Dina Cashin
Position: Primary Teacher
School: Ernest J. Finizio Aldene Elementary School
School District: Roselle Park School District
City, State: Roselle Park, NJ
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Dina Cashin was nominated by an anonymous member of her community.
Ms. Cashin is the kind of teacher every child dreams about having, even if it's only once in their entire school career. She's the kind of teacher parents whisper a prayer of thanks for; they know their child will be nurtured, loved, and masterfully taught every day under her tutelage. Ms. Cashin is a source of positivity and joy for all who encounter her during the school day. She greets her eager young students with a smile and then involves them in meaningful, curriculum-based learning episodes which promote success for every student at their own level. She differentiates instruction; consequently, students typically soar under her guidance. Reluctant learners become enthusiastic and confident and look forward to their time with their beloved teacher. Her classroom is a "safe place" and a vibrant, colorful, print-rich environment that encourages literacy skills and exploration. Ms. Cashin was doing "SEL" (social and emotional learning) even before the term was coined, as she has always cared about nurturing the whole child and encouraging positive student interactions. Her students celebrate holidays and special days 'in her classroom, and she skillfully uses them as opportunities for student learning and growth.
Ms. Cashin is at the heart of her school community and represents the very best qualities of a professional. She maintains close and open communication with her students' parents; consequently, they hold her in high regard. Parents often maintain contact long after their child moves on to the next grade. She is a respected member of the professional learning community and has been selected as "Teacher of the Year" for her many important qualities. She mentors young and aspiring educators who look to her as a role model. She draws upon her rich educational formation at the university level, where she earned a Master's Degree and graduated Summa Cum Laude. She willingly volunteers for committees and added responsibilities because that is the kind of person she is. She serves on the Curriculum Council and the Character Education Committee, among other endeavors. She is pursuing studies to be a Supervisor at the K-12 level. Her presence enriches the extended school community, and she is of the very highest character!
Maya Angelou stated, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Ms. Cashin's students will never forget that she made them feel loved, safe, important, and like they had tremendous potential, which is what all great educators should do.
"Dina Cashin is a master teacher who forever makes a positive difference for her students and all members of the school community," said her nominator. "Her enthusiasm, dedication, professionalism, initiative, kindness, and devotion to her students is unsurpassed. For all these reasons and more, she deserves to be selected as LifeChanger of the Year!"
Mrs. Cashin was my son’s favorite teacher in kindergarten and he wanted to have her every year after before realizing that wasn’t possible. She loves all the kids and the feelings that have for her is mutual. She communicates great with the parents and she has a lot of patience as well. I always see her smiling, and her positive energy is contagious when she’s around you. This award is well deserved one for her.
Mrs. Cashin is an outstanding educator who truly cares about her students and makes a huge impact on young learners. Her dedication is very apparent in everything she does, and she is appreciated for all her efforts that go above and beyond. It is a pleasure to work with Mrs. Cashin and she is always so helpful to all. Thank you for everything you do for our first graders!
Twelve years ago I met Mrs. Cashin when she was a pre-school teacher for my oldest son. He was a student who had many challenges and Mrs. Cashin helped guide him through them all. Mrs. Cashin worked tirelessly to come up with new strategies to help a special student like my son. Mrs. Cashin has a passion for education and it shows through her continued school work and her drive to help her students. She doesn’t just work with your child for a school year, she becomes a part of a students life, always cheering them on. We are so fortunate that both of our boys have had the pleasure of having Mrs. Cashin be a part of their educational journey. This recognition is so very well deserved! Congratulations!
Congratulations on this well-deserved nomination! Mrs. Cashin is an amazing educator and I'm positive she'll continue to do great things through her career. Thanks for being such an encouraging and positive light in our children's early years.
Mrs. Cashin I'd all three of my children's favorite teacher. My eldest daughter's hero for her class project.
