Dynamic, creative, committed

Educators from across the Haddonfield School District were recognized during the Feb. 13 board of education meeting with teacher of the year awards presented by Assistant School Superintendent Gino Priolo.

According to Priolo, a number of stringent requirements are taken into consideration when choosing award recipients, which Haddonfield has done for the past five years. Each awardee must have outstanding teacher evaluations; be committed and collaborative; and show interest in the district beyond the classroom walls by participating in committees, events and other activities.

Teams comprised of board members, teachers and parents were assembled at each of the district’s five schools to review nominations, score the candidates and select winners. 

Special educator Michelle Wojciechowski is the teacher of the year award recipient from Central Elementary. Nominators praised her for not only meeting students’ academic needs, but helping them feel a “strong sense of community and belonging.” Her numerous certifications and training help her support students with IEPs (Individual Education Plans).

“You really hit the ground running,” Priolo said to Wojciechowski. “We had some tough classes those first couple years, a couple tough meetings, and I was always so impressed with how poised you were, how committed you were, how prepared you were and how student-centered you always have been.” 

Veteran kindergarten teacher Kathleen Woods is the awardee from J.F. Tatem Elementary. Priolo reflected on her first interview in the hiring process, and how it was the first time a candidate took more notes than he did. It foreshadowed the level of care and commitment she shows students on a daily basis, he explained. 

One of Woods’ nominators wrote, “She is dynamic and creative. Her enthusiasm as she moves around the room and acts out concepts is delightful.”

The award winner from Elizabeth Haddon Elementary is Christina Kaubin, a fourth-grade teacher of 12 years with plenty of enthusiasm for her line of work. Despite having 26 students in her classroom, she meets each of them where they are, nominators noted. 

One of them said of Kaubin, “She has somehow fine tuned the balance of no-nonsense and absolute fun, setting an admirable example and making sure every student feels seen and heard.”

History teacher Travis Thomas is the recipient from Haddonfield Middle School, thanks to his ability to bring the subject to life. He’s been instrumental in organizing an annual Veterans Day assembly and collaborating with the Museum of the American Revolution to have Washington’s tent set up at the school. 

“Mr. Thomas makes his history class interesting and engaging for students,” read a nomination. “He organizes trivia games for review, group projects and artistic assignments, like political cartoons. Students are constantly talking about his class in positive ways, excited to go to his room to see what they’re doing that day.” 

Winner David Scorsolini is an English, film and art instructor at Haddonfield Memorial High School. He goes above and beyond when it comes to making his classroom an inclusive and informative place to learn, nominators said. For example, when discussing “Night,” by Elie Wiesel, Scorsolini met with a parent who is a relative of the author to discuss the impact of the Holocaust on the Jewish community. 

“He showed genuine interest to learn,” the parent said in the nomination. “And when I offered to have the JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Council) come to do a professional development day, he was genuinely excited at the opportunity.” 

Scorsolini is a teacher advisor for the Bulldawgs Against Drunk Driving Club and has been a high-school golf coach since 2008.

The board meeting also saw recognition of educational support professionals from each school. At Central, counselor Brielle Aviles was singled out for ensuring the school is a safe place for all students. She is a regular at events, like the ice cream social, where she interacts meaningfully with families in the community. 

“Your enthusiasm, your passion, just shone through,” Priolo recalled of his first interaction with Aviles.

Tatem’s Caroline Brown, a counselor of 10 years who supports students, educators and the community in maintaining social, emotional and behavioral health, was also cited. Brown regularly collaborates with educators, students and families to address SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) obstacles to student growth, and teaches students how to address and regulate their own SEL needs.

Brown assists with schoolwide initiatives like the Best Self program and the Week of Respect to set a positive school climate where all students feel welcomed and supported. She is a member of the Faculty Advisory Committee, School Improvement Panel, Climate Committee and Blue Ribbon Committee.

From Elizabeth Haddon, physical therapist Cari Heinzel was recognized for ensuring children’s needs are exceeded and allowing parents and other caregivers to feel as though they have a strong support system. She also helps students see that physical activity can be fun.

Hillary Ditullio, a reading specialist who creates a learning environment where students are held to high standards while having fun, was honored from Haddonfield Middle School, where she is celebrating her second year. With her great sense of humor and patience, Ditullio meets students where they are and helps them build confidence in themselves as readers and writers. 

“The task of teaching reading to older students gets more complicated the older they get,” Priolo noted of Ditullio, “and throughout everything that you do in the short time you’ve been here, you have shown great persistence and commitment to making sure that students can access their education through the specialized reading skills that you have.”

At the high school, Deborah Borum, an educational assistant of 25 years, was cited. Throughout her time with the district, she has shown a willingness to learn, grow and adapt to meet the needs of learners spanning all grade levels, nominators noted. 

Last but certainly not least, Stacey Brown-Downham – Tatem teacher of the year for 2023-’24 – was named the 2024-’25 Camden County educator of the year. After 17 years of teaching English, special education and reading, she is now an elementary literacy interventionist, serving as an integral part of helping students go from being frustrated readers to individuals who carry books around and read for fun.

Brown-Downham is the high school’s Preserving Black Haddonfield History Club advisor, and the social media manager and events coordinator for the Haddonfield Education Association. She is also a lifelong learner, transitioning from a high-school in-class support teacher to a reading specialist, providing intervention to students at the youngest levels.