Chester Middle School Teacher Named 2026 Middle Level Educator of the Year

CHESTER, NJ — Black River Middle School teacher Krista Maico has been named the 2026 Middle Level Educator of the Year by the New Jersey Association for Middle Level Education. Maico was honored recently at the group’s annual conference at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, New Jersey.

Maico has taught seventh- and eighth-grade mathematics at Black River Middle School since Sept. 1, 2011. In addition to teaching, she coaches cross country, serves as the eighth-grade team leader, oversees eighth-grade graduation, and leads summer math curriculum updates. The district added that Maico was recognized as Black River Middle School’s New Jersey Governor’s Educator of the Year in December 2025.

“Mrs. Maico’s recognition as the NJAMLE Middle Level Educator of the Year is a testament to the high caliber of instruction we strive for in the Chester School District," said Superintendent Dr. William Kochis. "Since joining the district, it has been clear to me that her dedication to student-centered learning and her multifaceted leadership roles make her an invaluable asset to our community. This award highlights what we already know...Mrs. Maico is a champion for every student she teaches, and we are incredibly proud to have an educator of her stature guiding our schools.”

Others in the school community also praised Maico’s work. Black River Middle School alum Anne McBreen said Maico connected math lessons to real-life examples, including field hockey, to help students understand substitution equations. Retired Black River math teacher Jim Yankowicz said, “As a co-teacher, I saw firsthand the effectiveness of Mrs. Maico’s classroom practices.”

“Mrs. Maico’s leadership is felt in every corner of our building. As our 8th Grade Team Leader, she is the glue that holds our graduating class together, overseeing and coordinating every detail of the graduation ceremony with precision and grace to ensure it’s a memorable life event for students and their families," said Principal Andrew White. "Her colleagues look to her for guidance, not because of her title, but because she is an informal teacher leader who has earned the deep respect of her peers and the total trust of her students.”