Each year, New Jersey school districts nominate their educators for the prestigious Governor’s Educator of the Year Award through the New Jersey Department of Education. The program seeks to recognize educators “who have gone above and beyond in their service to New Jersey’s students” and to create a culture that recognizes excellence and brings public attention to the work of outstanding educators.

“On behalf of the district and Board of Education, I want to say, ‘congratulations’ and ‘thank you’ to the 10 teachers and educational services professionals who were recognized through the program,” said Superintendent Alvin Freeman, Ed.D. “Their hard work and dedication to student success is what makes Bound Brook School District and its students bound for greatness.”

The Governor’s Educator of the Year recipients are:

Teachers:

Samantha Melesurgo, LaMonte/LaMonte Annex Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Stephanie Ackley, Lafayette Elementary Art Teacher

Gina Petrusky, Smalley Elementary Gifted and Talented Program Instructor

Kim Kredatus, Community Middle School Science Teacher

Joelle Smith, Bound Brook High School Mathematics Teacher

Educational Services Professionals:

Alma Pena, LaMonte/LaMonte Annex Teacher Assistant

Renee Jacobs-Grauer, Lafayette Elementary Speech Therapist

Lee Eaton, Smalley Elementary School Counselor

Genesis Picado, Community Middle School Teacher Assistant

Deborah Paulsen, Bound Brook High School Student Assistance Counselor

The Promising Practices Project is a partnership with the New Jersey State Policy Lab and the Joseph C. Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Studies, which are both at Rutgers University. The researchers identified schools that demonstrated exceptional growth in student performance in English Language Arts and Mathematics. In addition to these areas of improvement, Community Middle School was recognized for having low rates of chronic absenteeism. 

Community Middle School Principal Joseph Santicerma said this recognition demonstrates the incredible efforts of the teachers and staff who helped students succeed during the challenging pandemic years.  

“The teachers and staff at Community Middle School went above and beyond to ensure there was no learning loss from the pandemic,” he said. “I’m so proud of how they rose to the challenge and are now being recognized statewide as a model for bolstering student learning. I especially want to thank the four teachers – Mr. Andrew Heiser, Ms. Maria Amendoeira, Ms. Kim Kredatus, and Ms. Kait Diaz – who spoke with the investigators from Rutgers to share best practices that can benefit other schools.” 

Through interviews with school leaders and educators at each of the 52 schools, the research team identified the most successful strategies that were implemented to help students overcome learning losses during the pandemic. The findings from the study will be presented in a formal report, with the goal of sharing the innovative learning approaches with schools throughout the state via presentations, resources, and convenings, so other educators can effectively replicate the successful programs and initiatives. 

The research focuses on promising practices in curriculum, and may include other metrics such as school climate, summertime and after-school programs, and unique approaches to meet the needs of student populations. The state allocated $1 million for the research initiative. 

“The New Jersey Department of Education has confirmed what we have always believed: Community Middle School is a special place where students strive to do their best and teachers build meaningful connections that motivate them to succeed,” said Superintendent Alvin Freeman, Ed.D. “Congratulations to Mr. Santicerma and the entire Community Middle School community for this outstanding achievement and for exemplifying excellence on a statewide level!”

Maria Amendoeira, a math teacher at Community Middle School, talked with the Rutgers investigators about how she often encourages her students to set personal goals and self-reflect on how they can improve and learn from each other. 

“Even though we are in a math class, I ask the students to write about what they did to achieve a certain result and how they can improve for the next time,” she explained. “Even if they got a 100 on a test, they could reflect on what preparation helped them receive that score. And, if they didn’t get 100, I let them know that I’m not looking for perfection – I’m looking for improvement and realistic goals.” 

Amendoeira said she was very proud of her students when she heard that Community Middle School was part of the Promising Practices Project, as well as when she received their recent state test scores. “I’m always here to cheer them on,” she said. “Their hard work is paying off, and that is amazing to see.” 

Kim Kredatus, a science teacher at the middle school, agreed. She said a key reason the middle school is exceeding is because of the collaboration between the leadership and teachers of Bound Brook School District and Community Middle School. 

“I was pleasantly surprised and excited when I found out that Community Middle School was recognized,” she said. “This truly shows that the middle school years can be a time of learning and growth in preparation for high school. The students see us teachers collaborating and encouraging each other, which then helps them develop trust and leads to positive outcomes.”

