Educator of the year
2026 Arts Educator of the Year
2026 Arts Educator of the Year Jill Alexander Jill Alexander consistently brings out the very best in her students. She challenges them to think critically, experiment boldly, and refine their artistic skills with care and intention. Through her mentorship and guidance, students learn not only technical skills but also confidence, perseverance, and pride in their…
Read More2025 Arts Educator of the Year
2025 Arts Educator of the Year Elisabeth Campbell Ms. Campbell’s dedication to her students in the Dramatic Arts, and the community has been an invaluable asset to Cumberland Regional High School. She established and grew the Dramatic Arts Academy Program, designed to foster students’ personal, intellectual, and social development, while arming them with skills and…
Read More2024 Arts Educator of the Year
2024 Arts Educator of the Year Alexandra Cappucci Ms. Cappucci has transformed the AP Studio Art program at Columbia High School in Maplewood, NJ! She executed a laser focused recruiting effort two years ago that doubled the number of students enrolled in AP Studio Art classes. She very successfully collaborated with community arts leaders to…
Read More2023 Arts Educator of the Year
2023 Arts Educator of the Year Rachel Therres Rachel Therres believes in the immense power of creativity in the lives of young people and has shown that throughout her sixteen-year career as an artist educator. She works to create curriculum which is relevant to young people through which they can create personal meaning. Ms. Therres…
Read More2016 Arts Educator of the Year
2016 Arts Educator of the Year Randy Kupcha You don’t even have to enter the building to see and feel Mr. Kupcha’s impact on Branchburg Central Middle School. Visitors to our school are greeted by a 100-foot mural on the front of the building inspired by Keith Haring’s work that he designed with students and…
Read More2017 Arts Educator of the Year
2017 Arts Educator of the Year Valerie Snyder-Grollman Valerie Snyder-Grollman is a proud graduate of Rutgers University, Douglass College. Â She has been an arts educator in the North Brunswick Township School District since 1980 where she has taught painting, drawing, graphic design, ceramics, and sculpture. Ms. Snyder-Grollman has had the pleasure of teaching many students…
Read More2018 Arts Educator of the Year
2018 Arts Educator of the Year Argine Safari Argine Safari is passionate about transforming the lives of her students through the power of music. Her multilingual, multicultural background and rich personal experiences as a refugee led her to motivate her students in appreciating the value of hard work and in competing and collaborating as ethical…
Read More2019 Arts Educator of the Year
2019 Arts Educator of the Year Ian Kearns Ian Kearns is a proud graduate of DeSales University. He has been an arts educator in the Point Pleasant School District since 2007 where he teaches Theatrical Design. Mr. Kearns also serves as the Director for the high school performing arts productions. Continuing the “Boro” tradition of…
Read More2021 Arts Educator of the Year
2021 Arts Educator of the Year Shawna E. Longo Shawna E. Longo is the General Music (Music Technology) teacher and Arts Integration Specialist at Durban Avenue School, Hopatcong, NJ. She is also a published author with her book, Integrating STEM with Music, currently on presale with Oxford University Press. Additionally, she serves as a Coach…
Read More2022 Arts Educator of the Year
2022 Arts Educator of the Year Dr. Michael Penna Dr. Penna is a Theater and English Teacher at Collier High School in Wickatunk, NJ. Collier is a school for students with disabilities and special needs. He has a Ph.D. in Education from Walden University, MPhil in Education from Walden University, MA in Theater Studies from…
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