Education Students Honored with N.J. State Award for Student Teaching

Caldwell, N.J., June 20, 2018 – Three Caldwell University School of Education students were honored by the state for their accomplishments as student teachers.  Sierra Mitchell, Jessica Mitchell, and Lisa Paradiso were recognized as Clinical Interns of the Year at an award ceremony June 13 sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Education, the New Jersey Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the New Jersey Field Directors Forum.  Dr. Lamont  Repollet, the New Jersey Commissioner of Education, was a speaker at the ceremony.

The students were nominated by their cooperating teachers and university supervisors and were recognized for their academic performance and clinical practice. They were required to submit essays on how they overcame the challenges they faced while teaching and the impact those experiences will have on their career.

Joan Moriarty, Ed.D, associate dean of the School of Education said, “Caldwell University is proud of each of our nominees  who have gone above and beyond in their clinical internship experience, each who has signed a full time tenure track contract.”

Pardiso received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and psychology with certificates in Pre-school to grade 3, Elementary kindergarten – grade 6 and Teacher of Students with Disabilities. She did her student teaching in the East Hanover School District and accepted a teaching position in Denville, N.J.

Jessica Mitchell received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and psychology and certifications in Preschool – grade 3, Elementary kindergarten-grade 6, and Teacher of Students with Disabilities. She did her student teaching in the Glen Ridge School District and has accepted a teaching position in Draper, Utah.

Sierra Mitchell was a post-baccalaureate student who received certifications in Elementary kindergarten – grade 6, and as a Teacher of Spanish.  She completed her student teaching in the Long Valley School District and has accepted a position in Sparta, New Jersey.

The students’ professors and cooperating teachers had high praise for the Caldwell students.

Elizabeth Skinner, adjunct faculty member at Caldwell for Jessica Mitchell,stated,“Ms. Mitchell presented herself from the first day of the semester as an enthusiastic, conscientious student who was passionate about the prospect of teaching and the field of education. She expressed excitement with being close to realizing her life-long dream of becoming a teacher and was looking forward to the day when she would have her own classroom.”

Francine DelVecchio, Ed.D. professor for Lisa Paradiso, commented that “Lisa has an affable, caring nature that will certainly endear her to students and colleagues. She can relate well to young children and adolescents, and she is well-liked by her classmates for being supportive and collegial.”

Kevin Barnes, Ed.D. professor for Sierra Mitchell, stated  “Sierra has immersed herself in her academic endeavors, and her teacher preparation efforts, as she strives to improve the lives of her students.”

This annual award publicly recognizes approximately 65 top graduates of educator preparation programs in New Jersey’s colleges and universities.  An independent panel of esteemed New Jersey educators evaluates these dossiers to select 15 recipients to be awarded “with distinction”.