Mendham Teacher Chosen As Morris County Teacher Of Year

MENDHAM, NJ — There are 21 teachers throughout New Jersey - one in each county - who were bestowed a special honor on Wednesday, Jonathan Dowler among them.

Dowler was the New Jersey Department of Education’s Morris County teacher pick for the Governor’s Educator of the Year program for 2021-2022.

He teaches Social Studies at West Morris Mendham High School, part of the West Morris Regional High School District.

“New Jersey public schools have been recognized as the best in the nation and the strength of our schools is driven by our dynamic educators,” Gov. Phil Murphy commented in a news release about the 21 chosen teachers.

“Congratulations to all of the County Teachers of the Year,” Murphy added. “They are true exemplars of the innovative instruction and educational greatness that New Jersey offers to students.”

On Murphy’s social media, there was also a special post congratulating Dowler.

“We celebrate the extraordinary service of these teachers for their ongoing efforts to ensure that our students succeed both inside and outside of the classroom,” Acting Education Commissioner Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillian commented.

The next step for each of New Jersey’s selected teachers will be their individual roles as ambassadors for the state’s schools. Each of them will then submit applications, videos and interviews for New Jersey State Teacher of the Year, with the materials they send in evaluated by a panel of educators.

After the announcement of State Teacher of the Year, likely to happen in October at the State Board of Education’s meeting, that chosen teacher will move up to compete for National Teacher of the Year.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.