NJEA has announced the 2024-25 New Jersey County Teachers of the Year, recognizing educators for their dedication and impact on students and communities.
“It’s no surprise that New Jersey ranks first in the nation, thanks to our outstanding educators, exemplified by our County Teachers of the Year. These individuals have committed themselves to the noble profession of teaching our students. Congratulations to this year’s County Teachers of the Year on this well-deserved recognition—I couldn’t be prouder,” said NJEA President Sean M. Spiller.
“Being named one of our County Teachers of the Year is an incredible achievement, reflecting not just past accomplishments but a commitment to ongoing dedication to a profession that is as much a calling as it is a career. The passion these educators bring to teaching our students is a testament to why New Jersey boasts the top schools in the nation,” said NJEA Vice President Steve Beatty.
“This prestigious honor highlights the remarkable efforts of our dedicated educators and the profound impact they have on our students and communities. They are the embodiment of public education, forging connections with our students through love, care, compassion and courage,” said NJEA Secretary-Treasurer Petal Robertson.
The honorees include:
Atlantic: Carly Broomhead, visual arts teacher at Emma C. Attales Middle School in Absecon School District.
Bergen: Margarita Diakos, special education teacher at Ramsey High School in Ramsey School District.
Burlington: Margaret Fanourgakis, health and physical education teacher at Shawnee High School in Lenape Regional School District.
Camden: Stacey Brown-Downham, elementary reading interventionist at J. Fithian Tatem Elementary School in Haddonfield School District.
Cape May: Antonio Martín Franco, Spanish and health and physical education teacher at Stone Harbor Elementary School in Avalon Stone Harbor School District.
Cumberland: Karolina Mills, English as a second language teacher at Marie D. Durand Elementary School in Vineland School District.
Essex: El Houcin Houssam, mathematics teacher at West Side High School in Newark School District.
Gloucester: Vanessa Poggioli, mathematics teacher at Thomas E. Bowe Middle School in Glassboro School District.
Hudson: Kelly Carroll, districtwide multisensory reading specialist based at Mary J. Donohoe Community School in Bayonne School District.
Hunterdon: Meghan Luick, mathematics teacher at North Hunterdon High School in North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District.
Mercer: Nicole Hamlet, biology teacher at Trenton Central High School in Trenton School District.
Middlesex: Kristen Johnson, social studies teacher at Carteret Middle School in Carteret School District.
Monmouth: Sara Mazzone, English teacher at Red Bank Regional High School in Red Bank Regional High School District.
Morris: Alyssa Guagenti, gifted and talented and special education teacher at Jefferson Township Middle School in Jefferson Township Schools District.
Ocean: Jill Falletta, first-grade teacher at Beach Haven Elementary school in Beach Haven Schools district
Passaic : Bernadette Orsita , Spanish Teacher Manchester regional high school Manchester regional high school district
Salem : Deanna Miller , agri-science Teacher Woodstown high school Woodstown-Pilesgrove regional school district
Somerset : Stefanie Lachenauer , skills for success & global leadership Teacher Montgomery upper middle school Montgomery township schools district
Sussex : Mary Houghtaling , English Teacher Kittatinny regional high school Kittatinny regional schools district
Union : Alejandro Mejia , Spanish Teacher David Brearley middle-high school Kenilworth schools district
Warren : Jennifer Mazziotta-Walter , K-8 visual arts & gifted education Teacher Harmony township school Harmony township schools district
