The New Jersey School Boards Association, a long-time supporter of the state’s Educator of the Year program, last week congratulated the 21 outstanding educators who have been selected as the County Teachers of the Year for 2020-2021.
“You represent the very best in education. Your dedication, talent and creativity are at the very heart of New Jersey’s public schools and the success of our students,” said Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod, NJSBA executive director, during a virtual ceremony honoring the recipients on Aug. 26.
“New Jersey’s County Teachers of the Year—and the teachers of the year in every school and every district—exemplify the hard work and dedication of their colleagues throughout the state,” he added.
Feinsod noted that NJSBA’s mission is to advance student achievement through effective school district governance. “An essential part of that mission is to encourage excellence in the classroom,” he said.
Selection of the County Teachers of the Year is part of the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program. It promotes a positive school culture by acknowledging the hard work and dedication of outstanding teachers.
“Our County Teachers of the Year exemplify the dedication and commitment we see in educators throughout the state,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “Now, more than ever, it’s important to celebrate and support our teachers in their efforts to ensure all students have opportunities to succeed.”
Individual schools are encouraged to nominate exceptional educators with diverse backgrounds to ensure that the honorees represent the ethnic/racial diversity of New Jersey.
Through the work of the New Jersey School Boards Association, the 2,400 educators named as their school’s educator of the year can receive free virtual education resources that will benefit their students.
“Teachers and schools have the power to change lives, said Interim Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer. “The County Teachers of the Year who were announced today are being honored not only for their outstanding performance, but also for their high expectations for all students.”
The County Teachers of the Year will network with educators throughout the state and serve as ambassadors for New Jersey’s public schools. A panel of educators will then select the New Jersey State Teacher 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.
Additional information can be found on the Governor’s Educator of the Year webpage.
New Jersey’s 2020-2021 County Teachers of the Year
County | Name | Grade Level Taught | Subject Area | School | School District |
Atlantic | Philip Pallitto | 5th & 6th | English Language Arts | Jordan Road School | Somers Point School District |
Bergen | Megan Williams | 9th-12th | French | Tenafly High School | Tenafly School District |
Burlington | Michael Dunlea | 3rd | Elementary | Tabernacle Elementary School | Tabernacle Township School District |
Camden | Angel Santiago | 5th | Elementary | Loring Flemming Elementary School | Gloucester Township School District |
Cape May | Rachel Krementz | 5th-6th | Special Education | Ocean Academy | Cape May County Special Services |
Cumberland | Kristina Messina | 5th | Elementary | Mount Pleasant Elementary School | Millville School District |
Essex | David Coster | 9th-12th | Mathematics & Engineering | Cedar Grove High School | Cedar Grove School District |
Gloucester | Jami Centrella | 6th | English Language Arts | Caroline L. Reutter School | Franklin Township School District |
Hudson | Alicia Vilas | 4th | Elementary | Dr. Maya Angelou Elem. School, PS#20 | Jersey City School District |
Hunterdon | Angie Mikula | PreK-8th | Art | Delaware Township School | Delaware Township School District |
Mercer | Jessica Merz | 1st & 3rd | Special Education | Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf | |
Middlesex | Jaclyn Terebetski | 9th-12th | Business/Technology | Carteret High School | Carteret School District |
Monmouth | Christina Gauss | 9th-12th | Spanish | Rumson-Fair Haven Reg. High School | Rumson-Fair Haven Reg. High School District |
Morris | Christopher Butchko | 9th-12th | Social Studies | Montville Township High School | Montville Township School District |
Ocean | Lucia Giavatto-DiLeo | 9th-12th | Spanish | Manchester Township High School | Manchester Township School District |
Passaic | Megan Graziano | 9th | Science | Clifton High School | Clifton School District |
Salem | Michelle Williams | 9th-12th | Science | Woodstown High School | Woodstown Pilesgrove School District |
Somerset | Micki Cobos | 9th-12th | ESL | Somerville High School | Somerville School District |
Sussex | Meghan Radimer | PreK-6th | Health & Physical Education | Stillwater Township School | Stillwater School District |
Union | Jamie Warner | 8th | Social Studies | Orange Avenue School | Cranford School District |
Warren | Courtney Kopf | 9th-12th | Science | Belvidere High School | Belvidere School District |