Teacher/coach retires after 32 years at Weston School
By Mary Ellen Day, Special Writer
One of Manville’s longest-serving teachers has retired after leaving a lasting impression on Weston Elementary School. In the district for the past 32 years, physical education teacher Michelle Sniscak has touched the lives of many children during her tenure.
Children and staff at Weston made her last day memorable on Nov. 25. They put streamers and signs on her parking spot, made her signs and gave her gifts and cards.
"Education has become an extremely grueling profession," Ms. Sniscak said. "I have been surrounded by Weston teachers who rise above and beyond the call of duty every single day. I am proud to have been a part of the Weston faculty and feel fortunate to have been led by Mr. Donald Frank for nearly two decades."
Former Weston School Principal Frank retired last year.
"Teaching was her forte," he said. "Ms. Sniscak would break games down into their components and those became the focus of her lessons. This allowed all students to participate, not just the athletic ones who dominated ‘gym’ class when you and I went to school . . . you know, the hardest dodge ball throwers and the longest kickball kickers.
"Ms. Sniscak focused on independence and success and that is what her students developed. When special needs students were to become part of the physical education program, Ms. Sniscak studied adaptive physical education, networked with the occupational and physical therapists and constructed activities that addressed the needs of those special students, as well as including them as active participants with all the other pupils at their age level. Is it any wonder that several years ago the state physical education, health and dance association for New Jersey named her state teacher of the year?"
While coaching softball for Manville High School, she led a team to a 30-win season, probably an MHS record, Mr. Frank said.
"Whenever circumstances were going to cause a colleague to lose planning time, Ms. Sniscak was quick to volunteer to take their students so that her fellow teachers would have the time they needed," he said.
He said she maximized the 40-minute period and included math, social studies, language and science concepts into her program, he said.
Co-workers and colleagues wished her well on her retirement.
"Michelle will always be a shining example of what all teachers should be — professional, concerned for kids and collegial," said Mary Tammaro. "All teachers should strive to be the kind of teacher she is. . . We can only hope to be as highly regarded at the end of our career."
Former student (and now a parent) Dawn Madej Vornlocker congratulated her also. ""My best years, of course, were on the softball field. You taught me so much throughout my high school years. I can only hope to instill those same values to my kids as I now coach them out on the diamond. And, I still love to play the game!"
Gina Herrera Kraska, a MHS softball standout and another one of Ms. Sniscak’s students some 30 years ago, reminisced.
"I remember coming home and telling my parents all about my awesome kindergarten gym teacher," she said. "I was so happy when you asked me, a few years later, to be the ball girl for the high school basketball team and the batgirl for the softball team. Years later, I was blessed to have you as a coach — you will always be my favorite one."
She said: "You taught me so many enduring lessons, such as the value of teamwork and importance of persistence, patience, discipline and treating others with respect. From the parachute game in gym class to basketball poems and Christmas parties to my final high school softball game, many of my fondest memories include you. You have always been a true inspiration and role model."
Ms. Sniscak, a Manville High School graduate, began in the district in September 1982 when both Weston and Roosevelt were grades K-5. She taught in both schools. She received her bachelor’s degree from East Stroudsburg University in 1982, and earned a master’s in education in 1988 and a supervisory certificate in 1990 at The College of New Jersey.
She became a physical education because she enjoyed working with kids.
"As a high school student, I experienced tremendous joy when working with the youth of Manville," she said. "I was blessed with athletic skills that lead me into this particular area of instruction."
Ms. Sniscak coached 26 varsity teams in Manville over the years. She coached high school softball from 1983-1998, basketball from 1985-1992, and field hockey from 1982-1986.
"I can vividly recall so many magical moments," Ms. Sniscak said. "As odd as it might seem, when I reflect upon those seasons, I seem to have learned more from losing than from winning."
"My parents taught me the value of a dollar. They worked hard to provide the necessary funds needed to secure an "out of state" tuition. Because of their tireless work ethic, I was able to attend one of the finest PE schools in the Mid Atlantic region. I continued my graduate work while I was teaching and coaching three sports. While my two brothers (Mark is a captain on the Manville police force and Michael is the retired police chief in Raritan) pursued a career in law enforcement, the three of us seemed to aspire and gravitate towards professions that serve the public."
Ms. Sniscak was proclaimed the Governor’s "Teacher of the Year" for Weston School in 1990, 2000 and 2002. In 2008, she was acknowledged as New Jersey’s Elementary Physical Education "Teacher of the Year." At Weston School that year they honored Ms. Sniscak with her own special day.
She has been a NJSIAA field hockey official since 1987, a NJSIAA swimming official from 1997 and a US Women’s Lacrosse official from 1999. Since 1986, she has amassed a total of 62 sport seasons as a high school official.
Ms. Sniscak was named the 2014 New Jersey "Swimming Official of the Year."
Ms. Sniscak will continue to officiate three sports probably twice as much as she does now.
"I did not plan on retiring until December 2015. I made my decision in early October to retire this year. I am have been preparing my retirement application and have been clearing out my office. The office has been my ‘home away from home’ for the past 33 years." She said has not had time to focus on what’s ahead in the future.
A huge Boston Red Sox fan, Ms. Sniscak said her dream job would be to provide the music at Jet Blue Park for all Boston Red Sox spring training games in Fort Myers.
"I have inquired about possible employment at the park, but was told that they prefer to hire residents of Florida," she said.
Ms. Sniscak said she feels comfortable her replacement, Joseph Reid.
"I am passing the torch to this energetic, respectful gentleman," she said. "I hope that Mr. Reid continues to remind the Weston students to ‘stand up for what is right even if they stand alone.’"
Ms. Sniscak will mostly remember the children.
"The children of Weston School have taught me so much — their ability to forgive, their honesty and their ability to ascend when they face so many challenges and obstacles on a daily basis," she said. "I will miss their smiles, their hugs, their homemade cards and their 98 different pronunciations and spellings of my last name."