Archdiocese of Newark Teacher-of-the-Year Nominated for Statewide Award

Ms. Juliette Wester is a history teacher at Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange, NJ. She joined the Seton Hall family in 2014 and has since become a fixture in the school community. Julie was awarded the Monsignor Michael E. Kelly Award this past school year, Seton Hall Prep’s equivalent to Teacher of the Year Award. Her school community went on to nominate her for the New Jersey Council for American Private Education (NJCAPE) 2022 New Jersey Nonpublic School Teacher of the Year Award.  

NJCAPE is a diverse group of nonpublic schools throughout NJ, including private, independent, and religious schools across New Jersey. The New Jersey Nonpublic School Teacher of the Year Award is a prestigious title the organization awards annually to a teacher who is “exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled… able to inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn… poised, articulate, and able to maintain a modest schedule of appearance. To be considered by NJCAPE for the award, teachers must also demonstrate “respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues.” 

Julie was nominated for the award by Seton Hall Prep Headmaster Michael Gallo. Gallo wrote in his nomination of Julie that “Ms. Wester has been an invaluable resource to SHP students in need of extra help, notetaking skills and organizing their work. [She] makes herself available to not only her students, but also to students in the Support Academy and the Learning Assistance Program on a daily basis. When asked to teach AP World History, Ms. Wester embraced the opportunity and mastered the unique techniques needed to prepare her students for the material and the various types of questions. Her success is evidenced by her students' consistent high scores on the AP World History exam.” 

“Julie is most deserving of the Teacher of the Year award as she lives and teaches the Catholic Faith by word and example," stated President Msgr. Michael E. Kelly.  

In June, the Archdiocese of Newark made Julie the Archdiocese Teacher of the Year and officially endorsed her nomination for the NJCAPE award.  

“The Archdiocesan Office of Catholic Schools is thrilled to recognize Juliette Wester as the Archdiocese of Newark Teacher of the Year and to nominate her for the NJCAPE Nonpublic School Teacher of the Year Award,” stated Barbara Dolan, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Newark. “Julie is a dedicated and talented teacher and a wonderful witness to the mission of Catholic school education. Her own educational journey is an example of the tremendous influence Catholic school teachers have in the life of their students. Julie epitomizes the qualities that contribute to the “sense of compassion and community” she identifies as the hallmarks of Catholic schools. We are grateful to Julie for her ministry in Catholic education and for her representation of the many gifted educators who serve in our Catholic schools.” 

Julie herself is an alumna of the Archdiocese of Newark Catholic schools. She attended Our Lady of Sorrows Grammar School in Maplewood as a child, where her mother was also a teacher. She attended high school at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth in Florham Park, NJ, and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia.  

After graduation, she joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corp where she had her first experience teaching at Marian Middle School in St Louis, MO. Surrounded by enthusiastic and inspirational teachers, Julie realized that she wanted to pursue a career in teaching. She moved back home to New Jersey and joined an alternate route program at Seton Hall University, which allowed her to teach for four years at Sisters Academy of New Jersey in Asbury Park while earning a Master of Education (M. Ed). 

“I think something unique to Catholic schools – and especially Seton Hall Prep – is that it is a community. It is so much more than just the academic school day. It is a group effort in a Catholic school, and that makes for such a special experience because you get to see the students not just in the classroom but also participating in activities that are performance, sports, and service related,” stated Julie Wester, Archdiocese of Newark Teacher of the Year.  

Julie stated that her Catholic faith has played a significant role in her teaching philosophy of compassion and “teaching to the whole child.” Having only attended and worked in Catholic schools her whole life, Julie emphasized the unique sense of compassion and community that exists within Catholic schools.  

She humbly credited her successes as a teacher to her family, colleagues, and students. “Being recognized for this award was so amazing and really such an honor, but it is because I have been surrounded by such wonderful educators my whole life as both a student and a teacher. I would not be getting this award if it were not for the privilege of being surrounded by so many wonderful teachers I have been taught by and have taught with,” she said.  

NJCAPE should be ready to announce the winner early in the new school year. For now, Julie is enjoying her summer vacation at her parent’s beach house and preparing to run a marathon with her father.