Manchester High School Journalism Teacher Earns National Certification

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Manchester Township High School teacher has received a national certification, the township announced.

Jill Ocone, who teaches English and journalism at the high school, has been certified as a national journalism teacher by the Journalism Education Association, the largest scholastic journalism organization for teachers and advisers in the country.

"Put simply, we educate teachers on how to educate students" about journalism, the association says on its website. To become certified, journalism teachers must go through an examination that demonstrates their background in a variety of topics, from coverage and writing to law and ethics, according to the association.

Ocone, who was honored by the Manchester Township Board of Education meeting, was praised by high school principal Dennis Adams, who noted she is one of only 655 teachers nationwide to be certified by the association.

Manchester Superintendent David Trethaway said Ocone is also very involved beyond the classroom at the high school. She coordinates the school’s annual Veterans Recognition Ceremony and is the high school's yearbook adviser among other things, he said.

“Mrs. Ocone is an outstanding teacher, she is very passionate about what she does,” he said.

Photo: Jill Ocone with Manchester Township High School Principal Dennis Adams (left) and BOE President Donald Webster Jr.