CAPTION: Nineteen new faculty and staff members began the three-day Montville Township Public Schools New Teacher Orientation on Monday, August 26, 2024. (l to r): (FRONT ROW) Brad Feeney-LoPrinzi, Rim Artin, Kimberly Bory, Madison Bronstein, Stephanie Cirella, Ryan Cotter, Kimberly Edge, William Fanslau, (SECOND ROW) Christine Gordon, Ashley Jankovic, Toni McEldowney, Lauren Miller, Gianna Mondsini, Gopa Mukherjee, (THIRD ROW) Masouda Norzai, Hannah Tinney, Gianna Torino, and Robert Wilson.
Nineteen new faculty and staff members began the three-day Montville Township Public Schools [MTPS] New Teacher Orientation on Monday, August 26, 2024.
The new MTPS educators will support students at a variety of locations throughout the district. Cedar Hill and Hilldale Elementary Schools will each welcome two new teachers, Valley View Elementary School will welcome three new teachers. William Mason Elementary School will have one new teacher beginning this fall. Robert R. Lazar Middle School and Montville Township High School [MTHS] will each have four new teachers. The district will also welcome a new bus driver and an Elementary Psychologist who will travel between schools.
The new educators will be in the following departments: Science and Physics, Math, Language Arts, Art, Music, World Language (American Sign Language, French, and Italian), Speech, Special Education, and School Counseling.
All who attended the first day of orientation were welcomed by Dr. Thomas Gorman, Superintendent of the Montville Township Public Schools.
“Education is a calling. We are grateful that you have answered that calling. It is among the most important callings in our community,” said Gorman. “You are outstanding educators and we are very excited to welcome you. We are confident that you will find the Montville Township Public Schools district to be a great district for many reasons. Our staff is dedicated and supportive. Our students are engaged, curious, and active learners. Our educators love this district and it shows. In fact, on Thursday, when the entire staff returns for the upcoming school year, you will see. We will be congratulating an educator on August 29 who has been here 50 years. You are joining a supportive and dedicated team of educators. We are here for you.”
Gorman also encouraged the district’s new teachers to be innovative, to try new things, and to embrace a growth mindset.
“Don’t be afraid to ‘Fail Forward,’” Gorman explained, noting that there are beneficial lessons for success in encouraging students to analyze mistakes, strategize improvements and apply lessons learned to future efforts.
Montville Township Board of Education Member Dr. Karen Cortellino, who is also President of the New Jersey School Board Association, echoed Gorman’s remarks.
“The culture of the Montville Township Public Schools is outstanding. We are very excited to welcome you,” Cortellino said. “Montville Township is a great place to teach. The Board of Education wants you to know that we are here to support you. We encourage you to be innovative in meeting the needs of the district’s students.”
The district’s new faculty and staff for the 2024-2025 school year include: Rim Artin, Alla Basis, Kimberly Bory, Madison Bronstein, Stephanie Cirella, Ryan Cotter, Kimberly Edge, William Fanslau, Brad Feeney-LoPrinzi, Christine Gordon, Ashley Jankovic, Toni McEldowney, Lauren Miller, Gianna Mondsini, Gopa Mukherjee, Masouda Norzai, Hannah Tinney, Gianna Torino, and Robert Wilson.
The Montville Township Public Schools New Teacher Orientation began on Monday, August 26, 2024. During the three-day training the new teachers are scheduled to receive Technology Training in Google Classroom, and Genesis; Technology Orientation Training; Danielson Training in Domains I, II, III, and IV; Counseling and HIB Training; Special Services Training; Business Office Orientation Training; and Grade Level/Department Trainings. The majority of programs will be offered in the MTHS Media Center, but the faculty will also have an opportunity to report to their assigned schools to prepare their classrooms.
Montville Township Education Association [MTEA] President Scott Riotto, who is also a Social Studies Teacher at MTHS, welcomed the new faculty before their lunch break on August 26. The lunch was provided by MTEA.
Montville Township Public Schools will welcome all staff members back for the 2024-2025 academic year on Thursday, August 29. The district’s seven schools will open for students on Tuesday, September 3. Nearly 3,475 students, in grades Pre-k through Grade 12, are currently registered to attend the district’s five elementary schools, middle school, and high school.