Kean alum is the NJ Teacher of the Year

By Christy Petillo

An alumnus from Kean University has been given the prestigious title of Teacher of the Year. Lauren Marrocco, 32, graduated from Kean University in 2002.

Marrocco graduated from Kean with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Supervision.

After graduation, Marrocco became a fourth grade teacher at E.J. Patten Elementary school in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. It is from the accomplishments she has achieved in this school throughout the past 10 years of her teaching career, which lead her to stand out and ultimately receive the prestigious title she has today.

Marrocco is an active participant when it comes to the curriculum at E.J. Patten. “Over the summer, Lauren helped us write pacing guides for the new common core standards, and now she is helping to create our own assessments to test students’ knowledge of the material,” said E.J. Patten Principal Dulce Rodriguez, in a statement according to The Star-Ledger.

Marrocco certainly distinguished herself when she earned her National Board Certification in Literacy: Reading-Language Arts, Early-Middle Childhood, from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Last month, Governor Chris Christie acknowledged the hard work that Marrocco dedicates to her students and announced that she would be given the honor of being named the 2012-2013 Teacher of the Year.

“Hands down, New Jersey’s most important and valuable resource for our students is our teachers,” said Governor Christie in a statement according to the State of New Jersey Department of Education.

This was the first time a teacher from Middlesex County has earned this title.

The decision to make Marrocco Teacher of the Year was the result of a highly selective process at the school, district, county and state level. She was finally chosen by the State Department of Education, which determined Marrocco fit the qualifications in order to be given this title.

Marrocco is a talented and passionate teacher. “She’s genuinely into learning,” said Rodriguez in a statement according to The Star-Ledger.

Due to this grand accomplishment, Marrocco receives a six-month sabbatical and she will also meet with the President of the United States.

Marrocco strives to bring out the best in her students. She gives weekly quizzes, writing exercises and other small projects to continuously prompt her students to work hard.

“The needs of my students are constantly changing, but it’s my job to understand their weaknesses and help them rise,” said Marrocco in a statement according to The Star-Ledger.

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