Mrs. Cashin is so deserving of this title! She is an incredible teacher and an amazing coworker who I am inspired by. Congratulations!
Congratulations, Dena! Well deserved!
Your smile, spirit and dedication shine through in all you do. You have touched the hearts and minds of so many students, staff, and parents. Your kind heart and passion for educating and impacting students lives has inspired many. Best of luck!
DIna is an amazing educator. She had made such an impact on her students through the years that countless students come back to Aldene to see her and thank her. Aldene is lucky to have such a 'lifechanger" on our staff!
Thank you Dina for making all of us so proud of your dedication and care for our students.
Congratulations Dina!!! Well deserved recognition!
I had the pleasure of working side by side with Ms. Cashin and can attest to her hard work and dedication as a teacher. She puts in countless hours preparing for her students. She is very sharing of her ideas and resources. I am extremely grateful to have her as a colleague. A well deserved honor.
Congratulations Dina! This is no surprise; your dedication and hard work have resulted in this achievement. The children are lucky to have you as their teacher, and I am incredibly grateful to be able to work with such an inspirational individual.
Congratulations Dina!!!!
We're proud of you!
It is so nice to read so many positive comments recognizing Ms. Cashin's hard work and dedication to students. Well deserved! Good luck, Dina.
I am beyond grateful for the numerous times that Mrs. Cashin has volunteered to share her knowledge, experience, and genuine love for teaching with our Seton Hall University pre-service and alumni teachers. Her skills for building community in her classroom, elevating student voice, and helping all to succeed is inspiring.
I am so lucky to not only have Dina as a coworker, but also as a close friend. When it comes to her students there is no better teacher. She puts her kids first and always looks out for their best interest. She treats each child as her own and makes sure that even on challenging days, they know how much she loves them. She is a role model to students and staff. She can always be counted on to help in any way she can. She really is a teacher with a heart of gold. Our school is so lucky to have her as part of our family.
Congratulations Dina!! This comes as no surprise, you truly are an amazing teacher! You consistently strive to incorporate fun and meaningful learning activities into your lessons. I personally love your go big or go home style when it comes to special holidays and events at Aldene. I always love peeking in your room on those days and finding you either in full blown costume to go with the theme or getting ready for the next cool lesson with props and more. Teaching isn't what you do, it's who you are, and everyone who knows you I think would agree. Well deserved!!
Mrs. Cashin was my sons 1st grade teacher. She was amazing! She taught my son how to read and write. But the most important thing she did was show him love and security everyday. She had him 2019-2020 when the world shut down. What a crazy year that was for all of us. Mrs. Cashin made it all work and continued to show her love through a computer screen. Mrs. Cashin deserves this award 100%! I will forever be grateful to her for being an amazing person/teacher to my son. Good luck Mrs. Cashin. You truly deserve the best! ??
This nomination is incredibly well written and so transparent as to who Dina is as an educator. In everything she does, Dina has given her 110%..I have had the privilege to watch first hand her develop relationships with her students. Being in her classroom is a gift, and her students growth socially and academically is apparent each and every year. In every area of teaching, Dina excels. As a staff member, Dina is a leader , mentor, advocate, and team player. It is without reservation I second everything that has been said on Dina’s behalf. She brings out the strengths in her students and is pure light to to the community. This reward is indeed a high honor, and Dina Cashin is well deserving of this distinguished recognition.
Dina is a natural teacher and has such a calming presence with all children. She is so deserving of this honor and I hope she is celebrated!!
Mrs. Cashin is an amazing educator who not only goes above and beyond in her classroom but also volunteers her time to give back to our aspiring teachers at Seton Hall University. She gave a presentation on providing strategies to new teachers in terms of classroom management and another on strategies for addressing diverse learners in the classroom. Mrs. Cashin never hesitates to say yes when asked to support aspiring teacher. Anytime she talks about her students and education, she is glowing! She is an inspiration and an amazing educator.
