Absecon Educator Is Atlantic County's Teacher Of The Year

ABSECON, NJ — At Emma C. Attales Middle School in Absecon, Carly Broomhead does more than teach visual arts. Her classroom teaches students self-expression and helps them thrive. Because of this, she was named Atlantic County Teacher of the Year by the New Jersey Department of Education.

“New Jersey’s public schools are considered the best in the nation because of our outstanding teachers, and this year’s 21 County Teachers of the Year exemplify that excellence,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. “Exceptional educators are the key to ensuring that students across New Jersey will have a bright future.”

The 2024-2025 class of educators were honored Tuesday at a ceremony in Ewing.

This is what Broomhead’s biography from the Department of Education had to say about her:

Carly Broomhead earned a bachelor’s degree in art education from Rowan University, a master’s degree in teaching from Marygrove College and another master’s degree in painting from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She has been a teacher of Visual Arts in the Absecon School District since 1997 as well as an adjunct professor of Methods of Teaching Art at Stockton University from 2005 to 2010. Carly has served as the advisor for Yearbook, set construction for the drama department, and assistant coach for the Think Day team. Carly has presented at both the National Art Education Association and the Art Education New Jersey conferences. She currently holds the role of district New Jersey Education Association Pride Chair and has developed a partnership with the Absecon Cultural Arts Alliance, working to create and support events that connect the school and broader community. Carly’s involvement with Students Rebuild, for more than decade, has given her the opportunity to be problem-based learning trained at the Buck Institute of Education Problem Based Learning World Conference. Her leadership drives school-wide and district-wide participation in the annual Students Rebuild challenges, which introduce students to a global issue and offer an opportunity to have influence through art as activism and philanthropy. In Carly’s classroom, she focuses on the importance of visual arts as a form of communication, self-expression, mental health, and social emotional learning. Through her innovative and inclusive approach, Carly fosters an environment where every student can thrive and achieve success in their artistic endeavors.

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, which was established to promote a positive school culture by acknowledging the commitment and dedication of outstanding teachers and educational services professionals. More information is available on the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program webpage.

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.