South Jersey’s Top Teachers Announced

A panel of administrators, fellow teachers and parents were asked to choose the top teachers in each of the 21 counties in New Jersey. It’s time to meet South Jersey's top teachers for 2015-16!

ATLANTIC COUNTY

Michael Martirone is a social studies teacher at Egg Harbor Township High School. Known for his hands-on classroom style and cross-curricular lessons, he creates an energetic and creative learning environment.

BURLINGTON COUNTY

Jennifer Braverman is an artist, activist and educator at Maple Shade High School who graduated Summa Cum Laude from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor's degree in Art Education. She earned her Master's degree in Art Education through Boston University in 2012. Jennifer has taught Art Studio, Photography, Scultpure and Ceramics, Digital Photography, Advanced Drawing and Painting and AP Studio Art throughout her seven-year career. At Maple Shade High School, she teaches grades seven through twelve, advises the National Art Honor Society and co-advises the Class of 2016.

 CAMDEN COUNTY

Elizabeth Light graduated from Philadelphia University in 2001, earning a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design. In 2004, she obtained her teaching degree via the alternate route program and in 2010 earned her Master's degree in Guidance Counseling from Wilmington University. Elizabeth currently teaches Design and Illustration I-IV at Gloucester City Junior Senior High School.

CAPE MAY COUNTY

Erin Ridgway graduated from Elizabethtown College in 2000 with a dual certification in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She has experience in teaching kindergarten through second grade. Erin has developed a bell choir and swim program for the second graders of Wildwood at Glenwood Avenue Elementary School. For the past six years, new ESL students have entered her second grade class speaking no English at all. Erin makes them feel accepted and part of her classroom family. She looks forward to stepping into her new role as Literacy Coach for her district.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Belinda Murphy has been teaching for fifteen years, eleven of which at ExCEL in Bridgeton. This school has a very unique program, where students and teachers attend six days a week until the end of July. She is the mother of five children and went back to college to become a teacher after her fifth child was born.

 SALEM COUNTY

Chelsea Collins graduated with distinction from Penn State University and received a Master's degree in teaching from The College of New Jersey. She works at Woodstown Middle School as an Academic Team Leader, ELA teacher, field hockey coach, yearbook co-advisor, STAND advisor, data mentor, new teacher mentor and more.

Congrats to all 21 New Jersey teachers that have been recognized.

Most importantly, THANK YOU to all teachers in South Jersey, New Jersey and beyond for all you do. Here’s to an awesome 2015-16 school year!

TELL US: Is there a teach that you know that deserves a shout out? Leave their name, school and what they teach in the comment section below. (If that teacher is you…give yourself a pat on the back!)