Delsea Regional teacher to get national award

FRANKLINVILLE New Jersey's 2013-14 Teacher of the Year has now been selected for a national award.

Kathleen Assini, a teacher at Delsea Regional Middle School, is one of 39 educators who have been selected for a California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence.

The honor is given through a partnership with the National Education Association Foundation, and the recipients are nominated by their state education association.

Nicola Salvatico, a first-grade teacher at General Wayne Elementary School in Malvern, is also one of this year's award winners.

Assini had a 25-year career in cosmetology before turning to teaching, earning her bachelor's degree from Kean University and a master's from Wilkes University.

The mother of two grown children, Assini, at the time of her state award, was teaching middle-school social studies as well as teaching at the district's alternative high school program.

Each of the 39 will receive $650 and be feted at the NEA Foundation's Salute to Excellence in Education Gala in Washington on Feb. 15.

"We give these awards annually to honor and promote excellence in education and to elevate the profession," Harriet Sanford, NEA Foundation president, said in a statement. "Educators like these are critical to their students' academic success, and they deserve national recognition."

Said Beau Brown, California Casualty chairman: "Educating our youth is critically important. California Casualty is proud to partner with the NEA Foundation to pause and celebrate excellence in teaching."

Five of the 39 winners will be selected to receive a $10,000 Horace Mann Award. One will receive the NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence and a $25,000 prize. - Rita Giordano