Freehold Educator Named 2025-26 County Teacher Of The Year By NJ

FREEHOLD BOROUGH, NJ — A teacher from the Freehold Borough School District has been named Monmouth County’s 2025-26 Teacher of the Year, the NJ Department of Education announced Tuesday.

Gillian Ober, who taught English as a Second Language (ESL) at Park Avenue Elementary School and currently teaches at Freehold Intermediate School, was one of 21 educators to be recognized as a County Teacher of the Year and honored at an awards ceremony held at The College of New Jersey on Tuesday.

The annual award celebrates 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,” Dehmer said. “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.”

According to Ober’s bio on the NJ Department of Education website, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Hispanic Language & Literature and English Language & Literature from Boston University, as well as a master’s degree in teaching from Monmouth University and curriculum and instruction from Western Governors University.

In 2019, she was recognized with the NJ Department of Education’s Distinguished Clinical Intern Award and taught high-intensity ESL to 5th graders at Park Avenue Elementary School, working with newcomers and students with interrupted formal education.

As team leader, Ober fosters collaboration among staff and even helped establish a partnership with Starbase, a nationwide initiative where students gain exposure to STEM careers through various field trips to a local military base.

Beyond the classroom, Ober teaches at Monmouth University and Georgian Court University, preparing future educators to meet the needs of diverse learners.

Her scholarly work includes published research and national conference presentations on topics such as artificial intelligence in multilingual education and inclusive instructional strategies.

“A former teaching fellow in Thailand and Spain, Gillian brings a global perspective to education,” the NJ Department of Education said. “She believes that multilingual learners are assets to their communities and ensures her students are empowered, respected, and positioned for success.”

By incorporating various opportunities for teacher input, valuing diverse perspectives and fostering a sense of shared ownership in decision making, department officials said Ober creates a supportive environment in her workplace.

“Great teachers make for great schools, and New Jersey is home to the best public school system in the nation,” Governor Phil Murphy said.

“I applaud this year’s 21 County Teachers of the Year for their hard work and dedication to uplift young learners across our state,” Murphy continued. “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.”

Individual schools select 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, an initiative designed to recognize the commitment and expertise of outstanding teachers and educational services professionals.

Throughout the school year, the 2025-26 County Teachers of the Year will network with colleagues throughout the state and serve as ambassadors for New Jersey’s public schools.

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

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

To see a full list of 2025-26 County Teachers of the Year or learn more about the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program, you can visit the NJ Department of Education website.