Local teachers honored for ‘inspirational' work

Newton - Seven teachers from Sussex and Pike counties were honored at Sussex County Community College last week through the Inspiring Teacher Awards, sponsored by the Tri-County Federal Credit Union. This is the fifth year teachers from grades kindergarten through 12 have ben honored by this program. The educators are chosen from essays written by their former students who now attend the college. Sixty entries were received this year. According to Linda Nieman of SCCC, the winners are selected based on the sentiment expressed by the nominating student and, more importantly, the demonstration that the teacher changed the student’s life for the better. Honored were Philip A. Cocilovo of the Sparta Middle School, Thomas E. Claeys, Jr. of Lenape Valley Regional High School, Cathy L. Hennion and Mary Ann Stanek of Kittatinny Regional High School, Debra Page Lamberg of Port Jervis High School, Melissa A. MacKinnon of Sussex County Technical School, and Lillian Zbindin, home school teacher. Cocilovo was nominated by Sarah Elizabeth Smith, who wrote,“Mr. Cocilovo’s advice has stayed with me since 1995. I have used his work ethic, compassion, humanity, humility, humor and strength as examples for how I handle decisions.” Claeys was nominated by Fret Beckhorn, who said, “He is the reason I want to be a teacher. To see someone so passionate, intelligent and just overall ‘cool’ at what he does made me want to do the same.” In her essay on behalf of Hennion, Heather Bennett declared, “I could always go to her if I needed advice. I had someone I could go to whenever I needed to talk, and I knew nothing would be said to others.” Michelle Laforgia nominated Stanek, declaring, “Not only is she willing to take the extra step to help a student, she treats everyone equally and believes all of her students are capable of accomplishing what they set out to do.” Writing on behalf of Lamberg, Chris Bianchi said, “She cares for each one of her students, even the ones who give her a hard time.” Sara Stenger wrote of MacKinnon, “Mrs. MacKinnon made me feel I was important. Not just to her, but to those around me, something I had never thought to be true before.” Zbinden was nominated by her daughter, Kristina, who wrote, “I thrived in the school my mother had created. Class times were flexible and lesson plans customized.”