CLARK, NJ — Emilia DiFrancesco-Citsay, a kindergarten teacher at Frank K. Hehnly Elementary School, and Jackie Kozlowski, a third-grade teacher at Valley Road Elementary School, were recently recognized by the New Jersey Department of Education as Exemplary Educators of the Year through the 2022 New Jersey Exemplary Educator Program.
Superintendent Edward Grande said, “Mrs. DiFrancesco-Citsay and Mrs. Kozlowski are so very well deserving of this significant recognition. They continue to help make our elementary schools the special places that they are.”
According to the New Jersey Department of Education website, “Each year, the New Jersey Department of Education invites public school districts (including charter schools) to participate in the Exemplary Educator Recognition Program. The goal of this program is to identify outstanding educators for special recognition, alternating between elementary, pre-K to 5, and secondary, 6-12, every year. A state certificate of recognition is given out to each candidate that is selected as an Exemplary Educator.”
The most recent round focused on elementary teachers.
The program seeks to identify exemplary educators who are “valued by their school community and have exhibited strong knowledge and skills, an inspiring presence, and a clear vision for quality teaching and learning.” They have demonstrated “exceptional teaching and leadership abilities” and have had a “positive impact on students, colleagues and the school community.”
Photos Courtesy of Christine Casale Broski