NEW JERSEY COUNCIL OF TEACHERS OF ENGLISH
Teacher Awards
We encourage English educators in New Jersey to nominate their colleagues for the Educator of the Year, the M. Jerry Weiss Early Career Teacher Award, and the Marcia Holtzman Pre-Service Teacher Award.
Educator of the Year Award
The New Jersey Council of Teachers of English (NJCTE) recognizes one exceptional and experienced English/Language Arts educator-- a dedicated, innovative, dynamic Pre-K-12 teacher, university teacher, supervisor, or administrator-- whose activities have significantly and widely impacted New Jersey English/Language Arts education. The selected educator also becomes eligible for nomination by NJCTE for a New Jersey Governor's Award in Arts Education and, if appropriate, for the NCTE High School Teacher of Excellence award and/or Outstanding Middle School Educator Award.
M. Jerry Weiss Early Career Teacher Award
The M. Jerry Weiss Early Career Teacher Award is for early career teachers working at the elementary, middle, or high school levels. Dr. M. Jerry Weiss, Distinguished Service Professor of Communications Emeritus at New Jersey City University, has had an important influence on literacy in New Jersey, as well as the larger United States. A nationally recognized expert in the field of children’s and adolescent literature and a pioneer in the area of Whole Language, Dr. Weiss taught at New Jersey City University for 33 years before retiring in 1994.
To qualify for this award, candidates should be teaching one to five years.
Marcia Holtzman Pre-Service Teacher Award
The Marcia Holtzman Pre-Service Teacher Award is for pre-service teachers aiming to work at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Marcia Holtzman is a retired assistant superintendent of the Metuchen school system and an active NJCTE member. She has created a "writer's room" at the Edgar School, enlisting the help of parent volunteers as coaches. The group publishes "Metuchen Musings," a journal of original writings. Students, teachers, and undergraduate and graduate college students enrolled in teacher education programs, and preservice educators seeking employment qualify. Since the spirit of the award is one of encouraging professional longevity, more than one nominee may be selected for this award.