See The 30 Wayne Schools Nominees For Governor's Educator Of The Year

WAYNE, NJ — Wayne Township Schools has nominated 30 teachers and educational service professionals for the 2024-25 Governor’s Educator of the Year Recognition Program.

School districts nominate their employees every year for this program, which honors teachers and support professionals for their efforts to engage students and help them grow in and out of the classroom. One teacher and one educational services professional from each building was nominated.

"Wayne Township Public Schools honors our hardworking teachers and educational services professionals for their dedication to their students and their profession," the district said in a newsletter post.

Here is the list of nominees:

Teacher Educator of the Year Nominees: Jaclyn Huntington (Preakness Early Childhood Center), Carolyn Radler (Albert P. Terhune Elementary), Kaitlyn Zarrillo (James Fallon Elementary), Gail Gultz (John F. Kennedy Elementary), Nicole Couso (Lafayette Elementary), Kimberly Laracy (Packanack Elementary), Megan Purdue (Pines Lake Elementary), Tiffany Powell (Randall Carter Elementary), Cindy Contella (Ryerson Elementary), Laura Hoogstrate (Theunis Day Elementary), Deborah Mahoney (Anthony Wayne Middle), Alyssa Masella (George Washington Middle), Alexis McNamara (Schuyler-Colfax Middle), Anna Schlesier (Wayne Hills High), Katherine Pritchard (Wayne Valley High).

Education Services Professional of the Year Nominees: Dana Cavallo (Preakness Early Childhood Center), Nicolette Minervini (Albert P. Terhune Elementary), Kelly Caslander (James Fallon Elementary), Gina Miele (John F. Kennedy Elementary), Elizabeth Tengwall (Lafayette Elementary), Alison Muhlnickel (Packanack Elementary), Kathy Statile (Pines Lake Elementary), Fatiha Bouyaala (Randall Carter Elementary), Erica Batelli (Ryerson Elementary), Elizabeth Sponenburg (Theunis Day Elementary), Joanne Eakins (Anthony Wayne Middle), Maria Lucarelli (George Washington Middle), Crisanne Gusmano (Schuyler-Colfax Middle), Laura Gomez (Wayne Hills High), Erica Foster (Wayne Valley High).

The Governor’s Educator of the Year Program encourages all New Jersey school districts to select “exceptionally skilled and dedicated” staff members for recognition. The recognition is intended to showcase educators who have created an inviting culture in the classroom and among families and colleagues.