Governor’s Awards Teachers and Educational Services Professionals of the Year

On June 5, Elizabeth Public Schools hosted a ceremony at Dr. Albert Einstein Academy School No. 29 recognizing the Governor’s Awards Teachers and Educational Services Professionals of the Year and the Student Representatives to the Elizabeth Board of Education.

The evening began with Elizabeth Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Olga Hugelmeyer introducing and presenting a Board resolution to the student representatives from each of the district’s eight high schools. The students were selected by administrators at their schools for their incredible success both academically and within the greater community. Each student has shown a great commitment to their duty of being a student representative of their respective school communities by serving as a liaison between the Elizabeth Board of Education and the student communities they represent.

The eight seniors who served as student representatives during the 2025-2026 school year were Edward Steven Cax Merida (J. Christian Bollwage Finance Academy), Hope Victor (John E. Dwyer Technology Academy), Adriana Clarise Valentin (Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Academy), Douglas Matute (Elizabeth High School – Frank J. Cicarell Academy), Savannah Abreu (Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr. Health & Public Safety Academy), Kayla Samantha Hernandez (Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy), Adam Abouzied (Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy), and Brian Guzman (Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson (JVJ) STEM Academy). Their advisor, Halsey Health & Public Safety Academy English Teacher Dr. Nicole D. Riggans-Curtis, Ed.D, was also recognized and presented with a certificate.

Dr. Hugelmeyer next presented the 2025-2026 Governor’s Awards Teachers and Educational Services Professionals of the Year for each district school. The Governor's Educator of the Year Program highlights educational innovation, student achievement, exemplary teaching, and important services outside the classroom environment that lead to student success. This celebratory program recognizes our state’s best teachers and educational services professionals.

Honorees are exceptionally skilled and dedicated licensed classroom teachers or educational services professionals who inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn; actively collaborate with colleagues, students, and families to create a strong culture of respect and success; demonstrate leadership and innovation in educational activities; and have the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues. Each of the honorees were presented with certificates. For more information about each of the 2025-2026 Governor’s Award honorees, please visit https://www.epsnj.org/team-members/geoy.