Three individuals honored at the May board of education meeting.
As the school year comes to a close, the Clearview Regional Board of Education recognized multiple teachers and educational professionals in the district. Three individuals were honored at the May board meeting.
First was Lisa Tiedeken, RN. Tiedeken was recognized as the middle school’s educational professional of the year. The end of this school year will mark 10 years of service in the district. Before being hired by Clearview in 2008, she was an elementary school nurse in Gloucester Township.
District superintendent, John Horchak said, “What does a school nurse do?” Then he added, “It’s now becoming what doesn’t she do?”
He proceeded to attribute multiple labels to Tiedeken and others in her profession: investigator, communicator, counselor, educator, student advocate, community liaison and records manager.
As the middle school nurse, Tiedeken oversees the well-being of approximately 830 students and 100 staff members for 180 days of the year.
Pete DeFeo, the middle school principal, said, “[Tiedeken is] compassionate and students trust her. I’ve been in four different schools in my career, and Mrs. Tiedeken is the best I’ve seen.”
According to Horchak, Tiedeken is visited by students and staff an average 8,000 times per year.
In a separate interview, Tiedeken said, “The most rewarding aspect of my job is when a student with a chronic medical condition, such as diabetes, becomes independent enough to manage his or her condition with minimal assistance. It is a wonderful feeling to know you’ve played a role in educating them, and that your influence will remain with them through adulthood.”
The middle school teacher of the year award was given to Michael Nicholson. Hired in 2004, Nicholson is the eighth-grade social studies teacher.
A statement from middle school teachers about Nicholson was provided to Horchak to read at the meeting. It said, “Mr. Nicholson is a teacher who has passion, pride and overall charisma that truly captivates all students.”
Horchak added, “When you see Mr. Nicholson in the classroom you will know that is probably and understatement. … He is just a good person.”
Nicholson is married to fellow Clearview Regional Middle School social studies teacher Michelle Nicholson. DeFeo, referencing a recent quote, stated, “Students gravitate towards teachers they don’t gravitate towards subjects,” adding that Nicholson is a teacher who is a “big believer in teaching kids life lessons outside of the classroom.”
After the meeting, Nicholson said, “The highlight for me is every time I get an email or letter from a former student thanking me for helping them. I have put together a file folder of all of them I have ever received and read them often to remind me of why I do what I do.”
As for high school honorees, Brian Tweed was named teacher of the year. Similar to Nicholson, Tweed was hired in 2004 and teaches honors U.S. history and AP history.
Horchak said, “[Tweed] holds students personally accountable for their success … conducts himself in a high level of character and expects the same from his students.”
High school principal Keith Brook said Tweed is the “consummate professional,” adding that Tweed teaches students why history is relevant today.
A history lover since a young age, Tweed said, “I believe history is a valuable subject because it teaches us about the human condition; I also believe that understanding the past helps us to understand the present.”
High school counselor Lisa Marandola will be recognized as the high school educational professional of the year at the June Board of Education meeting.
