Westfield’s Houghtaling and Kwiatkowski Receive Outstanding Teaching Awards

The following is a press release from the Westfield school district:

Westfield Public School teachers Kristi Houghtaling and Stephanie Kwiatkowski were named Outstanding Intermediate School Teachers for 2012 by the Optimist Club of Westfield and will be honored by the on Tuesday, June 5. 

A reception sponsored by the Roosevelt and Edison Intermediate Schools PTO’s will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room at 302 Elm Street. Resolutions will be presented to the teachers by Board President, Richard Mattessich, during the business portion of the meeting at 8 PM.

Houghtaling and Kwiatkowski are the recipients of the 15th annual Optimist award, established in 1998 to recognize the importance of teaching in the intermediate grades. The award is presented annually to two Westfield teachers – one each from and Schools.

Kristi Houghtaling is in her 16th year as a science teacher at Edison Intermediate School in Westfield. She teaches both 8th grade science and biology for 8th grade students in the Gifted Program. 

Houghtaling holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Cell and Molecular Biology and a post graduate degree in Biological Education from the University of Washington.  She also holds a Master of Science degree in Biology from Montclair State University, where she was published in an academic science journal for her work in biology. In addition to her graduate work, Houghtaling has done research at Princeton University and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. In commenting on receiving the Optimist Award, she said, “It is a great honor to be chosen to receive such a distinguished award. I am deeply moved."

Stephanie Kwiatkowski is in her sixth year as an 8th grade science teacher at Roosevelt Intermediate School (RIS) in Westfield.  She also is the advisor for the 8th Grade Service Project, which is responsible for a myriad of activities for the 8th graders during NJ ASK testing week. This year 8th graders continued the yearly beautification of the school grounds, worked collaboratively with the 3rd graders at McKinley Elementary on an electrical circuit project, created toiletry kits for the homeless, and participated in cooking and Zumba classes. To fund a portion of the events, multiple fundraisers were executed beginning in October, including this year's first RIS .   

Kwiatkowski holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science University and teaching certification in Biology from Rutgers University.

Both Houghtaling and Kwiatkowski are members of the National Science Teachers Association.

In commenting on receiving the Optimist Award, she said, "Upon hearing the news, I was extremely overwhelmed and grateful to be considered among the deserving past recipients.  To be considered among a group of individuals whom I admire as educational leaders is truly humbling."