Brick's Teacher of the Year loves his work Counselor, social worker goes to any lengths to get message across BY DANIELLE MEDINA Correspondent SCOTT PILLING staff Brett Novick, Brick's Teacher of the Year, uses a variety of props to get his message across to kindergartners about proper manners. Novick is a counselor and social worker at the school district's Primary Learning Center. Brett Novick wears a lot of different hats as the school social worker and counselor at the Primary Learning Center, both literally and figuratively. On any given day, Novick, who was recently named district Teacher of the Year, will don a wizard's hat, a construction helmet or a bee hat with antennae to get his point across to the kindergartners he teaches. "Kids at that age are so concrete," said Novick, a father of two young children. "When you're teaching them, you have to gear the lessons to make sure they get it. They have to be able to see it." In the classroom, Novick works with the children on character education topics - loyalty, responsibility, trustworthiness, kindness and accepting differences - social skills issues and self-esteem problems. SCOTT PILLING staff Brett Novick, Brick's Teacher of the Year, talks to kindergarten students at the school district's Primary Learning Center Monday. Novick is a social worker and counselor at the center. He switches hats during the lessons, does magic tricks, puts on funny glasses and uses puppets and other props to deliver his life messages. "Even as a grown-up, 'beeing' nice is the most important thing," Novick said to a group of 25 students in Stephanie Juliani's kindergarten class last week, his bee antennae bopping about his head. In addition to character education, Novick also teaches lessons that prep the children for their transition to first grade. He points out all of the brave things they've done in kindergarten. "Give yourself a round of applause, a big hug and a pat on the back," he said. Kelso the frog also helps students make positive choices when confronted with problems. The Kelso "wheel"- a poster displayed all around the school, encourages children to try two of the nine options, such as walk away, talk it out, share and take turns or make a deal. While classroom time is a big part of Novick's job, he also devotes a large chunk of his time to working with families. He often intervenes and offers assistance when there are financial difficulties, sickness, death, or divorce in a child's home. "Life is definitely more stressed in general," Novick said, "And that can affect a student when they're at school." Novick also established the Parents University Program aimed at assisting parents with issues like school transition and temper tantrums. Novick conducts lectures for his peers on dealing with student behavior, communicating effectively with parents and developing self-esteem in students. Staff members also seek his advice and support in dealing with issues in their own personal lives. "He brings cohesiveness to the staff," said Primary Learning Center (PLC) Principal Rochelle Sheiman. "The teachers feel comfortable seeking him out to intervene and make referrals." Novick is also a member of the school's Intervention and referral services team and serves as the PLC's Webmaster. He guides the staff on the computer system, records and analyzes literacy data and helps to implement the school's technology program. Novick said he was overwhelmed by the fact that his peers nominated and selected him for the honor of district Teacher of the Year. "I was really overwhelmed by how highly they thought of me, because I think so highly of them," Novick said. Novick came to the Brick school district in 2001, after the school's administration saw a need for an in-school counselor. A Manahawkin resident, Novick said that he jumped at the chance to work in a school district and really make a difference in the lives of families and children. Novick was also familiar with Brick because his wife, Darla, is a special education teacher at Veterans Memorial Middle School. Born in Bayonne, Novick attended schools in Brick and Monmouth County. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from LaSalle University, Philadelphia and a master's degree in Family Therapy from Friends University, Wichita. He earned a post graduate certificate in school social work from Monmouth University, West Long Branch. Novick believes that by building strong character traits, self-esteem and problem solving skills in kindergartners, he is helping to lay the groundwork for their future. "They have twelve years of public education ahead," he said. "We need them to enjoy learning and build their self-confidence now, so they can move on and find success."