4 Westfield High School Educators Honored for Excellence

WESTFIELD, NJ — Four teachers have been honored by the Westfield High School community with awards of excellence, the school district has announced. They are English teacher Caitlin Cheddar, social studies teacher Jeffrey Knight, VPA art teacher Leah Jarvis and Latin teacher James Rowan. WHS principal Mary Asfendis announced the award winners during morning announcements last week.“We enjoy recognizing the many achievements of our students and staff throughout the school year,” said Superintendent Dr. Raymond González, who joined Principal Asfendis on May 4 in congratulating the recipients of the WHS awards.“These recognitions by the WHS school community are particularly meaningful as the nominations are made by appreciative students, parents and colleagues,” he said. Nominated by students, Cheddar is the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award, established to annually recognize a teacher or counselor who, through both excellence in teaching in the classroom and a demonstrated commitment to intellectual pursuits beyond the classroom, serves as a model and inspiration to the WHS community to strive towards excellence. One nomination letter described Cheddar this way: “Ms. Cheddar goes above and beyond every day to make her students feel welcome and valued. Not only an amazing person, but an amazing teacher. She ensures each and every student is learning to the best of their ability, which means something different for everyone.”Knight is the 2026 recipient of the Jeffery Family Above and Beyond Award. Students were asked to nominate a teacher or counselor who provided extraordinary assistance to a student. The teacher is one who truly made a difference in the life of a struggling child either socially, emotionally or academically.One student wrote, “He is an extraordinary source of support for me in ways that go far beyond the normal student experience. He combines strong teaching with genuine care for his students.” Jarvis received the Parent-Teacher-Student Organization Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, for which parents and students nominate a teacher who communicates enthusiasm, is encouraging, motivating and readily available to individual students, attempts to elevate standards, encourages students to excel to their greatest potential, is cheerful, flexible, sensitive and a good role model. “She is my favorite teacher in the school and has such a kind heart. Anytime I come to visit her room, she welcomes me with open arms and encourages me. She is such a great role model in the sense that she motivates me to be as kind as I can to others,” a student wrote.Rowan is the recipient of the 2026 Robert and Linda Foose Memorial Award. Students were asked to nominate any WHS staff member, except the principal, for a specific contribution to the educational process at WHS during the 2025-2026 school year. The award is is named for a former principal and teacher. One student called Rowan “a dedicated teacher who puts in the time and effort to help his students as much as he can.”The awardees will be honored by the Westfield Board of Education at a public meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.