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Friday, jun 5
Tag:
Teaching
Lifestyle
NY Native Tries To Dethrone 7-Day Jeopardy! Champ Friday Night
A Long Island native with a knack for literature, teaching, and even social media moderation is set to take her shot at trivia glory. Hebah Uddin, who grew up on Long Island and now lives in Pittsburgh, will appear as a contestant on Jeopardy! Friday, Sept. 19. Uddin, a PhD candidate in children’s and adolescent literature at the University of Pittsburgh, is also a published author. In 2017, she released her debut novel, The Gauntlet, under the pen name Karuna Riazi through Simon & Schuster’s Salam Reads imprint. The book drew national praise for its groundbreaking representation…
Schools
Tonight
: Don't Miss NJ Teacher On 'Wheel Of Fortune'
A Clifton teacher is getting ready to spin the wheel on national television. Andrew Smith, an eighth-grade social studies teacher at Christopher Columbus Middle School, will appear as a contestant on "Wheel of Fortune" on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 7:30 p.m. on ABC, Clifton Public Schools announced. Smith’s path to the game show started when his sisters downloaded a Roku app for a free trial of "Wheel of Fortune" but forgot to cancel. Over Christmas, he began playing with his family and kept winning. His family signed him up for the show as a joke, and just a week later, he was invited to inte…
Schools
This Teacher Was Just Named The Best In Bergen County
Twenty-one educators from across New Jersey have been named the 2025-26 County Teachers of the Year, the New Jersey Education Association announced. “Each year, the County Teachers of the Year remind us of the incredible talent, dedication, and heart that define New Jersey’s educators,” NJEA President Sean Spiller said. “The 2025-26 honorees represent the very best of our profession—innovators, mentors and leaders who not only inspire their students, but their colleagues as well.” NJEA Vice President Steve Beatty called the honor “a celebration of the relationships these educators bu…
News
Triathlete, 37, Dies During Swim At NJ Lake, Authorities Say
A 37-year-old teacher and mother of four died while competing in the swimming portion of a triathlon at a North Jersey lake over the weekend, Daily Voice has learned. The incident involving 37-year-old Hannah Merlucci, of Kinnelon, happened on the morning of Saturday, July 19 at Fayson Lakes, according to Meghan Kbab, a spokeswoman for the Morris County Prosecutor's Office. Lifeguards spotted a female swimmer unresponsive in the water, swam out to her, and brought her back to shore, Knab said. CPR was immediately initiated. Emergency medical personnel arrived shortly after and transported …
Obituaries
Death Of NJ Dad Spreads Shock; $70K Raised For College Sweetheart, New Baby
The death of Gregory "Greg" Swenson, a new father, educator, and lifelong athlete, is spreading shock and sadness across multiple states. Greg, 29, of Cranford, NJ, died peacefully on Saturday, July 12 following a short illness, according to his obituary on the Gray Funeral Home. Greg's death comes six months after welcoming a baby boy, Lars, with his wife and college sweetheart, Morgan. A GoFundMe page launched for the pair had raised nearly $70,000 as of press time. A Farmingdale, NY native, Greg later moved to East Lyme where he was a three-sport athlete at East Lyme High School, h…
News
Ralph Maltese, Former Ridgefield Resident and PA Teacher of the Year, Dies at 78
Ralph Maltese, beloved husband, father, teacher, and friend, died April 28, 2025, at the age of 78. He was born in the Bronx, New York on December 4, 1946 to the late Leonilda Di Leo Maltese and James Vincent Maltese. Ralph grew up in the Bronx with his brothers, Jimmy and Raymond. When he was 12 years old, his family moved to Ridgefield, NJ where Ralph helped his father rebuild their home. As a child, he loved reading and playing sports in the neighborhood with his friends. Family trips to the Catskills and Adirondack mountains kindled his lifelong love of nature, the outdoors, and history.…
Obituaries
Safinaz Matter, Longtime New Jerey Educator, Dies— Fundraiser Launched In Her Memory
A trailblazing educator who shaped generations of students has passed away. Hajja Safinaz Matter, known to many as Tante Safi, Sr. Safi, or Ms. Safi, dedicated over 50 years of her life to teaching Arabic and inspiring young minds around the world. Her death was recently announced by her family. She was the widow of the late Elsayed Elmenshawy and the sister of Atef, Farida, and Niveen. She was a grandmother to Ahmed, Mariam, Aly, Nour-Eldeen, Abdulrahman, Abdullah, Selma, Mohammed, Ahmed, Amaly, Yusuf, and Ameer. Matter, a graduate of Al-Alsun specializing in Italian and French, later ear…
