Edison Elementary Teacher Named Middlesex County Teacher Of The Year

EDISON, NJ — Jessica Miele, a 3rd grade teacher at James Monroe Elementary School in the Edison Township School District, has been named Middlesex County Teacher of the Year for the 2026-2027 school year.

Miele will be among 21 educators recognized as New Jersey's County Teachers of the Year at an awards ceremony to be held at The College of New Jersey in Ewing. The New Jersey Department of Education announced the honorees, one selected from each county.

"New Jersey's success depends on the strength of our public schools and the tireless commitment of the educators who show up every day for our kids," Gov. Mikie Sherrill said. "The 21 County Teachers of the Year who are being recognized today represent the very best of this profession."

Miele holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from The College of New Jersey. At James Monroe Elementary, she has taught both second and third grade, building a classroom she describes as focused on making learning memorable and helping students reach their full potential. Her lessons include hands-on robotics, pen-pal exchanges with students in Texas, immersive themed learning days, and vision-board activities aimed at helping children identify their own goals.

Beyond her classroom, Miele leads professional development workshops for district educators, mentors new teachers and welcomes future educators in for observation. She serves as a Wellness Ambassador at the school, supporting initiatives around staff well-being, physical fitness and community engagement, and co-advises the Robotics, Mentoring and Kindness Clubs. She also makes a point of attending students' sports games, dance recitals and other events outside school hours.

Miele has said she draws inspiration from the lyric "long live all the magic we made," approaching teaching as a chance to build experiences and relationships students carry with them long after leaving her classroom.

Individual schools select their own Teachers of the Year, who then become eligible to apply for County Teacher of the Year through the Governor's Educator of the Year Program.

A panel of educators will select the New Jersey State Teacher of the Year from among the 21 county honorees this fall, based on written applications, video submissions and interviews with finalists. The state winner will go on to represent New Jersey in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

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