RCAN congratulates Jessica Valdes, 2021 Nonpublic School Teacher of the Year Award Finalist

Newark, NJ: The Archdiocese of Newark joins with the community of St. Joseph School in Oradell to congratulate Mrs. Jessica Valdes, finalist for the 2021 Nonpublic School Teacher of the Year award. Sponsored by the New Jersey Council for American Private Education (NJ CAPE), this year’s annual award ceremony was held virtually on October 12th and featured remarks by winner Jesse Rey Wright of Eastern Christian and finalist Jessica Valdes, as well as by NJ CAPE council members.

Mrs. Valdes has spent 16 years in education, 8 of those at St. Joseph School. Prior to joining the faculty at St. Joseph, she taught at St. John the Evangelist, Our Lady Help of Christians, and Our Lady of Refuge Schools. She holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Education, both from St. John’s University, and later completed additional coursework in Mathematics at William Paterson University. She is licensed in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Middle School Mathematics.

Outside the classroom, Mrs. Valdes has led the Mathematics Committee for Middle States Accreditation in two schools and has applied for and been awarded two separate grants to benefit the students at St. Joseph School. Her contributions to her community include service to Project Literacy of Bergen County, Cornerstone St. Joseph Church, Girl Scouts of America, and the Parish Pastoral Council and Community Bible Study at her parish.

In her recommendation, SJS Principal Dr. Paula Valenti describes Mrs. Valdes as an asset to the school who continually goes above and beyond what is expected of her. She goes on to say that during periods of remote instruction necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic, Mrs. Valdes ensured all students had the supplies they needed to learn at home and rose to the occasion by creating original videos of herself to keep students engaged in their daily lessons. Her ability to connect and engage learners is evidenced by how many former students regularly stop by her classroom to greet her and share their latest success stories. 

Of her recognition Mrs. Valdes says, “It was a tremendous honor to be recognized as finalist for Nonpublic School Teacher of the Year. As educators, we plant seeds in our students: seeds of faith, character, knowledge, and hope. We don't always have the pleasure of watching that garden blossom fully, but we continue to tirelessly nurture these seeds every single day. I share this award with every teacher that supports and nurtures student growth even when it's difficult, and we can certainly agree that the past eighteen months have been difficult. I am so grateful for this honor. Catholic Schools are growing God's Kingdom!”

For 28 years, the Nonpublic School Teacher of the Year award has been conducted under the auspices of the New Jersey Council for American Private Education. Each member of NJ CAPE, which represents all major nonpublic school constituencies in New Jersey, is invited to submit a nominee for the award. That nominee has already competed within the organization’s schools to achieve finalist status. Additionally, individual schools with no representation on NJ CAPE are invited to nominate members of their own staff. 

Sponsorship for the 2021 Nonpublic School Teacher of the Year was provided by Catapult Learning, A Division of Educate, Inc., ConnectOne Bank, and Ray Dass Programs, as well as individual organizations within NJCAPE.