SUZANNE NAJMAN HONORED

Bill Taylor and Suzanne Najman

Chair of the Science Department Suzanne Najman was named the 2022 recipient of the Arditti Award during the course of the Parents’ Weekend celebrations. This endowed fellowship honors a member of our faculty for excellence in teaching. The award was established in 1995 by Edward Arditti ’51 and his son Ted ’94 as a way to recognize one faculty member each year for their distinguished work and dedication. Faculty members nominate their peers each October, and Head of School Bill Taylor determines the recipient.

In presenting the award, Taylor shared an excerpt from comments by fellow faculty members celebrating Najman: “Suzanne is a top-notch educator who exemplifies excellence in teaching. As a colleague, she is a great listener and shows great empathy for the ups and downs of being a teacher. She puts a priority on being “in-tune” with her students’ needs, emotions, and abilities. Suzanne is a valuable asset to Trinity-Pawling in her ability to teach in multiple areas and at all levels, but also her outstanding commitment, enthusiasm, and engagement beyond the classroom.”

Najman joined Trinity-Pawling in 2019. She graduated from Lafayette College with a degree in chemical engineering. In addition to overseeing the Science Department, Najman coaches soccer and tennis. She also orchestrates social activities for the students throughout the school year. Najman pitches in with the campus farm during the summer, and she plays the organ for occasional services in All Saints’ Chapel. It is no wonder this multi-talented faculty member has earned the deep respect of her peers and students alike.

“I am very honored to receive this award, especially since I was nominated by my colleagues and administrators,” Najman responds. “Generally, I try to fly under the radar, but I was taught to just take care of things I saw that needed to be done or fixed.”

Congratulations on a well-deserved honor, and thank you for all that you do to enrich our community!

by Maria Buteux Reade