Second-grade teacher Gen Duran and eighth-grade language teacher Michelle Malhado are the teachers of the year in the Northfield School District
NORTHFIELD – Two veteran educators have been chosen as recipients of the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Northfield School District.

Gen Duran, of Egg Harbor Township, a second-grade teacher with 15 years in the Northfield Community School, was chosen elementary school teacher of the year.

Michelle Malhado of Linwood, an eighth-grade language teacher with seven years in the district, was named middle school teacher of the year.

Duran graduated from Penn State with a degree in art and found her way to the classroom through the alternative route. She said the longer road to teaching made her realize just how much she loved to be in front of the classroom.

Duran, who has three sons, said the best part of teaching second grade is getting her students to believe in themselves and use their creativity and imagination.

“My biggest word is ‘believe.’ If you believe in yourself, then anything is possible,” Duran said.

“Gen Duran is an innovative and introspective teacher who consistently re-evaluates the impact and successes of every lesson she teaches,” said Elementary school Principal Maureen Vaccaro.

She said Duran is at the forefront with her understanding of the national and state core curriculum content standards, infusing her teaching with deep and enriching hands-on experiences and writing across the content areas.

“Ms. Duran's students and parents love her, and appreciate the caring and thoughtful demeanor with which she oversees her classroom, with high standards for her students, reflected in their daily growth as respectful children. It is an honor to have her as a teacher in Northfield,” Vaccaro said.

Malhado teaches French and Spanish upstairs in the Middle School. She spoke with pride when she said a majority of her students place out of Spanish 1 at Mainland Regional High School and go directly into Spanish II.

She has an undergraduate degree in French from St. Elizabeth University and a master’s degree in French from Middlebury College.

Malhado taught in Pleasantville prior to coming to Northfield.

She lived in France for a time and said being able to infuse the culture of the countries with the language hopefully makes it more authentic for the students.

“I use postcards and pictures because I have lived in the culture I can explain it to the students firsthand,” said Malhado.

“Miss Malhado is one of the most kind and gentle people I have met,” said Middle school Principal Maria Caiafa.

“She is very quiet, highly dedicated and does not accept praise easily. Even after winning the teacher of the year position, she said, ‘Oh, I just got it because it was my turn,’ not acknowledging all the wonderful things she does for her students.”

She said one of the things she is most impressed with is how Malhado dedicates her summers to teaching in Third World countries.

“Every summer she goes abroad and teaches English. She says this helps her keep her Spanish sharp, but I know that she does this because it is a reflection of her caring, giving nature,” Caiafa said. “She gives of herself to better others, and it is this attitude that the students respond to and respect.”

The teachers of the year will be honored by the Northfield Board of Education at its Feb. 27 meeting.