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MANVILLE: Pisano named Roosevelt’s Teacher of the Year for 2009

By Mary Ellen Zangara Special Writer
   Once a student teacher in the Manville School District, Jennifer Pisano has been selected as the Governor’s Teacher of the Year for Roosevelt School for this year, joining three other teachers in the district for the honor.
   ”It was an honor and it was a surprise. I was very surprised when Dr. Burkhardt and ‘Mr. Mags’ (Principal Michael Magliacano) appeared at my door,” said Ms. Pisano. When Dr. Burkhardt told Ms. Pisano of the award, her students cheered for her.
   Ms. Pisano didn’t always want to become a teacher — initially, she was a pre-med student at Rutgers before changing over to teaching.
   ”I really liked working with kids — teaching was more the way to go,” she said, adding she started out focusing on physical education but then had the opportunity to student teach in Manville and decided this was grade level she was interested in.
   Ms. Pisano came to Manville for her student teaching requirement as a junior, and since she had a good experience here, opted to return for her senior field experience. Ms. Pisano taught under Susan Cosentino in Alexander Batcho Intermediate School, when the school taught grades 4-6.
   After graduating with high honors from Kean University in 1997, she got a call from Ms. Cosentino saying that Manville was hiring. After an interview, then-Principal Kathy Monks hired her.
   Ms. Pisano said she felt very comfortable coming back to the district where she did her student teaching as it was a really good experience. She was with a very well established team, working of Ms. Cosentino, Carol Caliguari, Jackie DeLarato and Cindy DeVos.
   ”The transition was easy,” she said. Ms. Pisano started her first year in her own classroom in Roosevelt when the school re-opened in 1997.
   Ms. Pisano started in fourth grade, then looped to fifth grade for a few years, but decided fourth was where she wanted to be.
   Ms. Pisano likes being a fourth-grade teacher because she is comfortable with the curriculum in grade, and likes teaching about New Jersey.
   ”I like the innocence of the kids,” she said. “There is a big difference between fourth and fifth graders. I like having the kids for one year and still being around for another year. You develop relationships with them and it is nice to see them mature and watch them grow.”
   In her down time, Ms. Pisano coaches softball, the Piscataway High School gymnastic team, a private gymnastic team. She is looking to pursue middle school math certification, and is planning on going back to school for special education or middle school math.
   She said she enjoys helping her students discover new ideas, and grow with confidence.
   ”I want all of my students to realize what they are capable of and realize no matter what, they can achieve anything they set their mind to,” she said. “I love to see the look on their faces when they learn something new. My main goal is to help them learn to responsibility and also to take risks.”
   A lot of fourth-grade students are nervous about their new school in the fall, she notes, adding that she enjoys helping the students settle in to their new routines.
   ”I want to bring out everything that they are able to do and make them see what their potential is,” she said.
   ”It is with pride and admiration that the Roosevelt School staff recognizes Ms. Pisano as our Teacher of the Year,” Mr. Magliacano said. “Ms. Pisano is richly deserving of the honor of being named Roosevelt School’s Teacher of the Year. She is an outstanding educator whose influence has continually been felt by students, staff and parents. Ms. Pisano works tirelessly to affect each student as an individual who at all times has the children’s best interests at heart. She fosters students who are independent and enjoy the learning process. Ms. Pisano’s classroom is where I would want my own children to learn.”
   ”I am touched and grateful,” Ms. Pisano said. “I feel that every teacher in our school is worthy of this award and I am honored that I have the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people. I know I am lucky to work in such an excellent school.”