MFEE Announces Winners of the 2025 Judy Weston Awards!
- Erin Madigan White
- 51 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Sixteen teachers and one counselor to be awarded $2,000 and honored at public ceremony
Sixteen Montclair Public Schools teachers and one school counselor have been named winners of the 2025 Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching, selected from a record number of nominations submitted by MPS parents/caregivers and students.
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.
The awards, established by Josh and Judy Weston in 1991 to acknowledge and celebrate MPS teachers, were given each year until 2016. After a hiatus, the awards returned in 2023 and are administered by the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE).
“The Judy Weston Awards shine a light on the kind of teaching that transforms lives,” said Interim Superintendent Damen G. Cooper. “Our educators don’t just teach content—they inspire curiosity, nurture resilience, and celebrate the unique potential of every student. These awardees represent the heart of Montclair’s commitment to equity, excellence, and empathy in education.”
New this year is the Inspired Counseling Award, given to a counselor or school social worker who helps students feel safe and seen, recognizes potential in students, collaborates and advocates on behalf of students, and supports academic success.
Nominations for this honor came from MPS parents, students, and staff. The inaugural winner of the Inspired Counseling Award is Chanda D. Fields, a counselor at Montclair High School.
One nominator wrote: “[Ms. Fields] takes the time to encourage students to explore their strengths further, offer positive reinforcement, and connect them with opportunities that highlight their abilities. By helping students see their own potential, she empowers them to pursue paths they may have otherwise not considered.”
This year’s Peer Inspiration Award, given to a teacher who has inspired their MPS colleagues, is Brittany Kramer, a special education teacher at Watchung Elementary School.
The 15 other Weston Award winners include:
Charles Anderson, Glenfield Middle School
Anne Baney-Giampoala, Montclair High 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 (Special Ed Award)
The awards honor the memory of Judy Weston, a long-time Montclair resident and champion of public education.
“Judy was passionate about wanting to recognize and celebrate the many talented teachers in our district who exercise their craft so well on behalf of Montclair students,” said Josh Weston.
Masiel Rodriquez-Vars, executive director of MFEE, added: “It is truly inspiring to see nominations from so many people across our community. Students, caregivers and educators shared personal stories, heartfelt words of appreciation and recognition for their teachers and colleagues. MFEE is honored to help celebrate the excellence of these educators.”
MFEE is not involved in the selection process. All nominations were reviewed with the nominator’s name redacted. Winners were chosen by an independent committee of community leaders and education professionals, including:
Kate Cambor, Montclair SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council)
Marilyn Davis, Montclair State University Network for Educational Renewal
Rev. Dr. A. Craig Dunn, Montclair Neighborhood Development Corporation
Yvette Frazier, Montclair PTA Council
Cheryl Hopper, Montclair Public Schools principal (retired)
Kathy A. Hurling, Montclair Public Schools teacher (retired)
Deivis Garcia, Montclair Public Library
Madeline Guthrie, Sister to Sister
LaNa Jones-Jules, Montclair NAACP
Dr. Tanya Maloney, Montclair State University
Marcia Marley, Succeed2gether
JoAnn McCullough, IMANI
Dr. Bree Picower, Montclair State University
Tanya Poteat, Montclair Child Development Center
Naomi Wallace, YMCA of Montclair
MFEE is grateful to the selection committee for their time, expertise and thoughtful consideration of every nomination.
The community is invited to attend the recognition ceremony on Wednesday, June 18, at the Montclair Public Library, which will be jointly hosted by MPS, MFEE and the Weston family. Many 2024 Weston Award recipients will play a role in this event. Please RSVP.