Optimist Club Recognizes intermediate School Educators for Excellence
Edison Intermediate School mathematics teacher Ryan Belline is the co-recipient of the 2024 Optimist Club’s Intermediate School Outstanding Teacher Award. Pictured here with Edison principal LaNova Schall (right) and Superintendent Dr. Raymond González.
Photo Credit: Westfield Public Schools
Edison Intermediate School mathematics teacher Ryan Belline and Roosevelt Intermediate School social studies teacher Marissa Conneely have been recognized as outstanding intermediate school educators by the Optimist Club of Westfield.
A nominator describes Belline as “an exemplary educator who embodies the qualities of compassion, dedication, organization, and problem-solving acumen.”
Another nominating letter notes that, “beyond his role as a math teacher, Ryan’s commitment to the well-being and development of his students is truly commendable. It is evident that he goes above and beyond in his efforts to support and inspire his students.”
“I enjoy developing math concepts, but also like spending time developing a great rapport with the students in class,” says Belline, who has been teaching math at Edison for 18 years.
Conneely is lauded as a caring educator who “has an endless breadth of knowledge on how to both teach and assess student learning.”
“Mrs. Conneely stays on top of both content and instructional strategies,” writes another nominator. “She creates lessons that are interesting, engaging, and keeps students stretching their abilities so that they are all growing.”
“My favorite part about teaching is fostering a love of learning and curiosity in my students. Teaching middle school means that I teach kids how to learn, study, and work together. The content comes second,” says Conneely, who began teaching at Roosevelt 14 years ago. “I genuinely love how teaching middle school provides me with the opportunity to be part of and witness a pivotal part of the lives of my students.”
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.
Superintendent Dr. Raymond González expressed deep appreciation for the Optimist Club’s longstanding tradition of honoring committed educators who nurture and support students during their pivotal adolescent years. “On behalf of the Board of Education and our entire school community, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Belline and Mrs. Conneely on receiving this distinguished acknowledgment,” he said.
Belline and Conneely will be honored at the Board of Education meeting on May 21 and at an Optimist Club dinner on September 11.
“The Optimist Club mission and purpose as a “Friend of Youth” is to support the positive development of children,” says Optimist Club President Darielle Walsh. “We are proud to provide resources for this meaningful annual award that recognizes the dedication and achievements of our intermediate school teachers.”
The selection committee consisted of Optimist Club members Maria Fuentes, Marty Gulino, Gene Jannotti, and Victor Mankoski, along with Edison principal LaNova Schall and Roosevelt principal Brian Gechtman.