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New Teachers Focus of GCU Education Celebration

Group of people smiling with GCU president.

Nearly 30 new teachers listened intently as alumna Christine Newbury, the 2017–2018 Ocean County Teacher of the Year, delivered professional words of wisdom in a presentation aptly named “Teaching with All of Me.” The call to teach requires no less, she said.

Woman making speech.
Christine Newbury

“With your eyes, take it all in. Be an observant supporter and really see your students,” Ms. Newbury told the new teachers. “Students appreciate it when you notice them.

“You must teach with your hands,” she said. “You can read all about educational theory, but you won’t know what it means until you are hands-on…until you try it for yourself.”

The Manchester educator spoke at Georgian Court University’s Celebration of Teaching and Learning, hosted May 9 by the GCU School of Education. Twice a year, university administrators, faculty members, families, and veteran educators come out to support the new teachers. A previous celebration was held in December 2017.

New Teachers Prepared to Excel

“This is not an easy profession and the program at GCU demands your best,” said Chris Campisano, Ph.D., a visiting professor who also supervised the teacher interns as they completed dozens of hours of clinical work in local classrooms. “You have the skills and knowledge to be phenomenal in your practice.”

Other alumni speakers were Erica Dunn, a Barnegat High School teacher, and Randi Silfan, who reminded them of the many hats an educator must wear—therapist, life coach, consoling friend, and sometimes, circus ringleader.

“You must be the best version of yourself every day,” Ms. Silfan said. “Always look for the positive, and don’t take yourself too seriously. If you have fun, your kids will, too!”

Lessons in Success

Two men shaking hands.
GCU visiting professor Chris Campisano, Ed.D., (right) congratulates one of the university’s new teaching graduates.

Some of the new teachers were praised for their ability to engage students with creative lessons plans, their willingness to go “above and beyond,” and their impressive command of technology in the classroom.

Each of the 29 honorees received special pins from their GCU faculty mentors, who officially welcomed them to the profession.

“You’re entering a noble career where you will make a meaningful difference in a child’s life,” said Lynn DeCapua, Ph.D., ’86, dean of the School of Education.
“You encourage risk, engage minds, model kindness, and educate hearts,” she said. “It is you, the teacher, who matters most. You have the opportunity to touch lives forever. Never underestimate that.”

To view more photos of the event, visit our GCU Celebration of Learning photo album.

Aerial view of GCU.

About Georgian Court University

Georgian Court University is a leading regional university that provides a transformative education, preparing students for ethical leadership and service in the Catholic Mercy tradition. Founded in 1908 and sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, Georgian Court University is Central and South Jersey’s only Catholic university. The university has a strong liberal arts core and a historic special concern for women.

As a forward-thinking university that supports diversity and academic excellence, GCU is known for expanding possibility for more than 1,900 students of all faiths and backgrounds in 35+ undergraduate majors and 10+ graduate programs. The GCU Lions compete in 16 NCAA Division II sports in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). In 2020, GCU was named a Best Value College by Money.com and a Best Bang for the Buck (Northeast) by Washington Monthly. High student retention and graduation rates make GCU a Top Performer on Social Mobility on U.S. News & World Reports rankings.

The main campus is in Lakewood, New Jersey, on the picturesque former George Jay Gould estate, a National Historic Landmark. Georgian Court, which is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, also serves students through its Center for Professional Studies, and at other locations, including GCU at Brookdale, and through multiple online degree and certificate programs.

Deposit Deadline Extended to June 1

Georgian Court University has extended the deposit deadline to June 1 in response to the U.S. Department of Education announcement concerning delayed data availability from the revised Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additionally, deposits are also refundable up to June 1. Click here for more information about the deposit extension.