WOOD-RIDGE, NJ - Three teachers from Catherine E. Doyle Elementary School were named Exemplary Educators of the Year, an award granted by the New Jersey Department of Education.
The trio of educators, Bonnie Campagna, Antonia Hahn, and Jennifer Hynes, were among 160 recipients from throughout the state. Each teacher received a state certificate of recognition and was honored at a school-wide assembly.
“On behalf of the Doyle School and the entire Wood-Ridge School District Community, we are immensely proud to have nominated Mrs. Campagna, Mrs. Hahn, and Mrs. Hynes as Exemplary Educators for their remarkable professional achievements,” said Lara Schmitt, Doyle School principal. “To have all three of our nominees selected by the NJ Department of Education among only 160 other recipients in the state is an incredibly distinct and momentous honor for them as educators as well as for our district."
With their immense experience, influential leadership, and profound impact that they have had on the school community over the years, these educators truly exemplify excellence in their craft, inspiring their students, colleagues, and the community with their exceptional instructional plans and practice, significant contributions beyond the classroom, admirable advocacy for students, and steadfast dedication to educational leadership,” she continued.
Campagna is a dedicated educator with 36 years of experience, and has been teaching in the Wood-Ridge School District for 23 years. As a Grade 3 teacher, she has taught all subject areas, and she also created and led the K-3 STEAM and K-6 Gifted and Talented programs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from William Paterson College, a Master’s in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College, and a Gifted and Talented Education Certificate from Montclair State University. Her many accolades include Teacher of the Year in 2013, the Blue Devil of the Month award, and the Wood-Ridge Memorial Foundation’s Outstanding Teacher Award in 2022. Beyond her teaching, she has served as PTA President, Kidz Care Club Co-Advisor, and a leader in initiatives such as Read Week and STEAM Day.
Since joining the Catherine E. Doyle Elementary School in 2003, Hahn has been a driving force in early childhood education. And she is one of only two Doyle teachers to have taught all of its grades. She blends her expertise with a passion for innovation. A technological visionary and master differentiator, she embraces instructional risks to create engaging, student-centered learning experiences. Hahn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Montclair State University, a Master’s in Elementary Reading and Literacy from Marygrove College, and has completed extensive continuing education to enhance her teaching. Her accomplishments include being named Bergen County Teacher of the Year in 2010, co-leading the Kidz Care Club, and serving on numerous committees, such as the Behavioral Threat Assessment Team and Curriculum Writing Committee.
Hynes has been a Grade 3 teacher at Doyle since 2012, where she has made a significant impact on her students' learning. Prior to her time at Doyle, she taught Grades 1 and 6. In addition to her classroom expertise, Ms. Hynes has been the Varsity Competition & Football Cheerleading Coach at WRHS since 2001, further demonstrating her leadership both inside and outside the classroom. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Seton Hall University and a Master of Arts in Literacy from the American College of Education. Her many accolades include being named Bergen County Teacher of the Year in 2017 and receiving the W-R Memorial Foundation Outstanding Teacher Award in 2024. She has also contributed to the district as a member of the NJDOE K-3 Mathematics Leadership Consortium, served on the District Emergency Response Team, and participated in the School Improvement Panel Committee.
According to the NJ Department of Education's website, “Exemplary Educators exhibit strong knowledge and skills, an inspiring presence, and a positive impact on students, colleagues and the school community. The nominee must also have a rating of Effective or Highly Effective on his or her most recent final summative evaluation."
Each year, the NJDOE invites public school districts, including charter schools, to participate in the program. The goal is to identify outstanding educators for special recognition, alternating between elementary (Pre-K to 5) and secondary (6–12) every year. For 2024, they sought elementary educators (grades PreK to 5.)
“Despite their vast experience and years in the profession, they remain credibly reflective and committed to growth, constantly seeking innovative ways to enhance their instruction to ensure all of their students are able to succeed and feel cared for and valued while doing so,” Schmitt added. “Their passion for teaching, relentless pursuit of excellence, and dynamic instruction that fosters meaningful growth and learning makes them outstanding role models to the entire educational professor.”
"This NJDOE recognition is a testament to their tireless commitment to shaping a better future for our students, and I am truly both inspired and in awe of each of them every day," she said.