2020 S.H.I.N.E. Educator of the Year Awardees

Child & Family Resources is proud to announce this year’s S.H.I.N.E. Educator of the Year Award to three worthy recipients. On March 11, 2021 Child & Family Resources (CFR) will be hosting this year's S.H.I.N.E. Educator of the Year Awards Gala, honoring these three admirable professionals as Educator of the Year. This will be a virtual event. The purpose of this award is to acknowledge educators who exemplify the spirit of CFR’s mission and values and whose professional practice and advocacy for the profession are deemed exemplary.

If asked to reflect on which educator had the most significant impact, we can easily recall who that person was. They worked long hours, went out of their way to motivate and inspire students, and made personal sacrifices. All too often they are over worked, underpaid, and rarely appreciated. In keeping with our mission to support the development of children and strengthen families, we recognize educators as essential partners. It is in this spirit that Child & Family Resources has created the S.H.I.N.E. (Serves, Helps, Inspires, Nurtures, and Excels) Educator of the Year Award.

Dr. Christopher A. Capuano, Fairleigh Dickinson University President, is being recognized for his contributions in the category of Morris County Higher Education Award. He has held a series of leadership positions at the University over a period of more than 25 years. As the president since 2016, he has developed a strategic plan that has inspired many new initiatives. The University under his leadership has created more centers of excellence, embarked on the largest capital campaign in FDU history with a goal of $125 million, and focused greatly on its longstanding goal of fostering greater access and affordability for students from all walks of life. Previously, Dr. Capuano played a key role in the formation of the very successful School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the creation of the University’s newest campus in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Joseph Pizzo, middle school teacher in Chester, NJ, is being recognized for his contributions in the category of District Award (Pre-K to High School). He has been serving, nurturing, and inspiring his community, church, school, and professional learning network for 45 years. Mr. Pizzo is the recipient of the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) 2020 Educator of the Year Award, the 2016 New Jersey Association for Middle Level Education (NJAMLE) Teacher of the Year. He has served on the board for the New Jersey Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), has served as a member of the NJDOE's Council for Teaching and Learning and the Education Committee for Future Ready Schools, and as an adjunct professor at Centenary University, College of Saint Elizabeth and Union County College and a member of the NJ Autism Think Tank.

Stephanie Wilson is the Preschool Supervisor at Children on the Green in Morristown and is being recognized in the category of Community Early Childhood Award (Birth to 5 years old) She has been working at this location since 1999. In addition to her role as a classroom teacher, she has taken on responsibilities for the preschool program; which includes communication among preschool team members, overseeing the preschool classrooms, supplies and common areas, and liaising with the directors regularly. For several years, she cared for children at a 24-Hour Fitness location and also underwent training at the ARC of Morris County, which enabled her to work with autistic children in a home-setting. Stephanie is a long-time supporter of The Lupus Foundation of America and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and has been honored as a Children on the Green Outstanding Employee of the Year.

Registration to the event is FREE. Tickets

Sponsorship opportunities https://cfrmorris.org/s-h-i-n-e-award/

For more information CHILD & FAMILY RESOURCES 111 Howard Boulevard, Suite 104, Mount Arlington, NJ 07856 Tel: 973-398-1730 Email: info@cfrmorris.org HOURS OF OPERATION Monday-Friday: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Wednesdays: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm