PV music teacher is New Jersey’s 2016-17 Teacher of the Year
Argine Safari and members of the Pascack Valley Regional District in front of Safari’s brand new Ford Fusion. (From left to right: Pascack Hills history teacher Deb Horn, District World Languages and Music Departments supervisor Noemi Rodriguez, Pascack Valley Principal Tom DeMaio, Safari, and District Director of Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction Barry Bachenheimer)
Argine Safari has done it again.
After being named the Bergen County Educator of the Year last May, PV’s Choir and Bro Squad director has been selected as the New Jersey Teacher of the Year on Wednesday morning by the New Jersey Department of Education in Trenton.
She was chosen from a list of 21 teachers in New Jersey who had won such recognition in each of their individual counties. That list was shortened to four finalists, and Safari was selected as the winner at the Department of Education meeting Wednesday.
“I’m honored and humbled to be representing the thousands of outstanding New Jersey educators,” Safari said in her acceptance speech. “I’m honored because I know I’m only a snapshot of what is happening across my district, my country, and the state of New Jersey.”
The state Teacher of the Year award is given annually to someone who is an expert in their field, demonstrates leadership and innovation in and out of the classroom, and expresses themselves in engaging and articulate ways, among other qualifications.
Safari was chosen specifically for her award winning vocal program, her own skill as a pianist and vocalist, and of course, her work with Pascack Valley’s Choir and Bro Squad.
“I feel truly blessed. I have found my passion and calling for teaching,” she said. “I cannot imagine doing anything else than teaching, anything more noble or rewarding.”
In addition to the title, she received prizes such as a brand new Ford Fusion and a $500 grant for clothing purchases. She is also eligible for the National Teacher of the Year award typically given out in the spring.
As Teacher of the Year, Safari now will have a role with the New Jersey Department of Education. She, as previous NJ Teacher of the Year winners have done, will work with schools both in and out of the state to observe the best teaching methods and help improve education in the state.
“As state teacher of the year, I am looking forward to sharing some of the important lessons I have learned about the teaching profession,” she said.
(Editor’s Note: The Smoke Signal will follow up on this story in the coming days with a more in-depth look at Safari and her accomplishments.)
