Middle School's Ms. Austin joined high school educator to receive magical award

There are two magicians in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District.

Actually, Cheryl Pieroni and Jennifer Austin are teachers but Fox Sports and Magic 98.3 feel that they both perform magic when they instruct in their classrooms.

Dr. Pieroni, who is Science Teacher at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, and Ms. Austin, who is an English/Language Arts Teacher at Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School, were both recipients recently of elite awards presented  by Fox Sports and 98.3, an FM radio station that serves Central New Jersey.

Dr. Pieroni and Ms. Austin joined 17 other teachers who were recognized in New Jersey as “Teachers Who Make Magic in Their Classrooms and Communities.”

The awards ceremony was held on Tuesday, April 18 at The Pines Manor in Edison.

Here are the summaries that were announced at the ceremony when both Bridgewater-Raritan teachers were presented with their awards. The names of their peers who nominated them are included in the summaries.

• Jennifer Austin

• English/Language Arts Teacher
  Nominated by: Elizabeth Colucci, Fellow Teacher
   

• Jennifer Austin teaches English/Language Arts at Bridgewater Raritan Middle School, and has been working in her chosen profession for over 21 years!
  Jennifer is a strong advocate for children, and possesses the desire to make students feel capable of accomplishing anything. Many students struggle with the goal of becoming a more competent reader and writer, and Jennifer helps them make it happen. At the beginning of every school year, Jennifer spends a great deal of time talking about how “fake reading” will not be tolerated, and she reminds students on a daily basis that they can overcome any obstacle and develop an appreciation for literature.
  She meets with students individually to determine what makes them “tick” and uses the information to help them select books and topics to write about. Jennifer has a knack for knowing her students and being able to locate books that will have them hooked. She keeps up to date with the newest titles and is constantly reading. If a student expresses a desire for a particular title, she will take it out of her public library or make the purchase herself.
  Before Jennifer Austin was a teacher, she was a successful magazine editor. She left that career behind, got her teaching degree and credentials, and everyone at Bridgewater Raritan Middle School is happy to have her as part of their academic family.
  It is a great honor to welcome Jennifer Austin to the 2023 Class of Teachers Who Make Magic!       

• Cheryl Pieroni, Science  Teacher

• Nominated by: Michael Hebst – Science Supervisor
  For the past 25 years, Cheryl Pieroni has been teaching science. She teaches the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

• Dr. Pieroni is best described as a catalyst for science education. Her students often find themselves led by an energetic force of enthusiasm, and she uses interactive methods of teaching to create a highly dynamic classroom environment. Anyone who has ever observed her in action will tell you her classroom is filled with intellectual conversations fueled by curiosity, humor, and compassion. Her method of hands-on learning has often turned highly theoretical concepts into experiments that spark innovation and creativity. Students often find their “AHA” moment in laboratory investigations with Dr. Pieroni and learn about the real-world application of science. In 2015, Cheryl was named Exemplary Secondary Educator by the New Jersey State Department of Education. She is the Science Coordinator responsible for all 23 science-related clubs and independent studies at the High School. In 2022 the High School National Science Bowl Team she was the advisor of took home a third-place trophy for BRHS. Now Cheryl Pieroni can add she’s a member of the 2023 Class of Teachers Who Make Magic to her ever-growing list of accomplishments!

Ms. Austin was honored by the recognition of the award and she expressed her gratitude to her fellow teacher who  put in the nomination, Elizabeth Colucci.       

 “I  greatly appreciate this award, and it means that much more that I was nominated by a fellow teacher who has worked with me for over 20 years directly in my classroom—a teacher I greatly admire and aspire to be as good as,” Ms. Austin said.

Dr. Pieroni shared her award with her high school peers.

“ I greatly appreciate and am honored to be one of the teachers who was selected to receive this award. It was very nice of Mr. Herbst to take the time to nominate me. I couldn't do my job without the collaborative effort Bridgewater Raritan Regional High School fosters. This truly is an award that recognizes everyone who makes BRHS a great place for students to learn and grow,” Dr. Pieroni said.