Monmouth U. honors outstanding teachers
Monmouth University has honored three outstanding New Jersey secondary school teachers, including a Red Bank resident.

Monmouth University trustee William Roberts, student Adrienne Hansen, and Shore Regional High School teacher Linda Ersor.

The Monmouth University-Roberts Charitable Foundation Outstanding School Teacher Award recipients are Linda Ensor, Shore Regional High School, West Long Branch; Dr. Robert Marraccino, Tottenville High School, Staten Island, N.Y.; and Salvatore Principe, Keyport High School.

The award was instituted in 2006 to recognize outstanding secondary school teachers who make an important contribution to the education of current Monmouth University students. Each teacher received an award of $1,500.

Each recipient was nominated by a Monmouth University senior student for his or her outstanding teaching skills and dedication to education. The selection committee included the dean of the School of Education, Lynn Romeo, and professors and students.

Ensor, Red Bank, has been an English teacher at Shore Regional for the past seven years. She serves as coordinator of the school's International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, advises the student newspaper staff, coaches the Model UN team, and teaches journalism, world literature, and Theory of Knowledge. She was nominated by her former student Adrienne Hansen, who stated, "She ignited my passion for English and inspired me to become a teacher. As much as she taught the content of English, she also taught us lifelong skills — for instance, how to study and think critically. I looked up to her as a role model and continue to do so."

Marraccino is coordinator of the Career and Technical Education program, and since 2001 has been the instructor of the medical laboratory and assisting program in biotechnology (Med-Tech) at Tottenville High School. He developed a two-year sequence and curricula in partnership with biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries and postsecondary institutions that prepares students for medical and allied health professions. He was nominated by his former student Michael Slisz, who will be attending medical school after graduating from Monmouth this year. Slisz stated: "Dr. Marraccino was extremely dedicated to his students. He was able to engage the whole class in active learning. … I feel I would have never made it this far without my good grades and research successes, which all stem back to Dr. Marraccino."

Principe, a resident of Brick, has been teaching math and coaching at Keyport High School since 1984. For the past five years, he has been the math/science coordinator assisting all teachers in both areas. He was nominated by former student Shannon Higgins, who stated: "He is not only able to impart his expertise in mathematics on his students, he is able to give them the confidence to feel that they are able to 'do'mathematics. His teaching methods have shaped the future teacher that I want to become. He is more than an educator, he is a role model."