“Ms. Filiatreault is one of only 123 educators in the entire state of New Jersey who earned this recognition,” said Dr. Alvin L. Freeman, the superintendent of Bound Brook School District. “On behalf of the students and staff of the Bound Brook School District, we are proud of her accomplishments and contributions to Bound Brook High School.”

BBHS Principal Ed Smith nominated Filiatreault for the recognition program.

“Ms. Filiatreault’s mannerisms and professionalism both in and out of the classroom is among the elite,” Smith said. “Ms. Filiatreault exemplifies qualities that are valued in an educator and a professional: integrity, genuine commitment, hard work, and a firm belief in life-long learning. It is for these reasons, among countless others, that she was nominated and selected.”

Filiatreault was surprised last month when Principal Smith came into her classroom to share that she had been chosen for the Exemplary Educator award.

“It was a total surprise,” she said. “It is really nice for others to recognize what you are trying to achieve. The STAR Program is special to me, and I’m glad that the work being devoted to that program is recognized.”

Filiatreault specializes in special education instruction and oversees the education of BBHS students with a wide array of disabilities. Additionally, she designs and delivers lessons geared toward the individual needs and capabilities of the students under her supervision.

While having played an integral part in creating the STAR Program her role as the program leader implements a functional approach to the core academic classes as well as social skills, motor skills, self help, vocational skills and community-based instruction. Essentially, the initiative is intended for students enrolled in the functional life skills program to transfer these skills into their adult lives following high school graduation.

Ms. Filiatreault also provides opportunities for STAR students to gain experiences outside the classroom to more fully explore career interests post-graduation. For example, she established the “Brook Café”, in which students set-up and run a coffee business on Fridays at the high school. Run like a small business, the students do everything from taking orders to delivering the coffee to staff members.

Furthermore, Filiatreault worked with DeAnna Scott, the school psychologist, to start a Personal Wellness with Friends program, in which students with socialization and adaptive needs are paired with neuro-typical students to promote skill building during Physical Education class.

Filiatreault has taught at Bound Brook School District for 21 years. She graduated from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education in 2001.

“I was feeling connected to other school districts, but not in the same way as I felt at home in Bound Brook,” Todaro explained. “Here, I felt supported and wanted to give back to the community that raised me.”

Todaro then saw a pre-kindergarten teacher opening at LaMonte Annex Elementary School – and the rest is history!

She is one of three teachers in the district’s new full-day pre-K program for three-year-olds. While Bound Brook School District has long had pre-K for four-year-olds, the 2023-24 school year is the first time the district offered the program for younger students.

“We have 35 students currently enrolled in three classes, and it’s been amazing to see how much progress our students have made since September,” said LaMonte Annex Principal Hipolita Hernandez-Sicignano.

Research has shown that public preschool programs can be highly beneficial for students. One long-term study found that students had higher achievement in language/literacy, math, and science if they participated in a preschool program, and that those effects were even more pronounced if the children had two years of preschool.

Todaro agreed that starting preschool earlier can make a big difference in a child’s life and future academic success. She is excited to help shape and grow a new program for the district.

“It’s a wonderful thing to be able to start the foundation process for these new students,” she said.

Todaro herself recalls going to LaMonte Annex as a first grader and then progressing through all Bound Brook schools. In high school, she excelled in athletics — cheerleading, basketball, tennis, and softball. Both her parents also attended Bound Brook School District, as well as her brother and sister.

“I always felt supported here,” she said. “The teachers checked in on me constantly.”

She graduated from BBHS in 2018 and earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and psychology from The College of New Jersey. She then completed a master’s degree in urban education in May 2023.

On her first day back at LaMonte this September, she said it felt like coming home.

“It was a comforting experience,” she said. “I work right next to my former softball coach and am coworkers with my kindergarten teacher. Honestly, being a first-year teacher, it was helpful to see familiar faces.”

In her classroom and the two other three-year-old pre-K classes, students learn through play, which is developmentally appropriate for that age. They explore classroom materials and are learning social-emotional learning, such as how to share and how to talk about feelings.

Hernandez-Sicignano said the district hopes to continue the program in the future. Students must be three years old on Oct. 1 to qualify for the program.

Please tell us your educational background and what you’ve done prior to joining Bound Brook in August 2023.

I have been in the education field since 2009. I have a masters in Childhood and Special Education as well as a masters in Educational Leadership.

I spent a majority of my teaching career serving the students and families in the Bronx working for the New York City Department of Education. I was a special education teacher, an instructional coach and most recently an assistant principal. I would oversee instruction in kindergarten and first grade as well as all special education classes in kindergarten through fifth grade.

