Special Education teacher Jen Dellett has been selected as Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Educator of the Year.
Photo/RFH
The announcement was made on May 12 by RFH Principal Tracy Handerhan and French teacher Christine Berg, last year’s RFH Educator of the Year.
Dellett has been teaching at RFH for 10 years. She started at the high school as an Inclusion teacher and then taught resource English prior to her current assignment in the Multiply Disabled Program.
“During the past two years, I have had the pleasure of teaching the Multiply Disabled Program,” Dellett said. “In this program our students have made great strides socially and academically, and have also gained much independence. I would be remiss in speaking about the Multiply Disabled Program without mentioning my incredible instructional aides Victoria Vaughan, Debbie Bauers, and Anna Appleman. Each day they play a critical role in all successes.”
Noteworthy aspects of the Multiply Disabled program at RFH include:
• The addition in May 2016 of Violet, a golden doodle therapy dog who is housed within the Multiply Disabled Program (with Victoria Vaughn serving as her handler);
• Weekly visits by RFH Multiply Disabled students and Violet to the nearby Deane Porter grammar school to read with “buddies,” helping both sets of students gain confidence and reading skills as well as build friendships;
• Student participation in the creation and care of the RFH Community Garden, including includes the germination of seeds, the planting and tending of 15 beds of crops, and the use of the resulting produce in life skills recipes as well as in school lunches by RFH cafeteria staff;
• The Trout Project, during which trout is harvested from eggs and released to the wild near the end of the school year;
• Service Learning Projects, including a coat drive for Jersey Cares as well as participation in the Blessing Bag Brigade project providing daily essentials to the homeless in New York City;
Dellett also started a community-based Special Olympics Track and Field team this year.
“I very much appreciate this honor as RFH Educator of the Year,” said Dellett. “I am very fortunate to work with the students, families, and all members of the RFH staff.”
Dellett has been a Special Education teacher for 15 years. She earned her undergraduate degree in Varying Exceptionalities from the University of Southern Florida and a Masters in Educational Administration and Leadership from Georgian Court University.
— Edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School
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