ATLANTIC CITY – The Atlantic City Public Schools honored district staff on Friday, March 22, 2024, during a professional development day and annual spring convocation.
Staff members attended training at their respective schools. Then everyone converged on Atlantic City High School for team building exercises facilitated by the Social Emotional Learning Team. The theme was “The Power of the Team,” said SEL Teacher Coordinator Dr. Mitea Lakins.
“Every person in the room is an important member of the Atlantic City Public Schools team,” said Dr. Lakins. “Every person on the team helps provide a safe and supportive learning environment.”
Dr. Lakins likened team members to components of a clock. All play different roles. But all must work together for a clock, or public schools, to function properly. Staff members separated into groups and did various team-building activities to foster Social Emotional Learning skills, such as the human knot, which is designed to encourage problem-solving, teamwork and communications skills. The goal of the human knot is for staff members to start off entangled, figure out how to untangle themselves and then return to the original position all without letting go of each other's hands.
Others broke into teams of two to play Cup Ballet, a challenging game of catch with cups and a bottle. "In order to win at cup ballet, you really have to communicate," Dr. Lakins said. SEL skills include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making.
Later, teachers and support staff were recognized for their work as nominated by their peers. The following is a list of award winners:
Teacher of the Year
Julia Smith (PAS)
Kindergarten Teacher
Education Support Professional of the Year
Deborah Tormey (ACHS)
Guidance Counselor
Principal of the Year
Jodi Burroughs (MLK)
Vice Principal of the Year
Samantha Sickler (ACHS)
Director of the Year
Diane Saunders (District)
Exemplary Teacher Award
Kerri Harvey (ACHS)
Secondary Teacher Coordinator
Exemplary Teacher Award
John Demones (USC)
4th Grade Teacher
Exemplary Education Support Professional Award
Elizabeth Kelly (NYAS/MLK)
Math Coach
Exemplary Education Support Professional Award
Lisa Williams (BAS)
SEL Coach
School Secretary of the Year
Evelyn Padilla (ACHS)
Special Education Educator of the Year
Sandy Gehringer (PAS)
Autistic Teacher
Safety Officer of the Year
Ivan Lassister (ACHS)
Elementary Education Award
Jose Jacobo (District)
District Math Coordinator
Elementary Education Award
Adhan Perez (SAS)
Physical Education Teacher
Secondary Education Award
Charneen Lively ( MLK)
7th and 8th grade Social Studies (SS) Teacher
Secondary Education Award
Penelope Kelly (RAS)
7th and 8th grade Social Studies (SS) Teacher
Human Resources Professional of the Year
Cheryl Brock (District)
Secretary
Parent Resource Center Educator of the Year
Jacqueline Brown (USC)
Educator
Central Registration Professional of the Year
Millie Russell (District)
Registration Secretary
Title 1 Educator of the Year
Ledford Mack (USC)
Parent Center Educator
Custodian of the Year
Kendall Brown (SAS)
Foreperson
Maintenance Worker of the Year
Jean Jorge-Ayala (ACHS)
Operations Professional of the Year
Gabriela Figueroa (District)
Transportation Secretary
Information Technology Professional of the Year
Nancy Ireland (ACHS)
Hardware Technician
Business Office Professional of the Year
Takiya Wilson (District)
Bookkeeper
The Human Knot
Cup Ballet
Cup Ballet
Cup Ballet
Cup Ballet
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Complex tent
New York Avenue School Tent
Chelsea Heights School Tent
Carol Schribeman and Dr. Dedra Williams
The band played in the high school hallway.
Derek Cason played guitar.
