Meet The 21 'Teachers Of The Year', Representing All Counties In NJ

NEW JERSEY — Twenty-one New Jersey teachers got top marks from their fellow educators, as part of the "Teachers of the Year" program that recognizes excellence in the classroom and beyond.

The New Jersey Department of Education has announced its 2024/25 County Teachers of the Year, showcasing standout educators in subjects including visual arts, math, biology, agri-science and social studies — as well as special education teachers and reading specialists.

These teachers, one from each county, were recognized at an awards ceremony at The College of New Jersey in Ewing last week.

Each school selects candidates for Teachers of the Year, who are then eligible to apply for County Teacher of the Year — which is, in turn, part of the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program.

Kevin Dehmer, the acting education commissioner, said that these "dynamic" educators "serve as ambassadors of the profession."

"When we highlight the great efforts from our 21 County Teachers of the Year, we shine a spotlight not only on the accomplishments of these teachers, but also on all of the schools and districts that support these remarkable educators to show why New Jersey schools lead the nation," Dehmer said in a statement.

These County Teachers of the Year will network with colleagues throughout the state, and be representatives for New Jersey’s public schools during the upcoming school year.

A panel of educators will select the New Jersey State Teacher of the Year from among the 21 County Teachers of the Year based on written applications, video submissions, and interviews with the top finalists.

Gov. Phil Murphy also celebrated these teachers, saying they are the reason that the Garden State's public schools "are considered the best in the nation."

"Exceptional educators are the key to ensuring that students across New Jersey will have a bright future," he said in a statement.

The New Jersey State Teacher of the Year will go on to represent New Jersey in competing for the title of National Teacher of the Year.

Below is the full list for 2024/25, and we've linked to any Patch articles that our editors wrote about teachers in their local communities.

And if you know an awesome educator in your school community who isn't on this year's list, you may nominate them online for Patch's Teacher Shoutout series, in partnership with T-Mobile.

2024/25 County Teachers of the Year

Atlantic County

Carly Broomhead, a Visual Arts Teacher at Emma C. Attales Middle School (Absecon School District)

Bergen County

Margarita Diakos, a Special Education Teacher at Ramsey High School (Ramsey School District)

Burlington County

Margaret Fanourgakis, a Health and Physical Education Teacher at Shawnee High School (Lenape Regional High School District)

Camden County

Stacey Brown-Downham, an Elementary Reading Interventionist at J.F. Tatem Elementary School (Haddonfield School District)

Cape May County

Antonio Martín Franco, a Spanish, Health and Physical Education Teacher at Stone Harbor Elementary School (Avalon Stone Harbor School District)

Cumberland County

Karolina Mills, an English as a Second Language Teacher at Marie D. Durand Elementary School (Vineland School District)

Essex County

El Houcin Houssam, a Mathematics Teacher at West Side High School (Newark School District)

Gloucester County

Vanessa Poggioli, a Mathematics Teacher at Thomas E. Bowe Middle School (Glassboro School District)

Hudson County

Kelly Carroll, a Multi-Sensory Reading Specialist at Mary J. Donohoe Community School (Bayonne School District)

Hunterdon County

Meghan Luick, a Mathematics Teacher at North Hunterdon High School (North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District)

Mercer County

Nicole Hamlet, a Biology Teacher at Trenton Central High School (Trenton School District)

Middlesex County

Kristen Johnson, a Social Studies Teacher at Carteret Middle School (Carteret School District)

Monmouth County

Sara Mazzone, an English Teacher at Red Bank Regional High School (Red Bank Regional High School District)

Morris County

Alyssa Guagenti, a Gifted & Talented and Special Education Teacher at Jefferson Township Middle School (Jefferson Township School District)

Ocean County

Jill Falletta, a First-Grade Teacher at Beach Haven School (Beach Haven School District)

Passaic County

Bernadette Orsita, a Spanish Teacher at Manchester Regional High School (Manchester Regional High School District)

Salem County

Deanna Miller, an Agri-Science Teacher at Woodstown High School (Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District)

Somerset County

Stefanie Lachenauer, a Social Studies Teacher at Montgomery Upper Middle School (Montgomery Township School District)

Sussex County

Mary Houghtaling, an English Teacher at Kittatinny Regional High School (Kittatinny Regional School District)

Union County

Alejandro Mejía, a Spanish Teacher at David Brearley Middle-High School (Kenilworth School District)

Warren County

Jennifer Mazziotta-Walter, a Visual Arts and Gifted and Talented Teacher at Harmony Township School (Harmony Township School District)

Patch's Alexis Tarrazi contributed to this report.