Schools
Montclair Teachers, Counselor Earn ‘Judy Weston Awards’ For 2026
"It feels like magic when you watch a really good teacher do what they do."
MONTCLAIR, NJ — A group of high-achieving school employees in Montclair have been honored as winners of the 2026 Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching.
The annual awards recognize master teachers and emerging educators who “inspire learning, value students and support individual needs and strengths.” Established by Josh and Judy Weston in 1991, the awards are now administered by the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence.
In total, 16 teachers and one school counselor earned recognition for 2026.
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This year’s Peer Inspiration Award – given to a teacher who has inspired their colleagues – is Ashley Dorian Storfer, an English teacher at Montclair High School.
The winner of the Inspired Counseling Award – given to a counselor or school social worker – is Amillah Williamson, of Nishuane Elementary School.
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The other Weston Award winners are:
- Luke Fess, Buzz Aldrin Middle School (Special Education Award)
- Catherine Bangs, Bradford Elementary School
- Jessica Michaud, Bradford Elementary School
- Michele Campbell Kinnas, Buzz Aldrin Middle School
- Jessica Little, Charles H. Bullock Elementary School
- Max Mellman, Edgemont Montessori Elementary School
- Elizabeth Cario, Glenfield Middle School
- Christian Hart, Hillside Elementary School
- Shannon Becker-Fyfe, Montclair High School
- Lei Haiting Liang, Montclair High School
- Miosotty Martinez, Montclair High School
- Jenna De Pasquale, Nishuane Elementary School
- Karyn Mosca, Northeast Elementary School
- Dana Spagnuolo, Renaissance at Rand Middle School
- Christen Berman-Schiralli, Watchung Elementary School.
Each winner will receive an individual cash award of $2,000.
“The Judy Weston Awards celebrate the extraordinary educators who leave a lasting imprint on the lives of their students and on our entire school community,” Superintendent Ruth Turner said.
“These honorees exemplify the passion, innovation, and unwavering commitment that define excellence in teaching,” Turner said. “We are proud to recognize this year’s recipients for the countless ways they inspire learning, uplift students, and help shape the future of Montclair Public Schools each and every day.”
The awards also honor the memory of Judy Weston, a longtime Montclair resident and champion of public education.
“Judy was passionate about wanting to recognize and celebrate the many talented teachers in our district who exercise their craft so well on behalf of Montclair students,” Josh Weston said.
MFEE executive director Masiel Rodriquez-Vars thanked Weston and his family for their “generosity and commitment to uplifting teachers.”
“It feels like magic when you watch a really good teacher do what they do,” Rodriquez-Vars said. “It’s like watching a talented dancer or talented musician. Inspired teaching is an art.”
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