Local News: Reasons to Celebrate
Please share your exciting news with us!
Sharon Gardner recently read her book, Max's Tree, to children at the Gloucester County Library in Mullica Hill. After reading the book aloud, she did a craft activity with the children! So fun!
Our very own, Irene Maskaly, is the new DKG State President and we couldn't be prouder!
The reception for Irene, organized by Margie, was a blast! So many people stopped by to congratulate our new President!
Annual IOTA Holiday Party
DKG International Conference in New Orleans
Camy, Irene, and Dianne all had a blast in NOLA!
Camy, Irene, and Dianne all had a blast in NOLA!
DKGNJ Convention 2022
Many of our IOTA members enjoyed the convention this year! Congrats to Camy Kobylinski for presenting an ACES workshop. And congrats again to Camy and Shannon Pizzuta for receiving the Rose Award for 2021 AND 2022!
Many of our IOTA members enjoyed the convention this year! Congrats to Camy Kobylinski for presenting an ACES workshop. And congrats again to Camy and Shannon Pizzuta for receiving the Rose Award for 2021 AND 2022!
PBJ Night #2
Thank you Jeanne and Shannon for representing IOTA at another DEA PB&J Making night! This time they made 350 sandwiches for the Cathedral Soup Kitchen!
Thank you Jeanne and Shannon for representing IOTA at another DEA PB&J Making night! This time they made 350 sandwiches for the Cathedral Soup Kitchen!
Nina Scully and the Community Care Food & Clothing Pantry
Check out this segment from Ch 6 about the Community Care Food & Clothing Pantry, one of Iota's service projects this year. Iota member and volunteer at the pantry, Nina Scully, can be spotted a few times in the clip!
https://6abc.com/food-pantry-community-events-mario-partee-winslow-township/11675313/
Check out this segment from Ch 6 about the Community Care Food & Clothing Pantry, one of Iota's service projects this year. Iota member and volunteer at the pantry, Nina Scully, can be spotted a few times in the clip!
https://6abc.com/food-pantry-community-events-mario-partee-winslow-township/11675313/
Congrats Shannon Pizzuta
Shannon organized a Pink Day and Cancer Awareness Week in her school district across 8 schools. Together they raised over $20,000 for various cancer organizations!
Shannon organized a Pink Day and Cancer Awareness Week in her school district across 8 schools. Together they raised over $20,000 for various cancer organizations!
IOTA Holiday Party
Congrats to Kimberly Dickstein-Hughes!
Kimberly, the 19-20 New Jersey Teacher of the Year, finally got her chance to visit the White House with others state Teachers of the Year! Very impressive! She also was able to attend the annual NASA Space Camp with her fellow teachers of the year!
Kimberly, the 19-20 New Jersey Teacher of the Year, finally got her chance to visit the White House with others state Teachers of the Year! Very impressive! She also was able to attend the annual NASA Space Camp with her fellow teachers of the year!
Peanut Butter Jelly Time
IOTA joined the Deptford Education Association and the Oak Valley Ambassadors in making 335 PB&J sandwiches for the Cathedral Soup Kitchen in Camden!
IOTA joined the Deptford Education Association and the Oak Valley Ambassadors in making 335 PB&J sandwiches for the Cathedral Soup Kitchen in Camden!
Congratulations to Dianne Papadinec!!!
She participated in yesterday’s Travis Mannion Foundation 9/11 Heroes 5K at the Cooper River Park in Pennsauken. She achieved third place in her age group! Thank you for participating in such a worthwhile cause and congrats on 3rd place! Impressive!
She participated in yesterday’s Travis Mannion Foundation 9/11 Heroes 5K at the Cooper River Park in Pennsauken. She achieved third place in her age group! Thank you for participating in such a worthwhile cause and congrats on 3rd place! Impressive!
Congratulations Nancy Riti!
Nancy has been a member of IOTA for 40 years! We were happy to surprise her at our last zoom meeting with a 40-year pin, flowers, and a donation to the charity of her choice!
Nancy has been a member of IOTA for 40 years! We were happy to surprise her at our last zoom meeting with a 40-year pin, flowers, and a donation to the charity of her choice!