What made you want to work at Bound Brook?

I fell in love with the area years ago, and I have seen the development and growth of the community recently. It has been my dream for a while to move here – close enough to my remaining family on the East Coast but away from NYC. I want to be part of the community where I teach and lead. I want to impact change in the school, in the classroom and in the community. I feel like I can accomplish this in Bound Brook.

What inspired you to become a school principal?

I was fortunate and lucky enough to work with a principal who believed in building capacity and encouraged teachers to use their strengths, genius and talents to build a better tomorrow for our children and grandchildren. She was the one who helped me come out of the classroom (literally and figuratively) to share my best practices with other teachers and collaborate to meet the needs of all our students. She is a phenomenal teacher, educator and leader, and if I am half the principal she is – then I would consider myself successful.

What are you most looking forward to this school year?

I am looking forward to building relationships with teachers, staff, students and families. I can’t wait to experience the school year with the wonderful people of Bound Brook who made me feel so welcome. I am excited to work with the teachers and support them throughout the year.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I look forward to spending time with my family and friends. I love to visit my mom and sisters in California. You can usually find me on a Soulcycle bike on the weekends. My guilty pleasure is anything Bravo related!

In its third year, BBHS’s College & Career Readiness Now (CCRN) summer bootcamp provided students with key resources and guidance as they began to take their next steps toward the future.

The summer program, which worked in conjunction with a grant from Raritan Valley Community College, gave students the opportunity to come and work on post-graduation pathway planning.

Students got ahead on several preparation tasks like navigating Naviance, filling out FAFSA and HESAA financial forms, writing essays, managing the Common Application, as well as learning more about teacher recommendations and scholarships. The program aligned similar assistance for parents to help with their child’s college planning, including the management of financial options.

“I’ve taken advantage of CCRN for the last two years,” said Avery Scire, a BBHS senior. “I think it’s beneficial for both juniors and seniors. For the juniors, it really helps them with SAT prep. Being a senior this year, it really helped me in the application process and also filling out the FAFSA. I think without it this summer, I would be behind.”

Throughout the program, students got the chance to hear from recent BBHS alumni, Jordy Chaves and Jennifer Cespedes, who assisted with college planning and shared their journey. Both alumni who participated over the summer were previous attendees of the CCRN Bootcamp!

Around 80 students took part in this summer’s program – a record high from the 30 students who first participated in summer 2021.

“It was so helpful with the writing process,” added Scarlette Showbowale, another BBHS student who attended the program. “CCRN brought out new writing techniques that I never learned before. Also, the editing process was another beneficial part of this program. I also loved the fact that mentors like Jordy Chavez and Jennifer Cespedes were there to help.”

Mr. William Ross, the supervisor of Career Technical Education and Work-Based Learning, coordinated the program alongside Mr. Lee Casperson, a teacher of Special Education and History. Other advisors of the summer program included Ms. Jill Talewsky, Mr. Nicholas Moran, Ms. Jenna Calo, Mr. Steven Fischer, Ms. Michelle Ramirez and Ms. Veronica Schumann.

While the CCRN program took place over the summer, Mr. Ross notes its importance as students shift into the current school year, which they are encouraged to take advantage of.

“We will continue this process by setting up a pathway planning meeting for all seniors,” he said. “Of the current senior class, we’ve met 60 students so far, and we will continue the work with the remaining students during the school year. That’s something that this summer program is looking to implement. Within the first 45 days of school, we look to meet with the 90 or so seniors that we have not met with yet.”

If you are interested in joining the summer program next year:

From April to June, advisors work on a major outreach to students and parents to encourage sign-ups for the bootcamp. Students from grades 9-12 are all welcome. Juniors and seniors are highly encouraged to sign up.

For more resources on future success, visit the Bound Brook High School site: https://bbhs.bbrook.org

BBHS Head Coach Manny Kakas is committed to inspiring the next generation of Bound Brook wrestlers. As a former wrestler, he has seen firsthand how it transforms your mindset for the better. His goal is to create a safe space for students after school and during breaks.

The Summer Wrestling Program creates an opportunity to do just that: recruit new kids for the wrestling program, expand the sport for all grade levels and give students a safe place to have fun while learning about wrestling.

