The Ocean City Board of Education recognized retirees, teachers of the year and support staff members of the year in a presentation before Wednesday’s public meeting.
The following district employees were honored, each with individual tributes read by Superintendent Kathleen Taylor and by school principals.
OCEAN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT RETIREES
Superintendent Kathleen Taylor, School Board President Joe Clark, Kathryn Johnson, Judy Dickens, Debbie Volturo, Intermediate School Principal Geoffrey Haines, Ellen Wright, Primary School Principal Cathleen Smith, High School Principal Matt Jamison and Director of Special Services Matthew Carey.- Dr. Ellen Wright: A learning disabilities teacher consultant with extensive experience in the district, as an instructor at Stockton University and as a private consultant.
- Judy Dickens: An Ocean City Intermediate School art teacher who has worked in the district since 1990 and inspired students through projects such as surfboard mosaic art.
- Debbie Volturo: A fourth-grade teacher at Ocean City Intermediate School who has helped students achieve in math and science, and who introduced students to practical applications such as a statewide stock market game.
- Kathy Johnson: A fourth-grade math and science teacher with 25 years experience in the district whose mother taught in the district. Johnson and her children attended school in the district.
Not present:
- Erik Ortolf: 25 years of service in the district
- Laura Thomas: 12 years of service in the district
- Jack Myers: 23 years of service in the district
TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
- Mary Beth Libro: A “caring and supportive” third-grade teacher at Ocean City Primary School.
- Nick Verducci: An eighth-grade social studies teacher and Fishing Club founder at Ocean City Intermediate School.
- Michelle Dill: An Algebra II and Calculus B/C teacher at Ocean City High School.
SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR
- Mardee Brown: Secretary of Guidance Department at Ocean City Intermediate School
- Janice Rogers: Custodian at Ocean City High School
- Not present — Sue Richards: Ocean City Primary School
ALSO HONORED
- Cholehna Weaver: An Ocean City Intermediate School social studies teacher who was awarded a scholarship for a Fulbright-Hays Seminar Abroad in China.
- Rosemary Millar: The nurse at Ocean City High School received statewide recognition for creating laminated AED instructions and locations to be worn by all staff members. The push to educate students in CPR is part of an effort to expand the focus of “Janet’s Law,” a bill that was recently enacted in memory of Janet Zelinski, an 11-year old New Jersey girl who died of sudden cardiac arrest following a cheerleading squad practice.