Iota Field Trip
7 of our IOTA ladies had a lovely day at the Philadelphia Art Museum! A few of our current educators on summer break were able to join the retired crew on their adventures!
7 of our IOTA ladies had a lovely day at the Philadelphia Art Museum! A few of our current educators on summer break were able to join the retired crew on their adventures!
Iota member, Nina Scully, Community Care Food & Clothing Pantry volunteer.
The Community Care Food & Clothing Pantry (The Community Care Food and Clothing Pantry is a emergency food pantry serving the Winslow Township, NJ and surrounding area) in partnership with Winslow Cross Creek Seniors Apartments, had its Pop-up Pantry Series 2021 "Meet & Greet" Reception. Food, Music, Prizes, Fresh Produce, and Karaoke were just some of the highlights. Guest were able to enjoy a prepared food menu including Skirt Steak, Grilled Chicken & Peppers, Pasta Salad, Baked Chicken, BBQ Kielbasa, Pastries, and more.
The Community Care Food & Clothing Pantry (The Community Care Food and Clothing Pantry is a emergency food pantry serving the Winslow Township, NJ and surrounding area) in partnership with Winslow Cross Creek Seniors Apartments, had its Pop-up Pantry Series 2021 "Meet & Greet" Reception. Food, Music, Prizes, Fresh Produce, and Karaoke were just some of the highlights. Guest were able to enjoy a prepared food menu including Skirt Steak, Grilled Chicken & Peppers, Pasta Salad, Baked Chicken, BBQ Kielbasa, Pastries, and more.
Little Free Libraries
Thanks to the efforts of Shannon Pizzuta at Oak Valley Elementary School, along with support from the Deptford Education Association & New Jersey Education Association, each Deptford Schools now has a free, outdoor “Little Library” for community use! They’ve been stocked with books to get them started—additional book contributions are most welcome. Residents will enjoy these for years to come! Click HERE to read the article in the Deptford Newspaper! |
🌹CONGRATULATIONS KIMBERLY🌹
Iota member, Kimberly Dickstein Hughes, is on the cover of the Spring 2021 edition of Real Woman. There is a great article about her that starts on page 37. Check it out!
* Virtual Tour of The Tea and Spice Exchange of Haddonfield *
We had a great time "visiting" the Tea and Spice Exchange on December 7th. Alison Braun, shop proprietor and former DKG member, gave a thorough tour and lesson on spices and teas from around the world! Victorian Chai Tea, as well as The Beauty Rest Herbal Tea, sound amazing to me! I look forward to visiting her shop in person! The store is still open to the public, but they also offer curb side pick up, as well as shipping.
HTTPS://WWW.SPICEANDTEA.COM/HADDONFIELD
We had a great time "visiting" the Tea and Spice Exchange on December 7th. Alison Braun, shop proprietor and former DKG member, gave a thorough tour and lesson on spices and teas from around the world! Victorian Chai Tea, as well as The Beauty Rest Herbal Tea, sound amazing to me! I look forward to visiting her shop in person! The store is still open to the public, but they also offer curb side pick up, as well as shipping.
HTTPS://WWW.SPICEANDTEA.COM/HADDONFIELD
*CONGRATULATIONS to Faith Brody Hvisdas!*
Faith is a member of the ALA, and it's subdivision, YALSA, which is the Young Adult Library Services Association. She applied to be a part of their new task force, which is focusing on social media since most of their events will need to be virtual for a while. She was selected for an appointment on this task force and will be working on this from now until July.
*Congratulations Kimberly Dickstein-Hughes!*
California Casualty is proud to join the NEA Foundation in congratulating the recipients of one of public education’s most prestigious awards: the 2020 California Casualty Awards for Teaching Excellence. See the entire list at www.NEAFoundation.org. The California Casualty awardees, selected by their NEA state affiliates, represent the best of their profession.
California Casualty is proud to join the NEA Foundation in congratulating the recipients of one of public education’s most prestigious awards: the 2020 California Casualty Awards for Teaching Excellence. See the entire list at www.NEAFoundation.org. The California Casualty awardees, selected by their NEA state affiliates, represent the best of their profession.
