Newark, NJ|News|
Good News In Essex County: Ivy League Friendship + NFL Star Returns + Inspiring Youth
New Jersey is filled with humor, inspiration and kindness. Here are seven stories to make you smile from Essex County.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Community Leaders
Meet the people making a difference in your local community.
Doylestown, PA|Sponsored|
Doylestown Educator Praised For Going Above And Beyond For Students
From an brand partner: Patch and T-Mobile are highlighting the educators and role models helping students grow and succeed.
Naperville, IL|News|
Naperville Educator Chosen As State PE Teacher Of The Year
Teacher Kimberly Blitek was recently honored by the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.
Lisa Marie Farver, Patch Staff
Basking Ridge, NJ|News|
Basking Ridge Club Is Cultivating Future Gardeners Through Family Geocache Hunt
The Oaks & Acorns have a geocache event running through May that would engage youth to find clues in the various gardens in the Township.
Alexis Tarrazi, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Newark Youth Vote On How To Spend $50,000 In City Funding
These young people in Newark were given a chance to tell the city how to spend $50,000. Here's what they chose.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Milford, MA|News|
Milford Public Schools Names New Deputy Superintendent For Instruction And Student Services
She spent the last 10 months as Interim Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning
Jessie Castellano, Patch Staff
Basking Ridge, NJ|News|
Discovery Day With Canoes, Games, Birdwatching Coming To Somerset County
Families can explore the Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge during Discovery Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Alexis Tarrazi, Patch Staff
Geneva, IL|News|
Geneva D308 Hires New Director Of Learning And Teaching
She has experience working with students on all levels, from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, district officials said.
Emily Rosca, Patch Staff
Doylestown, PA|News|
Foundation Awards $17K In Technology Grants To Central Bucks Schools
The funding is being used to purchase ChompSaws and 3-D Printers for the district's elementary school classrooms.
Jeff Werner, Patch Staff
Mount Vernon, NY|News|
Autism Acceptance Day Celebrates What Makes All Students Special At Mount Vernon City School District
"We take inclusion and acceptance of all our students very seriously, especially those with disabilities," Superintendent Strickland said.
Jeff Edwards, Patch Staff
Naugatuck, CT|News|
Naugatuck Police Announce Officer Of The Year
The department announced this week a Naugatuck police detective has been named Officer of the Year.
RJ Scofield, Patch Staff
Stamford, CT|News|
Stamford Public Schools Names Teacher, Paraeducator Of Year; Educators Honored
The Teacher of the Year will serve as Stamford’s nominee in the the 2027 Connecticut Teacher of the Year program.
Richard Kaufman, Patch Staff
Tuscaloosa, AL|News|
UA Retirees Association Launches First-Gen Scholarship Fund
TUARA has launched a new endowed scholarship aimed at supporting first-generation college students at the Capstone.
Ryan Phillips, Patch Staff
East Brunswick, NJ|News|
East Brunswick Teachers Can Score Free Habit Burger & Win $500 For Their Classroom
Habit Burger & Grill is celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week with a free burger deal, a sweepstakes offering a catered lunch and more.
Sarah Salvadore, Patch Staff
Sayville-Bayport, NY|News|
Navy Officer Brings Fitness, Resilience Lesson To Bayport Students
Bayport-Blue Point High School students learned how nutrition, strength training and stress management support performance under pressure.
Kepherd Daniel, Patch Staff
Batavia, IL|News|
Batavia Art Teacher Wins National Leadership Award
The art instructor at Grace McWayne Elementary School was one of 10 winners nationwide who received this year's award.
Emily Rosca, Patch Staff
Joliet, IL|News|
Joliet Central High School Art Teacher 1 Of Only 5 National Crystal Apple Award Winners
She also expressed gratitude for the recognition and those who supported her journey.
John Ferak, Patch Staff
East Windsor, NJ|News|
East Windsor Regional Recognized Nationally For Music Education Excellence
The NAMM Foundation named the district one of its Best Communities for Music Education, joining more than 1,000 honored schools nationwide.
Sarah Salvadore, Patch Staff
Manchester, NJ|News|
Manchester Teacher Honored For Going 'Above And BEEyond' For Her Students
The teacher is one of eight honored in the Applebee's Above And BEEyond Teacher essay contest, based on students' essays.
Karen Wall, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Retired NFL Star Returns To Newark For Field Renaming In His Honor: WATCH
Tahir Whitehead: “My family is here; this is where my heart is.”
