LBI Education Leader Named Ocean County 'Teacher Of The Year'

BEACH HAVEN, NJ — Jill Falletta teaches her first grade students how to be empathetic and support their community while also inspiring and mentoring the next generation of teachers. It’s because of these things that the Beach Haven School educator was named Ocean County Teacher of the Year by the New Jersey Department of Education.

“New Jersey’s public schools are considered the best in the nation because of our outstanding teachers, and this year’s 21 County Teachers of the Year exemplify that excellence,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. “Exceptional educators are the key to ensuring that students across New Jersey will have a bright future.”

The 2024-2025 class of educators were honored Tuesday at a ceremony in Ewing.

According to her biography from the Department of Education, Falletta has taught in various Ocean County schools over the past 16 years and now teaches in Beach Haven. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and sociology from The College of New Jersey and received her master’s degree in education and supervision from Georgian Court University.

“Each experience has allowed her to refine her craft and enrich the lives of her students,” her biography reads.

Here’s what the Department of Education says about Falletta:

Jill is a teacher leader, sitting on the School Climate Committee, the School Improvement Panel, the Threat Assessment Team, and the Early Elementary Team. She is passionate about the recruitment and retention of future educators and has served as a mentor teacher to numerous student and novice teachers. Jill teaches her students to be empathetic and be able to connect to the world around them by having her students work together on community outreach projects. She has established the Beach Haven School Little Free Library for Children, started the Butterfly Sanctuary and Green Thumb What I Need (WIN) club in partnership with the Long Beach Island Garden Club, organized the Phillies Phanatic About Reading program, implemented the Random Acts of Kindness seashell project, created a “friendship cards for nursing homes” school-wide initiative, and planned Read Across America week activities for the students. Jill serves as the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) liaison, where she recently was honored with the PTA Lifetime Membership Award. She wants her students to leave the world a better place because of how they treat and care for others.

Individual schools select Teachers of the Year, who are then eligible to apply for County Teacher of the Year through the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program, which was established to promote a positive school culture by acknowledging the commitment and dedication of outstanding teachers and educational services professionals. More information is available on the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program webpage.

The County Teachers of the Year will network with colleagues throughout the state and serve as representatives for New Jersey’s public schools during the upcoming school year.

A panel of educators will select the New Jersey State Teacher of the Year from among the 21 County Teachers of the Year based on written applications, video submissions, and interviews with the top finalists. The New Jersey State Teacher of the Year will go on to represent New Jersey in competing for the title of National Teacher of the Year.