Hopatcong Teacher Wins $10K Award

Hopatcong teacher Danielle Kovach, who was named New Jersey Teacher of the Year in October, added yet another award to her growing list.

Kovach, a third-grade special education teacher, won the Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence along with four other state teachers. The biggest prize: a $10,000 check. The Hopatcong school district will also get free digital arts training for teachers and students. Tulsa Trail will receive $650.

With the honor, Kovach has a chance at the NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence, which includes a $25,000 prize for the winner.

Read more from the Hopatcong school district below.

Danielle Kovach, a 3rd grade special education teacher from Tulsa Trail School was selected as a recipient of the Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence.  Danielle is the New Jersey State Teacher of the Year for 2011.  This prestigious award is granted to five teachers nationwide and earns each a $10,000 check. Additionally free digital arts training for Hopatcong teachers and students is granted to award winner’s school districts.  A check for $650 will go toward Tulsa Trail School as part of the award package.

“Danielle has distinguished herself as an outstanding teacher from Hopatcong,” stated superintendent Dr. Charles Maranzano, Jr.  “She exemplifies the characteristics of many of her fellow teachers and has brought national recognition to Hopatcong Schools.  Danielle is an example of an outstanding young and energetic generation of educators who are working very hard to put the academic, developmental, and social needs of children first.”

The five recipients will attend a gala ceremony in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the NEA in February, 2012.  One of the five finalists will be selected for the NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence, and includes a check for $25,000 to the winner.  The Horace Mann Educators Corporation and The Pearson Foundation are cosponsors of the awards.

“Danielle is a very special teacher who has served the children and parents of Hopatcong Borough very well,” said Maranzano, “and we are all very proud of her accomplishments.”