Viola L. Sickles School Music Teacher Vince Mottern has been named one of the WRAT Teachers Who Rock Class of 2017.
The honor was bestowed by WRAT radio and the New Jersey Educators Association (NJEA) on March 29. Twenty-two local educators were chosen based on nominations submitted by their school districts.
“Vince Mottern transferred to Sickles School from Knollwood School in January, 2016,” Sickles School Principal Cheryl Cuddihy said. “In just over a year, he has helped to bring a renaissance of sorts by instilling a love of music in both students and staff! He brightens everyone’s day with his sense of humor, compassion, and joie de vivre! As an integral member of the NJ2012 Partnership team with the Kennedy Center, Count Basie Theatre and Red Bank Borough Public Schools, Mottern has infused the arts into all content areas. He is thoughtful in sharing resources and facilitates learning environments where students and staff can engage in musical improvisation to articulate ideas and develop deeper comprehension.”
As noted on the WRAT website, Mottern was chosen because his classes were deemed informative and interactive with singing, playing of instruments, learning about music history, learning to read musical notes, and creating rhythms.
Mottern was seen as a music teacher who goes above and beyond, as he writes scripts and adapts songs on his own time for use by students and staff in events throughout the school year. And every afternoon while on door duty, he plays an instrument and serenades students as they leave school.
— Edited press release from the Fair Haven School District
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