N.J. Stat. tit. 18A, ch. 29A

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 18A:29A-1 Short title

This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Governor's Annual Teacher Recognition Act." L. 1985, c. 322, s. 1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:29A-2 Findings, declarations

The Legislature finds and declares that: a. The success of the public school system in this State is based upon the quality and dedication of our teaching staff members. b. Providing for local and Statewide recognition of outstanding teaching will demonstrate our appreciation of excellence and encourage others to strive for the same. c. Giving the teaching profession the stature and recognition it deserves will help attract and retain the most able individuals in the profession of teaching, a process which is critical to the future well-being of the State and its citizens. d. In teaching, as in other professions, practitioners should be acknowledged for outstanding performance. e. The purpose of this act is to provide for Statewide awards and recognition of the excellence of current members of the teaching profession. L. 1985, c. 322, s. 2.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:29A-3 Teacher recognition selection panel

In order to provide Statewide awards and recognition of the excellence of current members of the teaching profession, each school district may annually establish a teacher recognition selection panel composed of members of the teaching staff, administrative staff, parents and other citizens for the purpose of selecting recipients for the Governor's Annual Award for Outstanding Teaching. This panel shall be composed of up to nine members as follows: a. three members to be selected by the local board of education; b. three members to be selected by the local bargaining unit which represents the classroom teachers of the district. Should that bargaining unit choose not to appoint members to the panel, then the board of education shall appoint up to three additional members; c. three additional members selected jointly by the members selected under subsections a. and b. of this section. Should the members selected pursuant to subsections a. and b. of this section fail to agree on the selection of the three additional members, then the additional members shall be selected by the local mayor from among the district's parent organization. L. 1985, c. 322, s. 3.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:29A-4 Selection of outstanding teachers

The teacher recognition selection panel may nominate to the local board of education one nonadministrative teaching staff member from each school in the district having 10 or more teachers who, because of their knowledge, commitment, and creativity, have made an extraordinary contribution during the previous school year to the quality of education in that district. Schools having fewer than 10 teachers may consolidate with other schools for the purpose of participating in this program, provided that the combined number of teachers is 10 or more. In selecting teaching staff members for the Governor's Annual Award for Outstanding Teaching, the panel may solicit nominations from teaching staff, administrative staff, parents, students, and community members. Teaching staff members who are selected for the Governor's Annual Teacher Recognition Award shall have distinguished themselves through exceptional contributions in the following areas: a. use of effective instructional techniques and methods; b. establishment of productive classroom climate and rapport with pupils; and c. development of feelings of self-worth and the love of learning in pupils. The selection panel shall consider evidence of these contributions in making its decisions. Teachers selected for this award shall have received exemplary local district evaluation reports. School districts may also consider other evidence of outstanding teaching performance. Teachers selected for the Governor's Award shall also have other acceptable personnel records which are devoid of recent sanctions or deficiencies. The local board of education may certify to the commissioner the name of one teaching staff member from each school or combination of schools in the district having 10 or more teachers as a recipient of the Governor's Award. The local board may not certify the names of any teaching staff members who were not nominated by the teacher recognition selection paneL. The State shall provide funds in an amount equal to $1,000.00 for each teacher selected pursuant to this act. These funds shall be forwarded in the teacher's name to the district for an educational purpose designated by the teacher. Districts that do not comply with all the provisions of this act shall not be included in the Governor's Award program. Award recipients shall not be eligible for renomination for two years following their selection. L. 1985, c. 322, s. 4.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:29A-5 Convocation; awards

Annually, the Governor shall sponsor a convocation on "Excellence in Teaching" at which time each teaching staff member who has been selected by a local school district shall be awarded a certificate of commendation. At this convocation, each teacher so selected shall be awarded a proportion of the funds provided pursuant to this act. L. 1985, c. 322, s. 5.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:29A-6 Review, recommendations

Five years following the implementation of this act, the Commissioner of Education shall review the Governor's Annual Award for Outstanding Teaching to assess and determine its effectiveness in promoting excellence in teaching. On completion of the review, recommendations shall be made to the Governor and the Legislature concerning the continuation of the program and any proposed changes or modifications. L. 1985, c. 322, s. 7.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:29A-7 Rules, regulations

The State Board of Education shall, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L. 1968, c. 410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.), adopt rules and regulations which are necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act. L. 1985, c. 322, s. 8.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026