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Jillian Ober named 2025–2026 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year; ETS funds six‑month sabbatical
Summary
The New Jersey Department of Education and State Board announced Jillian Ober of Freehold Borough as the 2025–2026 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year; ETS will underwrite a six‑month sabbatical with $50,000 in salary and benefits support and NJEA provided program partnership benefits.
The New Jersey Department of Education and the State Board honored Jillian Ober, a seventh‑grade multilingual learners teacher in Freehold Borough, as the 2025–2026 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year during the Oct. 8 meeting.
Ober described visiting classrooms across all 21 counties, her work with multilingual learners and her goals as a state ambassador to amplify respect for multilingualism and to support teachers. The outgoing 2024–2025 State Teacher of the Year, Stephanie Lochenauer, and a panel of veteran state teachers were recognized prior to the announcement.
Representatives from Educational Testing Service (ETS) and the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) described partner supports. ETS said it underwrites a sabbatical and the meeting record notes ETS will provide $50,000 in salary and benefits to support the State Teacher of the Year during a six‑month sabbatical. NJEA outlined member‑provided benefits including travel support, a laptop and printer, media training, and other program supports for the honoree.
Ober thanked colleagues, family and county teacher networks and said she will use the role to advocate for equitable learning opportunities and to share innovative classroom practices statewide.
