FAIRFIELD, NJ (June 17, 2008) – Three staff members from the Gramon Family of Schools, serving children and young adults with special needs, were honored at the 14th Annual Awards Dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Monroe Township presented by the Council of Private Schools for Children with Special Needs. Christine Tarbox, Social Worker for New Beginnings, Patricia Bendsen, Visual Arts teacher at the Gramon School and Glenview Academy and Paja Zanotti, aide at the Gramon School each received the Ruth K. Newman Award. Newman founded the Gramon School in her South Orange home in 1939, inspired by the belief that each child has the potential to learn and succeed through an individualized program based on that child’s unique strengths and weaknesses.
“Ruth K. Newman had an exceptional influence on special education and provided a model for special service professionals today,” said Kalle Gerritz, Director of the Gramon School. “Each Gramon Family staff member is dedicated to helping students achieve their maximum potential and we are proud that Christine, Patricia and Paja were recognized for carrying on the legacy of our founder.”
Christine Tarbox of Bloomfield has been a full-time social worker at New Beginnings since 2001. She earned “Therapist of the Year” honors in 2002 and outstanding service awards in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Christine has also earned five volunteer awards while at New Beginnings. She has been instrumental in establishing special programs for students including the After School Program and Peer Program, where older students serve as mentors. In addition, Christine is now active as the Girl Scout Leader for the New Beginnings Daisy troop.
Patricia Bendsen of Roackaway teaches Visual Arts to students in first through 12th grade. Patricia’s goal is to have her students see the value in their artwork. This year, two of her student’s were selected to display their work at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, six will be featured in the Essex County Annual Youth Art Show and two were included in the Art Educators of New Jersey 2008 poster calendar. Patricia continues to create and show her own personal artwork, having recently shown a painting at the Agora Gallery in Soho.
Paja Zanotti of Dover has worked with the elderly and special needs students since graduating from Dover High School.After working in a residential program, with children on the autism spectrum and at the Sheppard School with high school students, Paja became an aide at the Gramon School in 2004. She has dedicated her career to serving others and believes that having a positive impact in the lives of students is one of life’s greatest rewards.
The Gramon Family of Schools originated with one school in 1939, serving adolescents and young adults with special needs. Glenview Academy opened in 1984 with the recognition that intervention is more effective when a child's developmental problems are addressed as early as possible. With rising incidences of children diagnosed on the autism spectrum, the Gramon Family of Schools opened New Beginnings and New Beginnings Annex to provide programs to address these critical needs.
