The Deptford board of education recognized the district’s teachers and education service professionals (ESP) for the current school year at its May 16 meeting, where each recipient was honored for service and dedication to students.
Each of the 16 district awardees – eight teachers and eight ESPs – were cited during a crowded session at Deptford Middle School’s cafeteria.
Teacher recipients are Rachel Kerr from Deptford High School, Randi Vizoco-Jackson from the middle school, Darrah McCreath from Central Early Childhood Center, Shannon Cabry from Good Intent Elementary School, Tricia Lutz from Lake Tract Elementary, Ashley Jentsch from Oak Valley Elementary, Ashley Brashear from Pine Acres Early Childhood Center and Michele Melchiorre from Shady Lane Elementary.
The eight ESPs are: Marie Riddell from the high school, Carolann Newman from Deptford Middle, Angela Blackiston from Central, Heidi Henry from Good Intent, Leah Kronberger from Lake Tract, Shana Wallace from Oak Valley, Linda Rambo from Pine Acres and Jigna Patel from Shady Lane.
“Tonight, is a special night,” said school Superintendent Kevin Kanauss. “We all come together to celebrate our best. Every single one of them are our best.”
The award recipients received flowers, a certificate and special signs with their names and traits that describe them. Those traits were also highlighted by the winners’ principals, who offered brief summaries on each of them.
Among the crowd at the board session were current and former district educators.
“I’m just filled with pride,” Kanauss noted of the winners. “Seeing everybody and congratulating all the professionals of the year, it’s so heartwarming, it’s so inspiring, and it’s so cool to see all the colleagues that came out to see their peers.
“I see former teachers of the year,” he added. “I see former ESPs of the year and the love and support of the Spartan family that we have here is truly amazing. And we can’t do it without each other, and I appreciate all of you. And I appreciate the families for coming out.”
