September 4, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 11 Ridgewood McOwen is Distinguished Student Teacher Kevin McOwen, a post-baccalaureate student who completed Ramapo College’s teacher education certification program in 2012, was awarded the prestigious New Jersey Distinguished Student Teacher Award in June at Rider University. He was one of only 15 winners in the State of New Jersey. Each year, the New Jersey Department of Education publicly recognizes the year’s Michele Jaker The League of Women Voters of Ridgewood is pleased to announce Michele Jaker, principal of MJ Strategies, as the keynote speaker at the Annual Fall Lun- cheon. This event will be held Sept. 25 from noon until 2 p.m. at the Old Paramus Reformed Church, 660 East Glen Avenue, Ridgewood. Jaker will speak to the status of Women’s Health Care in New Jersey. Prior to her work protecting women’s health, Jaker served as chief of staff to State Senator Joseph Vitale, chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. Questions from the public are welcome. The cost to attend is $25 per person. Checks made out to LWV of Ridgewood may be mailed to Linda McNamara, 575 Knickerbocker Road, Ridgewood, NJ 07450. For details, call (201) 444-0688 or e-mail llmcnamara1@gmail.com. The League of Women Voters, a non- profit political organization, encourages informed and active participation in gov- ernment. The LWV works to increase the understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through edu- cation and advocacy. Jaker to address LVW top graduates of teacher education pro- grams in New Jersey’s colleges and univer- sities through the New Jersey Distinguished Student Teacher Award program. Each New Jersey college or university submits packets for the three top student teachers. An inde- pendent panel of experts evaluates each stu- dent’s submission. This year, for the third time in the last five years, a Ramapo Col- lege student was selected as a recipient of this prominent award. McOwen received his teaching certi- fication in mathematics and is currently employed as a mathematics teacher at Ridgewood High School. In addition, two 2013 Ramapo College graduates, Lauren Santaniello and Ruthann Inserra, were nominated for the award and were honored at the event. Anne DeGroot, assistant professor of teacher education, has coordinated the pro- cess of nominating students and submitting their packets for the past five years and attended the ceremony. DeGroot noted that this recognition of achievement in student teaching is an outstanding honor for teacher education, the School of Social Science and Human Services, and Ramapo College.