The State Department of Education invites you to recommend exemplary elementary (grades K-5) classroom teachers, specialists, and principals who have demonstrated the criteria listed below.
• Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and school;
• Exemplary educational accomplishments beyond the classroom that provide models of excellence for the profession;
• Individuals whose contributions to education are largely unheralded yet worthy of the spotlight;
• Early to mid-career educators (5-18 years of experience) who offer strong, long-range potential for professional and policy leadership;
• Engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues, and the community.

This is a confidential process. Individuals should not be aware of this recommendation.

Recommendation Packet Checklist
The packet MUST include all of the following:

  • Completed and typed 2012 Exemplary_Educator_Recommendation_Form
  • One-page signed recommendation letter on official letterhead explaining how the candidate meets the criteriaResume (it does not need to be current)
  • Please complete a separate packet for each candidate. Incomplete recommendation packets will be eliminated from the selection process.

Your completed 2012 Exemplary Elementary Educator Recommendation Packet(s) must be received by Friday, April 6, 2012. They should be mailed to:

New Jersey Department of Education
100 Riverview Plaza
P.O. Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625-0500
Attn: Nancy Besant

If you did not receive an ELECTRONIC COPY of the typed 2012 Exemplary Elementary Educator Recommendation Form or should you have any questions, please contact Nancy Besant at nancy.besant@doe.state.nj.us.