NJ Names Bloomfield Educator As ‘Teacher Of The Year’ In Essex County

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A high-achieving educator from Bloomfield has earned a prestigious nod as the New Jersey 2023-2024 “Teacher of the Year” in Essex County.

Shamshadeen Mayers, a social studies teacher at Bloomfield High School, was among the 21 school workers across the state who nailed down their county award this year. See a list of the other winners here.

According to the New Jersey Department of Education, here’s what earned Mayers a nod:

“Shamshadeen Mayers earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Kean University, his master's degree in special education from Hunter College, and another master's degree in educational administration from Caldwell University. He began his 15-year career in the prestigious New York City Teaching Fellows Program as a special education elementary teacher. Upon completing this fellowship, he served as a middle school teacher at a charter school in Newark, New Jersey.”

State officials continued:

“In 2016, Shamshadeen returned to his alma mater, Bloomfield High School, and he currently teaches AP Comparative Government, and United States History I Honors. He is also the Mock Trial Team Coach and Red Cross Advisor at Bloomfield High School. In 2021, the New Jersey Council for Social Studies recognized him as Teacher of the Year for his ability to create experiential learning opportunities for his students. As a result, his students have worked with the New Jersey Community Development Corporation, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, and the National Park Service.”

“Shamshadeen encourages his students’ habits of mind, develops their facility with skills, and motivates their academic participation with a classroom environment that is kind, patient, and supportive so students can meet the high expectations he sets for them,” the New Jersey Department of Education added.

Individual schools nominate exceptional educators for county “Teacher of the Year” through the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program.

A panel of educators will select the overall 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. That educator will go on to represent New Jersey in competing for the title of National Teacher of the Year.

“I applaud the commitment and professionalism of each of the 21 county Teachers of the Year,” Gov. Phil Murphy said.

“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,” Murphy added.

Previous winners in Essex County have included:

• David Coster, a math and engineering teacher in Cedar Grove, earned a nod in 2020-2021.
• Theresa Maughan, a social studies teacher in East Orange, took home the award in 2021-2022.
• Kristen Dunleavy, a special education teacher in West Orange, won the award in 2022-2023.

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