Dear Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy Community,
The Governor's Educator of the Year Program highlights educational innovation, student achievement,
exemplary teaching, and important services outside the classroom environment that lead to student
success. This celebratory program recognizes our state’s best teachers and educational services
professionals who will be recognized at the Union County Office of Education.
We are proud to announce that the 2017 Governor’s Teacher of the Year for Thomas Jefferson Arts
Academy was awarded to Ms. Sandra Toll. Ms. Toll’s journey to teaching was driven by a passion to
help, to connect, and to communicate along with an instilled appreciation for the value of education.
Blessed to have a younger sister with special needs, Ms. Toll’s and practice of patiently guiding,
coaching, and mentoring her sister Sylvia, helped her develop the basic tenets of her teaching style.
Ms. Toll’s parents, who escaped the communist regime in Cuba, always touted the importance of
education– not just for the financial rewards, but for the personal rewards. Ms. Toll’s cumulative
experiences set her on a mission to inspire students to make the most of their educational opportunities so
that they can maximize their potential in all areas of life. Doing this in her hometown, a district with a
large immigrant population, gives her mission great personal value.
This year’s Educational Service Provider of the Year for Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy was awarded
to Mr. Donald Steup. Mr. Steup found his path to a career in education largely through the influences of
great teachers and a love for reading. When he walked into Ms. Paterson’s sixth grade class, she
embraced him as a virtuoso of literature and inspired him through her infectious enthusiasm for learning.
Upon entering the seventh grade, Ms. Donnarumma solidified his passion for reading, writing, and the
experience of literature as a craft that could be honed and perfected. These experiences deepened his
devotion to literacy as his high school English teacher, Mr. Dolivo, inspired a love for teaching.
Drawing on inspirations like this, Mr. Steup has sought to replicate this enthusiasm for literature
throughout his career. His work as a teacher-instructional coach has been guided by his consummate
efforts to inspire a love for learning just as his teachers did for him: to share his enthusiasm and discipline
through respect and care for his students.
Please join us in celebrating these two amazing professionals for the work they have done, and continue
to do, for our school community and district.
Sincerely,
Michael Ojeda
27 Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07201 ● Ph: 908.436.6767
Email: [email protected] ● Website: www.epsnj.org