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Schools

School Board Awards Outstanding Teachers

Faculty receive honors during annual ceremony

Preceding the weekly Board of Education meeting on Tuesday night was an awards ceremony honoring three Westfield High School teachers and one from Roosevelt and Edison Intermediate Schools.

The 12th annual Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, sponsored by the Optimist Club of Westfield, was presented to Marc Biunno, a language arts and journalism teacher at Roosevelt, and Marni Kirschenbaum, a math teacher at Edison, who advises two student clubs.

School Board President Ginny Leiz described Kirschenbaum as an “innovative math teacher… that expresses an appreciation for creativity,” in presenting the award.

In brief remarks, Kirschenbaum thanked the staff she works with at Edison and the Westfield educational community. She noted that her students are her driving motivation to be the best teacher she can be.

Biunno dedicated his award to his students at RIS, noting that he would not be able to be recognized without their help and hard work.

 “This award (like everything else related with the school), is about the students and their experience,” said Biunno.

After Biunno’s speech, Elizabeth Grismer, a student who works on Roosevelt’s newspaper, the Rough Rider, which is advised by Biunno, spoke about Biunno’s positive impact on her life, describing him as a “constantly changing force in [her] school.”

The Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award for WHS went to chemistry teacher Mabel Huynh. According to Leiz, Huynh serves as a role model to students at WHS and is an inspiration to her students. In addition to her chemistry classes, Huynh is advisor of the Muggle Quidditch League, Financial Club, the Philosophy Club, and the Asian Student Awareness Club.

Environmental Science teacher Judy McLoughlin, who has been working at WHS since 2004, was the recipient of the Parent Teacher Student Organization Teacher of the Year Award. This award was chosen by a PTSO subcommittee, which recognized McLoughlin’s hard work in mentoring colleagues, close team work with other teachers, re-writing the environmental science curriculum and reaching out to students.

The final award of the night was given to Louis DeAngelo. He was the recipient of the Robert and Linda Foose Memorial Award, given in honor of the late Robert Foose, former WHS principal, and his wife. DeAngelo has been working as a math teacher at WHS since 2005 and is also an advisor to the yearbook staff.

Jeremy Davies, a WHS assistant principal, said that DeAngelo is a constant presence with students at the high school and has put them at the forefront of his work. Davies also noted that DeAngelo and the other award winners are outstanding members of the Westfield educational community and have worked hard for the town’s children.

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