Morris County teacher competing for top prize in ‘America’s Favorite Teacher’ contest
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP, NJ – Aleyna Mannerberg, a Jefferson Township High School Computer Science teacher and proud alumna, is earning national attention as a quarter-finalist in the America’s Favorite Teacher contest, a prestigious competition that celebrates extraordinary educators.
The competition, which comes with a $25,000 prize, a trip to Hawaii, a feature in Reader’s Digest, and a school assembly with Bill Nye, honors teachers who go above and beyond for their students.
Mannerberg, who was born and raised in Lake Hopatcong, teaches at the very school she once attended. “I became a teacher to make a difference in students’ lives,” she said. “Growing up, I had a few stand-out teachers who helped me feel seen. They inspired me to be that supportive adult in a student’s life.”
She believes in fostering a classroom where students can express their ideas and be themselves. “It allows them to understand the ‘why’ behind what they’re learning, not just feel like they have to do the work.”
One of her most meaningful experiences as a teacher is watching her students grow over the years. “As someone who teaches electives across multiple grade levels and schools, I get to see the full arc of a student’s educational journey. Watching them develop their goals and confidence in my classroom is something I wouldn’t trade for anything.”
If she wins, Mannerberg plans to reinvest in her classroom by upgrading the technology in her Computer Science courses, helping to provide students with hands-on, industry-relevant experiences. She also hopes to pay down student loan debt.
“This would be a chance to give my students access to modern tools that prepare them for the future of technology—and it would be an incredible help personally, too,” she said.
How to Vote:
Public voting for the quarter-finals ends at 9 p.m. CDT Thursday, April 17. You can vote for free once every 24 hours for your favorite teacher. As of Thursday morning, Mannerberg was in first place in the quarter-final round. Click here to vote.
