Montclair's Weston Awards Announces Final Winners, Teachers Recognized

Montclair, NJ – The Weston Awards has announced its final awardees.

The judging panel of the Judy and Josh Weston Awards for Excellence in Teaching announced its awardee list earlier this month, recognizing students in the Montclair school district who exhibit “creativity, high expectations, energy, and concern for students.”

Judy and Josh Weston, the founders of the eponymously named Montclair philanthropic tradition, announced in February that 2016 will be the final year the ceremony will be conducted.

• See related article: Montclair's Weston Teaching Awards Enter Final Year

This year, 15 teachers were selected to receive this prestigious award and a cash award of $2,000, school officials announced.

The administration of The Judy and Josh Weston Award for Excellence in Teaching is done exclusively by parents, according to the district website. Nominations are solicited from students, parents, and guardians of students currently attending the Montclair public schools.

• See related article: Montclair Educators Honored: 2015 Judy and Josh Weston Awards for Excellence in Teaching
• See related article: Weston Awards Honor Montclair’s Top Teachers

This year the committee received more than 280 nominations with 150 teachers being nominated, school officials stated.

A selection committee of parent representatives from each school, and Judy Weston, selected the award recipients.

The recipients of the 2016 Weston Award for Excellence in Teaching are:

• Peter Von Hoffman, Math, Glenfield Middle School
• Sharon Hurwich, Math, Glenfield School
• Greg McGrath, Fifth Grade, Bullock School
• Jamie Nanfara, Second Grade, Bullock School
• Amanda Senior, 4th Grade, Hillside
• Linda Garvey, Kindergarten, Northeast
• Carissa Olivi, Kindergarten, Edgemont
• Marilyn Pichardo, Spanish, Mount Hebron
• Jerry Liddy, Fifth Grade, Bradford
• Mark Stulbaum, Math, Renaissance Middle School
• Gina Russo, Third Grade, Watchung
• Stephanie Bowen, Second Grade, Nishuane
• Gay Marcellus, Kindergarten, Nishuane
• Jeff Freeman, English, Montclair High School
• Laura Heyman, English, Montclair High School

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Photo of Josh and Judy Weston via Montclair Public Schools