They say one good teacher can change the trajectory of students’ lives, that educators shape the leaders of tomorrow. Rancocas Valley has no shortage of amazing, life changing educators and staff who show up every day dedicated to making the lives of their students better. That’s why when it comes to spotlighting these devoted individuals, RV has taken the initiative to participate in the Governor’s Educator of the Year (GEOY) Program for another year.
Why is this program important? For one thing: it recognizes the work of teachers in every school building in the state of New Jersey, something that badly needs to happen. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, between February 2020 and May 2022, a record 300,000 teachers have left the profession entirely. Currently, 86% — almost 9 out of 10 school districts nationally — struggle to fill vacancies in their schools. Teachers are bearing the brunt of the rising mental health crisis among young people while simultaneously being forced to do more with less and many states (like New Jersey) will face school budget shortfalls in the coming years, as a result of rising costs.
The GEOY Program is a needed and wonderful program that can give teachers a much needed pat on the back. The program recognizes and honors outstanding educators in the RV school district and affords the school an opportunity to honor not just amazing educators but also our exceptional educational services professionals as well, including Guidance Counselors, Nurses, Paraprofessionals and more. Forms from students, staff members, parents/guardians, and RV community members will all serve as nominations to spotlight individuals they believe most deserve special recognition for the outstanding job they do. Last year’s winners were Madame Kimberly Pope and Mr. Thomas Callahan.
The GEOY nomination portal will be open from October 23 through November 17, so act fast. Please consider nominating an educator and/or educational services professional using the form linked here or on the RV website. Filling out the evidence-based nomination forms will aid RV in selecting the 2023-2024 RVRHS Teacher of the Year & Educational Services Professional of the Year. RV has no shortage of dedicated teachers and staff who have made positive impacts to the RV community, so make sure to spotlight that special someone today and who knows, they might just be the next Governor’s Educator of the Year.
