VERONA-CEDAR GROVE

Cedar Grove names Teachers of Year

Joshua Jongsma
NorthJersey

They come from different backgrounds and schools, but Cedar Grove’s “Teachers of the Year” for 2016-2017 all came together to educate the latest batch of local students.

School classroom with blackboard

Jennifer Manning of South End Elementary School, Ashley Pines of North End Elementary School, George Czergovits of Memorial Middle School, and Joan Oehm of Cedar Grove High School are this year’s winners. 

Candidates must “demonstrate strong ability to foster excellence in education as evidenced by ongoing contributions to the improvement of student learning and the learning environment;,” according to the criteria, and have not received the distinction within the past five years.

Each school has a committee consisting of its principal, FSA president and previous year’s winner that chooses the teacher of the year from the nominations submitted.

The winners were recognized at a dinner at the end of the school year.

SCHOOLS: Cedar Grove High School students graduate

Jennifer Manning

Jennifer Manning with her students at South End Elementary School in Cedar Grove.

Manning has taught in Cedar Grove for eight years, with the last six as a physical education teacher at South End. Prior to that, she taught two years at Memorial Middle School.

A Fairfield native, Manning graduated from West Essex Regional High School. She then went to the University of Connecticut on a scholarship for field hockey and graduated with a sociology degree. She continued her sports involvement as a JV field hockey and lacrosse coach at West Essex and also served as a personal aide there. Manning furthered her studies at William Paterson University to study physical education, health and driver’s education. 

Manning said she was honored to be named Teacher of the Year for South End. 

“My colleagues at [South End] are all amazing teachers and I am so happy I get to work with such dedicated and hardworking people,” Manning said. “I absolutely love working with all the children. They all hold a special place in my heart. I have been an athlete my entire life and I get to do what I love most every day.”

Ashley Pines

Ashley Pines with her students at North End Elementary School in Cedar Grove.

Pines is a kindergarten teacher and has worked at North End for 18 years. A Ramsey native, she graduated from Marist College with dual certification in psychology and special education. She earned her master’s degree in educational technology at Ramapo College.

It was a great honor to be named Teacher of the Year, said Pines, adding that many in her school work hard to give the kids a great learning experience.

“I’m extremely grateful, but also truly believe many others are also worthy of this honor year in and year out,” she said. “… Every teacher knows having a great group of kids is essential to having a great year.”

Pines said she knew from a young age that she wanted to be a teacher, especially after meeting many influential educators while she was in school.

“I always wanted to grow up and be able to make the great impression on my students that they made on me,” she said.

George Czergovits

George Czergovits, Memorial Middle School teacher in Cedar Grove.

Czergovits teaches sixth-grade science at Memorial Middle School. He has spent 16 years at the middle school. He graduated from Montclair State University with a degree in environmental science.

Czergovits left teaching to work in the private sector, but came back to pursue his passion.

“I chose to return to teaching because every day in the classroom presents a new and exciting challenge,” he said. “Focusing on the needs and interests of middle school students is the main priority.”

He said his favorite part of the job is meeting former students who remember him and his class. 

Being named Teacher of the Year is a “great recognition,” he added.

EDUCATION: Cedar Grove student designs fidget spinners

Joan Oehm

Joan Oehm, Cedar Grove High School teacher.

Oehm, a Cedar Grove resident, has taught most levels of math and English at the high school during her 12 years there. She also filled in as the K-12 math and science supervisor.

She has also taught financial literacy, Tomorrow’s Teachers and SAT prep courses. 

Oehm received her bachelor’s degree from St John’s School of Risk Management and her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Caldwell University. She became a teacher after working as an internal consultant for insurance companies for more than 20 years.

“My favorite part of being a teacher is seeing the progression of students' knowledge and maturity from the beginning to the end of the school year,” she said. “I also enjoy when students return to the high school after graduating to visit and let me know how they are doing in college.”

Oehm said she was humbled to be named Teacher of the Year and lucky to work with so many hardworking teachers at the high school.

Email: jongsma@northjersey.com