Author: Web Site Administrator

Michael Shephard and Union County VO-TECH Share $50,000 Award

Contact: David Connerty-Marin
207-831-3313
david.connertymarin@gmail.com

SCOTCH PLAINS, N.J.—An automotive technology teacher from Scotch Plains has been named a winner of the 2020 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, receiving $50,000 as part of $1 million awarded to 18 trades teachers nationwide today.

Michael Shephard, who teaches automotive technology at Union County Career and Technical Institute in Scotch Plains, will receive $50,000—including $35,000 for the school’s skilled trades program and $15,000 for him personally. He joins 14 other Prize winners, who each received $50,000, and three Grand Prize winners, who each received $100,000 as part of the annual prize.

“This year has been one of the toughest on record for skilled trades teachers as they switch between in-person, remote or blended learning—all while trying to do their life’s work of preparing the next generation of tradespeople,” said Danny Corwin, executive director of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools. “At a time when tradespeople are more essential than ever, so is trades education. We are honored and grateful to have the chance to shine a spotlight on these teachers’ amazing work.”

Union County Vocational-Technical Schools Superintendent Gwendolyn Ryan said:  “Mr. Shephard brings valuable industry experience, great enthusiasm for Career and Technical Education, and a love of learning to the Automotive Technology students at the Union County Career and Technical Institute,” said .  We rely on industry partners to provide meaningful support of our programs.  We are grateful both for Harbor Freight Tools for Schools’ partnership and for recognizing Mr. Shephard for the commitment he has made to our students.  We could not be more proud of his initiative, his creativity and of this accomplishment!” 

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella said: “We congratulate Mr. Shephard for receiving this award and we thank Harbor Freight Tools for Schools for their partnership. We also thank Mr. Shephard for his commitment to his students and excellence in vocational education. Now more than ever, we must continue to develop the skills of our students who wish to work in vocational fields and deliver essential services.”

The Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence was started in 2017 by Eric Smidt, the founder of national tool retailer Harbor Freight Tools, to recognize outstanding instruction in the skilled trades in U.S. public high schools and the teachers who inspire students to learn skills to prepare for life after graduation. As recent research from JFF (formerly known as Jobs for the Future) and funded by Harbor Freight Tools for Schools found, students who “concentrate” (or take multiple trades courses as part of a program) are more likely to graduate than their peers. Upon graduation, students are prepared for either further education or work in fields that routinely rank among the hardest jobs to fill and that have come to be widely recognized as “essential” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Trades teachers are educating and developing the tradespeople of the future,” Smidt said.  “Many of the students in their classes today will become—as soon as next spring—the workers who keep our critical care infrastructure, our communication networks, our homes and cars up and running. The prize is our way of saying thank you to their teachers.”

Michael Shephard teaches automotive technology at Union County Career and Technical Institute in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. He has taught at UCCTI for four years. Shephard’s students learn how to rebuild engines by running diagnostics and performing repairs. During his time teaching, Shephard has expanded his program to include a third year, during which students fix customer cars. In the shop, Shephard teaches students according to their learning styles, using the Visual, Auditory, Read/Write, Kinesthetic (VARK) method. Upon completion of his program, 90 percent of Shephard’s students earn an Automotive Service Excellence certificate.

For a list of all 18 winners and finalists, click here.

Grand Prize winners will each receive $100,000, with $70,000 going to their public high school skilled trades program and $30,000 to the individual skilled trades teacher behind the winning program. The 15 Prize winners will each be awarded $50,000, with $35,000 going to their public high school program and $15,000 to the teacher. Because of school, district and/or state policy regarding individual cash awards, the schools of two teachers will receive the entire prize winnings. Cash awards given to schools will support winning teachers’ skilled trades programs. Individual winnings can be used however the winner wishes.

The 2020 prize drew more than 600 applications from 48 states and included three rounds of judging, each by an independent panel of experts from industry, education, trades, philanthropy and civic leadership. The application process, which included responses to questions and a series of learning modules, was designed to solicit each teacher’s experience, insights and creative ideas about their approach to teaching and success in helping their students achieve excellence in the skilled trades. All learning modules are available here.

In July, the field was narrowed to 50 finalists. The 32 finalists who were not named winners today will receive $1,000 gift cards from Harbor Freight Tools. Additionally, given the challenges teachers are facing due to COVID-19, teachers who applied for the prize but did not advance to become finalists were eligible to receive $100 gift cards from Harbor Freight Tools.

About Harbor Freight Tools for Schools

Harbor Freight Tools for Schools is a program of The Smidt Foundation, established by Harbor Freight Tools founder Eric Smidt, to advance excellent skilled trades education in public high schools across America. With a deep respect for the dignity of these fields and for the intelligence and creativity of people who work with their hands, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools aims to drive a greater understanding of and investment in skilled trades education, believing that access to quality skilled trades education gives high school students pathways to graduation, opportunity, good jobs and a workforce our country needs. Harbor Freight Tools is a major supporter of the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools program. For more information, visit us at HarborFreightToolsforSchools.org and Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter.

Must register online beginning Monday, October 19^th at 9 a.m. to reserve spot

The Union County Freeholder Board is proud to present Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes in a drive-in concert on Saturday, October 24^th, 7 p.m. at the Union County Vocational Technical Schools Campus on 1776 Raritan Road.

Those interested in attending must reserve a spot for the free show online at www.ucnj.org/concert-register . First-come, first-served as spots will go fast. The registration link goes live on Monday, October 19^th, beginning at 9 a.m.

“Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes are one of New Jersey’s most iconic rock acts and a favorite of so many fans around the world,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We are excited to once again present them live and we are looking forward to an amazing show.”

