High School Business Teacher Is Morris County's 'Teacher Of The Year'

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A Whippany Park High School teacher was selected to represent Morris County as part of the state's "County Teacher of the Year" program.

The NJDOE named business education teacher Andrea Ritacco of Whippany Park High School, Hanover Park Regional High School District, as the Morris County Teacher of the Year.

The County Teachers of the Year will network with educators throughout the state and serve as ambassadors for New Jersey's public schools during the upcoming school year.

"These 21 educators are exemplary models of the kinds of dynamic teaching that takes place in New Jersey's classrooms," said Gov. Phil Murphy in a release. "The quality of our schools is driven in no small part through the strength of our teaching workforce, represented by these County Teachers of the Year. It's no wonder New Jersey public schools are among the best in the nation."

Ritacco holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Villanova University and is a graduate of the New Pathways to Teaching program, according to her bio from the New Jersey Department of Education.

Since receiving her certification thirteen years ago, she has been teaching business education at Whippany Park High School.

Ritacco also serves as the Business Education Department Coordinator and the adviser of the school's Future Business Leaders of America chapter, where she has mentored three state-level officers and several national competitors, including one national champion, over the last eight years.

"Andrea is passionate about business and helping her students discover their future career paths and strives to serve as a role model for young women who are considering a career in business," the New Jersey Department of Education said.

A panel of educators will select the New Jersey State Teacher of the Year from among the 21 county teachers based on written applications, video submissions, and interviews with the top finalists.

The New Jersey State Teacher of the Year is typically announced at the State Board of Education's October meeting and will go on to represent New Jersey in competing for the title of National Teacher of the Year.

Other recent winners in Morris County include:

• 2021-22: Jonathan Dowler, a social studies teacher at West Morris Mendham High School
• 2020-21: Christopher Butchko, a social studies teacher at Montville Township High School
• 2019-20: Sarah Guza, an 8th-grade math teacher at Lincoln Park Middle School

Individual schools nominate exceptional educators for County Teacher of the Year through the Governor's Educator of the Year Program, which "promotes a positive school culture by acknowledging the hard work and dedication of outstanding teachers and educational services professionals."

More information is available on the Governor's Educator of the Year Program webpage.