Educational service professionals of the year are shown with township certificates at council’s March 3 meeting.
Deptford council recognized and honored the citizen of the month, business of the month, teachers of the year and educational service professionals (ESPs) of the year at its March 3 meeting.
Citizen of the month is Sharon Galda, a den leader of the township’s Cub Scout Pack 7062 who oversees many of the troop’s activities and showed up at the council session wearing her Scout uniform. Galda is also youth group leader at Almonesson United Methodist Church.
“Cub Scouts are boys and girls now from kindergarten through mid-fifth grade,” she said. “We had seven fifth graders move on to troops, some in Deptford and some in Woodbury. We’ve got 40 youth in our pack right now. Kids can sign up all year long.”
The business of the month award went to Crave Cookies in the Deptford Landing shopping center. The retailer opened in 2023 and specializes in specialty cookies and flavored soda. It has become a local favorite.
Teachers of the year are high-school math instructor Daniel Fishman, middle-school teacher Jenna Roch, paraprofessional Jennifer Fydrych, elementary-school teacher Kristin Dingler, special-education teacher Kristen Palka and elementary-school teachers Lauren Harder and Kami Kruc.
ESPs of the year are Dana Phillips, Krystal Devecchio, Danielle Turner, Janice Brown, Taylor Dunbar, Jessica Pizarro and Terry Haber. Winners in the teachers and ESP categories are chosen based on feedback from their peers and school administrators.
“On behalf of the township council,” noted Mayor Paul Medany, “thank you for everything you do for our community, our township and our students. It’s so important what you folks do; you do a fantastic job. The school district is doing great and there is no more important thing than the community relationship between the school and the township.
“Especially with our students, our young folks” he added. “You guys are out there every day and that’s what tonight is about a little bit, just exposing the community to all of the good things that you do.”
Each award winner also got a certificate and their achievements were recorded in township records.
