Local Teacher Honored by Princeton University

Hoboken High's Rachel Grygiel was one of four teachers who were honored on Tuesday during Princeton University's commencement ceremony.

The teachers were selected for the award from 64 nominations from public and private schools around the state. Each teacher will receive $5,000, as well as $3,000 for his or her school library, according to a press release from Princeton.

Grygiel, 35, has been a teacher for ten years. She said she entered the field in a non traditional way, but has "never looked back."

In an article written for the Princeton web site, Hoboken senior Francis Howitt was quoted as saying "Ms. Grygiel is a very rare teacher. She understands what needs to be done to excite students about their work ... she always seems to find new ways to implement her lesson plans through fun and interesting activities."

Princeton has honored secondary school teachers since 1959. The University received an anonymous gift from an alumnus to establish the program.