PLUMSTED: Staff, student honored at year end

Teachers of the year, retiring educators recognized

by David Kilby, Special Writer
PLUMSTED — The end of the Plumsted School District’s 2012-13 school year brought many farewells and even more expressions of gratitude to educators, school officials and students.
   During the June 12 board of education meeting, the board acknowledged the service of three retiring teachers, four teachers of the year, one relocating board member and one future Rutgers student who served as a student representative and assistant to the board.
   Student representative Kimberly Wilson, a senior, came to the meeting because she wanted to express her gratitude toward the board, teachers, faculty and staff in giving her the opportunity to serve the district this year.
   ”I gained so much this year through all of this,” she said. “I gained responsibility and confidence and I learned a lot about the schools, so I just really wanted to thank you guys for this experience.”
   The board similarly expressed gratitude to Ms. Wilson for her contributions.
   ”On behalf of the board I want to thank you for your work,” said Henry Miller, board president. “There was a lot of positive feedback from everybody about some of the things you’ve done, as far as going above and beyond just reporting out, also looking into things and giving respective feedback from the students in all the different schools.”
   Dr. Karen Jones, superintendent of schools, said she has been impressed by all that Ms. Wilson has done, not just for the board, but in everything she did for the schools.
   Also recognized were retiring educators Patricia Frazer, Linda Sclarow and Patricia Garces.
   Ms. Frazer served as a New Egypt Middle School language arts and social studies teacher for 28 years, beginning in April of 1985.
   Ms. Sclarow served as a special education teacher for Dr. Gerald H. Woerl Elementary School for 20 years, beginning her employment in 1993.
   Ms. Garces was a Grade 5 teacher for the elementary school, beginning her service with the Plumsted School District as a substitute teacher from 1999 to 2002. She became a full-time teacher in Sept. 2002, and has served 14 years as a teacher with the district.
   Other educators recognized were Kodi Sohl, Matthew Kukoda, Alyse Kreig and Diana Alvarado, the district’s four teachers of the year.
   Ms. Sohl is a business teacher for New Egypt High School who began her employment with the district in Sept. 2006.
   Mr. Kukoda is a social studies and technology teacher for New Egypt Middle School and started employment with the school in May 2007 as a permanent substitute. He became a full-time teacher in Sept. 2008, and has served the district for four years.
   Alyse Kreig is a guidance counselor for the elementary school and began employment in Sept. 2007.
   Diana Alvarado is a New Egypt Primary School teacher who began her employment in Sept. 2007.
   Dr. Jones handed each teacher plaques of appreciation as the audience of teachers and family members applauded.
   On the board’s side of the dais, Jon Hauge, board vice president, modestly bowed out from his service to the district at the end of the meeting.
   While sharing that he and his family will be moving out of the district, he said he highly values the dedication of the board members he has worked with, and thanked the teachers, faculty, staff and administration, who touched his life and the lives of his children Alex and Olivia, who attended district schools.
   ”Everyone serves with their heart,” Mr. Hauge said speaking of the board. “Everyone does what they truly think is best for the kids in the long term. The future of New Egypt will be very bright, I’m sure.”