From Student To Teacher: Westfield Educators Return To Familiar Classrooms

WESTFIELD, NJ — For several teachers recognized during Westfield Public Schools’ 2026 Excellence in Education Awards, the celebration also marked a full-circle moment.

At the May 12 BOE meeting, a number of the honorees refeflected on how they are now teaching in the same schools and in some cases the same classrooms where they once attended class as students.

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Jessica Mikovits, an English Language Arts teacher at Edison Intermediate School and recipient of the Optimist Club’s Intermediate School Outstanding Teacher Award, said returning to the district as a teacher has been surreal.

“Now, teaching in the very classroom where I once sat as a student is quite surreal,” Mikovits said. “It reminds me how deeply teachers can shape the lives of their students.”

Mikovits attended Jefferson Elementary School, Edison Intermediate School and Westfield High School before becoming a teacher in the district.

James Rowan, a Latin teacher at Westfield High School and recipient of the Robert and Linda Foose Memorial Award, shared a similar experience.

“I always loved Latin. I started Latin here when I was a student in the Westfield public schools,” Rowan said. “Yes, I’m in the same classroom where I learned Latin.”

Caitlin Cheddar, who received the Westfield High School Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award, also reflected on returning to the district where she once attended school as a student-athlete.

“As a student here, my memories are full of the unscripted moments which breathe life and excitement into the days in Westfield High School,” Cheddar said.

Several educators credited former teachers and mentors in the district for influencing their own approach in the classroom, highlighting what many described as the lasting impact of Westfield’s school community.