Toms River celebrates its own New Jersey Teacher of the Year

TOMS RIVER - Christine Girtain had some advice for her students in remarks at the end of a pep rally Monday held in her honor at RWJBarnabas Health Arena.

"Whatever choice you make in your career, make sure you love it as much as I love this," said Girtain, who last week was named New Jersey's Teacher of the Year for 2022-2023 by the state Department of Education, "because this has been one helluva ride."

A combined band of Toms River High School North and South students serenaded Girtain, school mascots led cheers, and several of her students, along with a series of speakers, lauded the science teacher for her devotion to educating and seeking extra opportunities for the kids in her classes.

"We are here to celebrate someone who is extraordinary," Superintendent Mike Citta said, adding that the school district decided that "pep rally, Toms River-style" was the best way to show appreciation for the first Ocean County teacher to be named the state's educator of the year.

Girtain received praise and proclamations from Toms River Mayor Maurice B. "Mo" Hill Jr., South Toms River Mayor Gigi Esparza and Beachwood Borough Council President Jerry LaCrosse.

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Esparza even led the students in loud cheers of "Mama G," the affectionate nickname by which she's known around campus.

Girtain, who serves as director of authentic science research at Toms River High School North and High School South, is a 27-year teaching veteran and High School North graduate. She's married, has two children, and lives in Toms River, where her mother formerly served as a secretary in the Toms River Regional schools. Her brother, Paul, is a history teacher at Toms River North.

The authentic science research is a three-year elective of independent research on a specific science topic, officials said. Girtain's students have been exposed to a variety of experts, from Penn State researchers teaching about microbes that may block the spread of the Dengue and Zika viruses to an immersive research program in the rainforests of Costa Rica.

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Students who spoke at the pep rally said Girtain has inspired them to pursue an interest in science, and has also taught them valuable research and public speaking skills.

"I see the spark in her eyes whenever she is working," said High School South sophomore Bisola Fasakin. "That is how much she loves her job."

"She facilitates once-in-a-lifetime experiences for all of us," High School South junior Eloise Weintraub said.

High School North senior Katie Marra described Girtain as "an amazing role model," and the "kind of teacher that will show up at your games, help you make college decisions."

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Girtain, 50, also received a white Ford EcoSport SUV from the NJEA, which she will use for the next year. She'll be taking a sabbatical from Toms River Regional starting in January to visit schools all over New Jersey; travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico for the National Farm Bureau Convention in January, and head to Washington, D.C. next year to meet teachers of the year from other states, as well as President Joe Biden.

The sabbatical is paid for by Educational Testing Service, one of the sponsors of the Teacher of the Year program. Girtain said she looks forward to collaborating with other educators; one of her passions is food sustainability, and her students have researched ways to kill mites that are harming bees.

She's also working with Seeds of Change, a nonprofit that provides hands-on science research opportunities for high school students, including a 10-day summer science research program in Costa Rica.

She said her third grade teacher, Ginny White, inspired her to go into education, and during her speech Monday she paused to ring a bell in White's memory. Girtain credited her parents with inspiring her lifelong love of learning.

"I guess it's the connection with the kids," Girtain said of what she enjoys most about teaching. "I'm excited about getting them excited to learn."

Jean Mikle covers Toms River and several other Ocean County towns. She's also passionate about the Shore's storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle, jmikle@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: New Jersey Teacher of the Year is from Toms River Regional Schools