Franklin Twp. educator Warren teacher of year Susan Preiss likes to relate class work to real-life experiences. Saturday, May 19, 2007 • BY LYNN OLANOFF • The Express-Times FRANKLIN TWP. | Jimmy Nunn was eager for the math lesson to start. "Shush, guys," he said to his classmates. "Let's eat some ice cream." In the lesson filled with ice cream, milk and a blender, math class seemed more like a trip to an ice- cream shop than a lesson in multiplying fractions. But to make their vanilla milkshakes, the sixth-grade students had to multiply a recipe for one times seven to make enough for themselves, their teacher and a guest. When the end result was a sweet treat, multiplying seven times a quarter-cup didn't seem too hard. "We're having delicious math today," their teacher, Susan Preiss, said. "I like the hands-on approach -- connecting something they're doing to real life." The lesson has done more than impress her ice cream-loving students. Its lessons like the milkshake making and others that allow Preiss to get through to her special education students. The work got her recognized as both Franklin Township's and Warren County's teacher of the year recently. She will be honored at a county Education Department ceremony Thursday and be in the running for New Jersey's top teacher honor in the fall. "She works hard making sure that all her students fully understand the materials presented by the content teachers," Franklin Chief School Administrator Paul Rinaldi said. Preiss' special education students are separated for math but included with 13 other six-grade students for the rest of their subjects. The schedule is part of the school's inclusion special education teaching, which started 20 years ago. "Educating them with their peers in an environment where all students feel they are succeeding is very important," Preiss said. Preiss got her first taste of inclusion special education teaching when she was a teacher and director at Washington Nursery School in Washington. Through a grant program, the nursery school took on some special education students to integrate them with their existing students. The experience inspired Preiss to obtain a teacher of the handicapped certification after 23 years at the nursery school. Preiss, 54, of Washington Township, Morris County, joined Franklin Township School seven years ago. "I loved what I did before, but I love what I do now even more," she said. "I love working with sixth-graders. They have so much personality and creativity and I love being able to share in it." Preiss' students are impressed with her creativity, too. In addition to the milkshake lesson, her math students have made smoothies and planned the budget for one of their school dances. "That's why math is one of my favorite subjects," Jimmy said. Reporter Lynn Olanoff can be reached at 908-475-8044 or by e-mail at lolanoff@express-times.com. © 2007 The Express-Times. Used with permission.