The Montgomery Township Committee recognized Stefanie Lachenauer, who was named the 2024 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year.
The governing body recognized and celebrated Lachenauer for earning the state teacher of the year distinction on Dec. 19. Lachenauer’s recognition is a first for the Montgomery Township School District.
She has been a teacher in the district for 18 years and currently is a civics and mindfulness teacher at Montgomery Upper Middle School. In addition to creating a Skills for Success and Active Citizenship course, she also established a Global Leadership course.
Lachenauer initiated curricular and extracurricular service-learning opportunities for students ranging from volunteering at the local food pantry to building homes for families in Central America, according to the Township Committee.
She was named the New Jersey State Teacher of the Year in September with a surprise assembly celebration.
Being the New Jersey State Teacher of the Year has some perks attached as Lachenauer is entitled to a six-month sabbatical that is all expenses paid from January through June in 2025 to attend national and state conferences, to tour the state visiting classrooms and to work on various initiatives at the New Jersey Department of Education, according to the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA).
She would also be provided $3,000 worth of technology equipment, and a rental car with EZ pass to travel to speaking engagements and meetings across New Jersey.
