Freehold Teacher To Be Honored At Princeton University Commencement

FREEHOLD, NJ — A Freehold Township High School teacher is one of five secondary school educators to be honored at Princeton University’s 2026 Commencement.

Angello Villarreal, a Spanish teacher at the high school, will join Myra Bellamy of Achievers Early College Prep Charter School in Trenton, Stephanie Fox and Devon Suppa of William R. Satz Middle School in Holmdel and Amy Mosser of Seneca High School in Tabernacle for the commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 26.

The five are recipients of the Princeton Prize for Distinguished Secondary School Teaching and will each receive $5,000, as well as $3,000 for their school libraries.

“I myself am a product of the New Jersey school system, and even more so of New Jersey teachers,” said Michael Gordin, dean of the college and the Rosengarten Professor of Modern and Contemporary History. “I know firsthand what kind of lifelong impact a dedicated teacher can leave with students.”

According to Princeton University, ten finalists were selected by the Program in Teacher Preparation staff and visited at their schools by program staff member Paul Chapin.

The winners were then selected by a committee, which also considered recommendations from colleagues and students, as well as evidence of the teachers’ accomplishments in the school and the community.

“These five awardees represent the very best of our state’s education and are exemplars for their colleagues everywhere,” Gordin said.

Widely known by his nickname “Profe,” Villarreal is described by university officials as someone who has distinguished himself as "a leader in the world language department and a cherished mentor to students and colleagues throughout the school.”

In addition to his work as a Spanish teacher at Freehold Township High School, he has also taught English as a Second Language (ESL) at RAISE Academy (an alternative after-school instruction program in the district) since 2024.

"A huge and heartfelt shout out to Angello Villarreal of Freehold Township High School for representing Monmouth County and Freehold Township with such distinction," the Latino Coalition of New Jersey said in an online post. "What an amazing and well-deserved honor for a teacher making a real difference in the lives of students every day. "

Alongside being recognized at Princeton's 2026 commencement, Villarreal was also named to a list of the Top 50 Educators Around the World.

Prior to that, he was named as the recipient of a Fulbright Teacher Exchange Award for 2025-26, and gave back to his local community through his family's school supply drive over the summer.

To learn more about Villarreal or the other educators who will be honored at Princeton University’s 2026 Commencement, you can click here.

Related

• Monmouth County Teacher Named To List Of Top 50 Educators Around The World
• Freehold Township High School Teacher Earns Fulbright Teacher Exchange Award
• Freehold Family Gives Back To Community With School Supply Drive