Official Site of The State of New Jersey

2026-2027 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year

Dance Teacher at Dover High School in the Dover School District

Hannah Olmo is an award-winning dance educator, advocate, and teacher leader whose work has expanded access to arts education and transformed opportunities for students in Dover High School and across her community. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts and a master’s degree in dance education from Rutgers University Graduate School of Education. Inspired by her own experience as a high school student who did not have access to free public dance education, she entered the profession determined to ensure that all students, regardless of background or financial circumstances, could experience the power of dance and the arts.

During her eight years at Dover High School, Hannah has built a comprehensive, four-year dance program from the ground up, creating opportunities that previously did not exist for students in the district. What began as a single course has grown into a fully scaffolded dance pathway aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and serving approximately 100 students through academic coursework. Designed with equity, creativity, and student voice at its core, the program provides meaningful access to dance education for a diverse student population, including many English language learners and students who may not otherwise have access to formal dance training.

Committed to ensuring that every student has a place to belong, Hannah has expanded learning opportunities beyond the classroom by founding the Dance Club, establishing the school's first chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts, and revitalizing the Latin Mix Club as a vibrant space where students celebrate culture, identity, and community through dance. Together, these programs now serve more than 80 students and provide authentic opportunities for leadership, artistic expression, and collaboration. Under Hannah's guidance, student choreographers and performers have earned recognition at both the Morris County Teen Arts Festival and the State Teen Arts Festival, while graduates have continued their studies in collegiate dance programs and pursued careers as dancers, choreographers, and educators.

A champion of student-centered learning, Hannah empowers young people to use dance as a vehicle for creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression. Her instructional approach emphasizes authentic learning experiences that connect students to real-world issues, encourage them to explore their identities and perspectives, and develop confidence in their voices. Through choreography, performance, and collaborative creation, students learn not only artistic skills but also communication, leadership, resilience, and empathy.

Hannah's leadership extends throughout her school and community. She serves on her school's Culture and Climate Committee, mentors colleagues, presents professional learning for educators, and contributes to the County College of Morris Dance and Musical Theatre Advisory Committee. She also produces the district's annual Spring Dance Concert, one of its largest and most anticipated arts events, featuring more than 100 student performers and drawing more than 600 audience members each year. The concert showcases student choreography and leadership while strengthening connections among students, families, educators, and the broader community.

At the heart of Hannah's work is a belief that every student deserves to be seen, valued, and empowered. By creating pathways to opportunity, elevating student voice, and building a thriving arts program where none previously existed, she has demonstrated how education can change lives. Her commitment to equity, innovation, and excellence has made a lasting impact on hundreds of students and established her as a powerful advocate for public education and the arts throughout New Jersey.