Megan Steigerwald, a teacher at Sharon Elementary School, was announced one of four educators recognized by Rider University’s Teacher Leadership Community.
ROBBINSVILLE — Megan Steigerwald, a teacher at Sharon Elementary School, was announced one of four educators recognized by Rider University’s Teacher Leadership Community.
Ms. Steigerwald received the Cooperating Teacher Excellence Award at ceremony recently held on the university campus, according to a university release.
The award, currently in its third year, recognizes educators who provided exemplary mentorship to a Rider student teacher.
Dr. Suzanne Gespass, director of field placement at Rider University, said student teachers nominate the award winners “for being truly instrumental in their development as a professional.”
”We are proud to recognize the important work teachers do. These individuals have been strong mentors to new teachers, and have made a lasting contribution to the field of education,” she added.
Ms. Steigerwald was nominated for the award by Rider student teacher Jessica Castronovo.
In her nomination letter, Ms. Castronovo wrote that Ms. Steigerwald’s encouragement and support was instrumental in creating a workshop based on a science review game for third grade students.
”She helped me set up a date, time and location for the workshop, and developed questions for a review game that would serve as the opening for the workshop to engage teachers,” said Ms. Castronovo. “Following the workshop, we received a lot of positive feedback from those who attended. Through this experience, Ms. Steigerwald taught me the value of both collaboration and giving back to those who have taught me so much.
”Ms. Steigerwald has become one of my greatest role models as an educator. Her greatest strength is her ability to realize students’ individual potential and differentiate her instruction accordingly,” she added. “This, along with her constant dedication, hard work and love for continued learning, is something I plan to emulate in my professional career.”
Ms. Steigerwald is herself a Rider University alumna, graduating in 2004.
Heather Lerch, chair of Rider’s Teacher Leadership Committee, said, “We offer our sincere congratulations to this year’s award recipients, and thank each of them for their dedication to our programs and our student teachers. The quality of their mentoring is representative of the highest levels of our profession, and we are proud to work together as we prepare tomorrow’s educators.”