Red Bank Recognizes its Teachers of the Year

What they’ll tell you is that it’s really all about collaboration, educators working together to ensure that Red Bank’s children get the education they truly deserve. Still, there are those teachers whose dedication to education stands out, even among an exceptional group of educators.

On Wednesday, Red Bank recognized its teachers of the year from the Primary and Middle School. Third grade teacher Brandy Balthazar and Theresa Davidson, a special education teacher, received proclamations from borough council for their work during the last school year.

In addition to teaching a third-grade class, Balthazar has served on the School Improvement team for two years and also has served on the District Professional Development Committee. She also was recognized for teaching students in the district’s STAR program before and after school and for organizing a coat drive for students and their families.

But Balthazar wasn’t willing to take all the credit for her success.

“I think I have a team of colleagues who support me, an administration that supports me, and parents who support me,” Balthazar said prior to the meeting. “It’s just great collaboration all the way around. We all work together.”

Davidson has been an educator for more than 15 years, starting off as a special education high school teacher in the Bronx before coming to Red Bank to teach in 2001. According to her proclamation, Davidson uses literature to help shape her students and broaden their perspectives. 

Davidson often reminds her students that someone like Albert Einstein, who struggled with learning disabilities as a child, would likely share a classroom with them if he grew up in Red Bank. All he needed, she said, is someone to understand his specific gifts and learning style.

The relationships she’s formed with her students have lead to a great teaching experience, she said.       

“I always said I had a great job,” Davidson said. “But I didn’t know just how great a job it was until I came to Red Bank.”