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EPS Admin Receives NJPSA Visionary Leadership Award
Language Arts Supervisor Maria Fabiano honored as Visionary Supervisor/Director of the Year

Elizabeth, N.J., May 15, 2020 – Elizabeth Public Schools Language Arts Supervisor Maria Fabiano was bestowed the 2020 New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association’s Visionary Leadership Award as its Visionary Supervisor/Director of the Year.

The NJPSA Visionary Leadership Award recognizes exceptional leaders that focus on curricula and the improvement of student learning, foster a positive school and district climate and culture, empower and promote potential in others, and extend leadership through affiliations with professional organizations. Every year, the NJPSA presents a Visionary Leadership Award to the Principal of the Year, Vice/Assistant Principal of

the Year, and Supervisor/Director of the Year among all qualifying elementary, middle, or secondary level nominees from throughout the state.

Fabiano has admirably guided the Elizabeth Public Schools language arts department for grades six through twelve during the past 13 years. In that time, she has served two equally vital roles as a steward of the language arts program and as an intermediary to the district’s award-winning bilingual program and its teachers.

“Maria Fabiano has empowered staff to meet our district’s standard of excellence through her calm, personable demeanor, which has resulted in high quality, rigorous language arts instruction for our students,” said Elizabeth Public Schools Superintendent Olga Hugelmeyer. “In turn, our teachers are empowering our students with college preparedness, career readiness, and the tools necessary to pursue and achieve their most audacious dreams.”

Her leadership and influence has also extended beyond the classroom, highlighted by the many successes of Elizabeth’s Speech and Debate team. Students from Elizabeth’s seven high schools have performed admirably in state and regional competitions in recent years, including multiple students who have qualified for the National Speech and Debate Association’s National Speech and Debate Tournament.

“Elizabeth Public Schools is fortune enough to employ some of the best teachers and administrators that can be found throughout the field of education,” said Elizabeth Board of Education President Diane Barbosa. “Maria Fabiano is one of those administrators. Her outstanding service to our community has ensured that countless students who have come through our schools have received a high-quality language arts education. We proudly congratulate Ms. Fabiano and fully endorse her selection by the NJSPA for this esteemed award.”