Optimist Club Recognizes Intermediate School Educators for Excellence

WESTFIELD, NJ — Edison Intermediate School French teacher Kate Young and Roosevelt Intermediate School science teacher Andrew Bausch have been recognized as outstanding intermediate school educators by the Optimist Club of Westfield.

The Optimist Club, a not-for-profit service organization that supports youth and the community, presents an award annually to two Westfield intermediate school educators - one each from Edison and Roosevelt.

The Intermediate School Outstanding Teacher Award was established in 1998 by the Optimist Club to give deserving credit to intermediate school teachers.

"We are grateful to the Optimist Club for creating this opportunity to recognize our teachers who are dedicated to providing an educationally stimulating and supporting environment during this critical stage of adolescence," says Superintendent Dr. Raymond González. "On behalf of the Board of Education and our entire school community, I congratulate Mr. Bausch and Mrs. Young on this important recognition."

Bausch and Young will be honored at the Board of Education meeting on June 13 and at an Optimist Club dinner in September.

A nominator describes Bausch as "a positive role model for all our students and teachers" who "goes above and beyond for his students, working to make sure they understand the science curriculum and enjoy their time in the classroom."

Young is lauded as an energized teacher who "incorporates activities that make classes engaging and fun" and who sets the bar high for her students while always treating them with respect.

The selection committee consisted of Optimist Club members Marc Epstein, Maria Fuentes, Martin Gulino, Robin Lynch, Victor Mankoski, along with Edison principal Dr. Matthew Bolton, Roosevelt principal Brian Gechtman, and previous award recipients.

— Submitted by Westfield Public Schools