Montgomery Township Board honors 2026 Governors' Educators of the Year
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Summary
The Montgomery Township School District recognized multiple teachers and educational-service professionals as the district's 2026 Governor Educators of the Year, highlighting classroom innovation, student supports and longevity of service across elementary, middle and high schools.
The Montgomery Township School District Board of Education on Monday honored this year's Governor Educators of the Year, recognizing teachers and educational-service professionals from elementary through high school for classroom excellence and community leadership.
The board and district leaders presented awards to staff across buildings. Orchard Hill Principal Jan Van Hise introduced Krista Alessandri, an early‑childhood teacher at the ECC, and praised her energy and creative classroom routines, saying "if you're going to teach preschool, you better have a battery that never reaches empty." Village Elementary honored Valerie Holmes as teacher of the year for her 22 years of service and leadership in mathematics instruction; Village named Lauren Fornell its Educational Service Professional of the Year for two decades of counseling and climate work.
Lower Middle School recognized Jen Romano for her inclusive special‑education work and Kevin Armstrong as LMS Educational Services Professional of the Year for counseling and anti‑bullying leadership. Upper Middle and High School honorees included Drew DeSisto (UMS teacher of the year), paraprofessional Sandy Ajamian (named educational support personnel of the year, absent tonight) and MHS chemistry teacher Jane Huebner. Dr. Stacey Delbridge was recognized for districtwide clinical coordination of the STAR program and mental‑health supports at MHS.
The awards followed superintendent remarks thanking facilities and transportation staff for snow‑day operations and noting the district has used its second emergency contingency day this winter. The board recessed briefly afterward to celebrate the honorees and share refreshments.
The presentation showcased long service, curriculum leadership, and student supports across the district; the administration said honorees were chosen for classroom impact, leadership roles and contributions to school climate. The board moved on after a short break to a legal training for members.