NEW JERSEY – The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) Wednesday announced 21 educators as the 2021-2022 County Teachers of the Year during a virtual awards ceremony.
“New Jersey public schools have been recognized as the best in the nation and the strength of our schools is driven by our dynamic educators,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Congratulations to all of the County Teachers of the Year. They are true exemplars of the innovative instruction and educational greatness that New Jersey offers to students.”
“The County Teachers of the Year are shining examples of excellence and dedication to educating our students,” said Acting Education Commissioner Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillian. “We celebrate the extraordinary service of these teachers for their ongoing efforts to ensure that our students succeed both inside and outside of the classroom.”
The Governor’s Educator of the Year Program promotes a positive school culture by acknowledging the hard work and dedication of outstanding teachers and educational services professionals. Individual schools are encouraged to nominate exceptional educators with diverse backgrounds to ensure that the honorees represent the ethnic/racial diversity of New Jersey.
The County Teachers of the Year will network with educators throughout the state and serve as ambassadors for New Jersey’s public schools throughout the upcoming school year. A panel of educators will select the New Jersey State Teacher of the Year from among the 21 County Teachers of the Year based on written applications, video submissions, and interviews with the top finalists. The New Jersey State Teacher of the Year is typically announced at the State Board of Education’s October meeting and will go on to represent New Jersey in competing for the title of National Teacher of the Year.
Here is a list of New Jersey’s 2021-2022 County Teachers of the Year:
- Atlantic County: Jim House Science Teacher Egg Harbor Township High School Egg Harbor Township
- Bergen County: Kim Clancey English Language Arts Teacher & Professional Development Facilitator Ridge Ranch Elementary School Paramus School District
- Burlington County: Michelle Poolaw Mathematics Support Teacher Hillside Elementary School Mount Laurel School District
- Camden County: Sonia Chugh English as a Second Language Teacher LEAP Academy High School, Camden City LEAP Academy University Charter School
- Cape May County: Lee Anne Tarr Kindergarten & Social Emotional Learning Teacher Cape May City Elementary School Cape May City School District
- Cumberland County: Samantha Johnson Boyer Pre-Kindergarten Teacher C.F. Seabrook School Upper Deerfield Township School District
- Essex County: Theresa Maughan Social Studies Teacher East Orange STEM Academy East Orange School District
- Gloucester County: Lynne Bussott 2nd Grade Teacher Governor Charles C. Stratton School Swedesboro-Woolwich School District
- Hudson County: Kimberley Madalena English Language Arts Teacher Washington Middle School Harrison School District
- Hunterdon County: Teresa A. De Sapio Diaz Commercial Arts & 3D Amination Teacher Hunterdon County Polytech School Hunterdon County Vocational School District
- Mercer County: Brittany Thomas 4th Grade Teacher & Vice Principal Robbins Elementary School Trenton School District
- Middlesex County: Melissa Vega Bilingual English Language Arts Teacher New Brunswick Middle School New Brunswick School District
- Monmouth County: Alyssa Geary Special Education and English Language Arts Teacher Red Bank Middle School Red Bank Borough School District
- Morris County: Jonathan Dowler Social Studies Teacher West Morris Mendham High School West Morris Regional High School District
- Ocean County: Michael DeRiggi, Jr. 5th Grade Teacher North Dover Elementary School Toms River Regional School District
- Passaic County: Tammy Cooper English Language Arts Teacher Passaic High School Passaic School District
- Salem County: Julie Knight Social Studies Teacher Woodstown High School Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District
- Somerset County: Darrin Wolsko Science Teacher Watchung Hills Regional High School Watchung Hills Regional High School District
- Sussex County: Shawna Longo Music Teacher & Arts Integration Specialist Durban Avenue School Hopatcong Borough School District
- Union County: Dennis Dagounis Science Teacher Roselle Park High School Roselle Park School District
- Warren County: Faith Roncoroni English Language Arts Teacher Phillipsburg High School Phillipsburg School District
Introducing New Jersey's 2021-2022 County Teachers of the Year! Congratulations to these 21 outstanding educators on this special achievement! pic.twitter.com/tVAqTfKc63
— New Jersey Department of Education (@NewJerseyDOE) August 25, 2021
