Weston Awards: Meet Watchung Elementary's Brittany Kramer

2025 Peer Inspiration Award Winner

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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The Peer Inspiration Award is unique in that it is based on nominations from colleagues.

Those who nominated Watchung Elementary School's Brittany Kramer for this honor see first-hand the impact that she has on everyone around her.

Ms. Kramer's colleagues told the awards committee about her professionalism, positivity, tenacity and big heart. They talked about the ways she supports other teachers in her school and beyond. 

One wrote: “In addition to supporting our school, Brittany took the initiative to share her expertise at the district level by signing up to lead a professional development session focused on supporting students with special needs. Her session provided educators across the district with concrete strategies for differentiation, including how to modify assessments, adapt instructional materials, and implement phonics-based reading interventions. By offering this training, Brittany has helped ensure that more teachers feel equipped to meet the diverse needs of their students, ultimately fostering a more inclusive learning environment throughout the district.” 

Another colleague said about that session: “Everyone left far more informed than they arrived. Her excitement and knowledge for teaching struggling learners really shined through!” 

Ms. Kramer's colleagues are inspired by her approach to helping struggling readers. One said: “I am amazed at the progress the students have made in her classroom. Listening to them read demonstrates the growth they have made in light of her instruction.  Brittany is emotionally invested in her students and her deep compassion for them shows every day.”

Her colleagues said that she “never accept defeat or failure when it comes to teaching some of the most academically challenged students.”

Ms. Kramer, for prioritizing students’ emotional well-being and making them feel safe and valued, for striving to be the teacher you wished you’d had yourself, and for advocating for your students and meeting them where they are at, the Montclair community is proud to call you an inspired teacher. Congratulations.