NEW JERSEY COUNCIL OF TEACHERS OF ENGLISH
Teacher Awards
We encourage English educators in New Jersey to nominate their colleagues for the Educator of the Year, the M. Jerry Weiss Early Career Teacher Award, and the Marcia Holtzman Pre-Service Teacher Award.
Educator of the Year Award
The New Jersey Council of Teachers of English (NJCTE) recognizes one exceptional and experienced English/Language Arts educator-- a dedicated, innovative, dynamic Pre-K-12 teacher, university teacher, supervisor, or administrator-- whose activities have significantly and widely impacted New Jersey English/Language Arts education. The selected educator also becomes eligible for nomination by NJCTE for a New Jersey Governor's Award in Arts Education and, if appropriate, for the NCTE High School Teacher of Excellence award and/or Outstanding Middle School Educator Award.
M. Jerry Weiss Early Career Teacher Award
The M. Jerry Weiss Early Career Teacher Award is for early career teachers working at the elementary, middle, or high school levels. Dr. M. Jerry Weiss, Distinguished Service Professor of Communications Emeritus at New Jersey City University, has had an important influence on literacy in New Jersey, as well as the larger United States. A nationally recognized expert in the field of children’s and adolescent literature and a pioneer in the area of Whole Language, Dr. Weiss taught at New Jersey City University for 33 years before retiring in 1994.
To qualify for this award, candidates should be teaching one to five years.
Marcia Holtzman Pre-Service Teacher Award
The Marcia Holtzman Pre-Service Teacher Award is for pre-service teachers aiming to work at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Marcia Holtzman is a retired assistant superintendent of the Metuchen school system and an active NJCTE member. She has created a "writer's room" at the Edgar School, enlisting the help of parent volunteers as coaches. The group publishes "Metuchen Musings," a journal of original writings. Students, teachers, and undergraduate and graduate college students enrolled in teacher education programs, and preservice educators seeking employment qualify. Since the spirit of the award is one of encouraging professional longevity, more than one nominee may be selected for this award.
Past Winners
Educator of the Year Recipients:
2020: Dr. Darlene Russell, William Paterson University
2017: Susan Chenelle, University Acad. Charter HS, Jersey City
2016: Heather D. Rocco, School District of the Chathams
2015: Stephen Chiger, North Star Academy, Newark
2014: Sarah Mulhern Gross, Technology HS, Lincroft
2013: Jennifer Ansbach, MA, Manchester Township HS
2012: Dr. Laura Nicosia, PhD, Montclair State University
2011: Dr. Liz deBeer, Point Pleasant Beach HS
2008: Dr. Patricia Schall, College of Saint Elizabeth
2007: Edie Weinthal, Pascack Valley
2006: Julie Cheville, Rutgers U
2005: Joseph Pizzo, Black River MS, Chester
2004: Susan Canter, Campbell ES/Edgar MS, Metuchen
2003: Eileen Dachnowicz, Cranford HS
2002: Marcia Holtzman, Metuchen Public Schools
2001: Nancy Gorrell, Morristown HS
2000: Bettye Spinner, Moorestown HS
1999: Lynn F. Carhart, Monmouth Regional HS, Tinton Falls
1997: Donna Clovis, Princeton Elementary
1996: Maria Schantz, Montclair State U
1995: Herman Estrin, NJ Institute of Technology
1994: Alfred Weiss, Eastside HS, Paterson
1993: Muriel Becker, Montclair State U
1987: Adele Stern, Paramus HS
1981: Janet Emig, Rutgers U
M. Jerry Weiss Early Career Teacher Recipients:
2020: Angela Lengner
2018: Bridget O'Neill, Lisa Sambula, Samantha Shane, Nimisha Patel
2016: Ellen Papazian
2015: Steven Criscuolo, Christopher Rodriguez, Ann Marie Manso
2014: Kristen Angelo
2013: David Eisenberg, Kathryn Fraser Whitely
2012: Aimee Ambrose, Elizabeth Dunn, Kathleen Tobin
2011: Vanessa Rasmussen, Lisa Anne MacDonald, Henry Baldwin, Kristine Mintel
Marcia Holtzman Pre-Service Teacher Recipients:
2018: Evan Dickerson
2017: Darcy Lucia, Delight Penaverde-McKitrick
2016:
2015: Sandra Croft, Puneet Anand
2014: Rachel Berger
2013: Christopher Crowley, Victoria Viola, Guenevere Zuker
2012: Megan Bolger, Giuliana Cocilovo, Daniela Maria Conte, Steven Criscuolo, Michaela Ensminger, Lauren Fitzsimmons, Allison Greer, Kelly Kosch, Amanda Rhea, Ashley Robinson
2011: Jessica DeNizio, Janine Sullivan