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Oswald, Sicurella voted January’s teacher, staff member of the month
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Written by Monica Nga Nga, Staff Writer
For the first time in Newton High School history, faculty had the opportunity to nominate its choices for teacher and staff member of the month and Quest Biology and Advance Placement teacher Lisa Oswald and Secretary Serafina Sicurella won as teacher and support staff member of the month respectively.
The teachers who are nominated every month lead into the drawing of being selected as teacher of the year.
According to the Newton teacher eligibility requirements, the teacher of the month must have at least one year of teaching experience in school.
“I was very surprised and very honored, mostly because we teachers are so busy in our careers that we never have the opportunity to see each other,” Oswald, a five-year classroom veteran, said. Sicurella said she was “suprised, grateful, and honored to be selected.”
Requirements also state the teacher has to inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn, and have the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues. Freshman Jemeia Kollie said Oswald inspires her to want to be a better student.
“She knows a lot about science and she inspires me to want to know a lot about science and encourage me to look a lot deeper so i can know where the answers are coming from,” Kollie said.
In order for a teacher to be a true inspiration to their students and even the peers, one has to be able to model school spirit and pride and play an active and useful role in the community as well as in the school.
During school hours, Oswald said she displays her school spirit by showing the works of her students, and outside of school, she talks about the accomplishments of Newton’s students.
In addition to having some of the mentioned qualities of teacher of the year, the support staff member of the month has to play an active role in meeting the overall mission of Newton and model an exceptional work ethic and positive demeanor.
Sicurella said there is almost never a day in her office when she is not busy either helping a student or dealing with the phone. She tries to keep a positive attitude by playing soft background music on her computer to help her relax, in addition to doing the best she can to help anyone.
There are several things the candidates get when they win, but according to Sicurella, the best thing about being chosen is to know that “you are appreciated for what you do.”
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