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Mar 17, 2025 at 03:36 AM
Senior Managing
Editor, Giants.com
If the NFL didn't work out for Casey Kreiter, the long snapper
was happy to go teach high school science. It did, but that only made him the
perfect person to hand out the Educator of the Year Award to Michael Balog, a
Social Studies teacher at Manchester Township Middle School.
Manchester
Township Middle School had two other teachers recognized by the Giants – Susan
Morgan and Kristine Laporte of the Science Department – as part of the Educator
of the Week Program.
The recent visit
by Kreiter and the Giants celebrated the first year of the organization's
partnership with the New Jersey Education Association. They also presented the
selected educators each with a $1,000 donation to be used for enhancements to
their working environment. The Educator of the Year received a $2,500 donation
from the Giants.
"On behalf
of the Manchester Township School District, I want to express my gratitude for
this partnership with the New York Giants and the recognition of our
outstanding educators," said Diane Pedroza, Superintendent of the
Manchester Township School District. "Their dedication to student success
and engagement is truly commendable.
"At
Manchester Township Middle School, we remain committed to fostering a positive
school culture, and initiatives like Saddle Up for Success play a vital role in
that effort. This program is designed to improve student attendance, increase
motivation, and create a sense of belonging—all key factors in academic and
personal growth. The generous awards made by the NY Giants and NJEA to our MTMS
teachers will be used to support and expand these efforts, ensuring that
students receive the encouragement and resources they need to thrive."
Kreiter, shortly
before re-signing with the Giants, spent the day with the middle schoolers in
conjunction with the Saddle-Up for Success campaign. It is play on words as it
relates to the MTMS mascot, a Mustang.
As MTSDNews chronicled, Kreiter encouraged
students to not only set goals but to use those goals as a way to measure their
decision-making, especially in tough situations.
"When you
have goals, you can make the right choices," Kreiter said. "Set your
goals and let them guide you when tough decisions cross your path. Ask yourself
if your decision is going to help or hinder you from achieving your goal."
Undrafted out of
Iowa, Kreiter was cut at the end of training camp in each of his first two
years by the Cowboys. The third time was the charm. The defending champion
Broncos gave him a chance in 2016, and now he has played 142 games in the NFL.
"Without
failure, you cannot understand success," Kreiter said, according to
MTSDNews. "Failure does not mean you did something wrong if you learned
something from that failed experience, which is most important. Success is a
constant up-and-down process, not a steady climb. Learn from all of the slopes
along the way."
Below are the Educators the Giants
honored throughout last season. Each honoree received a $1,000 donation and tickets to a 2024 home game
where they were highlighted
on the video boards.
Tanisha Johnson
- Wayne Education Association
Trent Johnson -
Wayne Education Association
Felicia Hardman
- Manalapan-Englishtown EA
Lauren Lio -
Hillsdale EA
Sundjata Sekou -
Irvington EA, Essex County
Ikechukwu Onyema
- Irvington EA, Essex County
Jesse Ambriz -
Gilmore J Fisher Middle, Ewing NJ
Linette Y.
Castro - Winfield Scott School no. 2, Elizabeth NJ
Jason Sabol -
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School
Kristine LaPorte
- Manchester Township Middle School
Susan Morgan -
Manchester Township Middle School
Monique Walker -
Orange Education Association, Essex County
Michael Balog -
Manchester Township Middle School
