Recent Alumna is Honored with the NJ Distinguished Student Teacher Award

Hackettstown, N.J. – Laurie Weingarten, a resident of Hackettstown and recent Centenary College alumna, was one of 16 individuals honored with the New Jersey Distinguished Student Teacher Award recently at Rider University in Lawrenceville.

The ceremony was hosted by the New Jersey Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the awards were administered by the New Jersey State Department of Education. 

Weingarten was nominated for this honor, along with two other individuals, by Professor Frances Congdon, Assistant Professor of Education at Centenary College. 

“I nominated Laurie Weingarten because of her professionalism and leadership in the classroom and for the high accolades that she received from her student teaching experience,” says Congdon.

According to Weingarten, who did her student teaching and practicum at Byram Lakes Elementary School, she tried to think “outside of the box,” creating a character called “Dr. Grammar” for her fourth-grade students, as well as developing a prevention program for bullying.

“My goals for each lesson were clearly defined, and sought to foster not only academic learning, but crucial skills for workplace success such as problem solving and critical thinking,” says Weingarten.

Weingarten was an entrepreneur and corporate professional in the past, and also held a position as a teaching assistant at the Willow Grove Elementary School in Hackettstown.  She graduated from Centenary College in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, but was a post-baccalaureate education student who finished her requirements in May 2012 at the same time that her eldest daughter graduated from her own alma mater at Drew University.  Weingarten is certified to teacher kindergarten through fifth grade and special education.  She was hired as a teacher at the Mountain Villa Elementary School in Allamuchy for the 2012-2013 academic year.

“I was so elated, yet humbled when I found out that I was one of 16 who were selected statewide for this award,” says Weingarten.  “I want to express my deep gratitude to the Education Department at Centenary, especially Professor Congdon and Dr. Marianne Pratschler, who is an Associate Professor of Education, as well as Cathy Ulrichny, my field supervisor at Byram Lakes Elementary School.  My family and friends have also been such an incredible support system, as well as my colleagues at Willow Grove and Byram Lakes. I can truly say that Centenary was the best choice for me and helped me realize my dream of becoming an educator.”

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary College’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix is designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world.

Centenary College’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township (Morris County).  The Centenary College School of Professional Studies offers degree programs in three locations: Hackettstown, Parsippany and Edison, and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.  The School of International Programs recruits international students for study at Centenary and Centenary students for study abroad.
 
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