Berkeley Heights Seeks Educator of the Year Nominations by Oct. 23

According to Berkeley Heights Public Schools' announcement on September 28, 2026.

Every school has an educator people still talk about years later. Maybe it is the counselor who listened, or the teacher who made a hard subject click. In Berkeley Heights, nominations to put that person forward for a state honor close Friday, Oct. 23.

Berkeley Heights Public Schools is taking nominations for the Governor's Educators of the Year program through Friday, Oct. 23. Superintendent Dr. Kim Feltre shared the call on Sept. 28, asking the community to "celebrate the incredible work of our educators." Each award has its own Google Form: Teacher of the Year and Educational Services Professional of the Year.

The New Jersey Department of Education runs the program statewide. The nomination forms accept entries from students, parents, colleagues and community members, so Union County Life readers who know a standout Berkeley Heights educator can take part.

The district wants educators whose dedication has made a significant and positive impact on students and their school. For Teacher of the Year, the selection committee looks for experts in their field who include, inspire and empower students of all backgrounds and abilities, and who work with colleagues, students and families to build a culture of respect and success.

Strong nominees also show leadership and innovation in and outside the school setting, and they have the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues. Anyone named school, county or state Teacher of the Year or Educational Services Professional of the Year in the past five years is not eligible.

The Educational Services Professional award is limited to roles set by the state: athletic trainer, behavior specialist, child study team, educational sign language interpreter, guidance or school counselor, HELP teacher, instructional coach, learning disabilities teacher consultant, library media specialist, mathematics interventionist, nurse, occupational therapist, physical therapist, psychologist, reading specialist, social worker, speech language specialist and student assistant coordinator.

After Oct. 23, the state timeline takes over. A Sept. 9 state memo says each school picks one Teacher of the Year and one Educational Services Professional of the Year by Nov. 27, registers them by Dec. 4 and notifies all nominees by Dec. 11. Honorees registered on time get a state award certificate from their County Office of Education.

The district post does not name the selection committee or say how honorees will be announced. Questions about the local process can go to the Berkeley Heights School District, 345 Plainfield Ave., at (908) 464-1718; office hours are not listed. State program questions go to educatorrecognition@doe.nj.gov.

For a counselor, a coach or a classroom teacher, a nomination is a way of saying thank you out loud. Find more Berkeley Heights school news and community stories on Union County Life.

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