Mrs. Cashin is all for the kids and making them feel good about themselves. She does so much good for everyone and always has a smile. Everyone should be like her and the world would be a better place. I hope she wins because she really deserves it.
I have had the privilege of knowing and working with Dina Cashin for more than 10 years. There are not enough words to describe the type of dedicated, kind, caring teacher that she is both in and outside of the classroom.
Mrs. Cashin is an outstanding teacher. She is warm, caring and always has a smile on her face. The children thrive and gain confidence that some never knew they had. Mrs. Cashin has won the hearts of every student in her classroom and many come back to see her for years to come. No one is more deserving of this award.
Mrs.Cashin, is a wonderful teacher!! She’s kind, sweet and so so caring- !
After a virtual first year of school (2021) , she made sure all the kids adapted smoothly into being in person & in first grade- filled with lots of fun but making sure they learned everything they needed & more. She makes sure to integrate not only the kids, but even parents during the summer!! Very well deserved!!!
Not only is Dina an amazing 1st grade teacher, but also an amazing “teacher” teacher. I could not have asked for a better mentor this year as I entered my first year as a teacher. Dina is a one of a kind teacher and I’m so grateful to not only call her my mentor but also a friend. <3
Dina - You are an inspirational teacher and have always had the drive since student teaching days back in 2007. Well deserved, hands down!
Well deserved!!!!
Such a dedicated educator!!
Dina Cashin was my nephew’s first grade teacher last year. She’s an amazing person. Her genuine smile and warmth radiates and lights up the classroom. You could tell her class felt so loved and special. Aiden hated to miss a day of school not to be able to see Mrs. Cashin! She took the extra mile to get the kids together during the summer to read together and play. She’s quite simply, the best!
Miss Dina was my sons PreK teacher, they are now 13 and 15 years old. She is one of the sweetest, kindest most compassionate teachers ever! She will do anything for her students both past and present! All of the kids adore her!
Mrs. Cashin was my daughter's first grade teacher. There is just something about Mrs. Cashin that we fell in love with immediately. She takes the time to get to know each child, and address their individual needs. We were very worried about our daughter's reading level. She advanced to the 2nd grade an exceptional reader! Our daughter flourished academically in Mrs. Cashins class, and was eager to learn and attend school! She never wanted to stay home sick! Mrs. Cashin goes above and beyond for her students. I felt so comfortable dropping our daughter off at school each morning knowing she would be in the hands of a woman who treated her students like she would her own children, with love and respect.
I can not think of a more deserving person for LifeChanger of the Year.
Our daughter Violet continues to mention Mrs. Cashin.
I could honestly ramble on about her for paragraphs at a time.
This amazing woman made time, outside of school , to make her students feel special. Mrs. Cashin would even come to watch her students sports games. She came to our daughter's softball game, and I don't think Violet will ever forget that. She still mentions it every so often. Mrs. Cashin continues to make Violet feel important. She is always happy to tell me when she's had a Mrs. Cashin encounter at school!
Last thing, I swear! She loved her students so much, she had the parents bring their children and meet at the park during summer break, so they could all read a book together and reconnect.
Mrs. Cashin has left a lasting impression on our family. We will be forever grateful for Violets time with her.
Both of my children had Mrs. Cashin for kindergarten and we all feel so incredibly lucky for that. We have sommany fond memories of the time they spent in her classroom. Mrs. Cashin started their school careers off in the best way possible. She deserves the highest praise for love, dedication, and excellence in teaching.
Dina Cashin is an outstanding person inside and outside of the classroom. Any student that has had the pleasure of being in her class is truly lucky! No one deserves this more than her!
Mrs. Cashin is an incredible teacher - a woman truly dedicated to improving the lives of her students!!
