Hopatcong Teacher to Appear on Bank ATMs

You might catch a case of déjà vu next time you're getting cash.

Hopatcong teacher Danielle Kovach will appear on 460 Wells Fargo ATMs from now until Jan. 3. The bank is honoring the third-grade special education teacher for winning the 2010-2011 state Teacher of the Year award.

The ATMs will display a screen congratulating Kovach, who relinquished her title to this year's winner—Jeanne DelColle of the Burlington County Institute of Technology—on Wednesday. Users will then see a green "More Information" button on the screen's bottom-right corner. If clicked, another screen featuring Kovach's accomplishments will pop up.

Kovach said that while she hasn't seen the ATM screen in person yet, her parents have.

"They went to the bank last night just to see my picture," she said. "My dad told me he had to take money out before it came up, though. I thought that was kind of funny."

"I'm just honored that Wells Fargo takes the time to honor a Teacher of the Year," she continued. "It's certainly something I wasn't anticipating, being on an ATM."

Schools Superintendent Dr. Charles Maranzano joked that he'd "give some serious thought" to moving his bank account to Wells Fargo for the next few months.

"I think she's an exceptional educator and it's great for her and Hopatcong," he said.

Wells Fargo spokesman Kevin Friedlander said Kovach will not be paid to appear on the ATMs.

"This is a teacher recognition program Wells Fargo has done for many years which we incorporated in New Jersey when Wachovia made the switch to Wells Fargo," Friedlander said. "The purpose of the ATM message is to salute all the great work educators do for our communities and to honor the state's teacher of the year. These people play such an important part in our children's lives and we are saying thank you."

The bank estimates about 533,000 will see Kovach's face as a result of the screen. The three Wells Fargo locations closest to Hopatcong are at 175 Lakeside Blvd. in Landing; 50 International Dr. in Flanders; and 106 Route 10 in Succasunna, according to the bank's website.

Read below for more from Wells Fargo:

Oct. 5, 2011 – Wells Fargo is honoring New Jersey’s Teacher of the Year on its ATMs across the state. From now until Jan. 3, 2012 most of Wells Fargo’s 460 ATMs in New Jersey will feature a screen congratulating Danielle M. Kovach., who teaches at Tulsa Trail Elementary School in Hopatcong, Sussex County.

Kovach is in her twelfth year as an educator. In addition to teaching, she serves as her school’s technology teacher and is in demand as a speaker covering the topic of incorporating technology in education. In 2009, she received the SMART Board Exemplary Educator Award.

Wells Fargo’s ATM users can learn more about Kovach’s teaching achievements by simply pressing a button on the screen. An estimated 533,000 people will view the ATM screen honoring Kovach.

"At Wells Fargo, we believe it’s important to celebrate great teachers who encourage, support and inspire great results from the students they teach in our community," said Lucia Gibbons, Wells Fargo’s North Jersey regional president. "We congratulate Danielle and thank all of our teachers for their service. Our entire community benefits from their work, and we want to show our appreciation by honoring one of New Jersey’s best."

The New Jersey Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), Educational Testing Service, ING and SMART Technologies. Kovach lives in Succasunna, Morris County with her husband, Mike, and their three sons.