Meet 2025-26 NJEA ESP of the Year Angela Feliciano
By Kathryn Coulibaly
Angela Feliciano, or Ms. Angie as she is known in the Camden school community, is a loving and tireless advocate for her students. An instructional assistant at the Riletta Twyne Cream Early Childhood Center, Feliciano delights in doing everything she can to enhance her student’s learning experience.
“I grew up in Camden, and I always wanted to give back to the community,” Feliciano says. “I know the children, I know the parents. I see the positive impact I can have on their lives. It’s my passion to see them grow and thrive. I want them to do more things and see more things. I want them to see what they can accomplish. My motto is: I want to plant a seed and after a year, I want to see the flower blossom.”
Inspired by a teacher’s love
For the past 28 years, Feliciano has been pouring her love and encouragement into her students. She was inspired to go into education by her fifth-grade teacher at H.B. Wilson School, Mrs. Cooper.
“Mrs. Cooper was so genuine and loving, she encouraged me to go into education,” Feliciano recalls. “I grew up thinking that I wanted to be like her. She told me I would be a good teacher. We maintained our connection and I even invited her to my wedding. I was ecstatic to have her there.”
Feliciano’s mother passed away when she was 14 years old, and she went to live with her grandparents. In 1997, she began her professional career in education right around the corner from where Mrs. Cooper taught.
Feliciano has worked with students in preschool, kindergarten, fourth and fifth grades, but her heart is with her preschool students. She also has assisted the school community by substituting in different classrooms and helping the principal with different assignments, including assisting parents with late arrivals and dismissals.
“Ms. Feliciano is always willing to lend a hand with instructional support and classroom management, sharing her expertise and positivity to create a collaborative and effective learning environment,” Principal Medinah Dyer writes. “Our administrative team has come to rely on her in the daily operations of our school. She is flexible, supporting our main office operations, routine transitions, teacher coverages, classroom instruction and family engagement activities, which happen outside of the school hours. Anytime we are faced with potential challenges, she is a valuable thought partner that our administration team collaborates with for decision-making.”
Beyond the classroom
Feliciano has been a major part of community outreach efforts to share information about the early childhood program. She volunteers her time on weekends to attend community events to talk about the benefits of the program. As a result of her efforts, Principal Dyer credits her with helping to increase enrollment from 120 students to 350 students over the past four years.
Feliciano also is a resource for families well beyond the school day. She reaches out to families to offer support and guidance and has helped to foster a strong sense of partnership. She pays attention to their needs and remembers details that help make connections.
In addition, her generosity is well-known in the community. Staff members talk about her selflessness in purchasing toiletries and other necessities for students to make sure they have what they need to succeed.
While pursuing her career in education, Feliciano also raised a family with her husband, Noel. Their two sons, Ja’Quan and Da’Juan are both now grown. Feliciano takes great delight in her role as a grandmother to Malani, Ja’Quan Jr. and Jex Feliciano. At the same time, Feliciano has continued to pursue her education, eventually earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
A guiding hand and caring heart
It’s important to Feliciano that her students know how much she cares about them.
“I like to nurture my students,” Feliciano says. “I know they don’t always get that all the time, so I let them know that someone really, really cares about them and wants to be with them and give them that love and impact.”
At the same time, Feliciano believes all students need firm guidance and clear expectations.
“My colleagues say that I’m stern with the students’ behavior, but I’m loving with them, too,” Feliciano says. “Classroom management is so challenging. Everyone brings their students to me to talk to. I try to remain calm and patient when I’m dealing with challenging behaviors. I use positive reinforcement and set clear and consistent expectations. But I also sit down and talk to them about what’s going on, what their triggers are.
“I want to understand the underlying cause of their behavior. Are they hungry? Why are they upset? I let them open up and talk to me. I help them get it out, and find constructive solutions with them, but then they have to go back to the classroom and learn. My door is always open to them: lunch time, prep time, whenever.”
Champion for educational support professionals
Feliciano sees the important role that educational support professionals play in conjunction with teachers.
“The biggest thing to understand is that we’re part of teaching, as well,” Feliciano explains. “We are there to back up the teacher and help teach the student in a different way. We give them both direct support.”
Feliciano’s colleagues cannot say enough good things about her and her impact on the school community.
Camden Education Association President Pamela Clark writes, “Ms. Feliciano’s encouraging spirit and compassionate nature inspire those around her—students, staff, parents and community members alike. She brings light into every space she enters and continually seeks ways to uplift others and improve the educational environment for all. Her voice, ideas and tireless advocacy make her not only an exceptional educational support professional but also a true leader and role model in our community.”
Feliciano is very involved in her local, county and statewide unions. At the local level, Feliciano has served as a building representative and continues to volunteer in activities for students including the Night Before Christmas, Trunk or Treat, Read Across New Jersey and Autism Awareness Day. Feliciano volunteers for the Camden County Council of Education Associations’ Breast Cancer Awareness event. She is a member of NJEA’s Members of Color Experience. She encourages and invites her colleagues to become more involved in their union.
It is no wonder, then, that she has been named the 2025-26 Camden County and NJEA ESP of the Year, but Feliciano doesn’t see it that way.
“I was in shock when I heard I was the Camden County ESP of the Year,” Feliciano recalls. “I never expected it. It means something that someone picked me. I’m just here for the community and the children.
“I love shaping young minds and watching scholars grow and succeed knowing that I played a significant role in their learning journey,” Feliciano says. “I love when they smile and make a connection. It lights me up and makes me smile—we’re both excited! It’s a privilege to make a meaningful impact on students’ lives while providing them with the guidance and support they need to reach their potential.”
As the 2025-26 NJEA ESP of the Year, Feliciano has already been nominated for the NEA ESP of the Year award. She will attend the NEA ESP Conference and is entitled to a Disney vacation, funded by NJEA. Feliciano will also receive an ESP of the Year ring and will be a featured speaker at the NJEA ESP Conference.
Kathryn Coulibaly is an associate director in the Communications Division. She can be reached at kcoulibaly@njea.org.