NJEA is proud to join with students, school employees, parents and communities across the state in congratulating the 2025-26 New Jersey County Teachers of the Year.
“Each year, the County Teachers of the Year remind us of the incredible talent, dedication, and heart that define New Jersey’s educators. The 2025-26 honorees represent the very best of our profession—innovators, mentors and leaders who not only inspire their students, but their colleagues as well. NJEA is honored to celebrate their achievements and the profound impact they have on public education,” said NJEA President Sean Spiller.
“To be named a County Teacher of the Year is not only recognition of excellence in the classroom, but also a celebration of the relationships these educators build—with students, families, and communities. They are role models in every sense of the word, demonstrating what is possible when passion meets purpose. This class of County Teachers of the Year is an amazing example of the diverse roles in teaching across the state and the extensive experience of our educators,” said NJEA Vice President Steve Beatty.
“Every year, we are excited to celebrate educators who embody the promise of public education. Through their vision, empathy, and unwavering dedication they not only nurture academic success, but also the confidence and personal growth of every student they teach. NJEA recognizes that their work strengthens our communities and ensures that New Jersey remains a national leader in education. The County Teachers of the Year are another example of why New Jersey has the No. 1 public schools in the nation,” said NJEA Secretary Treasurer Petal Robertson.
The 2025-26 County Teachers of the Year serve as ambassadors for the teaching profession and will have the opportunity to share their expertise, passion, and vision with colleagues and the entire state throughout the year. Their work will continue to shape the future of education in New Jersey, and we are thrilled to support them.
Atlantic
Christa Delaney is an environmental science teacher at Egg Harbor Township High School in the Egg Harbor Township School District.
Bergen
Aarti Mallya, Ph.D., is a science teacher at Pascack Hills High School in the Pascack Valley Regional High School District.
Burlington
Dr. Sean Hoggs I is a senior aerospace science instructor at Northern Burlington County Regional High School in the Northern Burlington County Regional School District.
Camden
Heide Kowalski is a sixth-grade English language arts teacher at Ann A. Mullen Middle School in the Gloucester Township School District.
Cape May
JoDee Sattazahn is a Spanish teacher at Lower Cape May Regional High School in the Lower Cape May Regional School District.
Cumberland
Dr. Tiffanie ThrBak is a special education teacher at Cherry Street School in the Bridgeton City School District.
Essex
Andrew Vander Horn is a social studies teacher at Cedar Grove High School in the Cedar Grove Township School District.
Gloucester
Sandy Fitzpatrick is a kindergarten teacher at Birches Elementary School in the Washington Township School District.
Hudson
John Palsi is a culinary arts instructor at County Prep High School in the Hudson County Schools of Technology School District.
Hunterdon
Caroline Mann is a special education teacher at Round Valley School in the Clinton Township School District.
Mercer
Shakida Faniel is a special education teacher at Joyce Kilmer Intermediate School in the Trenton Public School District.
Middlesex
Pamela Eng is a third-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in the Edison Township School District.
Monmouth
Gillian Ober is a seventh-grade English as a second language teacher at Freehold Intermediate School in the Freehold Borough School District.
Morris
Natasha Tyjer-Mendez is a fourth-grade teacher at Riverdale Public School in the Riverdale School District.
Ocean
Jacqueline Castellano is a biology teacher at Brick Township Memorial High School in the Brick Township School District.
Passaic
Alyssa Bitar is an engineering and STEM teacher at Passaic County Manchester Regional High School in the Passaic County Manchester Regional High School District.
Salem
Robert Fitzpatrick is an eighth-grade English language arts teacher at Penns Grove Middle School in the Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District.
Somerset
Kiran Masud is a teacher for the academically independent program at Hillside Intermediate School in the Bridgewater-Raritan School District.
Sussex
Amy Stevens is an eighth-grade English language arts teacher at Byram Intermediate School in the Byram Township School District.
Union
Karen Carey-Lynch is an English language arts and gifted and talented teacher at Roselle Park Middle School in the Roselle Park School District.
Warren
Laura Wojick is a computer science and information technology teacher at Phillipsburg High School in the Phillipsburg School District.