New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance

2008 Teaching Awards

The New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance was founded to encourage the teaching of New Jersey studies and to help teachers to more efficiently and thoroughly present the study of the state to their students.  In the spring of 1999 the Alliance first initiated awards to recognize innovation and creativity in teaching New Jersey studies on the elementary, middle, secondary, and college level.  Nominations are now being opened for recipients of the 9th Annual Teaching Awards in New Jersey Studies.

Nominations for the award may come from anyone who has knowledge of the candidate's work and should include a letter supporting the candidate; or, a candidate may self-nominate.  In the latter case, the submission should include a letter of support from a supervisor or teaching colleague.  One hard copy (paper) should be submitted that addresses the criteria listed below.

Nominations must be submitted to Alan Lucibello, Member of the New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance Teaching Award Committee, at the following address:
          Alan Lucibello
          District Social Studies Supervisor
          Montville High School
          100 Horseneck Road
          Montville, NJ 07045

If you have any questions about the award, please contact Teaching Award Committee Chair, Alan Lucibello at Alucibello@montville.net   973 331-7100 x 252

The deadline for applications March 1, 2008.   The awards will be presented at the New Jersey History Issues Conference in March 28, 2008. The recipients will have their honors publicized for recognition within the teaching community and beyond.  Award Committee members are: Marc Mappen, Alan Lucibello (Chair), William Fernekes, and Peter Wacker.

Nominees for this award should meet the following criteria:
            a. be teaching in a New Jersey school at the time of nomination
            b. show how the project addresses the state's Core Curriculum Standards
            c. submit a written description of the plan showing objectives, materials, and include evidence of how student performances were assessed.
            d. give evidence of creative use of materials or methods in the classroom

Nominees must be willing to share the plan with other teachers. (The New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance may distribute the winning project through printed or electronic media – award recipients will receive full credit).

Some examples are listed below, but the nominations are not limited to them:
   1. oral history projects
   2. use of primary sources by students (including: historic sites, artifacts, written or printed sources, etc.)
   3. three dimensional projects
   4. projects which study the diversity of the state
   5. interdisciplinary programs, especially those which go beyond social studies (these may be collaborative efforts between disciplines or beyond the school environment).
   6. development of technology programs for the classroom.

The 2003 award was given to Nichole Marrazzo for her innovative project to teach New Jersey history to elementary school students through a New Jersey History Web Hunt. She teaches at the Birches Elementary School in Turnersville.

The 2007 award was given to Raymond Frey of Centenary College.