State Partners

New Jersey

New Jersey joined the Milken Educator Awards program in 2002

39 recipients since program began in New Jersey

$975,000 awarded in New Jersey since program began

Mr. Kevin Dehmer
Commissioner 
New Jersey Department of Education
100 River View Plaza
P.O. Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625

Ms. Nancy Besant
Program Specialist
New Jersey Department of Education
Office of Academic Standards
100 River View Plaza
P.O. Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625-0500

New Jersey Department of Education website

New Jersey Department of Education Milken Educators Awards website

(Updated 10/15/25)

New Jersey Milken Educators

• Jeanette Capritti
  Lawrence Middle School
  Lawrenceville
  2025
• Emily Litz
  Malcolm E. Nettingham Middle School
  Scotch Plains
  2024
• Virginia Fasulo
  Lodi High School
  Lodi
  2023
• Riley Gartland
  Cinnaminson High School
  Cinnaminson
  2023
• Taylor Trost
  Grace Norton Rogers Elementary School
  Highstown
  2023
• Shaina Brenner
  Elms Elementary School
  Jackson
  2022
• Sarah Mae Lagasca
  Arts High School
  Newark
  2021
• Taylor Matyas
  Laura Donovan Elementary School
  Freehold
  2021
• Daniel Willever
  Ramsey High School
  Ramsey
  2019
• Nicole Silva
  Nathan Hale Elementary School
  Carteret
  2018
• Maria DeBruin
  Brick Memorial High School
  Brick
  2017
• Toni-Ann Palmisano
  Secaucus Middle School
  Secaucus
  2017
• Lindsay Frevert
  Van Derveer Elementary School
  Somerville
  2016
• Allison Johnson
  North Star Academy Charter School
  Newark
  2015
• Dr. Kimberly Moreno
  Union City High School
  Union City
  2015
• Tracy Espiritu
  Dr. Albert Einstein Academy #29
  Elizabeth
  2014
• Robert O'Donnell Jr.
  Christa McAuliffe School (P.S. # 28)
  Jersey City
  2013
• Patrick O'Neill
  Ocean Township Elementary School
  Oakhurst
  2012
• Frank Iannucci, Jr.
  West Orange High School
  West Orange
  2011
• Rachel Tonkovich
  Nellie F. Bennett Elementary School
  Point Pleasant
  2010
• Baruti K. Kafele
  Newark Tech High School
  Newark
  2009
• Dr. Renee Richardson
  Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Academy
  East Orange
  2008
• Kimberly J. Jacquay
  Woodrow Wilson Elementary School
  Trenton
  2008
• Jamal P. Dickerson
  Creative Arts High School
  Camden
  2007
• James Gleason
  Communications High School
  Wall
  2007
• Carla Elizabeth Bittner
  Evergreen Avenue Elementary School
  Woodbury
  2006
• Dr. Tonya Breland
  Fountain Woods Elementary School
  Burlington Township
  2006
• Camile T. Earle-Dennis
  Barringer High School
  Newark
  2005
• Terry Bordo
  Dr. George Cunningham Elementary School
  Vineland
  2004
• Jill A. Stauffer
  George Washington Elementary School
  Wyckoff
  2004
• Amy Biasucci
  Cranford High School
  Cranford
  2003
• Dr. Beverly Plein
  Cresskill Junior/Senior High School
  Cresskill
  2003
• Stephen H. Liddawi
  Christopher Columbus School No. 15
  Elizabeth
  2002
• April La Detta Lowe
  Parkway Elementary School
  Ewing
  2002
• Theresa Licitra
  Crawford-Rodriguez Elementary School
  Jackson
  2002
• John E. Bormann
  H.W. Mountz Elementary School
  Spring Lake
  2002
• Patty McGee
  Norwood Elementary School
  Norwood
  2002
• James Aquavia
  Montclair High School
  Montclair
  2002

There are Initiatives in the New Jersey Milken Educator Network. Click below to
View state initiatives