Sixteen Montclair Public Schools teachers and one counselor will each be awarded $2,000
The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence is calling for nominations for the 2025 Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching!
The awards, now administered by MFEE, were established by Josh and Judy Weston in 1991 to acknowledge and celebrate Montclair Public Schools teachers. Last year, MFEE received more than 300 nominations, and 16 teachers won $2,000 each. New this year: An Inspired Counseling Award.
All parents/guardians of current Montclair Public Schools students and current MPS students are encouraged to nominate teachers or a counselor. Nominations can be written or submitted as an audio or video recording. Students can also submit photos of their written nomination.
The late Judy Weston was a long-time Montclair resident and champion of public schools. The awards honor her memory. An engaged mother of four MHS alums, Judy believed that dedicated and empathetic educators are vital to helping students achieve their potential.
“Judy was passionate about recognizing the professionalism and creativity of teachers. These awards honor her spirit by celebrating educators who are working to uplift and challenge Montclair students,” said her husband Josh Weston.
“I am thrilled about the Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching; a prestigious award recognition that honors the extraordinary impact our teachers have on students and the community. These awards celebrate the dedication, innovation, and passion that our educators bring to the classroom every day,” said Interim Superintendent Damen G. Cooper. “I encourage everyone to nominate those exceptional individuals whose contributions go above and beyond, shaping the future of our students in lasting ways.”
“A core part of MFEE’s mission is to nurture a creative and dynamic teaching force. These meaningful awards honor Judy’s spirit and celebrate the lasting impact excellent educators can have on students’ lives,” said Masiel Rodriquez-Vars, executive director of MFEE.
What is “Inspired Teaching?”
The awards honor both master teachers and those who are on their way to achieving that status. Inspired teaching combines a range of skills across several core areas. Ultimately, it excites students to learn, helps them feel valued, and responds to their individual needs and strengths.
By nominating a teacher, parents/caregivers and students give insight through personal stories and specific examples. Winners are selected based on what parents/caregivers and students share through their nominations. The Peer Inspiration Award is based on nominations teachers make in honor of a colleague. And new this year, the Inspired Counseling Award, will honor an individual school counselor, psychologist, social worker, or student assistance counselor. School counselors are critical to creating an environment where every student can thrive. By supporting mental health and behavioral needs alongside academic goals, they play an essential role in ensuring public schools are places of learning, safety, and growth for all. Both teachers and/or parents may nominate a counselor.
Each winner will receive individual cash awards of $2,000. The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 28.
The awards are deeply meaningful to educators. Eleni Zapantis, a Glenfield Middle School English teacher and 2024 award-winner said: "Winning the Weston Award for teaching was an incredible honor, but the greatest reward comes from the amazing students at Glenfield whom I have taught over the past twelve years. Their curiosity, creativity, and passion for learning inspire me every day."
Susan Bleecker, a special education teacher at Watchung Elementary School, said: “To have been the inaugural winner of the Peer Inspiration Award was one of the most meaningful experiences in my teaching career. Everything I do is to enhance student learning and to have my peers nominate me for doing what I love was/is...priceless.”
All teachers who are nominated are recognized at a public celebration, and MFEE will share the nomination letters with them as well. Here are just a few examples of the accolades shared about winning educators during last year’s ceremony:
A nomination for Nishuane Kindergarten teacher Troy Mullins said: “I could write a book about Mr. Mullins… I only wish the entire district knew what an amazing teacher and role model he is to these children.”
A parent shared that Charles H. Bullock special education teacher Alexander Araton “completely changed the trajectory of our son’s academic life (and honestly, probably his entire life).”
A selection committee made up of local education professionals and community leaders reads all nominations (with names redacted) and chooses 17 finalists:
One teacher from each elementary school
One teacher from each middle school
Two teachers from the high school
One special education teacher from across the district
Two “at-large” awards for teachers from any school
One Peer Award, based on teacher nominations only
One counselor award, based on teacher and/or parent nominations
Winners will be notified at the end of April, and awards will be presented on the evening of June 11 at a public ceremony co-hosted by MFEE and the Montclair Public Schools.
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