Mrs. Cashin is absolutely amazing!!! The detail written to describe why she was nominated is incredibly on point! She is a phenomenal teacher who takes the time to focus on each child individually. My son comes home from school smiling everyday! He absolutely loves her and enjoys learning while in her class. I was concerned about his reading and she picked up on my concerns within the first two weeks of school. She treats each child like they are her own and you will never find a better teacher then that! She is kind but firm and makes learning so much fun! Mrs. Cashin, your sole is like no other!! Hoping the best for you each and everyday.
I have known Dina for many years. She is such an asset to our school and entire community. This is truly a well deserved honor.
Well deserved! Ms. Cashin has an innate ability to discern where help is needed for each student. She provides the necessary guidance and motivation to help them overcome obstacles, grow, learn and exceed their own expectations. Only someone who truly loves their work, is dedicated and selfless goes so far above and beyond. Many kudos to this outstanding educator!
Well deserved! Ms. Cashin has an innate ability to discern where help is needed for each student. She provides the necessary guidance and motivation to help them overcome obstacles, grow, learn and exceed their own expectations. Only someone who truly loves their work, is dedicated and selfless goes so far above and beyond. Many kudos to this outstanding educator!
I have worked with Dina for many years. This box is not large enough to list all her attributes as an amazing educator! The recognition of this award suits her so well and I am blessed to learn from her talents at Aldene School.
Mrs. Cashin is a great teacher! Currently my son is in her class and he has improved so much from last year. She takes the time to help him even when struggling with certain things like holding his pencil right. Seeing the growth and confidence in my son I am beyond thankful for her! Not to mention my son very much enjoys learning from her, he comes home very excited to tell us what he has learned each day! The award is most definitely deserved!
Mrs. Cashin knows how to get the most out of each student, understanding that what helps each child grow and thrive differs. She makes her students feel important, which builds confidence at such a critical young age. I’m forever grateful that my son had the privilege of learning from her in his foundational preK and K years. Congratulations and love to Mrs. Cashin!
Mrs.Cashin is an incredible person. My daughter was her student when the pandemic hit and she was so amazing during and after. Her love made her students feel safe and her caring went beyond the classroom. My daughter was beyond blessed to have such a great teacher come into her life. She uplifted her and encouraged her to do her best. She is truly deserving of recognition.
Mrs Cashin is what you would picture the perfect teacher to be! She truly loves what she does and wants to make a difference! Mrs Cashin is always cheerful and smiling! She loves all her students and helps them be the best they can be! When we first moved here I heard so many great things about her and was excited when I found out she was going to be my daughter’s teacher! This award is definitely deserved!
Mrs. Cashin is an amazing educator and person. She cares about her students, communicates effectively with parents, and collaborates with other staff. She has had a positive impact on every student that she taught over the years. This nomination is well deserved!
Ms. Cashin is a truly wonderful teacher and person and really deserves to win this award. We all have our favorite teachers who we remember even as adults. Mrs. Cashin is that kind of teacher who the kids and parents will remember forever. I sure hope she wins!
Dina Cashin is an amazing teacher who brings sunshine to everyone she meets. She takes every student as an individual and they feel loved and valued in her classroom. She makes learning fun and kids cannot wait to see her each day. Her students learn so much in her class and become like a little family. We are thrilled that she has been nominated for this award and surely hope she wins! She truly deserves this recognition!
Mrs. Dina Cashin is an INCREDIBLE teacher and ROLE MODEL for her students, colleagues, parents and all. No matter the situation, she always manages a smile and good word for all. She goes the extra mile in everything she does which is why she was voted her school's Teacher of the Year a few years back. Her students do their best with her and are eager to please their beloved teacher. A few years back, my child who was not even in her class at the time was having a bad day. Mrs. Cashin saw that he was upset and although she was loaded down carrying things, she stopped, spoke with him and made him realize it was all going to be OK. And it was---thanks to HER! That is the kind of person she is. She has a terrific reputation and is admired by all. I can think of no teacher more deserving than Mrs. Dina Cashin for this prestigious award. She is THE BEST!
