• Madison – Monroe School No. 16

Teacher of the Year

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Ms. Stephanie Lanzano

Resource Teacher

Teaching was always the path I desired to follow when I started picturing my future. I always wanted to pursue a profession that allowed me to make a difference in the lives of various individuals. I wanted to make learning creative, relatable, and attainable for all students. No matter what classroom I have walked into, it is my goal to make a unique positive rapport with each and every student. It is crucial to me to encourage a positive, comfortable, and welcoming environment where students can feel safe to learn to the best of their ability. Patience and understanding are two qualities that I take pride in practicing, and I want my students to know that they are special to me and that I will take the extra mile to help them in any way possible.

Education is a career goal that first started when I was in high school and I found out that my cousin was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. From that moment, I knew that I wanted to choose a career that allowed me to implement my patience in a way that could help children be successful in their own abilities. At first, my goal was to simply be a teacher, however, as my education on the topic grew, I have continued to expand my goal(s) as the years went on. Since graduating with my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education K-6 in 2018, there was a piece missing, therefore, I decided to go back to school the following year to complete my Master of Arts in Special Education: Learning and Behavioral Disabilities in 2020. While completing my masters, I discovered the post-master's certification for Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant (LDT/C) which is my current goal that I will hopefully be completing this May.

I support the beliefs of progressive education, which is discussed by John Dewey. Dewey believed that it is crucial for students to play an important role in their own learning. It is important to encourage students to think for themselves rather than to continuously pour information into their heads. Dewey also believed that students should be hands-on in their learning, whenever possible so that they can explore their natural curiosities. I intend to follow this belief and to create lesson plans that can allow students to be involved in their learning. I want to be a facilitator for my students' learning so we can continue to learn and grow together.

Educational Service Professional of the Year

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Mr. Shalonda Lorrine Williams

Child Development Associate

The factors that influenced me to choose my profession were shaped by a combination of personal experiences, a deep passion for education and a strong desire to make a meaningful impact on young individuals. I have always found joy in working with children, helping them discover their strengths, and empowering them to shine in their own unique ways. My mother has been my greatest supporter, instilling in me the importance of education and encouraging me to follow my passion. Over the past 25 years with the Elizabeth Board of Education, I have dedicated my career to working with children with disabilities, advocating for a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where they can strive. As part of my lifelong commitment to education, I am proud to be nearing the completion of my Bachelor's Degree.

My responsibilities include supporting both the teacher and the students by fostering effective communication, guiding students through their learning journey, and attending to their individual needs with care and dedication. My goal is to create a nurturing and structured environment that empowers each student to reach their full potential.