Hello New Jersey Educators. My name is Christine Girtain, the 2023 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year. I teach a three-year Authentic Science Research course at Toms River High School North, my alma mater, and Toms River High School South, where I have taught for 29 years. I am pleased to be part of the launch of the New Jersey Department of Education’s Monthly Teacher Newsletter. I am even happier that it is being released as we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week 2023. As I reflect this week, I cannot help but think about those who were my personal inspirations.

Throughout my formative years, I was blessed with teachers who nourished my thirst for knowledge and went the extra mile to increase my exposure to varied learning opportunities, while feeding my curiosities. I had other teachers who were patient with me when there were non-educational lessons I needed to learn. My sixth-grade teacher, Sheila McVeigh, taught me to advocate for our oceans and our environment. My seventh-grade teachers, Cliff Miller and BJ Wary, showed me the power of team teaching. In ninth grade, Debbie Crane inspired my love of math and how to take good notes. I appreciate the influence they had and appreciate the influence you are all now making.

I invite you to take a moment to think about how your teachers modeled the characteristics you value in a teacher. If you are fortunate enough that your teachers are still in the classroom or are still reachable, take time to send them a word of thanks. Let them know how they inspired you and how that has helped you to inspire the next generation.

As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, I would love to hear from other educators in New Jersey to learn about the wonderful things you are doing in your schools. I would also love to read about some of the teachers who inspired you to become educators. Tag me on Twitter @CCgirt (Christine Girtain on other platforms) or @NewJerseyDOE with your stories. Thank you and thank you for all you do for our students across New Jersey.

The Office of Educator Effectiveness oversees work in three distinct areas: educator evaluation, professional learning and teacher recognition. The Office operates under the belief that a highly functioning professional learning environment is comprised of an atmosphere which is supportive, recognizes professional expertise, and enhances practice at all levels. This environment is anchored by a streamlined evaluation system designed to drive the continual growth of all educators within the school and district.

Educator recognition is a workstream of the Office in which the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) gives well-deserved public attention to the contributions of our state’s outstanding educators. Educator recognition programs include the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program, Exemplary Educator Recognition Program, Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), Distinguished Clinical Intern and Cooperating Teacher Awards, and the Milken National Educator Awards Program. For more information on each program, please go to the Educator Recognition Programs page.

NJDOE strongly encourages every school and district to participate in recognition programs as it is an investment that will pay dividends for years to come. And that’s where teachers come in. If your school does participate in programs with a teacher nomination process such as the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program, Exemplary Educator Recognition Program, or the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, please make sure you take the time during the nomination timeframe to recommend a deserving colleague. If your school or district does not participate, please encourage your administration to do so by speaking to the benefits of participation listed below.

Recognizing educators:

• Provides validation to New Jersey’s hard-working educators that have changed the way they delivered instruction in the recent past to New Jersey’s 1.4 million students; now more than ever before, is the time to celebrate New Jersey’s outstanding educators;
• Recognizes and celebrates exemplars of excellence which promotes a positive school culture;
• Offers professional growth for honored educators;
• Promotes outstanding work and dedication;
• Helps make connections with other educators across the state; and
• Brings public attention to the work of outstanding educators and therefore encourages a feeling of pride within the school, district, and community to positively promote the perception of educators.

Should you have any comments or questions please reach out to educatorrecognition@doe.nj.gov.