This Newark educator returned ‘home’ to teach Deaf students. Now she’s the district’s Teacher of the Year.

From Newark, NJ, teacher DeJanee Martinez got a special surprise when she was picked Newark Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year. And a wonderful side-effect of her recognition is that Bruce Street School for the Deaf was also put in the spotlight. Now, the small school has become more well-known to the citizens of Newark and beyond.

Martinez describes her gratefulness for the award, and her surprise at just how many people reached out to her to say congratulations. She says it has pushed her to work harder and stay motivated as she teaches. And she hopes that some of the more positive aspects of this past year’s online / hybrid class experience will stay as they go back to in-person, as well.

You can read the full story here.