MANCHESTER – Staff members across the school district recently came together for a full day of professional development focused on growth, collaboration, and connection.
Educators and staff participated in brainstorming sessions organized by school, department, and division, all designed to strengthen the district’s shared mission of supporting students and one another.
Some administrators stated that the most meaningful gathering of the day was a heartfelt one. At Manchester Township High School, colleagues took time to celebrate the life and legacy of the late Jill Ocone.
Ocone passed away in August. Superintendent Diane Pedroza described her as a “cherished member of the high school faculty and a gifted English teacher who was also a beloved mentor, colleague and friend.”
Pedroza also noted that she faced “a courageous battle with a rare form of cancer and had passed away peacefully, surrounded by those who loved her.”
“Throughout her illness, Jill remained the embodiment of grace, resilience and hope. She often signed her messages with the phrase ‘love and light,’ a reflection of the warmth, positivity and compassion she brought to everyone around her. Jill’s legacy will live on in the countless students she inspired and the lives she touched so deeply,” Pedroza added.
Ocone’s legacy as a teacher, mentor, and friend will be visible each day at MTHS. During an intimate and touching ceremony, her photo was officially added to the Hawks Hall of Honor Wall. Administrators said this was a fitting tribute to someone who continues to inspire all who knew her.
Her impact on the school and community runs deep. In a touching tribute, as her photo was revealed, Lt. John C. Holzer shared that “The Hawks Hall of Honor Wall and the MTHS Veterans Day Ceremony are both initiatives she helped bring to life.”
“They stand as testaments to her dedication to celebrating others and fostering community pride. It is only fitting that today, Jill joins the students, colleagues, and friends she cared for so deeply on the Hawks Hall of Honor Wall,” Holzer added.
As visitors walk the halls of MTHS, they can find the noted English and Journalism teacher’s plaque proudly displayed on the top row, right outside of the auditorium entrance. The plaque is a lasting reminder of her kindness, creativity, and the profound impact she left on the Manchester community.
She was also an author and strong proponent of journalism and a fixture within the township school district.
“The support and love Jill Ocone has shown our Manchester family over the decades are like no other. Her ability to motivate, empathize, and share her passion for life has impacted so many; she loved to see people happy and true to themselves,” MTHS teacher Heather Staples remarked.
