Ocean County Teacher of the Year pitches at Trenton Thunder ballpark

TRENTON, N.J. — A history teacher for more than 10 years now,

William “Bill” Smith recently threw the first pitch at the Trenton Thunder game to celebrate his award for 2018-19 Ocean County Teacher of the Year.

Smith is from Hamilton and graduated from Rider University, but is currently teaching at Southern Regional Middle School in Manahawkin, where his seventh and eighth graders, and colleagues are really proud of him.

He states, “My students, past and present, seemed really proud of me. Many of them told me they posted news articles about it on their social media pages.”

Each year, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) initiates a four-step process to select a teacher within the State as NJ State Teacher of the Year.

It is an initiative that is also known as the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program.

The first step of the process starts with each school in the State selecting a teacher for Teacher of the Year.

Next, each teacher writes a series of essays to be named County Teacher of the Year.

Then, the 21 County Teachers of the Year make a video of them teaching instructional lessons in their classrooms.

Third, the NJDOE then selects six finalists for interviews in front of a nine-personal panel.

Finally, the NJDOE announces the NJ State Teacher of the Year.

Smith hopes to be a finalist, but says, “Just to make it this far has been an incredible experience. I’ve been so honored and humbled to make it this far.”

Smith also explained that when teachers win State Teacher of the Year, they have to leave the classroom from January to June to work for the State.

“The winner is gonna be completely out of the classroom. That would be a big adjustment for me,” he said.

However, he also mentioned that he agreed to the challenge, and would embrace the journey and the opportunity to affect change in a positive way.

But he would miss his students if he goes to the State.

“That part would be a bit sad. I am so much more comfortable in the classroom. That’s where I really thrive,” he said.

Smith says he has an average class size of around 25 students and they like his engaging and interactive teaching style, and his passion for history.

He said the positive rapport that he fosters with his students is one of his greatest strengths, and his students are one of the main reasons he won this award.

Smith studied history and education at Rider University from where he graduated in 2007, and has taught in Hunterdon and Burlington counties before teaching in Ocean County.

He is enjoying his distinction, and has more recognition and speaking events to attend. He also plans to go to Germany next April to learn about their education system. And, he said he might also shoot for the stars and apply for a Fulbright Grant.

Meanwhile, all the County Teachers of the Year are waiting to hear who will make the finals for the State Teacher of the Year announcement Oct. 3