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Teaching life skills SCARC recognizes Vernon teacher as partner in helping students to function in the world
Slugline SCARC0608
Publication
Date June 07, 2005
Section(s) Web Local News
Page A9
By JEANNETTE SCHEIN
Herald Staff Writer
VERNON When Matt McNally first started Jean BaillyOrlovsky's life skills class at Vernon Township High School, he didn't want
to participate. "He used to tell me he wanted to quit," BaillyOrlovsky said, laughing.
"Now Matt tells me he wants to be a chef. He volunteers to help in class," she said. "That's what makes it all worthwhile."
"To me, that's the best part of this job," she added. "It gives me hope that these kids can function out in the world. We're helping
them be independent."
BaillyOrlovsky has been recognized for her work with Matt and his classmates. She has been named as SCARC's Teacher of the
Year and will receive the award Friday night at the Lake Mohawk Country Club in Sparta.
"Jean complements SCARC's transition program by working with our staff to assist students' transition from school to work," said
Dr. Richard Lecher, SCARC's executive director.
"Jean has created a partnership in helping students transition from high school, preparing them for adulthood. She involves them in
community activities as well, allowing them to work with others who are not developmentally disabled," said Edna Talmadge,
coordinator of SCARC's transition services.
Matt McNally's mother, Sheila, submitted a letter nominating BaillyOrlovsky for the award. "I would like to say that there are
probably many good special education teachers in Sussex County," she said. "But Ms. BaillyOrlovsky is more than good. She is
the type of teacher that will not only impact your child's life but yours as well."
BaillyOrlovsky, 47, grew up in West Orange, earned her college degree at Seton Hall University and later received her master's
degree at New Jersey City University. She settled in Vernon because her family had a summer home in the Highland Lakes section
of the township and began teaching at the high school 25 years ago.
What keeps the job exciting for her after all of these years? "It's the kids," she said. "I love watching them grow and become
independent. Every day, they learn something new. It's amazing."
BaillyOrlovsky's class runs the high school's Breakfast Club. Her 13 students bake their own breads, cheese Danish, cinnamon
rolls and coffee cakes from scratch each week. Students improve their motor skills, math skills, bilateral coordination and planning
skills, just to name a few, by following recipes, kneading the dough, placing the items on trays and baking them as well as by
selling them at the high school.
Through the Breakfast Club and other fundraisers, the class has been able to take field trips as well as support other causes,
including the Sussex County Food Bank, tsunami and earthquake victims and a local student who had no insurance to cover
medical expenses.
The students aren't the only ones learning from the experience. "I learn so much from them," BaillyOrlovsky said. "Academics are
very important, but these are lifefunctioning activities they are learning."
BaillyOrlovsky and her husband, Michael, have two children, Rachel, 19, and Corey, 9. When she's not teaching, she enjoys Tae
Kwon Do with her family and loves to garden and read.
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