{"id":4585,"date":"2015-09-25T10:30:14","date_gmt":"2015-09-25T14:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/njcts.org\/tsparents\/?p=4585"},"modified":"2015-09-25T10:30:14","modified_gmt":"2015-09-25T14:30:14","slug":"neeta-elementary-school-principal-named-2015-njcts-educator-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/njcts.org\/tsparents\/neeta-elementary-school-principal-named-2015-njcts-educator-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Neeta Elementary School Principal named 2015 NJCTS Educator of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nominated\u00a0by Jen Heicklen and her daughters, Anna and Ava, Carole Ramage was chosen as this year’s winner by the NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Neeta<\/a>

Neeta Elementary School Principal Carole Ramage accepting the NJCTS Educator of the Year Award from NJCTS Executive Director Faith W. Rice at NJ Walks for TS in Medford Lakes on September 20.<\/p><\/div>\n

Principal Carole Ramage of Neeta Elementary School in Medford Lakes, NJ continues to be a source of support and compassion in Anna and Ava Heicklen\u2019s lives. She has taken the girls under her wing, going above and beyond her responsibilities as a school administrator.<\/p>\n

Ramage comforted Anna and her mother, Jen, early in Anna\u2019s 3rd grade school year when she noticed Anna\u2019s hesitation to enter school. Often, Ramage would approach the car and ask Anna to be her helper, easing Anna into her morning routine.<\/p>\n

In fifth grade, Anna\u2019s tics were becoming more noticeable to her peers and Ramage encouraged her to make a presentation to her class about Tourette Syndrome (TS). The presentation changed Anna\u2019s life and she now feels comfortable knowing that everyone knows about TS and supports her.<\/p>\n

Anna Heicklen now enters the school with the confidence Ramage helped her find within herself. For that Principal Ramage was nominated by Jen Heicklen to be the NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders (NJCTS) Educator of the Year. The Heicklen family recognized Ramage on the last day of school and the award was presented to her at the NJ Walks for TS at Medford Lakes on September 20. NJCTS annually recognizes teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, and other education professionals who are making a difference in the lives of a student with TS\u2014an inherited, misdiagnosed, misunderstood neurological disorder that affects 1 in 100 school-age children.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it weren\u2019t for Mrs. Ramage advocating for my child, she would not have presented to her class,\u201d said Heicklen. \u201cThe presentation changed my daughter\u2019s life. From that day on she has not been upset one day about attending school. She feels comfortable. Without Mrs. Ramage\u02bcs influence on our family, this would not have happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

Anna\u2019s younger sister Ava, who also has TS, was encouraged by Ramage to make a presentation to her third grade class. Ramage continues to update the Heicklen family with how well Anna and Ava are doing in school.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe would send me texts during the day letting me know that Ava was doing well,\u201d said Heicklen. \u201cThis information allowed me to relax and worry less about my kids. It is time for this unsung hero to be acknowledged and rewarded for her dedication to the kids for her selfless acts.\u201d<\/p>\n

NJCTS has granted Educator of the Year awards since 2001. More information about the Educator of the Year award is available by calling 908-575-7350 or visiting www.njcts.org.<\/p>\n

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