*Congratulation Colleen Verton!*
She was featured in an article in the Catholic Star Herald.
A Self-Described ‘Mover’ Finds Middle School Energizing
By Mary Beth Peabody from the Catholic Star Herald
October 29, 2020
“People always ask me why I became a teacher,” said Colleen Verton, a middle school teacher at Guardian Angels Regional School (GARS), Gibbstown/Paulsboro. “My day is never boring. Every time you go to work something is new, something is different. It keeps me on my toes, keeps me smarter, keeps me stronger.”
A self-described “mover” in the classroom, Verton is still on her toes, forcing herself to keep a required distance from her sixth, seventh and eighth grade language arts and reading students. With a significant shift in the use of technology, she is still getting smarter, finding something new and different every day. And she is far from bored.
Verton appreciates the accelerated use of technology that came with remote learning during the last two months of the prior school year. “Sometimes we put things on the back burner because we think we don’t have time to figure them out. And then when you are forced to figure them out you hit the ground running and you go, you do it,” she said.
Experience with Google Classroom helped Verton, and her students, feel better prepared for the new school year. With remote learners in all her classes, she works hard to keep students connected. “Everyone participates in discussion whether they are at home or online. They are getting to hear everybody’s voices, which I think is really important,” she said.
With Google Classroom Verton can set up online opportunities for small group work, which she believes is particularly important for students who don’t like to speak out in front of the whole group. “It helps the reluctant learner to feel more included and more confident. And kids like to work together,” she said.
As much as she has embraced technology, Verton doesn’t want her students to abandon old school methods. “If we’re taking notes for language arts, I’ll say ‘write it in your notebook. Let’s not forget that important skill of taking pen to paper.’”
To minimize movement and keep students in cohorts, middle school teachers at GARS use a cart to move among the classrooms — a big change from students moving to the teachers. Verton admits they had some reservations up front.
“Not knowing, initially, was the hard part, but we were included in what the plans were going to be and how the day was going to look. We were able to work together, and once that process started, a lot of the anxiety went away. From the first day of school I felt completely safe, she said.”
Verton describes the kids at GARS as amazing. “They knew when they walked in here what they had to do, and they did it. They want to be here, and they understand what it means to be in person. Even the kids at home. Every morning they’re coming onto the computer and they’re integrating themselves into the room.”
Verton’s biggest hope for the school year is “that everyone is back. The restrictions are lifted and we’re back to full throttle. Especially for the eighth graders.”
She was featured in an article in the Catholic Star Herald.
A Self-Described ‘Mover’ Finds Middle School Energizing
By Mary Beth Peabody from the Catholic Star Herald
October 29, 2020
“People always ask me why I became a teacher,” said Colleen Verton, a middle school teacher at Guardian Angels Regional School (GARS), Gibbstown/Paulsboro. “My day is never boring. Every time you go to work something is new, something is different. It keeps me on my toes, keeps me smarter, keeps me stronger.”
A self-described “mover” in the classroom, Verton is still on her toes, forcing herself to keep a required distance from her sixth, seventh and eighth grade language arts and reading students. With a significant shift in the use of technology, she is still getting smarter, finding something new and different every day. And she is far from bored.
Verton appreciates the accelerated use of technology that came with remote learning during the last two months of the prior school year. “Sometimes we put things on the back burner because we think we don’t have time to figure them out. And then when you are forced to figure them out you hit the ground running and you go, you do it,” she said.
Experience with Google Classroom helped Verton, and her students, feel better prepared for the new school year. With remote learners in all her classes, she works hard to keep students connected. “Everyone participates in discussion whether they are at home or online. They are getting to hear everybody’s voices, which I think is really important,” she said.
With Google Classroom Verton can set up online opportunities for small group work, which she believes is particularly important for students who don’t like to speak out in front of the whole group. “It helps the reluctant learner to feel more included and more confident. And kids like to work together,” she said.
As much as she has embraced technology, Verton doesn’t want her students to abandon old school methods. “If we’re taking notes for language arts, I’ll say ‘write it in your notebook. Let’s not forget that important skill of taking pen to paper.’”
