Somerset County Teacher Of The Year Awarded To Bridgewater-Raritan Educator

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A Bridgewater-Raritan educator has been recognized as one of the state's 2025-26 County Teachers of the Year.

The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) named Kiran Masud, who teaches 5th Grade English Language Arts at the Hillside Intermediate School, as the Somerset County Teacher of the Year.

Masud and the other 20 educators were recognized at an awards ceremony on Tuesday at The College of New Jersey in Ewing.

"Great teachers make for great schools, and New Jersey is home to the best public school system in the nation," said Governor Phil Murphy. "I applaud this year’s 21 County Teachers of the Year for their hard work and dedication to uplift young learners across our state. These awardees exemplify the very best our schools have to offer, and I am immensely grateful for the contributions of these exceptional educators to our school communities."

Masud will begin her 18th year teaching at Hillside, where she also serves as the Co-Advisor to the Roots & Shoots Club, which is a program that is dedicated to protecting animals and the environment.

Masud was also the recipient of the school district’s Governor’s Educator of the Year Award when she was named the Teacher of the Year for Hillside for 2024-2025.

Masud earned a master’s degree in education from Rutgers University.

"She is a passionate and reflective educator who views teaching as a journey of purpose and transformation. Kiran leads her classroom, affectionately dubbed 'Masudians,' with empathy, curiosity, and purpose. Her teaching philosophy centers on curiosity, challenging norms, and the belief that travel is one of the greatest forms of learning. She prioritizes creating safe spaces for diverse voices, embracing discomfort for growth, and building a strong work ethic," according to the NJDOE.

"As the advisor of the Roots and Shoots program, recognized by Dr. Jane Goodall, she helps students support service projects in Kenya and Tanzania while promoting service and empathy. With over 18 years in education, Kiran has been a Fulbright Scholar, authored the book 'Savaal: The 'i' in Racism,' taught peace education through the United States Institute of Peace, and engaged in interfaith initiatives with the Interfaith Center of New York summer institute," according to the NJDOE.

Masud is currently a National Education Association Global Classrooms Fellow, researching global education and connecting communities across borders. As a Fellow, Masud sees this role as a continuation of her mission to reimagine education as adaptive, representative, and deeply human.

"She believes that even amidst uncertainty, meaningful change is happening, and she’s determined to be part of it. Through her work, she remains committed to building a world where all students are seen, heard, and valued," according to the NJDOE.

Each school selects Teachers of the Year, who are then eligible to apply for County Teacher of the Year through the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program.

The County Teachers of the Year will network with colleagues throughout the state and serve as 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.

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.

"The County Teachers of the Year celebrate the kind of dynamic and innovative instruction that we see in classrooms in school districts across New Jersey," Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer said. "By recognizing these outstanding 21 County Teachers of the Year, we not only show appreciation for their exemplary dedication and contributions, but we elevate the hard work and dedication of the entire teaching profession. These County Teachers of the Year serve as an inspiration to a new generation of young minds who, one day, might explore a career in education themselves."

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