ATLANTIC COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION

Acting Executive County Superintendent of Schools, Thomas J. Dowd is pleased to announce the nominee of this year’s New Jersey Teacher of the Year Program, Mrs. Karen Casselman.

Mrs. Casselman is a Math teacher for grade 7 students.  She has been teaching for 10 years, 4 of which she has served in the Northfield School District. Karen was selected as Atlantic County’s New Jersey Teacher of the Year for school year 2009-2010 by a panel of judges consisting of various educational leaders, administrators from other school districts, a community member and a parent.

Mr. Dowd stated, “Mrs. Casselman’s involvement and dedication to the Northfield Community School students as well is highly commendable. She has demonstrated a strong sense of professional development in the field of mathematics and has received multiple prestigious awards and honors including 2009-2010 Northfield Community School Teacher of the Year, 2008-2009 Northfield Community School Middle School Teacher of the Year Nominee, and the 1998 Medallian Award for Excellence in Student Teaching. Her philosophy of teaching is one that believes that emphasis must be placed on a positive attitude. This is reflected in her communication with her students. Mrs. Casselman is a most professional, outstanding educator whose influence is ever-present and apparent through her continued professional growth and self-education. She is well versed in current educational issues and trends of current and demonstrates a support of Gardener’s theory (multiple intelligences should be explored as not all children learn in the same manner). Karen believes that all subjects of studies should be taught within the context of mathematics and language arts and that concentration should be placed on these two subjects beginning at an early age to assure higher achievements in these core areas in the students’ years to come.

Mrs. Casselman is quoted as stating, “Revolutionizing the way we teach our youngest of students will have a profound effect on their future and will allow us to leave no child behind. Our students need to learn how to be better thinkers and problem solvers.” Karen applies this philosophy to her everyday interactions with her students, providing them with a secure environment filled with positive support.

“Mrs. Karen Casselman is a positive role model for her students, colleagues, and community.  I admire her dedication to the student as a whole. It is with great pride that I present this year’s Atlantic County Teacher of the Year Selection Committee with all of my unwavering support as they recommend Mrs. Casselman as Atlantic County’s nominee for State Teacher of the Year.”, said Mr. Dowd.