Longtime Glen Rock Teacher To Be Honored At Princeton Commencement

GLEN ROCK, NJ — Debbie Cella, the lead teacher for visual and fine arts at Glen Rock High School, will be recognized as an outstanding New Jersey teacher at Princeton University's 2022 Commencement.

Cella is one of four NJ teachers to be honored with the Princeton Prize for Distinguished Secondary School Teaching this year, the university said. She will receive $5,000, plus an additional $3,000 for the GRHS library.

Each teacher was selected based on nominations from their schools. Princeton has honored secondary school teachers since 1959, the university said, after an anonymous alumnus gave money to start the program.

Here's what the university said about Cella:

Deborah Cella, the lead teacher for visual and fine arts at Glen Rock High School, is known for being available to students not just during school hours — when her classroom door is always open — but at night, over the weekend and during the summer.

“On summer evenings, Mrs. Cella can be found in her classroom surrounded by students who need a safe and supportive environment to continue their art portfolios,” said Kathleen Regan, who is the director of curriculum and instruction for the Glen Rock School District. “She helps students express and process their thoughts on current issues and social injustices through art and media.”

Cella, who has been teaching in the Glen Rock district for the past 30 years, helps students foster connections between art and the world at large.

“Every student who has had the blessing to be under her care and guidance has a better eye for art, a deeper connection to their world and a greater appreciation for the gift of art in all its forms,” said Michael Parent, principal of Glen Rock High School.

During the pandemic, she delivered art supplies to students’ homes so they could participate in online classes.

For one student, the most welcome moment during a school day was when Cella approached her and said, “Let’s have a chat.”

“Mrs. Cella has been an irreplaceable mentor who has helped me discover my identity as a person and as a young artist,” the student said.

Another student recalled the way Cella continued to mentor her through college and beyond: “Mrs. Cella remains the most powerful role model and mentor in my life.”