To minimize movement and keep students in cohorts, middle school teachers at GARS use a cart to move among the classrooms — a big change from students moving to the teachers. Verton admits they had some reservations up front.
“Not knowing, initially, was the hard part, but we were included in what the plans were going to be and how the day was going to look. We were able to work together, and once that process started, a lot of the anxiety went away. From the first day of school I felt completely safe, she said.”
Verton describes the kids at GARS as amazing. “They knew when they walked in here what they had to do, and they did it. They want to be here, and they understand what it means to be in person. Even the kids at home. Every morning they’re coming onto the computer and they’re integrating themselves into the room.”
Verton’s biggest hope for the school year is “that everyone is back. The restrictions are lifted and we’re back to full throttle. Especially for the eighth graders.”
*Congratulations Kimberly Dickstein-Hughes!*
Kimberly was named as one of this years "Victorious Champions" for her dedication to the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation.
Watch the comedic video of the Virtual 18th Annual Bash and awards presentation here!
Kimberly was named as one of this years "Victorious Champions" for her dedication to the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation.
Watch the comedic video of the Virtual 18th Annual Bash and awards presentation here!
*Congratulations Jamie!*
Jaime Auletto Grookett is excited to announce she'll be starting her MFA in Creative Writing (fiction) this fall at Drexel University. She will also have a TA and will be teaching writing at Drexel. Here’s to something good happening in 2020!
Adding to Jaime's news, she has just been published on GrandLittleThings.com. Her poem, Unsung, is below.
Unsung
Her words trickle from her tongue like fire
Blaze through the darkness, igniting night
Still air rattles from the heat, bubbles up
spills over the edges of convention
Her honest words have the power to spark
And, with the mere soft fanning of a sigh,
take down ancient forests of rudiments
Destroying the homes of antiquity Burning, burning, burning, below a bright sky as blinding as the fire she bore Let the brazen trees burn in effigy Crooners, male, of course, no nest to protect
Their haughty songs bellowing through treetops
The sound of freedom as they flee the flames
The fairywren who lays the eggs evolved
Songless, silent, hushed, unwilling to risk
As much as any alluring voice asks
I, too, seek humiliating refuge in silence,
Protecting my own vulnerable nest, Sacrificing my voice, my truth, my song,
My words singe the corners of convention
Threaten a lush forest of protection
When I sought a listener for my song
*Congratulations Jamie!*
Jaime Auletto Grookett is excited to announce she'll be starting her MFA in Creative Writing (fiction) this fall at Drexel University. She will also have a TA and will be teaching writing at Drexel. Here’s to something good happening in 2020!
Adding to Jaime's news, she has just been published on GrandLittleThings.com. Her poem, Unsung, is below.
Unsung
Her words trickle from her tongue like fire
Blaze through the darkness, igniting night
Still air rattles from the heat, bubbles up
spills over the edges of convention
Her honest words have the power to spark
And, with the mere soft fanning of a sigh,
take down ancient forests of rudiments
Destroying the homes of antiquity Burning, burning, burning, below a bright sky as blinding as the fire she bore Let the brazen trees burn in effigy Crooners, male, of course, no nest to protect
Their haughty songs bellowing through treetops
The sound of freedom as they flee the flames
The fairywren who lays the eggs evolved
Songless, silent, hushed, unwilling to risk
As much as any alluring voice asks
I, too, seek humiliating refuge in silence,
Protecting my own vulnerable nest, Sacrificing my voice, my truth, my song,
My words singe the corners of convention
Threaten a lush forest of protection
When I sought a listener for my song
* Congratulations Irene! *
IOTA's very own, Irene Maskaly was just invited to serve as a member of the 2020-2024 Arts and Humanities Jury for DKG International! The Arts & Humanities Jury is entrusted with the coordination and fulfillment of The DKG Gallery of Fine Arts, an online publication and display of DKG members’ creative works. The online Gallery includes Literary Efforts; Two and Three Dimensional Art; Performance Art; Photography; and Crafts. The Jury invites expressions of creativity that are commensurate with the Society’s Purposes. Due to the diversity of Society membership, content of a religious, political or patriotic nature may be inadmissible. Selection will be based on originality, authenticity, coherence, accessibility, clarity and aspects relevant to specific sub-categories as specified in the judging criteria.
