Teacher of year 'so kind and nice' Kindergarten teacher tops in Warren County. Hatchery Hill educator says reward is the job itself. Thursday, June 01, 2006 • BY LYNN OLANOFF • The Express-Times HACKETTSTOWN | One of Julie Fantano's students thinks his teacher knows more than God. Others' praise for the Hatchery Hill School kindergarten teacher isn't quite that high, but it's up there. Fantano recently was named Warren County Teacher of the Year, as well as being her school and district's teacher of the year. Her 19 students gave her a standing ovation when they learned of the news earlier this spring. She was honored at a ceremony last week. "We like her because she's so kind and nice to us," said Marcos Saquicela, 6. "She helps us with the work we can't do -- she tells us to try our best." "She helps us with time and pluses," 6-year-old Acadia Herbst said. "We love her." Fantano, an Independence Township resident, is teaching more people than her students, according to Hatchery Hill Principal Sandra Machacek, who nominated Fantano. "Julie has a great ability to ease parents into the school system," Machacek said. "Kindergarten parents probably learn as much as students." Machacek also praised Fantano for her volunteer grant writing and serving on the Parent Teacher Association and the district's kindergarten transition team. Fantano has been with the Hackettstown School District for nine years. Before that, she spent the previous nine years in various private schools. Fantano is pleased with the award, but she says the real reward is her job. She counts moments such as an e-mail from a parent telling the story about how her son thinks his teacher knows more than God. There was also the time this year when one of Fantano's former students returned to the school. "She said, 'Mrs. Fantano, I want to be a kindergarten teacher because you inspired me.' -- How can you not love what you do?" the teacher said. Fantano was inspired by her sixth-grade teacher at North Garnerville Elementary, where she grew up in Stony Point, N.Y. Linda Schwartz encouraged a then-shy Fantano to come out of her shell. "I won the most-improved student award," Fantano said. "See the things we remember when we were kids." Fantano's top goal is to leave an impression on her students. "If you can make them love school when they're 5, that's the best part of the job," she said. Reporter Lynn Olanoff can be reached at 908-475-8044 or by e-mail at lolanoff@express-times.com. © 2006 The Express-Times. Used with permission.