Kenneth Brown Three area teachers have been named “Teachers Who Make Magic” by Greater Media’s radio station WMGQ 98.3 FM.
The teachers are Frank Wagenblast, an English teacher at Metuchen High School; Kenneth Brown, the choir director at Edison High School; and Kate Rosenberg, a special education teacher in English at J.P. Stevens High School in Edison.
Wagenblast, who has been teaching English at Metuchen High School for 40 years, said it is humbling to be singled out from his colleagues, saying many of them are more deserving of the award than he is.
“Metuchen is a wonderfully supportive community that has long regarded the education of its youth as a high priority,” he said “This ongoing commitment to education has resulted in Metuchen High School receiving recognition as the top school in Middlesex County and its being ranked 19th in the state.
Frank Wagenblast “Over the years, I have been and I continue to be inspired by my students, who possess many positive and even virtuous characteristics.”
In his nomination, Wagenblast is described as educating all levels of students, ranging from those with disabilities to students in the most challenging honors classes. In the classroom, Wagenblast utilizes Universal Design for Learning, an approach that anticipates the differences of students in the classroom.
Wagenblast said he could not do what he does without the support of his family — his wife Linda, who is an elementary school teacher in Metuchen; his son and his fiancée, who are both teachers; and his daughter Lindsay, who is also a teacher, and her husband.
Brown said he was completely surprised to learn that he was chosen for the award.
“Every day, I have the opportunity to work with talented young singers, many of whom share my passion for music and for excellence in performance,” the choir director said.
In his nomination, Brown is described as having a unique way to inspire students to perform at their absolute best. He selects classical and jazz pieces that are both interesting for students to learn and for audiences to hear. His hard work pays off year after year, as the school has won many National Festival of Music awards, according to the nomination. Rosenberg began teaching at J.P. Stevens High School in September 2007. She was an inclass support special education teacher for three years. In 2010, she started Project Pieces, a program serving students ages 14-
21 with multiple disabilities who require specialized instruction in functional life skills.
“The students have grown and accomplished a tremendous amount due to the support and opportunities provided by the J.P. Stevens community,” she said. “I am honored to be recognized for the work that has been done within Project Pieces and the Edison School District.”
This year, Rosenberg is also the Structured Learning Experience coordinator and is working with Holly Clark, the district transition specialist, to develop the Edison Township Public Schools Work- Based Learning Program.
“Our hope is to collaboratively engage local employers and the Edison School District in providing nonpaid, on-site, structured-learning experiences that focus on assisting students to develop transfer- able skills for acquiring and maintaining employment.”
In her nomination, Rosenberg is described as working diligently to find her students a place in the world in which they can be actively involved and self-sufficient.
The “Teachers Who Make Magic” program honors 24 outstanding teachers for their contributions to their school and society in general. The program is co-sponsored by the New Jersey Education Association, and all award winners will be honored in April at the Pines Manor in Edison.