A legacy of care

By MICHELLE MANGIAMELE

The Sun

When the final bell rings at Delran Intermediate School on Thursday, Rita Micucci-Wood will enter her next phase: retirement.

After 25 years in the township school district, the paraprofessional closes that chapter with excitement as she prepares for the birth of her sixth grandchild. Although her biological family is close at hand, Micucci-Wood’s excitement is tinged with bittersweet feelings about stepping away from a position that has allowed her to shape the lives of countless students.

Moving to the district when her own kids were young, Micucci-Wood wanted to support the needs of other children, much like she had done volunteering with a children’s reading program. That led her to a career that has spanned a quarter of a century.

As a paraprofessional, Micucci-Wood has acted as a district teacher’s aide, supporting individualized academic guidance, reinforcing lessons and managing student behavior.

Stepping into her classroom, the feeling that emanates from Micucci-Wood is pride. For the last three years, she has actively supported the educational needs of one student at Delran Intermediate, a story that started before the 2022-’23 school year.

For the first 22 years of her career, Micucci-Wood worked at Millbridge Elementary, just a mile and a half down the road from Delran Intermediate.

“That was my home,” she acknowledged, but her passion to support called her elsewhere.

“One of my students needed a smooth transition and I, without a doubt, know that I made the right decision,” Micucci-Wood recalled, “and I put his needs before my wants. And I came (to Delran Intermediate) with him. And he’s just doing fantastic. He’s come so far, and he’s going to middle school.”

Being able to support the student from the age of 3 through the end of fifth grade was an example of Micucci-Wood’s dedication for all of her students over the years. As the student prepares for the next phase of his education, she decided it was time for her next phase, too.

So, what comes next? Micucci-Wood plans to spend more time with her grandchildren, children and husband, and to travel and attend more sporting events. While she will certainly be missed, her legacy will live on in the lives she’s touched.

Assistant Principal Brett McLaughlin had this to say about Micucci-Wood: “In her time at DIS, Rita always epitomized professionalism towards her colleagues and a high level of care for her students. The DIS family will miss her positive contributions to our school community.”