Montclair's Glenfield School Excluded from Annual GEOY Award

“The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) strives to recognize educators who have gone above and beyond in their service to New Jersey’s students. Therefore, every school in every district is encouraged to participate in the Governor’s Educator of the Year program to honor hardworking teachers and educational services professionals for their dedication to their students and the profession.”

These are the words from the September 4, 2024 memo distributed by the NJDOE to principals and staff involved with educator recognition. Adhering to a strict timeline set forth in each annual letter, this 10-year-old program enables locally selected educators to advance to recognition at the county level. From there, candidates have the opportunity to move forward as potential state Educator of the Year.

A Disappointing Notice

On Friday, May 30, 2025, the Glenfield Middle School staff received a disturbing email from interim principal Marcos Vargas: Glenfield was not initially included in the 2024-2025 Governor’s Educator of the Year Award process. Citing an ‘oversight’ by Montclair Public Schools’ Director of Personnel, Eileen Gilbert, Vargas appeared to take no responsibility for the error that denied Glenfield staff a chance at state-wide recognition for their exceptional service.

Out of the 11 schools in the Montclair Public School District, Glenfield Middle School was the only one excluded from the process. I would not consider this oversight unintentional.

Deadlines Ignored

There were multiple deadlines for the GEOY award, all of which seem to have been entirely overlooked by the building administrator, Vargas, whose approach came across as strikingly unprepared and amateur.

Not only do the clearly stated deadlines require the principal’s involvement, but the forms themselves also require the principal’s signature. According to the New Jersey Department of Education and the instructions on the document, the GEOY School Information Form must be completed, signed, and uploaded to the Trenton database by the principal for the school to be considered.

While it’s possible that both Gilbert and Vargas shared responsibility for Montclair’s GEOY submission process, the form specifically requires the principal’s signature—not that of the director of personnel.

Dropping the Ball

Sources have confirmed that the Montclair Public School District has consistently participated in the Governor’s Educator of the Year (GEOY) process. In 2022, the call for nominations was sent to the Glenfield community on September 29—well in advance of the December deadline. In 2023, the information was shared on November 20, again prior to the deadline.

Rather than focusing on uplifting staff, recognizing their hard work, and supporting students, it appeared that Vargas spent much of the fall season allegedly preoccupied with efforts to secure the permanent principal position—a role he ultimately was not hired for.

The May 30th email from Vargas to the staff included a Google form requesting nominations for the GEOY by Wednesday, June 4, 2025. However, the email also stated that Glenfield was not included in the nomination process, which was due last December. If certificates have already been issued to school districts and winners have already been chosen, what, exactly, is Vargas collecting nominations for? Has the Department of Education made a last-minute exception to include Glenfield? If so, that would be great—but how, and under what circumstances? It cerrainly would be wonderful to know.

Professional Priorities

Setting aside what seemed like a no-frills interim principal, Glenfield boasts one of the most professional, hard-working, dedicated, and supportive staffs around. These qualities barely scratch the surface of the extraordinary attributes our students see every day. Glenfield staff show up fully committed—day in and day out—regularly going above and beyond to meet the needs of both students and colleagues.

They serve as educators, mentors, caretakers, problem-solvers, and so much more. Whether in the classroom, the front office, the lunchroom, or behind the scenes, each team member plays a vital role. Often, they wear multiple hats—all for the good of the school community. Out of love for the work and the impact they make, they return the next day, and the next, and the days after that.

Overall

The GEOY process is public. Did Vargas take the initiative to begin it himself? And why is a form from September only being acknowledged now—just three weeks before the end of the school year?

This situation is a deeply disappointing one—and it didn’t have to be. Glenfield staff deserved more than just recognition; they deserved a building leader who prioritized them. Instead, they were left with someone who, from all appearances, has been focused primarily on himself since his friend appointed him interim principal last summer… allegedly.

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