EDISON, NJ - A third-grade teacher from Lincoln Elementary School in Edison has been named County Teacher of the Year.
The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) made the announcement of Tuesday.
Pamela Eng is among 21 educators to be recognized at an awards ceremony on Tuesday held at The College of New Jersey in Ewing.
Eng holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Rider University and a master’s degree in teaching from Rutgers University. She began her teaching career at Lincoln Elementary School, where she also completed her student teaching, and has remained there since 2015.
As co-chair of the Community Service Committee, she has led numerous initiatives, including food drives, support for local families, and fundraising for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the DOE said.
Eng also established a Free Little Library to increase access to books and promote literacy. Known for bringing learning to life, Eng incorporates hands-on STEM projects, including 3D printing, into her classroom to spark creativity and collaboration.
She organizes school-wide literacy events such as the Tournament of Books and The Masked Reader, sparking a love of reading. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that education should be engaging, inclusive, and transformative.
“Great teachers make for great schools, and New Jersey is home to the best public school system in the nation,” Governor Phil Murphy said.
“I applaud this year’s 21 County Teachers of the Year for their hard work and dedication to uplift young learners across our state. These awardees exemplify the very best our schools have to offer, and I am immensely grateful for the contributions of these exceptional educators to our school communities.”
Individual schools select Teachers of the Year, who are eligible to apply for County Teacher of the Year through the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program, an initiative designed to recognize the commitment and expertise of outstanding teachers and educational services professionals.
“The County Teachers of the Year celebrate the kind of dynamic and innovative instruction that we see in classrooms in school districts across New Jersey,” said Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer. “By recognizing these outstanding 21 County Teachers of the Year, we not only show appreciation for their exemplary dedication and contributions, but we elevate the hard work and dedication of the entire teaching profession. These County Teachers of the Year serve as an inspiration to a new generation of young minds who, one day, might explore a career in education themselves.”
The County Teachers of the Year will network with colleagues throughout the state and serve as ambassadors for New Jersey’s public schools during the school year.
A panel of educators will select the New Jersey State Teacher of the Year from among the 21 County Teachers of the Year based on written applications, video submissions, and interviews with the top finalists.
The New Jersey State Teacher of the Year will go on to represent New Jersey in competing for the title of National Teacher of the Year.