Reading Teacher Named Top Educator At Cinnaminson Middle School

CINNAMINSON, NJ — Beth Green always wanted to inspire children. Her mother was a teacher, and she often accompanied her to school. She was always amazed by how much the students admired and respected her mother.

Now, Green is the one who is respected and admired as a seventh grade reading teacher at Cinnaminson Middle School. She makes teaching fun, and she’s respected in the district.

Green is one of the district's Governor's Educator of the Year and the Educational Services Professional award recipients. The program "highlights educational innovation, student achievement, the rewards of teaching, and important services outside the classroom environment that lead to student success," according to the state's website.

Each school in the district has a Teacher of the Year award winner. They will all attend a countywide recognition event in the spring, and will be honored at the May 12 Cinnaminson Board of Education meeting. Read more here: Cinnaminson Schools Announce Educators Of The Year

Next, each county will select a teacher of the year, with a state teacher of the year being named in the fall. Last year, Haddonfield's Kimberly Dickstein was named the New Jersey State Teacher of the Year.

“It still feels so surreal,” Green said of the recognition. “I work with some of the best teachers in the world, and to be recognized is such a huge honor.”

She’s been in the district for 16 years, all of them at the middle school. She said she never intended to teach middle school students, but it’s a “fun age” to be around.

She majored in elementary education at St. Joe’s, and always intended to teach in an upper elementary school. When she graduated, she went to work in a charter school. She said she gravitated toward middle school students, and she’s loved it ever since.

“I have people tell me they’ve never met anyone who loves their job so much,” Green said. “It’s a fun age. I do love it.”

She makes sure her students love it, too. As a reading teacher, she feels like she has more flexibility to have fun and keep topics relevant than other teachers might be able to.

“I’m a huge believer in character education, and I’m fortunate to be able to infuse that into the curriculum.”

She said she uses a lot of clips from music and movies, as well as escape rooms and mock games of headbands.

Green grew up in Philadelphia. When she was in first grade, her friend moved to Cinnaminson. When it came time to begin her career, she was happy to be able to do it 10 minutes away from where she grew up.

“I was always familiar with the town,” Green said. “Whenever I came to visit, I always loved the town.”

The town, and the school district, has shown it loves her back.

See related: New Albany School Alum Named School’s Top Educator