[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 50 (Thursday, March 21, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   HONORING MS. MELISSA ANTINOFF ON BEING NAMED BURLINGTON COUNTY'S 
     TEACHER OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. ANDY KIM

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 2019

  Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Melissa 
Antinoff, a devoted educator who has helped shape the minds of New 
Jersey's youth throughout her 19 years as a public school teacher. Ms. 
Antinoff was recently named Burlington County's Teacher of the Year by 
the New Jersey Department of Education for her tireless work as a 3rd 
grade teacher at Ashbrook Elementary School.
  Passionate from an early age about working with and educating 
children, Ms. Antinoff has developed a classroom environment that 
fosters innovation, creativity, and self-confidence within her 
students. Ms. Antinoff recognizes the importance of reading to 
developing a child's sense of confidence and therefore strongly 
encourages independent reading in her classroom. She credits this 
practice with instilling in her students greater self-esteem and 
willingness to take risks in their other areas of study. Ms. Antinoff's 
colleagues praise her for her ingenious ability to integrate 
interdisciplinary elements, such as music, into her classroom as well 
as her eagerness to take risks in her instruction methods including 
granting her students the independence to work' and learn 
collaboratively in small groups.
  Ms. Antinoff is a prime example of the kind of teacher who goes above 
and beyond to ensure that the well-being of the entire student, 
including his or her emotional and mental needs are attended to just as 
much as his or her academic needs. Above all else, she wants her 
students to have the confidence to enjoy school and feel safe and 
secure there so that they can learn and grow creatively. For these 
reasons, I am proud to honor Ms. Antinoff for her efforts and sincerely 
thank her for the positive influence she has had on countless students 
throughout her distinguished career.

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