page 10 GlenRock CommunityGuide 2017-2018
Andthe Ax Award goes to …. BY JOSEPH RITACCO , EDITOR
During an annual rite of summer , the Middle School / High School Home & School Association ( HSA ) presented its Robert H . AxAwards to adeserv- ing teacher at each school . This year ’ s recipients were recently-retired high school language arts teacher Ann Comarato and middle school dance teacher Joanne Brown . The award was createdin1969 when Robert Axretired as principal of Glen Rock High School . He established the following criteria for selection of the winners : A teacher who has met the challenge of developing the full potential of the student , is the one who aspired to teach with love , wisdom , patience and enthusiasm , and regularly exhibits the qualities ofpersonal integrity and dedication to the teaching ideals of Principal Robert H . Ax .
Comarato , who retired after 33 years of teaching , spent her career helping students love words on the page and the stage . Prior to joining the Glen Rock school system , she taught English and drama at Park Ridge High School , where she also directed the fall and spring musical and became the first acting coach for “ Sopranos ” star James Gandolfini . She later worked for three years atRaritan High School and two years at Glen Rock Middle School , before transferring to Glen Rock High School , where she taught public speaking , English and journalism and directed the school musical .
Her students are quick to point out that she greeted everyone with asmile and made literature come alive inthe classroom , while colleagues describe her as aconsummate professional who helped out wherever she was needed .
Brown , whohas taught dance atGlen Rock Middle School since 2002 , enrolled in her first dance class as child growing up in Hackensack . She later attended the University of Maryland , where she focused on modern dance while touring , producing shows and taking courses on working with children . After graduation , she joined acollaborative
Glen Rock Middle School Exploratory Arts teacher Joanne Brown , left , and Glen Rock High School Language Arts teacher Ann Comarato get ready to cut their congratulatory cake atthe 2017 Robert Axawards ceremony .
dance company in Connecticut and continued her lessons with major dancers in New York City . She later moved to the city to pursue dancing in the modern dance scene . After marrying and starting a family , she moved to New Jersey and began working at the Center for Modern Dance and Bergen Dancenter . Working as a teaching artist at various public schools through New Jersey Performing Arts Center and sharing her talents with special needs students during summers inspired her to teach full-time .
As an educator , she works at linking dance with the curriculum in other subjects , and helping students work through their struggles .
Comarato and Brown were honored in June at ajoint faculty meeting of high school and middle school educators . “ We keep the winners a secret and invite their family and friends ,” said John Arlotta , principal of Glen Rock High School .“ We have a reception and surprise them .”
Arlotta credited the HSA for handling the entire process , and said the nomination process and award presentation are met with great enthusiasm . ◆
COURTESY OF ANDREA TAHINOS