It’s a first for the Rumson School District. Two teachers who were recently honored as Teachers of the Year are in the running for Monmouth County Teacher of the Year.

Bridget Albrizio and Brittaney Flynn earned the district-level distinction from the Rumson Board of Education on Jan. 27. Rumson School District Superintendent John Bormann noted that both Albrizio and Flynn have completed their applications for the county honor.

“That is very exciting, and a first for our district,” he said.

Albrizio is a second grade teacher at Deane Porter School; and Flynn teaches at Forrestdale.

Board of Education President Colleen O’Connor spoke about the honorees, emphasizing their dedication and proven leadership, love of teaching and impact on their students as primary reasons why they were chosen.

“Deane-Porter’s Teacher of the Year Bridget Albrizio has a zest for life that she brings into the classroom,” said O’Connor. “She encompasses enthusiasm and energy, and creates a flexible and nurturing climate where every student grows and feels comfortable taking risks. She is engaging, interesting, and funny – making every day a great day for her students.

“Bridget strives for and succeeds in consistently teaching at the highest level of excellence.”

A “proven leader” is what O’Connor called Flynn.

“’No’ is not a part of her vocabulary, as she has gone above and beyond countless times,” the board president added. “She is present at every student event and is constantly designing new ways to increase student involvement and school spirit. Yet Brittany’s contributions to the school community pale in comparison with her dynamic instruction in the classroom.

“Students seek out Ms. Flynn as their instructional guide as they take risks in their learning and ask questions that show their ‘think outside the box’ mindsets.”

Bormann praised the honorees as well, calling them inspiring.

“I have been in this district for only a short time, but I know that I could not be more pleased with this selection,” he said. “Thank you for inspiring me.”

Albrizio was raised in Rumson, and attended school in the district from kindergarten through high school. After graduating from East Stroudsburg University in 2007 with dual certification in elementary and special education, she served as a substitute teacher in Rumson before accepting her current teaching position in 2008.

Her passion for literary instruction compelled her to enroll in the Monmouth University Reading Specialist Program. She received her reading specialist certification and was also honored by Monmouth University with the Excellence in Literacy Award.

Albrizio has taken on many leadership roles at Deane Porter including Grade-Level Team Leader, Drama Club supervisor, Safety Team member, Epi-Pen delegate, Softball coach, facilitator of Professional Development workshops, and host teacher to a student teacher studying at Georgian Court University.

She lives in Rumson with her husband Christopher, and considers herself fortunate to be working with colleagues who once taught her.

Flynn has taught at Forrestdale since 2012, where she is a special education and general education teacher, working with students in fourth through seventh grade in various subject areas.

Her leadership activities at Forrestdale include mentoring experienced general and special education teachers. She is also advisor to the Student Government Association, organizing community and school events and encouraging school spirit.

Flynn completed a traditional five-year dual certification program at The College of New Jersey in May 2012, receiving her master of arts degree in special education (specializing in reading and literacy).

She was raised in Middletown, where she now resides.

Albrizio and Flynn will be officially honored along with all 2016 Monmouth County Teachers of the Year at a banquet to be held this spring.

Also at the Jan. 27 meeting, the Board of Education was honored by Bormann, who noted that the New Jersey School Boards Association has declared January 2016 to be School Board Recognition Month.

Each Rumson Board of Education member received a Certificate of Appreciation from Bormann, who created a resolution for the event, which read, in part, that “New Jersey’s 4,800 local school board members, who receive no remuneration for their services, act as advocates for public school students as they work with administrators, teachers, and parents for the betterment of public education.”

Along with O’Connor, Rumson School Board members are: Maura Beyer, Russell Binns, John Connors, Charles H. Jones III, Margaret Kaminski Simons, Diane MacGillis, Elaine Melia, and Kim Swain.

— Edited press release from the Rumson School District