See Who Was Named Monmouth County's Teacher Of The Year

RED BANK, NJ — A teacher from Red Bank Regional High School has been named Monmouth County’s Teacher of the Year for 2024-2025, the NJ Department of Education announced on Tuesday.

Sara Mazzone, an English teacher from Red Bank Regional High School, was recognized alongside 20 other educators at an awards ceremony held at The College of New Jersey on Tuesday, officials said.

Mazzone has taught at Red Bank Regional High School since 2010, according to the NJ Department of Education, and currently teaches AP English Language and Composition, as well as a college-level course she developed in 2011 called “Graphic Novels and Visual Literacy.”

Those who nominated Mazzone said she believes strongly in teacher leadership and has spearheaded efforts to raise academic achievement, promote equity and boost participation in advanced coursework:

“Over the years, she has helped to write curricula to increase rigor and engage student interests, establish dual-enrollment partnerships, and design new programs, including a summer workshop to support students taking college-level classes for the first time. Sara has spearheaded efforts to raise academic achievement, promote equity, and boost participation in advanced coursework. Her efforts have contributed to increased diversity and overall enrollment in college-level English courses by twenty-two percent among juniors and seniors in just four years. She believes strongly in teacher leadership and has organized many school and department-wide professional development events. Sara often plays a key role in efforts to use data to inform best practices, most recently with the New Jersey School Climate Improvement Survey. She wants her students to understand that the potential to learn from one another is exciting and the possibility of working together, regardless of their differences, can change the world.”

“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,” Governor Phil Murphy said. “Exceptional educators are the key to ensuring that students across New Jersey will have a bright future.”

In order to decide the County Teachers of the Year, individual schools select Teachers of the Year, who then become eligible to apply for County Teacher of the Year through the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program, the NJ Department of Education said.

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, according to officials.

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 then go on to represent New Jersey in competing for the title of National Teacher of the Year, officials said.

“The dynamic educators that we recognize today serve as ambassadors of the profession,” Acting Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer said. “When we highlight the great efforts from our 21 County Teachers of the Year, we shine a spotlight not only on the accomplishments of these teachers, but also on all of the schools and districts that support these remarkable educators to show why New Jersey schools lead the nation.”

To view a full list of the New Jersey County Teachers of the Year, you can visit the NJ Department of Education website.