by Davy James, Staff Writer
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Joanne Kerekes was honored at a reception March 28 after receiving the 2009 Distinguished Service Award, given by the Rutgers Graduate School of Education for outstanding contributions to education.
Ms. Kerekes, who received her master’s degree from the school in 1990, was honored for a wide variety of contributions to the South Brunswick School District.
”I was surprised by the nomination, honored by the selection, and humbled by the public acknowledgment,” Ms. Kerekes said. “I was truly thankful to Rutgers for choosing me and to (Superintendent) Gary McCartney for mentoring me, to my colleagues for being my good partners, and to my family for allowing me the time to do the kind of job I need and want to do.”
The school praised Ms. Kerekes for creating new models of communication to bring parents and students together with district staff, including the creation of the Parent Academy and the Family Connect online grade book system. Ms. Kerekes said those two innovations were among her proudest accomplishments in the district.
She also pointed to increased home-school communication via the district Web site, Friday Folders, online curriculum documents and expansion of Viking Television Network. She said the building of inter-generational partnerships with the Senior Center through events like Day with the Characters, the Student Art Gallery and the Music Festival was also a proud accomplishment, along with her work on curriculum, instruction, supervision and evaluation.
”South Brunswick has much that sets it apart as a unique and special place for children to learn and teachers to teach,” Ms. Kerekes said.
In honoring her, the Graduate School of Education called Ms. Kerekes an innovative and dedicated educator who has “established herself as an energetic teacher, administrator and motivator throughout her career.”
