Meet Morris County ESP of the Year Sue Ritz
By Kathryn Coulibaly
For more than 23 years, Sue Ritz has been a steady, joyful force in Rockaway’s schools. Ritz is a paraprofessional whose work in the autism program has helped shape countless students’ lives.
Ritz’s journey into education began long before she ever stepped into a classroom as a staff member. As a parent, she became deeply involved in the PTA, eventually serving as vice president and then president. She chaired committees, organized events and launched new programs such as the Reflections program, which gave students opportunities to express themselves through writing, drawing, painting and music. “It was a way for kids to shine outside the structured school day,” she says.
Her PTA leadership also opened her eyes to the dedication of educators. She saw teachers spending their own money on bulletin boards, books and classroom decorations, often working late into the evening or coming in during the summer. Wanting to support them, she created a PTA grant program to help fund classroom needs. “I was there all the time,” she recalls. “Eventually, I applied for a job because I wanted to be part of that team.”
Ritz began her career in the preschool disability program, then moved through transitional kindergarten and multiply disabled programs before finding her home in the autism program. She has worked with students across the spectrum and loves every moment. “There’s never a boring day,” she says. “It’s the most rewarding program I’ve ever worked in.”
During the pandemic, Ritz deepened her skills, becoming a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). She now recertifies annually and uses her training both in school and in private home therapy with children she does not work with during the school day. “It’s helped me immensely,” she says. “The techniques, the background make me better for my students.”
Ritz currently works with middle school students aged 11 to 14, helping them master both academic and essential life skills. She lights up when describing the victories such as teaching three students to tie their shoes last year or helping a child finally grasp multiplication. “People take these things for granted,” she says. “But when a student looks at you and says, ‘Hey, Miss Sue, I can tie my own shoe,’ their smile is infectious.”
Her work extends beyond the classroom. As a liaison between the board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) who writes behavior plans and the parents, she helps ensure plans are implemented effectively and families feel supported. She also serves as one of three paraprofessional union representatives, a role she takes seriously. From contract negotiations to Pride events, from back‑to‑school nights to helping new members understand their contract, Ritz is a tireless advocate. “Everyone has a talent,” she says. “When we come together as a collective whole, we do what’s right, especially for the children.”
Despite her many contributions, Ritz remains humble. “I always think, what am I doing? It doesn’t seem like much,” she says. “But I guess it is.” For her students, she is the first smile they see each morning, the steady presence who helps them feel safe, capable and loved. “I take care of them like my own children,” she says. “That’s what being an ESP is. We stand behind the kids, propping them up and helping them believe in themselves.”
For Sue Ritz, there’s no better work in the world.
Kathryn Coulibaly writes the monthly ESP column. She is an associate director in the Communications Divison.