Susan Rebisz named Teacher of the Year

VERNON — Lounsberry Hollow Middle School special education teacher, Susan Rebisz, of the Vernon Township School District was recognized as the 2012-2013 Teacher of the Year.

Having earned both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from William Patterson University, Rebisz began her teaching career in the Hasbrouck Heights School District teaching neurologically impaired students in grades one through six in the four core academic areas. She began her tenure in the VTSD 11 years ago, and has ever since, according to Lounsberry’s principal Dr. Stew Stumper, served the district with the highest level of professionalism.

“Whether teaching a lesson on astronomy dressed as Galileo, decorating her classroom with freshly washed clothes hung on clothes lines for a social studies lesson on the tenements of New York City, or sitting around a mock campfire complete with a cowboy hat and moustache to discuss student storytelling, Mrs. Rebisz’s classroom consistently comes to life,” Stumper declares.

Within the Vernon District, Rebisz is the previous recipient of mini-grants, governor’s teacher recognition, as well as the district’s teacher scholar-in-residence program, among others.

“My own teachers changed the course of my life," said Rebisz. "I too wanted to help mold and change the course of students’ lives for the better.”

“The greatest gift that I give to my students is that I am concerned about all aspects of their life," Rebisz added. "These children are treated how I would treat my own children. They are blessings to me and I address every area of their lives.”

Rebisz will next move to the county level with hopes of gaining recognition as Sussex County’s Teacher of the Year.

Rebisz will be honored at the public meeting of the board of education on May 16 at Lounsberry Hollow Middle School, 30 Sammis Road. The meeting will commence at 7 p.m.