2024 Teacher of the Year & ESP

2024 Teacher of the Year and Educational Services Professional
Posted on 12/20/2023

2024 Governor’s Educators of the Year Recognition Program



 

Shawn Lawn

Grade 6 Social Studies Teacher



Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and English (Trenton State College) 

Master’s Degree in School Counseling from The College of New Jersey 


26 years in Hillsborough Township Public Schools

Worked at both Hillsborough Middle School and ARIS (since 2002) 


During her time in Hillsborough, Mrs. Lawn taught seventh and eighth grade writing lab, sixth grade reading and writing, and sixth grade social studies.


Mrs. Lawn’s classroom is defined by student-centered learning and kinesthetic activities that she strives to provide for her students whenever possible. Over the years, Mrs. Lawn has been involved in a variety of co-curricular activities to support students at ARIS. Such activities include serving as a club advisor for a Yoga Club and the ARIS Inclusion Alliance. Mrs. Lawn has also been an integral part of the Auten Road’s Heritage Celebration the last four years. Over the last several years, Mrs. Lawn has provided a wonderful learning experience for all the students on her team to have an opportunity to meet with their local congressional representative including Rep. Leonard Lance and Rep. Tom Malinowski. Mrs. Lawn was also one of the first teachers at ARIS to bring in components of mindfulness to help her students deal with the stressors of the day and to get focused. 


A few facts about Mrs. Lawn:


  1. Mrs. Lawn is married (David) and has a son (Ryan).

  1. What is a piece of advice that you would give a new teacher? Connect! Connecting the content to the kids' lives as well as connecting to the kids as individuals beyond the classroom is the best way to make learning meaningful. 

  1. What are some of your interests outside of school? Reading, Hiking, Yoga, & Exercising

  1. What is something that others may not know about you? On a recent trip to Puerto Rico, my family and I jumped off a 25 foot cliff into a river in the El Yunque rainforest!

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Erica Clough

Instructional Assistant



Bachelor's Degree in Business from Widener University


Started working at ARIS in 2017


Worked for Displayonix Corporation after graduating college, which was a part of her family’s business. Moved onto work for a non-profit organization (The Point of Purchase Advertising Institute) running the membership department. In 1996 returned to her family’s business.


A few facts about Mrs. Clough:


  1. Mrs. Clough has been married since 1996 (Christopher Clough) and has two sons (Taylor 26 and Owen 24).
     
  1. Best thing about being an instructional assistant: The connections I have made with my colleagues and the personal connection I get to make with my students.