FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 16, 2009

SCHOOL NURSE IS RFHRHS TEACHER OF THE YEAR

School Nurse Linda Nill is honored as RFHRHS Teacher of the Year

The RFHRHS Teacher of the Year for 2009 is our School Nurse, Mrs. Linda Nill, who is an integral part of life at the school way beyond the walls of the Health Office. Far from staying in her office as many school nurses may do, Mrs. Nill is involved with our school in ways that transcend physical exams and calling parents to pick up feverish students. 

As the advisor to the RFHRHS Health Club, she has increased its membership to the point at which it is a very popular school organization and has initiated exciting events in order to raise awareness about many serious health issues and health related careers. Members have participated in the Breast Cancer Walk in Point Pleasant and the MS Walk on Sandy Hook. Under Mrs. Nill's leadership, the Health Club has sponsored Hoops for Hearts for the American Heart Association and a Senior-Faculty Softball Game for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The Club is a sponsor of the Powder Puff football game, and each year different organizations are named as beneficiaries of funds raised. Last year, the American Cancer Society and the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundations received our donations, and this year it was the American Diabetes Association. The Health Club does other creative activities such as the "Baby Shower" that was done several years ago for the St. Claire's Home for Children Affected by HIV/AIDS. Members collected donations of baby clothes, toys and supplies and delivered them to the facility in Neptune. Another year, the Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside was the recipient of a Holiday donation from members of the Health Club who delivered gifts and visited with the afflicted children who reside in the hospital.

The Health Club and Mrs. Nill are responsible for the Health Fair, which is done in conjunction with the Physical Education Department and takes place biannually. Outside representatives of health oriented organizations bring displays to the gym and interact with attendees.  All RFH students and staff are invited to see the many health related displays, and 8^th Graders from our two sending districts are invited as well to come and learn and also to have the opportunity to become more accustomed to our high school. Another major activity is the Blood Drive where the Central Jersey Blood Bank comes to the school. Every year faculty and students donate blood to help those local residents who are in need of transfusions.

When RFH student Amanda McKean had an idea to do a fundraiser for cancer awareness and to donate funds to a planned pediatric cancer center, she made it happen with the help of Mrs. Nill and the Health Club. This year was the second Cancercrushernight, and more than $40,000 was raised for the Pediatric Cancer Survivorship Clinic at Monmouth Medical Center. 

This year Mrs. Nill spent the winter break accompanying  Raise the Roof to Wilmington, Delaware where they slept in the Quaker Meeting House in order to help build homes for inner city needy people. She also spent several days in New York City cheering the Model UN team on.  She is a visible and highly active part of the staff at RFHRHS.

Our Teacher of the Year attended Fairfield University from which she earned a BSN. She worked for her School Nurse Certification at Monmouth University from which she also earned a Masters Degree in Nursing.  Before becoming a Certified School Nurse, Mrs. Nill worked in her profession at the NYU Medical Center in the Orthopedic Surgical Unit, the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit and the Cooperative Care Unit. Upon relocation to this area, she worked in the Cardiac Care Unit of Monmouth Medical Center and for the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey as a Home Care Nurse and a Clinical Manager. She was the School Nurse at Long Branch High School before she came to us at RFHRHS. Mrs. Nill is actively involved with Sigma Theta Tau International, the Honor Society of Nursing, and the Monmouth County School Nurses Association.

All of this training and experience has given Mrs. Nill an excellent preparation for being our school nurse. She says, "All of these different work experiences have been a journey to help prepare me for my current position. School nursing is a challenge because you have to be prepared for any health related situation. I really enjoy the one-on-one teaching that I can do with the students."

Married to Carl Nill, she is the mother of three children. Her daughter, Colleen, graduated from Monmouth University last year, married and is teaching Math at Middletown HS North. Her son, Mike, and younger daughter, Ali, are both in college. An avid NY Yankees fan, Mrs. Nill also enjoys boating, going to the beach and reading.

RFHRHS Principal Tracy Handerhan said,

  "This year I was honored to be able to announce RFH's Educator of the Year.  For the first time, the committee selected a member of the Educational Professional Services staff. This exceptional selection speaks volumes.  As RFH's School Nurse, Linda Nill is in the unique position of making a tremendous impact in the lives of every student and staff member--and she does!  Knowledgeable, hardworking, approachable, calm, cool, collected, and fun are just a few words that describe Mrs. Nill. She is always ready for action.  Her involvement in the RFH community extends far beyond the four walls of the Health Office.  Linda Nill is a leader in every sense of the word.  I am so proud to work with her each day."

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Peter Righi feels that, "Mrs. Nill is an important part of the RFHRHS school community, and her calm demeanor and superb qualifications make her indispensable when we have health issues emerge. Beyond being our school nurse, she is involved in most areas of the life of the school.  I am delighted that she has been selected for this well deserved honor."

We congratulate Mrs. Linda Nill on being named as the RFHRHS Teacher of the Year!