March 21, 2024
Dear Harrington Park Families and Staff,
A tradition of the Harrington Park School District has been to participate in the Bergen County Teacher/Educational Services Professionals Recognition Program. The purpose of this nomination is to acknowledge outstanding achievement based on the following criteria:
Criteria for Selection of Exceptional Teachers
Set high expectations for all students;
Hold an appropriate instructional certificate;
Establish a positive classroom climate and rapport with all students;
Develop feelings of self-worth and a love of learning in all students;
Increase student achievement of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in a student-centered learning environment;
Use a variety of instructional strategies that enable student success;
Use educational technology effectively in support of learning; and
Contribute to quality professional development in their district.
Criteria for Selection of Exceptional Educational Services Professionals
Interact positively with students, staff and parents while functioning as a frontline
advocate for the student between home and school;
Hold an appropriate educational services professional certificate;
Foster an appropriate environment for learning and explore creative alternatives to enable all students to achieve to their fullest potential;
Interact with students in ways that demonstrate professionalism while retaining respect, humor, compassion and concern for the whole child;
Support student achievement of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards while addressing the educational, social and emotional needs of all students; and
Contribute to quality professional development in their district.
The Harrington Park School Selection Committee will select one of the nominated staff members for this honor. Please note that administrators are not eligible.
The teacher or educational services professional that is selected will receive a certificate of commendation and will be honored with other recipients throughout the county at a recognition luncheon sponsored by the Bergen County Association of School Administrators and the Bergen County Education Association. Current faculty members who are past recipients of the award include Melissa McHale, Colette Wise, Melanie Maduri, Caroline Silver, Eileen Kastanis, Clare McGarrity, Nancy O’Toole, and Jamie Pidane.
The committee is requesting letters of nomination based on the criteria listed above. All letters of nomination must include a minimum of three reasons for consideration. The criteria listed above are guidelines; please do not feel limited by these suggestions.
Your sealed letters of nomination must be returned to the Committee, care of the Office of the Superintendent, or emailed to Ms. McClean at mcclean@hpsd.org on or before April 5th.
We are fortunate to have professionals of exceptional ability teaching and serving the students and staff in the Harrington Park School. Your assistance in writing about what makes these professionals exceptional is both essential to this process and an opportunity to recognize the people who help make Harrington Park School such a special place. The committee will keep all nominations in the strictest confidence, but if you wish to personally share your recommendation with a staff member you nominate, it could make their day!
Thank you in advance for your nominations and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Sean Conlon
Superintendent