Obituaries
Lodi Teacher Diana Pereira Dies, 42: 'Heaven Gained The Greatest Angel'
Diana Pereira, a longtime teacher in Lodi and Washington Township mother, died on Wednesday, Jan. 29, according to her obituary on the Di Chiara Funeral Home website. She was 42 years old. Diana worked in the Lodi School District for 18 years as a teacher at the Hilltop Elementary School. "Diana’s spirit was fulfilled when spending time with DJ, family, and friends, whether it was at the Caribbean Sea in Punta Cana, on the boat at Tice’s, or dancing to her favorite country and freestyle music," her obituary reads. "Diana had an infectious smile that would brighten any room she wal…
Obituaries
'Never, Never, Never Give Up:' NJ Teacher Lauren Zucconi Dies After 10-Year Cancer Battle
Lauren Zucconi, a Bergen County teacher, loving wife, and proud Long Beach Island homeowner, passed away on Monday, Nov. 25, after a decade-long battle with cancer, according to her obituary on the Volk Leber Funeral Home website. She was 36 years old. Her unwavering mantra, “Never, never, never give up,” defined her courageous journey and inspired those around her. Born in Westwood and raised in Chestnut Ridge, NY, Lauren excelled in academics and athletics, graduating from Spring Valley High School, where she met her soulmate, James Robert Nash, her obituary says. She went on to earn…
Schools
Rutherford's Jack Hurley Shares Favorite Memories After Being Named Superintendent Of The Year
New Jersey, meet your superintendent of the year. Rutherford Public Schools Superintendent Jack Hurley, who has spent nearly 50 years in education, was named the state's top superintendent on Monday, Oct. 28 by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators. The American Association of School Administrators will choose the National Superintendent of the Year from among the statewide winners in March. Hurley never doubted that he chose the right field. “Education is the greatest profession,” Hurley said. “We create the foundation for every occupation and help shape the future o…
News
Teacher Pulls Off Epic Surprise, Introduces Students To Paul Rudd On Field Trip To NJ Mall
In 2014, "People" named Nicholas Ferroni "Sexiest Teacher Alive." Ten years later, he may just be the coolest teacher alive, too. The Union High School teacher surprised his students with Paul Rudd, the magazine's Sexiest Man Alive in 2021, during a field trip to the NJ Hall of Fame on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Ferroni works closely with the NJ Hall of Fame, having interviewed inductees, such as Danny DeVito. While organizing the field trip, one of the officials mentioned that Rudd was going to be there that day. "We then kind of said it would be fun to surprise some students who were thinkin…
Obituaries
Longtime Jersey City Educator, Teaching Advocate Bob Cecchini Dies
Bob Cecchini, a passionate advocate for teaching and for his fellow educators, died Monday, May 29. He was 72 years old. A Jersey City native, Cecchini taught special education for 35 years, his obituary reads. His work for the teachers' union was just one area where Cecchini made his mark. He served as union representative, grievance chairman and vice president and chief negotiator for the Jersey City Education Association, helping to negotiate teacher contracts and advocating for his co-workers, according to his obituary. Remembering Bob Cecchini, a Powerful Voice for Teachers in …
News
Classroom Crying Spells, Discrimination Law Violations Named In NJ Kindergarten Teacher's Suit
The South Orange-Maplewood School District is facing a lawsuit from a former 34-year-old Kindergarten teacher alleging officials failed to accommodate her disability amid "crying spells" in the classroom, forcing her to resign. Sarah Barlow says the trouble began during the 2019-2020 year when she got into disagreements with South Mountain Elementary School principal, who later believed she had filed a report saying he was having a sexual relationship with a first-grade teacher, according to a lawsuit filed in Essex County Superior Court. Barlow was transferred out of South Mounta…
News
NJ Teacher Used Olympian As Role Model For Students Before She Ruined Her Life, Lawsuit Says