IOTA's very own, Irene Maskaly was just invited to serve as a member of the 2020-2024 Arts and Humanities Jury for DKG International! The Arts & Humanities Jury is entrusted with the coordination and fulfillment of The DKG Gallery of Fine Arts, an online publication and display of DKG members’ creative works. The online Gallery includes Literary Efforts; Two and Three Dimensional Art; Performance Art; Photography; and Crafts. The Jury invites expressions of creativity that are commensurate with the Society’s Purposes. Due to the diversity of Society membership, content of a religious, political or patriotic nature may be inadmissible. Selection will be based on originality, authenticity, coherence, accessibility, clarity and aspects relevant to specific sub-categories as specified in the judging criteria.
Welcome to Our New 2020 Inductees!
Toni Benecchi
Katelynn Brotz
Jessica Graham
Jennifer Grimaldi
Jamie Grookett
Colleen Verton
* Congrats Kimberly Dickstein Hughes! *
(TRENTON) – Haddonfield Memorial High School teacher Kimberly Dickstein Hughes was chosen by the New Jersey Board of Education as the 2019/2020 Teacher of the Year. Upon being honored in the State House on Monday, Assembly Democrats Louis Greenwald and Pamela Lampitt (both D-Camden, Burlington) released the following joint statement:
“Kimberly Dickstein Hughes deserves every bit of recognition she has received for her ongoing efforts to educate and inspire her students. This Voorhees native stayed close to her roots by teaching students within her own county, and is now the first Camden County educator to receive this award.
“She has changed the lives of countless teenagers through her work at Haddonfield Memorial High School over the past 11 years by encouraging her students to get involved in their community.
“By making community service and global citizenship key components in her classes, Kimberly has inspired the young people of our district to see themselves as a part of something bigger and work towards helping others.
“Kimberly herself has participated in various organizations and events related to youth, education and the community. For her efforts, she has received several awards throughout the years, including the Camden County Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Medal.
“We want to commend her for the impact she has had on our community and congratulate her on being named Teacher of the Year. Haddonfield is lucky to have her.”
*Meet Catherine Schofield *
Deptford High School's Teacher of the Year!
BY ANDREW TURCO. (ARTICLE FROM THE DEPTFORD SUN)
Catherine Schofield, a physics and chemistry teacher at Deptford Township High School, has been named Teacher of the Year for 2019-2020.
As a teacher of introductory to advanced sciences, Schofield instructs ninth and 10th graders in college prep physical science. But the two-time recipient of the award also finds creative ways to get students involved with their community.
Students who take her class start out with the base skills of data points collection and what to do during an experiment. From there, they move on to basic chemistry, followed by nuclear chemistry, basic physics such as velocity and acceleration and a taste of earth science.
During Schofield’s advanced environmental science class last year, students were instructed to research alternate energy sources and present their information by creating a children’s book.
“What they had to do was say to themselves ‘Here’s the alternate energy source. If I try to put this into a children’s book, it can’t be incredibly complex,’” Schofield explained. “These are advanced kids, so they had to bring it down to a level of a child.”
But that wasn’t the best part, Schofield recalled. After their project, her high schoolers met with children from the special education class and helped them create their own book on a science topic, namely the weather.
“For me, it brought the community together,” Schofield noted. “My students got to share their time with them and help them to create something special that is still in their classroom to this day.”
Schofield began her career in 1979 as a Middletown middle school teacher. From there, she taught K-12, going back and forth between Christian and public education, while taking time off to raise her child. She’s been at Deptford High School since 2005.
Her favorite thing about the profession is that no two days are the same.
“It’s always an adventure; you never know what you’re going to walk into,” Schofield explained. “Ninety-nine percent of the time it’s wonderful stuff. Periodically you have a challenge, but we get the challenges so we can appreciate those wonderful moments.”
She considers technology — specifically cellphones — the most challenging part of her job because it can hinder the ability to connect in person.
