This article was produced by the collaborative contributions of Schools Superintendent Patrick Pizzo, Sharon Elementary School Principal Nicole Bootier, and Sharon Elementary School Teacher Jodi Szabo
The well-being of our teaching staff is vital to Robbinsville Public Schools meeting the needs of our students. All voices of our professional staff need to be heard, as exhibited by Jodi Szabo, a dedicated second-grade teacher of 11 years and mother of three at Sharon Elementary School,
Beginning with the efforts of Mrs. Szabo, a partnership was developed amongst building-level administration, district-level administration, and the local teachers’ union to establish a dedicated wellness space for new mothers returning to work.
For the administration, we are always eager to partner with our talented educators.
This initiative provides a supportive environment for breastfeeding moms in need of a quiet, clean space to pump during the school day. This directly addresses a critical need for working parents in educational settings—a resource Mrs. Szabo knew was desperately needed but long overdue.
Recognizing the challenges that many new mothers face when balancing professional responsibilities with the demands of nursing, Mrs. Szabo collaborated with school leadership and union representatives Sharon Martin and Renee Cucinotti to create the new wellness space.
It features comfortable seating, a refrigerator for milk storage, privacy screens, and calming décor to help reduce stress during an already demanding time for new moms.
For the Robbinsville Public Schools, this story is much more than a room. It’s a statement that we value and support our working parents. As stated by Dr. Bootier “As a working parent myself, I understand that it is a benefit not only to our staff, but more importantly, to our students, to provide this resource for the Sharon Elementary Staff.”
The Sharon School Social Committee and the Sharon Elementary School PTA made generous donations to help create the space, allowing for the purchase of rocking chairs and a refrigerator. The space is designed to ensure that returning staff can perform their motherly duties without compromising their work commitments.
“It took a little over a year of planning, researching best practices, and attending multiple meetings with school leaders and union representatives,” Mrs. Szabo told us. “We wanted to make sure this space met real needs and reflected the care and dignity our staff deserves.”
This wellness initiative aligns with broader efforts across educational institutions to prioritize the well-being of staff.
Many districts in New Jersey and beyond are seeing the value of adding wellness rooms to help staff manage stress and promote mental health. One program, the SKY program in Freeport NY, emphasizes self-care, including yoga and guided meditation, to support educators’ mental health.
Mrs. Szabo’s advocacy for a pumping wellness space underscores the importance of creating inclusive and supportive environments for all staff members.
By addressing the specific needs of new mothers, Sharon Elementary School sets a commendable example for other school districts eager to support their employees’ health and well-being.
This initiative not only benefits the mothers who use the space but also contributes to a more inclusive and supportive school culture, demonstrating the positive impact of thoughtful wellness programs that directly benefit families.
Dr. Patrick Pizzo is the superintendent of Robbinsville Public Schools.
Robbinsville Superintendent Dr. Patrick Pizzo.,
