Established by Josh and Judy Weston in 1991, the Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching celebrate Montclair Public School teachers who stand out as creative, talented, supportive, and inspiring! Today, the awards honor Judy's memory and her passion about the vital role that engaged and empathetic educators play in helping every student achieve their full potential.
The Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching include:
-
15 Inspired Teaching Awards
-
The Peer Inspiration Award
-
The Inspired Counseling Award
​
The 16 teachers and one counselor are honored and celebrated at a public awards ceremony in June. Each winner will receive an individual cash award of $2,000. The deadline for nominations is Sunday, April 12, 2026, at midnight.
​How to nominate a teacher or counselor:
The strongest nominations are specific and highlight personal experience — giving insight into how this person has inspired you or your student.
​
-
Complete the online form. You can also upload audio, video, and photos of students' hand-written nominations.
-
Nominate as many teachers or counselors as you want.
-
Teachers are eligible if they currently work in Montclair Public Schools and are tenured.
-
Award winners from the past three years are not eligible this year. See below for the list of 2023-2025 winners. ​
Questions? Reach out to us at judywestonawards@mfee.org. ​​​​
​
Inspired Counseling...
​​
…Helps students feel safe, seen, and supported.
​
…Recognizes potential in students that they don’t see themselves.
​
…Collaborates and advocates on behalf of students.
​
…Supports academic success.
2025 Recipients of the Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching
​​
-
Brittany Kramer, Watchung Elementary School (Peer Inspiration Award)
-
Chanda D. Fields, Montclair High School (Inspired Counseling)
-
Anne Baney-Giampoala, Montclair High School
-
Charles Anderson, Glenfield Middle School
-
Kevin Barry, Bradford Elementary School
-
Susan Bartol, Hillside Elementary School
-
Dr. Twana Davisson, Buzz Aldrin Middle School
-
Kristine Greenhalgh-Checchetto, Northeast Elementary School
-
Judith Grodner, Edgemont Montessori Elementary School
-
Gladys Kiernan, Nishuane Elementary School
-
Regina Polzella, Nishuane Elementary School
-
Gary Rudoren, Montclair High School
-
Gerald Silvera, Edgemont Montessori Elementary School
-
Christina Sparacino, Watchung Elementary School
-
Mark Stulbaum, Renaissance Middle School
-
Kay Whang, Charles H. Bullock Elementary School
-
Samantha Martinez, Bradford Elementary School
2024 Recipients of the Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching
​​
-
Susan Bleecker, Watchung Elementary School (Peer Inspiration Award)
-
Alexander Araton, Charles H. Bullock Elementary School (Special Education Award)
-
Jacquie Antinoro, Edgemont Montessori Elementary School
-
Dr. Ellen Cahill, Bradford Elementary School
-
Alison Campbell, Northeast Elementary School
-
Jessica Dehn, Charles H. Bullock Elementary School
-
Susan Eckert, Montclair High School
-
Christopher Golinski, Hillside Elementary School
-
Brienne Kvetkus, Montclair High School
-
Nina Lorusso, Renaissance at Rand Middle School
-
Taylor Mandel, Buzz Aldrin Middle School
-
Troy Mullins, Nishuane Elementary School
-
Anna Panchekha, Montclair High School
-
Diane Tehranian, Renaissance at Rand Middle School
-
Eric Weintraub, Watchung Elementary School
-
Eleni Zapantis, Glenfield Middle School
2023 Recipients of the Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching
​​
-
Scott Berman, Glenfield Middle School
-
Jessica Buel, Montclair High School
-
Marcie Chanin, Bradford Elementary School
-
Diana Chicaleski, Buzz Aldrin Middle School
-
Kersy Corporan, Montclair High School
-
Shawn David Dey, Northeast Elementary School
-
Rachel Dunn, Renaissance at Rand Middle School
-
Corrine Haggerty, Edgemont Montessori Elementary School
-
Satin Jordan, Renaissance at Rand Middle School
-
Peter Lentini, Buzz Aldrin Middle School
-
Karja Longmore, Hillside Elementary School
-
Maria Martire, Nishuane Elementary School
-
Lora Orta, Teacher of the Deaf, Montclair Public Schools
-
Katie Piller, Watchung Elementary School
-
Drury Thorp, Watchung Elementary School
-
Jennifer Woschinko, Charles H. Bullock Elementary School
Meet the 2026 Selection Committee for the Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching
The Selection Committee members represented community partners, education leaders, retired teachers, and two parent-led organizations.
-
Radwa Ali, Montclair Public Library
-
Kate Cambor, Montclair SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council)
-
Joseph Davis, Brother to Brother
-
Marilyn Davis, Montclair State University Network for Educational Renewal
-
Dr. Twana Davisson, Educator, Montclair Public Schools teacher (retired)
-
Susan Eckert, Educator, Montclair Public Schools teacher (retired)
-
Michelle Edwards, Sister to Sister of Montclair Mentoring Group,Inc.
-
Montclair PTA Council
-
Kathleen Hart, Montclair Public Schools teacher (retired)
-
Cheryl Hopper, Montclair Public Schools principal (retired)
-
Kathy A. Hurling, Montclair Public Schools teacher (retired)
-
Rhena Jasey-Goodman, Montclair State University College for Education and Engaged Learning
-
LaNa Jones-Jules, Montclair NAACP
-
Scott L. Kight, PhD, Montclair State University College of Science and Mathematics
-
Yasmine Perry, Succeed2gether
-
Naomi Wallace, YMCA of Montclair
-
Mayida Zaal, PhD, Montclair State University College for Education and Engaged Learning