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Wedgwood Elementary School fifth-grade basic skills math teacher Domenick Renzi has been selected as the Gloucester County Teacher of the Year, making him eligible for New Jersey State Teacher of the Year consideration. Renzi has spent his entire 21 years in education in the Washington Township Public Schools, including one year as an elementary supervisor and a four-year stint (2008-2012) as principal at Bells Elementary School.
Renzi is the fourth Washington Township educator to be recognized as the Gloucester County Teacher of the Year since the recognition was launched in 1998-99. Birches Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Mary Byatt (2003-04), Washington Township High School librarian Ann Hill (2008-09) and Chestnut Ridge Middle School humanities teacher Lori Bathurst (2010-11) also have been honored. He will begin his reign as County Teacher of the Year on September 1, 2017.
Renzi has garnered extensive recognition during his time in the District, including two Teacher of the Year honors (1998-Bells Elementary; 2017 Wedgwood Elementary) and a 1999 nomination for Disney’s American Teacher Awards. He has submitted and received numerous grants to enhance his classroom innovation, including three grants from the Toshiba American Foundation and one from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. A member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the New Jersey Association for Educational Technology, Renzi has served as a presenter on numerous occasions in District and in the region on improving math fluency, using handheld computers, implementing Everyday Math and guided math. He is a valued leader in his building and throughout the District.
In his current teaching capacity, Renzi works collaboratively in grades one through five and often includes math stations, differentiated learning, technology and math manipulatives to assist his co-teachers in carrying on best practices in their classrooms. Every month, he publishes a math newsletter called “Mustang Math” that contains information on math clubs that he facilitates, critical reminders about testing, and games for teachers to use during math class.
“My decision to be a teacher was solidified in elementary school when, as a young child, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease,” Renzi said of his illness which caused him to miss school and fall behind. “I recall the kindness, time and dedication of my teachers who encouraged me to never give up. It is the teacher who has the challenge of becoming a positive influence in his students’ lives that is both immeasurable and life-changing. This challenge keeps the passion in my heart, the dedication in my teaching and the smile on my face.
“My core values in education have remained true through formal and informal leadership positions that I have held,” he said. “These values contain three main tenets. First is the belief that the teacher serves as a facilitator to foster student learning. Second is the belief that the most important thing an educator can teach a student is HOW to learn. Third is the belief that effective practice is nurtured by collaboration, teamwork and communication. I feel that promoting these values to the entire school community has been my most significant contribution to the field.”
"Domenick is an extraordinary educator,” District Director of Elementary Education Gretchen Gerber said. “He strives to provide differentiated instructional activities to support the learning styles of all learners. His credentials, enthusiasm, professionalism, and commitment to his students have had an everlasting effect on the students and families with whom he has so diligently worked."
“Mr. Renzi is as wonderful an ambassador for Wedgwood School and our district as we could ask for,” Wedgwood principal Charlie Zimmerman said. “He is a caring and compassionate professional who makes math come to life for his students. In his role as a mathematics basic skills instructor, Mr. Renzi uses his expertise to serve as a resource for his colleagues throughout the district. He’s that special educator who makes both the children and adults that he works with want to continue learning with him. Our school community is so very proud to see him selected as the Gloucester County Teacher of the Year.”
Renzi holds a bachelor of arts in education and a bachelor of arts in mathematics from Rowan University (1995). He earned a master’s degree in school administration from Rowan in 2005. He holds certifications as an elementary school teacher, principal and supervisor.
Domenick Renzi Named Gloucester County Teacher of the Year
Wedgwood Elementary School fifth-grade basic skills math teacher Domenick Renzi has been selected as the Gloucester County Teacher of the Year, making him eligible for New Jersey State Teacher of the Year consideration. Renzi has spent his entire 21 years in education in the Washington Township Public Schools, including one year as an elementary supervisor and a four-year stint (2008-2012) as principal at Bells Elementary School.
Renzi is the fourth Washington Township educator to be recognized as the Gloucester County Teacher of the Year since the recognition was launched in 1998-99. Birches Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Mary Byatt (2003-04), Washington Township High School librarian Ann Hill (2008-09) and Chestnut Ridge Middle School humanities teacher Lori Bathurst (2010-11) also have been honored. He will begin his reign as County Teacher of the Year on September 1, 2017.
Renzi has garnered extensive recognition during his time in the District, including two Teacher of the Year honors (1998-Bells Elementary; 2017 Wedgwood Elementary) and a 1999 nomination for Disney’s American Teacher Awards. He has submitted and received numerous grants to enhance his classroom innovation, including three grants from the Toshiba American Foundation and one from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. A member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the New Jersey Association for Educational Technology, Renzi has served as a presenter on numerous occasions in District and in the region on improving math fluency, using handheld computers, implementing Everyday Math and guided math. He is a valued leader in his building and throughout the District.
In his current teaching capacity, Renzi works collaboratively in grades one through five and often includes math stations, differentiated learning, technology and math manipulatives to assist his co-teachers in carrying on best practices in their classrooms. Every month, he publishes a math newsletter called “Mustang Math” that contains information on math clubs that he facilitates, critical reminders about testing, and games for teachers to use during math class.
“My decision to be a teacher was solidified in elementary school when, as a young child, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease,” Renzi said of his illness which caused him to miss school and fall behind. “I recall the kindness, time and dedication of my teachers who encouraged me to never give up. It is the teacher who has the challenge of becoming a positive influence in his students’ lives that is both immeasurable and life-changing. This challenge keeps the passion in my heart, the dedication in my teaching and the smile on my face.
“My core values in education have remained true through formal and informal leadership positions that I have held,” he said. “These values contain three main tenets. First is the belief that the teacher serves as a facilitator to foster student learning. Second is the belief that the most important thing an educator can teach a student is HOW to learn. Third is the belief that effective practice is nurtured by collaboration, teamwork and communication. I feel that promoting these values to the entire school community has been my most significant contribution to the field.”
"Domenick is an extraordinary educator,” District Director of Elementary Education Gretchen Gerber said. “He strives to provide differentiated instructional activities to support the learning styles of all learners. His credentials, enthusiasm, professionalism, and commitment to his students have had an everlasting effect on the students and families with whom he has so diligently worked."
“Mr. Renzi is as wonderful an ambassador for Wedgwood School and our district as we could ask for,” Wedgwood principal Charlie Zimmerman said. “He is a caring and compassionate professional who makes math come to life for his students. In his role as a mathematics basic skills instructor, Mr. Renzi uses his expertise to serve as a resource for his colleagues throughout the district. He’s that special educator who makes both the children and adults that he works with want to continue learning with him. Our school community is so very proud to see him selected as the Gloucester County Teacher of the Year.”
Renzi holds a bachelor of arts in education and a bachelor of arts in mathematics from Rowan University (1995). He earned a master’s degree in school administration from Rowan in 2005. He holds certifications as an elementary school teacher, principal and supervisor.