By: Savannah Scarborough, Follow South Jersey Intern
SOUTH JERSEY — Every year the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) recognizes county teachers of the year, and this year awards 21 educators from around the state as New Jersey’s 2023-2024 County Teachers of the Year. South Jersey represents seven of the 21 educators.
“I applaud the commitment and professionalism of each of the 21 County Teachers of the Year,” said Governor Phil Murphy in a press release. “If you want to know why New Jersey’s public schools are rated as among the best in the nation, look no further than these 21 exemplars of the kind of quality teaching that takes place in every school throughout our state.”
The County Teachers of the Year is run by the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program. According to the NJDOE, the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program promotes a positive school culture by acknowledging outstanding teachers’ and educational services professionals’ hard work and dedication.
Awardees are nominated by individual schools, which then submit those nominations through the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program.
All 21 educator awardees of the County Teachers of the Year go on to network with other educators in the state and serve as ambassadors for New Jersey’s public school system during the following school year, which is set to start on the first Monday of September.
“Today’s event not only recognizes New Jersey’s County Teachers of the Year, but also helps elevate the teaching profession,” said Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillian, Acting Education Commissioner. “Teachers have a profound and lasting impact on the growth of their students, and each of the County Teachers of the Year will serve as mentor, role model, and as spokesperson for the teaching profession. I trust these voices encourage even more dynamic individuals to enter the teacher workforce.”
The awardees of the County Teachers of the Year are Erin Sharpe, Gary Whitehead, Nicola Recla Fischer, Ron Smith, Alison Curvan, Betsy Harrison, Shamshadeen Mayers, Phillip Neff, Jennifer Donnelly, Gargi Adhikari, Yulieth Le, Julie Mercier, Joseph Nappi, Robin Meyh, Jaclyn Potochar, Amanda Rhodes, Andrea Wendell, Corinne Laurie, Tara Scrittore, Kristin Kickman, and Colleen Grzywacz.
However, only one of these 21 educators can be chosen as the New Jersey State Teacher of the Year. The decision on who the New Jersey Teacher of the Year award is given is based upon a panel of educators reviewing written applications, video submissions, and interviews with top finalists.
Once the New Jersey Teacher of the Year is selected, they will represent the state in competing for the National Teacher of the Year title.
If interested, be sure to watch for the awardee of the 2024 National Teacher of the Year. The Teacher of the Year Selection Committee chooses semi-finalists to give oral presentations in April and May. Once the semi-finalist round is complete, finalists will be selected, and school visits will occur. Then, the 2024 Teacher of the Year Award will be announced in October.
Click here to learn more about the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program.
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