Jacob Lessman
Junior High School

The highly effective teacher of children with special needs requires a special dose of the qualities of a strong teacher. It is those particular set of qualities that make Jake Lessman stand out and worthy of the Teacher of the Year Award for 2012.

Overall, it is the special work that Jake does to allow each student to excel and learn in a comfortable setting that makes Mr. Lessman’s work special, unique, and worthy of recognition.

In this new Junior High program, in a few short years, Mr. Lessman has promoted an environment of acceptance and inclusion for his students – socially and academically; his patience and flexibility in regard to each child’s overall performance is extraordinary.

Mr. Lessman has a firm yet caring approach that works, even when he is not in the presence of his students. He has a vested interest in helping his students steadily progress and realize their academic and social potential and an ability to offer positive reinforcement as a way of inspiring his students to achieve their goals in school and daily life.

Special education is a challenging field that involves many responsibilities, and teachers who are capable of offering the support and guidance needed for students with disabilities are of great value. Those who possess the characteristics of a good special education teacher and persist in meeting their goals will contribute to the success and productivity of many children and young adults. Our students and the entire Woodbury Junior – Senior High School are blessed to have Jake Lessman guide our students. Congratulations on a job – well done Mr. Lessman!

Natalie Barretta
Senior High School

There was something special about Natalie Barretta from the first day she joined us as a Rowan University student teacher. Her connections with students, her love of math, and enthusiasm for teaching combine to make a great teacher.

Ms. Barretta was bigger than life as a student teaching other students and continues to be an enthusiastic, passionate champion of students in and out of her classroom.

She does a lot of the things that great teachers do: teaching bell to bell; working with students on either side of the school day and in-between classes; making her students work harder than she does; and removing math insecurities with confidence and courage – all with a contagious smile, energy, and incomparable compassion for every student who crosses her path.

It is no surprise that she received the 2012 Teacher of the Year award. She is awesome at everything she does in and out of the classroom; with and for students. Congratulation, Ms. Barretta. You make us very proud.

Ellen Firth
Junior High School

Every educator joins a school community bringing “something to the plate”. Ellen Firth brought three items: the 3 R’s: Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships – relationships with every member of Woodbury -- faculty, staff, and especially students.

Every instructional initiative and program can be experienced thoroughly in Ellen’s classroom.

• Differentiated Instruction: a term that simply validated the unique instruction every child receives in her class.
• AVID’s WICR: Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, and/or Reading – are daily staples in every fifty one minute class.

Most would call Ellen’s work a testament to the use of best practices; it is clearly an indication of the value – added teacher. Ellen’s work, however, goes far beyond the typical educational research and resources to be able to realize student success in her classroom; her work is permeated with genuine passion, connections, and pure giftedness – all of which combined, manifest in significant growth and real learning for every student she knows. Ellen Firth’s classroom is a safe place; an honored place -- a place where every student knows they are valued and appreciated. It is a place where real magic happens – every day, for every student.

Cheryl Federline
Senior High School

There is something very special about the person who joins the educational arena after experiencing success in other career paths. There is something even more exceptional about that person who achieves recognition for their work as a teacher – ultimately named, Teacher of the Year.

The work that Cheryl Federline does – in and outside of the classroom -- is a model for all that teachers are admired and respected. Everything from her dynamic personality; love of the language; proficiency; and ability to build strong and meaningful relationships – align perfectly and produces a stellar, compassionate, master teacher; worthy of this honor and recognition.

Woodbury is fortunate to have Senora Federline as a teacher and colleague.