High school teachers honored

Monmouth University, West Long Branch, honored three outstanding secondary school teachers at a dinner on May 10 hosted by President Paul G. Gaffney II.

The Monmouth University-Roberts Charitable Foundation Outstanding School Teacher Award recipients were Anthony Cianciolo, Masuk High School, Monroe, Conn., Michael D'Antonio, Freehold Township High School, and Thomas Risoldi, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, Rumson.

According to a press release, the Monmouth University-Roberts Char-itable Foundation Award was instituted last year to recognize outstanding secondary school teachers who made an important contribution to the education of current Monmouth University students. Each teacher received an award of $1,500.

Each recipient was nominated by a Monmouth University senior student for their outstanding teaching skills and dedication to education. The selection committee included the Dean of the School of Education William Stanley and Monmouth University professors and students.

D'Antonio has been a teacher of English and Special Education English at Freehold Township High School since 1999. He was nominated by his former student Kate Fogler who said: "Mr. D., as everyone calls him, showed a passion for helping others that I have only seen from a few individuals throughout my entire life. Mr. D. made me realize that in life you cannot 'sweat the small stuff.'

"He is truly a 'man for others' in all aspects of his life and has inspired me to put others before myself, to strive for excellence, and believe that I can overcome any obstacle. He was perhaps my biggest inspiration for choosing a career in special education. Mr. D motivated the special education students in my inclusive English class each and every day and pushed then to succeed."

D'Antonio resides in Freehold.

Risoldi has been a social studies teacher at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School since 1997. He resides in Long Branch.

Cianciolo has been a teacher at Masuk High School since 1975 and currently is an instructor of photography and graphic arts. He resides in Milford, Conn.