Hopatcong Teacher Takes Another Huge Award

Hopatcong's Danielle Kovach might soon run out of room for awards on her mantle.

The third-grade special education teacher recently earned the California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence. She was one of 35 receipients who will head to Washington, D.C., for the NEA Foundation's Salute to Excellence in Education Gala.

Read the press release below for more.

Danielle Kovach, Special Education teacher at Tulsa Trail Elementary School in Hopatcong, NJ has been named a recipient of the California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for public educators.

Kovach is one of 35 awardees who will be lauded at the NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Gala next February in Washington, D.C. Considered the Academy Awards of public education, the gala attracts more than 850 of the nation’s leaders from public education, philanthropy and the private sector.

“Educating our youth is critically important. California Casualty is proud to partner with the NEA Foundation to pause and celebrate excellence in teaching,” said President and CEO Beau Brown.

“We give these awards annually to educators to recognize and promote excellence in education and to elevate the profession”, said Harriet Sanford, President and CEO of the NEA Foundation. “We are thrilled that California Casualty has joined us in honoring their work to make a difference in the lives of students in classrooms across the
country.”

Each educator’s school receives a $650 award. From the 35 state awardees, five finalists will be selected to receive a $10,000 cash award. At the February gala’s conclusion, one finalist will be named to receive an additional award of $25,000.

Headquartered in San Mateo, CA, with Service Centers in Arizona, Colorado and Kansas, California Casualty is a 97 year-old company providing auto and home insurance products, and others, to educators, law enforcement, fire fighters and nurses in 44 states. Learn more at www.calcas.com.

The NEA Foundation is a public charity supported by contributions from educators' dues, corporate sponsors, and others who support public education initiatives. We partner with education unions, districts, and communities to create powerful, sustainable improvements in teaching and learning. Visit www.neafoundation.org for more information.