Milken National Educator Awards

James Aquavia is the English Department Chair and a teacher at Montclair High School and is a 1993 graduate of Montclair State University with a bachelor's degree in English. He also holds a master's degree in English Education from Columbia University Teachers College. At Montclair University and Teachers College Columbia University, he learned from instructors who gave life to the transformative possibilities of writing and literature. His core teaching experience has been in 9th grade World Literature classes at Montclair High School. Presently, he is teaching World Literature in the Global Research program, one of Montclair's innovative small learning communities. He enjoys rich collaboration with Montclair High School colleagues and is proud to be a part of their talented team of educators.

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Milken National Educator Awards

John Bormann is a six-year teacher at H.W. Mountz School in Spring Lake who specializes as an upper school science teacher for sixth through eighth grades. He holds a bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Management from Rutgers University-Cook College. He is pursuing his master's degree in Educational Technology through Ramapo College. John has taught science since 1996 and is a recipient of the 2000 Governor's Teacher Recognition Award. He believes students should be taught tools to build success in their own personal way. He continuously challenges his students with high expectations while being sensitive to their individual needs. He also believes that teachers should constantly challenge and evaluate their teaching styles.

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Milken National Educator Awards

Stephen Liddawi is the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning in the Elizabeth School District. He is the former principal at Christopher Columbus Elementary School in Elizabeth, NJ. Education and self-discipline are values that were instilled in Stephen at an early age. These attributes prepared him for the challenges he faced while completing his undergraduate and graduate work at Kean University. As he began his career in the Elizabeth Public School System, the vision and leadership of the superintendent reinforced his philosophy that every child will succeed. He has upheld this belief throughout his career as a teacher, coordinator, staff developer, administrator, mentor and adjunct professor. Providing children with the best educational experiences has always been Stephen's goal while serving on the district-level instructional, technology, grant writing and professional development committees.

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Milken National Educator Awards

Theresa Licitra is the Assistant Principal at Elms Elementary School in the Jackson School District. She used to be a reading specialist at Crawford-Rodriguez Elementary School in Jackson. She holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Brooklyn College and a master's degree in Reading from Adelphi University. A 12-year educator, Theresa uses a balanced approach implementing the literacy curriculum and Core Curriculum Content Standards. Utilizing creative instruction, research-based practices and assessment methods, she successfully meets the needs of learners. Theresa was also instrumental in developing the school's Character Education Program where she guides teachers in its implementation and integration with literacy and other content areas. She also serves as Assistant Director of Educational Community Services at Georgian Court College, is a mentor teacher and volunteers as Cultural Committee Chairperson of the school's parent-teacher network. Theresa always tries to remain current in learning by serving on literacy, assessment and math committees. She is currently obtaining her second master's degree in Educational Administration at Kean University.

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Milken National Educator Awards

April Lowe is currently a first-grade teacher at Parkway Elementary School in Ewing who holds a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Delaware State University. She was the first member of her family to obtain a college degree. She is a five-year educator who is currently working on her master's degree in Educational Leadership at the College of New Jersey. April can remember back to her childhood days when she was in the first grade and was labeled a slow learner. Her mom, who did not believe in labels, taught her to read and write at home. Her first grade year ended in success and April knew she wanted to become a teacher from that moment on. In September of 1998, April became a special education kindergarten teacher in Maryland. However, wanting to give back to the state she grew up in, April moved back to New Jersey a year later to teach first grade at Parkway Elementary School. She found that she loved teaching first grade since that was the grade that had a major impact on her. April served as the Principal of Ewing Township's Elementary Summer School program. Proving to be an asset, she was hired as the manager of the 2002-03 Extended Day Program, in addition to her first grade teacher position. April is also actively involved with the NJ Principals and Supervisors Association.

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Milken National Educator Awards

Patricia McGee is a library media specialist at Harrington Park School. She used to teach at Norwood Public School. She holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Loyola College. Patricia is currently teaching in the school that she attended as a youngster. Some of her colleagues are her former teachers, and her principal is her former first grade teacher who taught her to read. She is described by her peers as inspirational and effervescent, and is a leading literacy teacher in her district. Patricia has received five mini-grants totaling $4,000 to promote literacy. It is most important to her that every one of her students finds her classroom to be a safe haven from the conflicts of the world. She tries to instill in her students that it is fine to be different, different through kindness, compassion, creativity and hopefulness. She ensures that her students work daily to be the best that they can be. She firmly believes that success is found when one looks to his/her strengths and cultivates his/her individual talents, respects the rights of others and celebrates when achieving it.

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