“In the grand scheme of things, when they go out into the workforce or on to college, it’s the relationships that matter.”
* TONI BENECCHI INDUCTED INTO IOTA CHAPTER OF DELTA KAPPA GAMMA *
Chestnut Ridge Middle School orchestra and music appreciation teacher Toni Benecchi has been inducted into the IOTA Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women Educators. One of the purposes of DKG is to recognize and honor women who have demonstrated distinctive service in the field of education.
“Membership in DKG is by nomination only, and we are extremely pleased to welcome Toni into this society,” said Stacy Kasse, President of the IOTA Chapter, who announced Benecchi’s May 6th induction.
“Toni is a well-respected veteran music educator in our District,” District supervisor of visual and performing arts Casey Corigliano said.” As the orchestra director at Chestnut Ridge Middle School, she has impacted so many students over her career through her energetic, enthusiastic and engaging teaching style. Her students have performed very well under her leadership, having earned numerous individual and ensemble accolades over the years. She was recently recognized as a teacher of the year and is a valuable member of our department. Ms. Benecchi is most deserving of this distinction.”
“Toni is well deserving of this award and recognition,” CRMS principal Jim Barnes said. “Toni is an extremely hard-working educator who always puts her students first. She creates high energy lessons and always gets the most out of her students. As a result, many of her students achieve the ultimate success with music education. The Chestnut Ridge Middle School staff would like to congratulate Toni Benecchi, and we wish her continued success.”
Toni has spent the past 21 years in Washington Township, Benecchi was honored as the CRMS 2017-18 Teacher of the Year. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in music education from New Jersey City University and a master’s in music and music technology from West Chester University.
Currently, there are 65,000 members of DKG in 17 countries worldwide. DKG International offers scholarship opportunities for degree advancement, leadership, publishing, as well as travel and networking opportunities. Chapter and state organizations participate in a wide variety of ventures including support for future collegiate educators, early career educators, local food banks, Schools for Africa initiative, DKG at the United Nations, Ronald McDonald houses, literacy programs, and local libraries. DKG is proud to pursue worthwhile projects that make a difference around.
* JENNIFER GRIMALDI INDUCTED INTO IOTA CHAPTER OF DELTA KAPPA GAMMA *
From the WTS Website
District Director of School Counseling Jennifer Grimaldi has been inducted into the IOTA Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women Educators. One of the purposes of DKG is to recognize and honor women who have demonstrated distinctive service in the field of education.
“Membership in DKG is by nomination only, and we are extremely pleased to welcome Jennifer into this society,” said Stacy Kasse, President of the IOTA Chapter, who announced Grimaldi’s May 6th induction.
“We are very proud of this honor for Ms. Grimaldi,” Washington Township Superintendent of Schools Joe Bollendorf said. “She continues to display excellent leadership as our District counseling director. We extend our sincere congratulations and heartfelt appreciation for all she brings to the staff and students of our District each day.”
Currently, there are 65,000 members of DKG in 17 countries worldwide. DKG International offers scholarship opportunities for degree advancement, leadership, publishing, as well as travel and networking opportunities. Chapter and state organizations participate in a wide variety of ventures including support for future collegiate educators, early career educators, local food banks, Schools for Africa initiative, DKG at the United Nations, Ronald McDonald houses, literacy programs, and local libraries. DKG is proud to pursue worthwhile projects that make a difference around the world.
A 1993 graduate of Holy Family University with a bachelor of arts in elementary education and special education, Grimaldi earned a master of arts in school counseling from Rowan University in 1998. She holds New Jersey certifications as an elementary teacher, teacher of students with disabilities, school counselor, supervisor, principal and school administrator. She is also a licensed disaster response crisis counselor and a substance abuse coordinator.
Grimaldi, a New Jersey Teacher of the Year nominee in 1997, was honored in 2008 as the Camden County School Counselor of the Year and in 2011 as a General Colin L. Powell Service Award recipient. She was the 2011 Naviance Excellence in Leadership finalist and a 2013 nominee for the American School Counselor Association Counselor of the Year award. In May of 2019, she was the inaugural recipient of Rowan University’s Dr. Hector Rios Community Change Agent Award.