Weston Awards: Meet Gerald Silvera, 'Champion of Students'

This is the latest in our series spotlighting the winners of the 2025 Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching. Follow along each week to learn more about the impact these educators are making in the Montclair Public Schools.

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Gerald Silvera taught physical education at Edgemont Montessori School – but those who nominated him for the 2025 Weston Award see him as so much more.

They called him: 

“The cornerstone of our community.” 

“A role model.” 

“A team player.” 

“A champion and the biggest fan of his students.” 

One parent put it like this: “Mr. Silvera is a hug, a smile, a mentor, a grandfather, a rock, a cheerleader, and of course a teacher.”

An inspired one at that. Mr. Silvera's character was exemplified in so many anecdotes. 

One parent said: “If a child is struggling, he might invite them to hang out during lunch and play chess, or ask them to join his after school basketball group, or decide to ref/supervise the recess soccer teams every single day, even though that is his break time, because the kids need to get their energy out and want to learn the game.” 

Another parent wrote: “Our friend who moved to Edgemont not speaking one word of English, always talks about how Mr. Silvera was the first teacher to make her feel welcome at Edgemont and eased her transition to school in the United States.” 

A student said: “One time in hot lunch there were only two slices of pizza left! Luckily, the next day Mr. Silvera came to school with two boxes of pizza and a smile on his face. Everybody who didn't get a slice of pizza on Friday got TWO slices of good pizza from a restaurant our gym teacher bought with his own money.”

Another parent said: “He makes my non-athletic son feel confident enough to pursue physical activities…this may not sound like much, but it’s no small feat and it means so much to me (and to my son)!”

Mr. Silvera, your calm and steady presence was cherished in the halls of Edgemont. For your infectious enthusiasm for sports and movement, and for positively impacting the lives of countless students over the course of your career, the Montclair community is proud to call you an inspired teacher. Congratulations, and best wishes in retirement.