Bayville Student Teacher Receives State Recognition

BERKELEY, NJ — A Stockton student from Bayville received state recognition for her student teaching.

Jalynn Pagano was one of 15 student teachers recognized as a New Jersey Distinguished Clinical Intern, Stockton University announced in a release.

Pagano, whose certification area is secondary mathematics, was recognized during the annual ceremony on June 8 as a collaboration between the New Jersey Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the New Jersey Department of Education.

The program has honored the top 25 graduates of New Jersey colleges and universities with educator preparation programs. Each school nominates its three most outstanding prospective teachers and an independent panel selects 15 to be named Distinguished Clinical Interns.

“We are extremely proud of Jalynn and all of our nominees,” said Claudine Keenan, Stockton’s dean of the School of Education. “This is a very competitive achievement as it also includes graduate education students. This continues to be a challenging time for educators, and we appreciate the dedication of our student teachers, their teaching mentors and our partner school districts in helping guide the next generation of educators.”

Pagano's mentor, Southern Regional High School math teacher Kathleen Cornelius, called her "a true math geek."

“I won the lottery when Jalynn was assigned to me,” Cornelius said. “She is enthusiastic, driven, smart, responsible, professional and most important – she cares deeply about kids and their educational experience.”

Pagano graduated summa cum laude in May with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics. She said one of the most important things she learned from Cornelius was building relationships and supporting students both inside and outside of the classroom.

“She has truly inspired me to continue to learn and reflect on my work so that I can be the best teacher that I can be for my students,” Pagano said.