Educators Wall of Fame

IRCO Community Federal Credit Union and Phillipsburg School District Announce Educators Wall of Fame Inductees

The following individuals will be inducted:
• Ann Ball
• Neil Boyer
• Patrick Calafiore
• Josephine Marie Gray
• John Kachmar
• Cynthia Perio
• Edna Seifert

The Induction Reception and Ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Refreshments to begin at 12:00 P.M. in the Phillipsburg High School Cafeteria and Ceremony to begin at 1:00 P.M. in the Phillipsburg High School Auditorium, located at 1 Stateliner Blvd., Phillipsburg, NJ.

The Educators Wall of Fame is a collaborative effort between the IRCO Credit Union and the Phillipsburg School District to honor the legacy and contributions of educators and support staff who have made a lasting impact on students and the community.

For more information, please contact:

Tracey S. Smith, President and CEO, IRCO Community Federal Credit Union and Member of the Educators Wall of Fame Executive Committee.

Greg Troxell, Superintendent, Phillipsburg School District and Member of the Educators Wall of Fame Executive Committee.

To nominate an individual for future consideration, please visit the IRCO Community Federal Credit Union or the Phillipsburg School District website to obtain a Nomination Form.

Second Press Release Wall of Fame 3-2026

IRCO COMMUNITY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION & PHILLIPSBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT

EDUCATORS WALL OF FAME

The Phillipsburg School District has a long and successful history of providing quality educational programs and services to the students enrolled in the district. For all students to benefit and reach their fullest potential, these programs and services have been delivered by a dedicated and highly qualified team of educators, administrators, and support staff.

Now in its second year, the IRCO Community Federal Credit Union & Phillipsburg School District Educators Wall of Fame continues to celebrate and honor those individuals who have had a profound and lasting impact on the children of the Phillipsburg School District.

The Wall of Fame originated from conversations between IRCO Community Federal Credit Union and the Phillipsburg School District to create a meaningful recognition program for outstanding educators and staff. After several collaborative meetings, the partnership proudly launched the Educators Wall of Fame to highlight the legacy and commitment of Phillipsburg’s finest.

An Executive Steering Committee and a Working Standing Committee oversee the Wall of Fame program. The Standing Committee is responsible for soliciting nominations, selecting the annual induction class, and coordinating the ceremonial induction program.

Individuals eligible for nomination must have served the Phillipsburg School District for a minimum of fifteen (15) years and must have retired from the district. Additional criteria for nomination include:

- Retired teachers and administrators of the Phillipsburg School District, including classroom teachers, guidance counselors, school nurses, and Child Study Team members.
- Administrators who have served in the classroom for a minimum of five (5) years.
- Support staff, including paraprofessionals (aides) and custodial/maintenance personnel.

Nomination forms can be obtained by visiting the IRCO Community Federal Credit Union webpage, the Phillipsburg School District webpage, the IRCO Facebook page, and through additional media releases.

Nomination Deadline: February 1, 2026

For further information, please contact:

Tracey Smith – President/CEO, IRCO Federal Credit Union
450 Hillcrest Blvd., Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 | (908) 859-1811

Gregory Troxell – Superintendent of Schools
50 Sargent Ave., Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 | (908) 454-3400 ext. 1011

Nominate here: https://www.ircocu.org/news-events/

WOF Press Release 2026

Nomination Form Wall of Fame 2026

Wall of Fame Inductees 2025

IRCO Community Federal Credit Union and Phillipsburg School District

Announce Inaugural Educators Wall of Fame Inductees

The following individuals will be inducted:
• George M. Chando – Served 42 years as a High School History teacher, class advisor, athletic coach, HS Assistant Principal & HS Principal, as well as Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent of Schools.
• Jennifer DiBiase – Served 37 years as a teacher at the Phillipsburg Middle School.
• Russell DiMarco – Served 26 years as an Elementary School teacher, Elementary School Principal, and Phillipsburg Middle School Principal.
• John (Jack) Emery – Served 34 years as an English teacher, assistant baseball coach, Assistant HS Principal, and Assistant Superintendent of Schools.
• Kathy Hartman – Served 26 years as a vocal music teacher, directing multiple ensembles at Phillipsburg High School and Elementary Schools, and founded the Phillipsburg Summer Youth Theatre.
• Kenneth Lutz – Served 33 years as an English teacher, guidance counselor, and Principal of Phillipsburg High School.
• John (Chip) McFadden – Served 37 years as a Health/Physical Education teacher at the Phillipsburg Middle School and was instrumental in creating the AED program in the district.
• John Morrow – Served 38 years as an Agriculture Education teacher at Phillipsburg High School, longtime advisor for the Future Farmers of America, and began Barnyard Days at the High School.
• Edward Munley – Served 33 years as a History and Political Science teacher at Phillipsburg High School and as an advisor for Mock Trial competitions.
• Gene Pambianchi – Served 33 years as a History teacher, assistant football coach, Cooperative Industrial Education Coordinator, and the Career Education Coordinator at Phillipsburg High School.
• Joseph Pizzino – Served 40 years as an English teacher, grade level team leader at the Phillipsburg Middle School, and Interim Elementary School Principal.
• Phil Rohm – Served 40 years as a Mathematics teacher and department supervisor, assistant and head football coach, and class advisor at Phillipsburg High School.
• Jane Scheetz – Served 48 years as a Clerk/Secretary at Phillipsburg High School and later in those capacities at the Central Office of the School District.
• Linda Snyder – Served 37 years as an Elementary teacher, mathematics coach, director of a TV program at the Andover-Morris Elementary School, and longtime assistant field hockey coach.
• Peter Tomaino – Served 38 years as an English teacher, class and club advisor, assistant and head basketball coach, and head tennis coach at Phillipsburg High School.
• Lois Walters – Served 37 years as a Family/Consumer Science teacher, mathematics teacher, and Director of Guidance at Phillipsburg High School.

The Induction Ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. in the Phillipsburg High School Auditorium, located at 1 Stateliner Blvd., Phillipsburg, NJ.

For more information, please contact:

Tracey S. Smith, President and CEO, IRCO Community Federal Credit Union and Member of the Educators Wall of Fame Executive Committee.

Greg Troxell, Superintendent, Phillipsburg School District and Member of the Educators Wall of Fame Executive Committee.

To nominate an individual for future consideration, please visit the IRCO Community Federal Credit Union or the Phillipsburg School District website to obtain a Nomination Form.