Hopatcong Teacher Named NJ Teacher of the Year

From "Superheroes of Safety" to superhero of the classroom.

Danielle Kovach was named New Jersey's Teacher of the Year by state Acting Commissioner of Education Rochelle Hendricks on Wednesday in Trenton.

The 35-year-old Tulsa Trail special education teacher traveled to the state's capitol with Superintendent Dr. Charles Maranzano to accept the award.

"Danielle Kovach is an outstanding educator and exceptional person," Maranzano said in a statement. "She brings an abundant amount of enthusiasm to the classroom every day. Her students are both nurtured and pushed to the highest possible outcomes due to Danielle's dedication."

Kovach, a second- and third-grade teacher, also won top teacher honors in Hopatcong and Sussex County. She has earned more than $35,000 in technology grants, making Tulsa Trail one New Jersey's two SMART Showcase Schools. Her "Superheroes of Safety" program, aimed at keeping children safe from childhood predators, netted her a $10,000 grant from Honeywell last year.

Kovach, a Roxbury resident, holds two masters degrees and was also named an Outstanding Educator by the Women's Connection of Northern NJ.

"She excels as an educator and will be the first to tell you that she works in a very supportive and collaborative educational atmosphere," Maranzano said in a statement. "Danielle is very humble and credits everyone around her for the successes and accomplishments in her life."

Kovach began her teaching career in Hopatcong in 1997.

Editor's note: For more information on Danielle Kovach, click here.