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Newark Native Earns John Lewis Youth Leadership Award
A young leader from Newark was honored with a prestigious award for her community service.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Frankfort, IL|News|
Lincoln-Way East Seniors Partner With Kindergarteners To Create Children's Books
The high school students wrote the stories, while Grand Prairie's kindergarteners did illustrations.
Andrea Earnest, Patch Staff
Barnegat-Manahawkin, NJ|News|
2 Barnegat-Manahawkin Teachers Awarded For Going 'Above & Beyond'
The teachers were nominated by students to win Applebees' Above and ‘BEE’yond Teacher Essay Contest.
Veronica Flesher, Patch Staff
Homewood-Flossmoor, IL|News|
Flossmoor D161 Schools Earn National Recognition For Building A Culture Of Connection, Belonging
“Creating a culture where students feel seen, valued, & connected is at the heart of everything we do,” said Dr. Smith, D161 Superintendent.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Bridgewater, NJ|News|
Bridgewater-Raritan School District Recognized As Top For Music Education For 9th Straight Year
The Music Department received the Best Communities for Music Education award from the National Association of Music Merchants.
Alexis Tarrazi, Patch Staff
Basking Ridge, NJ|News|
Bernards Township School District Recognized As Top For Music Education
The Music Department received the Best Communities for Music Education award from the National Association of Music Merchants.
Alexis Tarrazi, Patch Staff
Mendham-Chester, NJ|News|
Mendham Middle School Teacher Earns SHINE Award
Child and Family Resources recognized Hannah Hall with an award honoring excellence in education.
Jack Slocum, Patch Staff
Hillsborough, NJ|News|
Hillsborough Schools Recognized As Top For Music Education For 6 Years In A Row
The Music Department received the Best Communities for Music Education award from the National Association of Music Merchants.
Alexis Tarrazi, Patch Staff
Livingston, NJ|News|
5 Inspiring Livingston Women Earn Awards For Community Service, Leadership
Five Livingston residents got a round of applause for making their community a better place to live.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Glenview, IL|News|
College Credits: Glenview Resident Recognized At Nebraska-Lincoln Teacher Education Event
Area students from Glenview are doing amazing things at colleges and universities across the U.S. (2025-2026 school year).
Eric DeGrechie, Patch Staff
Bloomfield, NJ|News|
Longtime Bloomfield Mail Carrier Retires, Earns Proclamation From Town
For nearly three decades, neither “snow nor rain nor heat” could stop Donald Densel from making his appointed rounds.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
San Rafael, CA|News|
Youth Town Hall Offers Students Direct Line To Local Leaders In Marin County
Young people ages 12–25 can participate in an open conversation with mayors and council members to shape community decisions.
Albert Gregory, Patch Staff
Tuscaloosa, AL|News|
Woodland Forrest Elementary To Rename Library For Beloved Educator, Trailblazing School Board Member
Woodland Forrest Elementary School is gearing up to honor longtime educator and community leader Shelley Edwards Jones
Ryan Phillips, Patch Staff
Barnegat-Manahawkin, NJ|News|
Barnegat Schools Superintendent Completes National Certification Program
Latwis said the program reinforced student-centered leadership, communication and district culture in Barnegat.
Veronica Flesher, Patch Staff
New Haven, CT|News|
Wilbur Cross High School Teacher Brian Grindrod Wins Award for Excellence in Social Studies Education
Advocate for 'We the People,' a project-based curriculum on constitutional principles, prepares students for mock congressional hearings.
Ellyn Santiago, Patch Staff
Belleville-Nutley, NJ|News|
Nutley Fire Department Is Getting A Big Boost From EMT Crews
People tend to think of firefighters mainly fighting fires, but many of their calls are medical emergencies.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Homewood-Flossmoor, IL|News|
American Red Cross to Honor Flossmoor Doctor As 2026 Education Hero
LaMenta Conway founded I Am Abel Foundation, an organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tuscaloosa, AL|News|
TCSS Director Of Public Relations Terri Brewer Named Alabama School Communicator Of The Year
TCSS Director of Public Relations Terri Brewer has been named the 2026 Alabama School Communicator of the Year
Ryan Phillips, Patch Staff
Millburn-Short Hills, NJ|News|
Man Survives Cardiac Arrest, Returns To Serve As EMT In Millburn-Short Hills
When Jon Hetherington collapsed at work, he had no idea he would one day return to emergency medicine as a volunteer EMT.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Lacey, NJ|News|
Lacey Township Schools Honor 7 Teachers Of The Year Across District
Principals and district leaders honored educators from each school during the Board of Education meeting.
Veronica Flesher, Patch Staff