More about the Summer Program

The week-long program happens annually and is open to all grade levels and neighboring towns. Participants, regardless of experience, gain hands-on experience with the sport. When a Bound Brook High School alumnus isn’t teaching a workout, certified clinicians lead the participants and teach different techniques.

The camp serves as a fundraiser and benefits the full Bound Brook wrestling program. In recent years, Coach Kakas expanded the camp to allow younger participants. It promotes a positive environment for all genders and levels (pre-K to 12).

“Wrestling is a challenging sport. I’ve grown up in the Bound Brook program and the endless amount of support I’ve received from coaches and teammates has been tremendous,” said Horsburgh. “It’s so exciting being a part and seeing the program as well as the individuals grow as much as it has. I can’t wait to see what this year holds for everyone.”

Horsburgh has had an impressive high school career winning multiple NJSIAA North Region titles, placing at states, and becoming the first female wrestler to place in the Somerset County Tournament in 2022.

Harnessing the Alumni Network

Tapping into the rich history of Bound Brook wrestling, Coach Kakas invites back alumni to speak to participants and teach them moves. Andrew Flannagan returned to the mat to kick off the first day of the clinic in July. Flannagan wrestled for Harvard University where he earned an Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) championship.

“Bound Brook is a small community. And for all of us it’s always about how we can benefit the kids,” said Coach Kakas. “I’m extremely proud of the dedication our wrestlers show to the sport and to the school community, even well after they’ve graduated.”

Last summer, Mekhi Lewis returned to host a workout. He answered questions for the young wrestlers and spoke about how the sport transformed his mindset.

Benefits of Wrestling

With intense training and practice, it’s no doubt that wrestling strengthens the body. The very nature of the sport requires participants to develop strength, endurance, and agility. Wrestlers build muscular strength, improve cardiovascular endurance, and enhance their flexibility.

Beyond the physical and health benefits of the sport, wrestling offers advantages that will help student-athletes thrive in other areas of development. Unlike team sports, wrestling is individualized. It teaches student-athletes character attributes like resilience, discipline and determination.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As in previous years, the Bound Brook School District’s Counseling Services Department will administer mental health surveys to all students in Smalley, Community, and the High School.

The purpose of the surveys is to identify students who are in need of mental health services. The process begins in class, where a brief survey is provided to students. Once surveys have been completed, students will resume with the regular class activities. A multidisciplinary team of clinical social workers and school counselors then reviews all of the survey responses and proceeds to meet with students they feel are in need of a follow-up conversation. This process has been successful in the previous years as it has allowed the district to identify students who require additional support. The surveys will begin October 24 and will be administered to all students in grades 3-12. For grades K-2, the clinical social worker and school counselors will give a classroom lesson to students on how to identify and express their feelings.

It is our district’s intention to offer the best and safest environment for all of our students. If you have any questions about this program, please reach out to your child’s counselor.

If you or someone else is in need of resources please check out the BBSD website: https://bbrook.org/community-counseling-resources/

Sincerely,
Anthony A. Mormile, Ed.D.

Septiembre 26, 2022

Estimados Padres y Guardianes,

Como en años anteriores, el Departamento de Servicios de Consejería del Distrito Escolar de Bound Brook administra encuestas de salud mental a todos los estudiantes en Smalley, Community y Bound Brook High School.

El propósito de las encuestas es identificar a los estudiantes que necesitan servicios de salud mental. El proceso comienza en clase, donde se proporciona una breve encuesta a los estudiantes. Una vez que se hayan completado las encuestas, los estudiantes continuarán con las actividades regulares de clase. Luego, un equipo multidisciplinario de trabajadores sociales clínicos y consejeros escolares revisa todas las respuestas de la encuesta y procede a reunirse con los estudiantes que creen que necesitan una conversación de seguimiento. Este proceso ha tenido éxito en los años anteriores, ya que le ha permitido al distrito identificar a los estudiantes que requieren apoyo adicional. Las encuestas

comenzarán el 24 de octubre y se administrarán a todos los estudiantes de los grados 3-12. Para los grados K-2, el trabajador social clínico y los consejeros escolares darán una lección a los estudiantes sobre cómo identificar y expresar sus sentimientos.

Es la intención de nuestro distrito ofrecer el mejor y más seguro ambiente para todos nuestros estudiantes. Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre este programa, comuníquese con el consejero de su hijo.

Si usted o alguien más necesita recursos, consulte el sitio web de BBSD: https://bbrook.org/community-counseling-resources/

Sinceramente,
Anthony A. Mormile, Ed.D.

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