Seventh-grader Jaime White (l) with her favorite teacher, Jamie Golizio, both of Millstone Township Middle School One could say that as a teacher, Jamie Golizio is poetry in motion— at least as far as student Jaime White is concerned. The duo recently made Millstone Middle School proud when White penned a winning poem about Golizio, a social studies teacher who was presented with the district’s Teacher of the YearAward earlier this year before being honored by her former student.
“As a teacher, you want to influence the kids and be a positive role model,” Golizio said. “And this is one of those times when you feel like, ‘I am making a difference.’ ”
It all started when White’s mother picked up an entry form for the “My Favorite Teacher Contest” from the Barnes & Noble in Freehold Township. The competition called upon students to write an essay, poem or thank-you letter to a teacher of their choosing.
“I [chose] Mrs. Golizio because she is the best teacher I ever had,” White said.
The seventh-grader was a student in Golizio’s class last year, during her first year of middle school.
“I was really, really shy when I came into middle school,” White said. “She really helped me get over how shy I was, and she made me laugh. She’s one of those teachers who tries to connect with every student and make everyone feel special.”
Apparently, Golizio’s efforts worked, as she inspired the verses written by White that would later rise to the top among the 20 entries received at Barnes & Noble’s Freehold location.
Although Golizio was aware that White had nominated her, it was a surprise when she received the good news during a recent school day .“Our principal actually called me. Of course, my heart was pounding, wondering what was going on,” Golizio said, then added, “I had a feeling it was coming— not because of me, but because of Jaime and all the work she did.”
Just as Golizio inspired White to work on the poem, she also incited in her new interest in social studies.
“I never liked social studies, because it was never fun,” White said. “She always tried to make all our classes fun.”
Golizio’s lessons go beyond the typical classroom lecture, according to White, who perhaps put it best in her poem:
“You didn’t just use books
to teach us things new,
We learned through
hands-on activities too
You’re creative, you’re smart,
you’re funny, you’re kind,
Being in your class
has really enriched my mind … ”
White is clearly not alone in her high opinion of Golizio. District officials honored her in February as Teacher of the Year.
“It has been quite a year for me,” Golizio said. “Since I’ve gotten here, I’ve grown so much as a professional, with all the district has to offer.”
The two will be honored at the bookstore, located on Route 9 north near the Freehold Raceway Mall, at 5 p.m. April 19. Golizio will receive an award, as well as a book collection of Sterling Children’s Classics, while White will receive a certificate commemorating her achievement.
From here, White and other local winners, along with their respective teachers, will be judged at the regional level. Those winners will then move on to the national level.
The grand prize goes to the Barnes & Noble Teacher of the Year, along with two $5,000 prizes — one for the teacher and one for the school. In addition, the winner will receive five copies of the winning written work, bound in hardcover, as well as a $250 gift card from tikatok.com to publish stories written by students.