Page 20 - Summer 2018_Final 3

Volume 39, Issue 4 EBEA Newsletter Page 20

MICHELLE VACCHIO: FROST INSTRUCTIONAL DONALD VIKSE: HAMMARSKJOLD SCIENCE
COACH TEACHER
Michelle Vacchio has dedicated the last 31 years to the Donald Vikse came to East Brunswick after successful
students of East Brunswick Public Schools. Starting her careers in construction and law. He spent his teaching
career as a kindergarten teacher at Chittick in 1987, career at Hammarskjold Middle School. He began as
she went on to teach at Bowne Munro and Central. the Math Lab Coordinator for three months and then
Later, Michelle came to Frost as a reading specialist spent the next 20+ years as a 6th grade science
and then brought her expertise to Hammarskjold. Her teacher. He taught students of all abilities, including
final role brought her back to Frost as their general education, in-class resource, and resource. His
instructional coach in 2011. organization, caring nature and ability to tell a good
joke, always made his students feel welcome in his
When she’s not in East Brunswick, Michelle enjoys
spending time with her family and friends. She and her classroom.
husband Sal enjoy traveling, the beach, bowling and Don spent many years planning field trips for the
playing golf. Once she has more free time, Michelle students of Hammarskjold. He was the co-coordinator
intends to spend much of it with her daughters, Kiara for the Fairview outdoor education trip, as well as
and Kyla and her grandchildren, Ava (8 years old) and other Science Department trips including Dallenbach’s,
Dominick (1 month old). Helyer Woods, Sandy Hook, and the Aquarium. He also
was the advisor to the HMS Law Club and served on
Museums are on Michelle’s to do list- she’d like to visit
ALL of the museums in New Jersey and New York! the Grade 6 Textbook Development Committee in
Michelle will stay busy in retirement as an educational 2013. His colleagues will always think of him as a true
consultant, traveling throughout out the US and professional and a loyal friend.
abroad. Her infectious spirit and passion will be missed During his retirement, he can be found working on
almost as much as she will be. home improvement projects and perfecting his golf
swing. He also recently became a grandfather and is

looking forward to spending time with his
BETTY “BESSIE” VACHNA: FINANCIAL SERVICES granddaughter and family. Enjoy your family time,
BOOKKEEPER Don!
Betty Vachna worked as a bookkeeper in the Financial
Services Department for 12 years. She started out in
the Accounts Payable Unit and spent the majority of
her time in East Brunswick as a Payroll & Benefits
bookkeeper. Hard working, soft spoken and always
with a ready smile. it is hard to imagine the office
without the familiar daily sound of her answering the
phone, “Payroll, Betty speaking.” Her willingness to
help anyone in need will be sorely missed as an integral
part of the office. Always stylish and dressed to the 9’s,
Betty had a shoe collection that could rival Hollywood’s
finest!
Retirement is a new chapter in Betty’s life. It will give
her the opportunity to enjoy her new home in
Lakewood, NJ as well as her home in Florida. She will
be able to spend more time with her kids, grandkids,
and puppies (her “babies”). As she would say, we hope
her retirement is “Real Good.”