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes have previously performed in Union County, with their last appearance being at Union County’s Musicfest concert in 2011 at Oak Ridge Park in Clark.

Playing a classic blend of searing rock, soul, and blues accompanied by a solid guitar sound and a blistering horn section, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes have recorded more than 30 albums and toured all over the world during the past five decades. They are, along with close friend and frequent collaborator Bruce Springsteen, and later, Bon Jovi—the creators of the legendary Jersey Shore sound.

Some of their biggest hits include: “I Don’t Want To Go Home,” “Love On The Wrong Side Of Town,” “The Fever,” “This Time It’s For Real,” “Talk To Me” and their definitive fun-time cover of “We’re Having A Party,” and with Springsteen, “It’s been a Long Time.”

To help promote social distancing, no walk-ups, bikes or chairs are permitted. Vehicles will be arranged at least 6 feet apart with adequate social distancing. Port-o-johns and wash stations will be available. Masks will be required when using the port-o-johns. Attendees must stay in their vehicles (unless they need to use the port-o-johns). Those who are attending can bring their own food, and non-alcoholic drink. Alcohol is prohibited.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites non-profit organizations to attend a free online workshop, “Social Media Marketing for Non-Profits,” on Tuesday, October 27 from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM. Jessica Maarek, owner of the social media marketing agency Red Root Marketing, will present the workshop via Zoom.

“Union County is pleased to be offering this professional development session to grantees and other non-profits. It will provide hands-on tools that community-oriented organizations can quickly put into action in today’s media landscape,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Online registration for the workshop is required. Please go to https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/cultural-heritage-affairs/social-media-marketing-for-non-profits/ to register.

Participants will learn specific ways to optimize their social media platforms, effective methods for engaging their community in meaningful ways, and how to plan and create compelling content. Resources and tools will be provided.

This workshop is open to all arts and history organizations, especially those receiving grants through Union County’s HEART, Local Arts Program, and History Grant initiatives. Other non-profit organizations may also attend.

The workshop is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information about the event please call the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 908-558-2550. The Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs is a division of the Department of Parks and Recreation.

For more information and updates on all Union County services and resources during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, and the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, please visit the new Union County COVID-19 website at ucnj.org/covid19.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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Connect with Union County on social media.

Each year, the Freeholder Board’s annual Union County Senior Citizens Art Exhibit showcases original work created by county residents aged 60 and above. The 2020 exhibit comprises 124 works of art entered by both professional and non-professional artists.

This year’s exhibit can be viewed online at www.ucnj.org/senior-art. All artwork images were submitted directly by the artists.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to showcase the artwork created by our senior citizens each year, and this year we are very pleased to present this exhibit virtually, enabling these talented artists to share their work with everyone in the community,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Professional artists Barbara Wallace, Joseph Borzotta and Alina Marin-Bliach served as jurors, designating awards in each media category.

All entries awarded First Place honors will advance to the state level, to represent Union County in the 2020 New Jersey Senior Citizens Art Show.

The artworks awarded first place cover a wide variety of media and materials by professional and non-professional artists, including:

• Eileen Bonacci (Oil Painting)
• Dante Bonardi (Watercolor)
• Lynda DuBois-Jackson (Craft)
• Marcia Haller (Acrylic Painting)
• Janice Metzger (Printmaking)
• Nancy Ori (Photography)
• Leona Seufert (Digital/Computer Art)
• Barbara Uhr (Pastel)
• Roberta Zlatkin (Mixed Media)
• Anne Castellano (Pastel)
• James Colangelo (Craft)
• William Connolly (Drawing)
• Stephanie Dexter (Oil Painting)
• Nancy Fine (Mixed Media)
• Robert Gasson (Acrylic Painting)
• Deborah Mainiero (Sculpture)
• Anne Occi (Watercolor)
• Catherine Varnelas-Smith (Digital/Computer Art)
• David Weisbrod (Photography)

“Afternoon in Amsterdam,” an oil painting by professional artist Eileen Bonacci, was awarded Best of Show by a Professional Artist.

A sculpture by Deborah Mainiero, “Abstract Flower,” was awarded Best of Show by a Non-Professional Artist.

The annual Senior Citizens Art Exhibit is coordinated and administered by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, and made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information about the virtual art gallery and other programs and services related to the arts and history in Union County, contact the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, a division of the Department of Parks and Recreation, at culturalinfo@ucnj.org or 908-558-2550 (NJ Relay users dial 711), or visit online at ucnj.org/parks-recreation.

For more information and updates on all Union County services and resources during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University and the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, visit the new Union County COVID-19 website at ucnj.org/covid19.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

                                              Connect with Union County on social media.           

Happy Columbus Day weekend! The Union County Freeholder Board and members of UNICO District X and Plainfields’ UNICO marked the holiday with the 12th annual Columbus Day Flag raising in Elizabeth at the County seat today. l. to r. Sheriff Peter Corvelli, Surrogate James LaCorte, Freeholder Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, Italian Tribune Publisher A.J. “Buddy” Fortunato, Plainfields UNICO President Bob Bengivenga, UNICO District X Governor @Anthony Bengivenga, Robert Tarte of Westfield UNICO, County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, holding the flag and others receiving the resolution.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella joined Union County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran at the Union County Mobile Test Unit at the Southside Firehouse in Scotch Plains. The Union County Mobile Test Unit is continuing to visit local communities to provide free COVID-19 tests for residents this fall. No car is required. All sites are available on a walk-up basis. For more details and to view the most recent schedule online visit ucnj.org/covid19/testing/walk-up-locations, or call 908-214-7107 for assistance. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)