Union County 'Teacher Of The Year' Awarded To Scotch Plains Educator

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — A first grade teacher at the Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District took home this year's Union County "Teacher of the Year" award.

The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) announced Thursday the 21 educators who have been named the state’s 2022-2023 County Teachers of the Year. You can watch the full award ceremony on Facebook.

Candice Testa — a first grade teacher at William J. McGinn Elementary School — was named Teacher of the Year for Union County.

According to the NJDOE, here are some of Testa's accomplishments that earned her the distinction:

"Candice Testa graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton and a master’s degree from Rutgers University. For the past 20 years, she has influenced the lives and guided the learning of hundreds of elementary students. Her dedication to her profession can be seen each day, where she regularly encourages and meets the needs of all levels of learners in her first-grade class. As a teacher leader, Candice supports her colleagues where her door is always open to veteran and young teachers alike. She serves as the President of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Education Association where she has molded a tight-knit community of educators and staff who recognize their best interests will be met during the school year and beyond. Candice is a recipient of the Building Teacher Leader Capacity Grant Project, awarded by Kean University, in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE). Advocating for her students has been her drive and knowing that she played a part in their success over the last two decades is her greatest accomplishment."

According to the NJDOE, the Count Teachers of the Year will network with educators and serve as ambassador's for New Jersey's public schools during the upcoming school year.

A panel of educators will also 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 is typically announced at the State Board of Education’s October meeting and will go on to represent New Jersey in competing for the title of National Teacher of the Year.

“These 21 educators are exemplary models of the kinds of dynamic teaching that takes place in New Jersey’s classrooms,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. “The quality of our schools is driven in no small part through the strength of our teaching workforce, represented by these County Teachers of the Year. It’s no wonder New Jersey public schools are among the best in the nation.”

Other recent winners in Union County include:

• 2021-22: Dennis Dagounis, science teacher at Roselle Park High School
• 2020-21: Jamie Warner, 8th grade social studies teacher at Orange Avenue School (Cranford)
• 2019-20: Bryan Lowe, 5th grade teacher at Valley Road Elementary School (Clark)

Individual schools nominate exceptional educators for County Teacher of the Year through the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program, which "promotes a positive school culture by acknowledging the hard work and dedication of outstanding teachers and educational services professionals."

More information is available on the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program webpage.

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