From Spain To The Shore: Cape May County's Teacher Of The Year Named

STONE HARBOR, NJ — Antonio Martín Franco taught in Spain before coming to America to teach Spanish, health and physical education at Stone Harbor Elementary School. He was named Cape May 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.

According to the Department of Education:

Antonio Martín Franco earned a bachelor’s degree in education with a minor in Spanish and a major in health and physical education from the Universidad de Granada in Spain. He began his teaching career in Spain before he moved to the United States where he taught for three years in Pennsylvania before arriving at Stone Harbor Elementary School. He strives to build a sense of community through sports. He created a pickleball tournament between school staff, the local police and fire departments and borough employees, as well as an annual kickball game between the staff and the students. He also implemented a new program called Marathon Kids that encourages mental and physical health through running. Antonio also prides himself in championing diversity in his students through classroom activities, thematic days and lessons that cover multicultural topics, allow his students to deepen their understanding of other countries, cultures, and people. He works very hard not only to engage his students but also to establish relationships with them. You will see him leading a cha-cha line around the school, riding a bike alongside the students during bike safety, singing in the microphone during a school assembly, and even lying in the way of danger during a BMX show. When he became a teacher in America, he knew he wanted his students to understand that there is a big world out there, and the more they understand and appreciate other cultures, the more that world opens to them.

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.