The person who Tamar Herman says is responsible for ruining her life was someone she knew, she says. Someone who she exercised with, had exchanged phone numbers with and become Facebook friends with. So, why Ibtihaj Muhammad failed to reach out to Herman before publishing the social media post that upended her 30-year teaching career and forced her out of the community she's been apart of for decades, is beyond her, according to Herman's attorney, Erik Dykema, with The Lawfare Project. According to a lawsuit filed against Muhammad, an Olympic fencer and non-profit Muslim group Ca…
Schools
Beloved Sparta School Teacher Dies Suddenly After Having Severe Brain Hemorrhage While Driving
Beloved Sparta elementary school teacher Elaine “Louise” Shepherd died unexpectedly at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York after having a severe brain hemorrhage and going into cardiac arrest while driving home from Boston on Monday, Sept. 26. She was 57. Born in Stakeford, Northumberland, England, Louise went to Bedlington High School before graduating from Northumberland College in Ashington, her obituary says. Louise then went to the US for what was initially supposed to be a six-month job as a nanny in 1985 — but after meeting her husband, Scott, the pair decided to settle …
News
Counselors Available Following Death Of Hawthorne Schoolteacher From Glen Rock
The Hawthorne School District will have counselors available on Monday, Aug. 29, following the sudden death of one of its middle school teachers. A funeral service was scheduled later this week for Jeffrey Kolk, of Glen Rock, who taught math at Lincoln Middle School. Kolk, who'd also coached golf at Hawthorne High School, died unexpectedly on Friday, three days after his 46th birthday. "We are all struggling to come to terms with Jeff Kolk's sudden and unexpected loss," the Hawthorne Teachers Association wrote in a social media post on Sunday. "Our thoughts and prayers are with h…
News
NJ 'Teacher, Activist' Accused Of Starting Riot That Toppled Confederate Statue Surrenders
An Essex County activist wanted since last summer for starting a North Carolina riot in which Confederate statues were toppled and dragged through the streets surrendered to authorities last month. Alan F. Chorun, 53, of Maplewood, was arrested on a felony charge of inciting a riot and released from jail on a $25,000 bond, according to the North Carolina State Capitol Police. Chorun and other protestors knocked down a pair of statues and a historical medallion in Raleigh on Juneteenth -- June 19, 2020, police said. One of the statues was a soldier, which was hung by a street light fro…
Schools
All 5 Quintuplets Accept Free Rides To Montclair State University
A group of lucky and talented quintuplets from Totowa will soon get the chance to attend Montclair State University as Presidential Scholars. Each of the Povolo quintuplets -- Victoria, Masha, Ashley, Michael and Marcus -- have been accepted to the university with offers of full scholarships due to their academic achievements. In addition to tuition, funds awarded through the school’s Presidential Scholars Program include need-based grants and small merit scholarships for the quints, who were raised in Totowa. “Thank you, Montclair State, for allowing us this amazing opportunity and this s…
Schools
Beloved Fair Lawn Teacher Yvonne Visocky Celebrates 50th Year With District
There's a certain magic that Yvonne Visocky brings to her Fair Lawn classroom that only her students are lucky enough to know. Her kids are always quiet. Captivated. Eager to learn. How Visocky commands the undivided respect, love and attention of her students remains a mystery at the Westmoreland School, according to Principal Christy Dell'Aglio. Whatever it is, though, it's timeless. This year marks Visocky's 50th in Fair Lawn, making her the district's longest-serving teacher to date -- and according to her colleagues, former students and parents, one of its most beloved, too…
Obituaries
Teacher Mourned In Paramus Bus Crash Made Middle School Memorable For Many
For every student of hers -- current and former -- veteran Paramus middle-school teacher Jennifer Williamson made the most turbulent years of their young lives easier to bear. Williamson, who taught for nearly 20 years in the district, was killed along with fifth-grader Miranda Faith Vargas when their school bus was struck by a dump truck on Route 80 during a field trip Thursday. Sarah Schweizer was in Williamson's first-ever class nearly two decades ago. "My mom texted me the news [story in Daily Voice] describing her as an angel," Schweizer said. "All the articles about h…
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