Montclair Celebrates 2026 Weston Winners at Community Ceremony
- Erin Madigan White
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Friends, family, colleagues, and members of the Montclair Public Schools community gathered to celebrate the 17 winners of the 2026 Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching on Tuesday, June 9, at the Montclair Public Library.
See photo gallery below.
The 16 winning teachers and one school counselor – selected from hundreds of nominations – were recognized during the beautiful ceremony, which was co-hosted by the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE), MPS, and the Weston Family.
The awards, established by Josh and Judy Weston in 1991 to acknowledge and celebrate MPS teachers, are today administered by MFEE. An independent committee of distinguished community leaders and education professionals selected the winners. Each winner received a $2,000 cash prize funded by the Weston Family.
In describing the awards’ origin, Josh Weston noted: “Judy noticed that some of the teachers were so good but were unsung heroes. She came up with the idea of celebrating top-notch teachers.” Mr. Weston has continued and expanded the awards program in memory of his late wife.
MPS Superintendent Ruth B. Turner attended the ceremony and congratulated the winners. “Thank you for the difference you make in the lives of our students, families, and colleagues. Thank you for embodying the values that define excellence in education, and thank you for reminding us why this work matters,” she said. “Thank you for your countless acts of kindness that no one sometimes sees. Thank you for the extra time, the encouraging words, the listening ears, and the unwavering belief that every child can and will succeed. Thank you for choosing a profession that changes lives.”
MPS alum Noah Gale who attended the ceremony likened the evening to the Super Bowl for teachers. That’s a sentiment MFEE Executive Director Masiel Rodriquez-Vars embraced when addressing the winning teachers: "You all are superstars.”
Throughout the program, presenters shared excerpts from nomination letters explaining why each winner was deserving of the honor. The audience was moved by the stories and heartfelt words of appreciation written by MPS students, parents, and staff. Presenters included MFEE Board members, selection committee members, and previous Weston Award recipients.
Here are just some of the accolades shared:
Of Bradford Elementary School second grade teacher Jessica Michaud: “Our society needs teachers like Jessica more now than ever. She’s worth three teachers.”
Of Montclair High School Mandarin teacher Lei Haiting Liang: “The impact he has had on my high school life was so great that I don't know what I would do without his class.”
Of Hillside Elementary School teacher Christian Hart: “To inspire a child to enjoy school is meaningful. To inspire a child to think bravely, question freely, and discover joy in the process of learning is extraordinary. Mr. Hart does this every day with humility, grace, and unwavering dedication.”
Of Nishuane Elementary School teacher Jenna DePasquale: “Ms. DePasquale is not only an exceptional teacher, she is a transformative one.”
Of Buzz Aldrin Middle School teacher Luke Fess: “He can teach very well, and at the same time, he ‘Stands on Business.’ He can even make usually boring subjects 10 times better.”
Of Renaissance Middle School band teacher Dana Spagnuolo: “She takes students, many of whom have little to no musical experience, and turns them into performers who will stand in front of an audience and go for it. In her program, everyone gets a chance to shine.”
MFEE is grateful to everyone who nominated a teacher, giving them a chance to shine.
Special thanks to the Montclair Public Library Director Radwa Ali and her staff for their support and offering space for the event. The room was filled with flowers donated and arranged by master gardener Kimberley Ottaway, and it glowed with candlelight and the warmth of the community. Attendees enjoyed sandwiches generously provided by Mercado. And photographer Erik Ekroth, an MPS parent, took portraits of the winners as a special gift.
“To the honorees, you represent the very best of what a Montclair education can be,” said Greg Foster, co-president of the MFEE Board, in a closing message. “To everyone here, I hope you leave tonight as inspired as I am.”
Ashley Dorian Storfer, Montclair High School (Peer Inspiration Award)
Amillah P. Williamson, Nishuane Elementary School (Inspired Counseling Award)
Luke Fess, Buzz Aldrin Middle School (Special Education Award)
Cary Bangs, Bradford Elementary School
Jessica Michaud, Bradford Elementary School
Michele Campbell Kinnas, Buzz Aldrin Middle School
Jessica Little, Charles H. Bullock Elementary School
Max Mellman, Edgemont Montessori Elementary School
Elizabeth Cario, Glenfield Middle School
Christian Hart, Hillside Elementary School
Shannon Becker-Fyfe, Montclair High School
Lei Haiting Liang, Montclair High School
Miosotty Martinez, Montclair High School
Jenna DePasquale, Nishuane Elementary School
Karyn Mosca, Northeast Elementary School
Dana Spagnuolo, Renaissance at Rand Middle School
Christen Berman-Schiralli, Watchung Elementary School
Follow MFEE on Facebook and Instagram as we spotlight each of the winners in the coming weeks, sharing more about the impact these inspired educators are making in Montclair schools. And check out this highlight video!
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