class, said the teacher is known for his willingness to go the extra mile to answer his students’ questions, sometimes looking up answers on his own after class.
He also is known for his use of phrases such as, "It is slicker than snot on a doorknob."
Mr. Tuliszewski, who Kim said is known as "Mr. T" because students can’t spell his name, said his reward is seeing former students return to thank him for his help.
"I have students of mine who graduated 20 years ago that are medical doctors," Mr. Tuliszewski said. "(Parents) come back and say, ‘If it wasn’t for you, Bill wouldn’t be doing this, and Mary wouldn’t be doing this.’
"That’s really where you get your satisfaction from."
For Mr. Dunn, watching students get excited about a good test grade or college acceptance is rewarding, as is capturing their attention during class.
"When you know you have them captivated, you’re telling a story," Mr. Dunn said, "whether it’s background of a president or some controversial issue, whatever it is, that’s just a great feeling."
He considers his award an achievement for the whole social studies department, and said the teachers will collaborate to buy supplies with the money.
Mr. Tuliszewski also said his award will be used for the general science department.
"Let’s face it, the school budgets are such that John Q. Public is being strapped every which way," Mr. Tuliszewski said. "If there’s a possibility by which school districts can get money, that’s always a good thing."

