Vernon, CT|News|
Vernon 2025-26 Teacher Of The Year Named
Band Teacher Kelly Stein has been named the Vernon Public Schools 2025–2026 Teacher of the Year.
Chris Dehnel, Patch Staff
Community Leaders
Meet the people making a difference in your local community.
Tuscaloosa, AL|News|
Tuscaloosa City Schools Offering Signing Bonus, Training For New Bus Drivers
TCS is seeking bus drivers for the 2026-27 school year and will host a hiring fair next week to fill eight open positions.
Ryan Phillips, Patch Staff
Tuscaloosa, AL|News|
Morgan Wallen Donates $65K In Musical Instruments To Tuscaloosa City Schools
Three Tuscaloosa City Schools will receive more than $65,000 in musical instrument donations through the Morgan Wallen Foundation.
Ryan Phillips, Patch Staff
Haddonfield-Haddon Township, NJ|News|
Principal Sleeps On Roof Of School In South Jersey: See Why
This is hardly the first stunt this school leader has taken on.
Eddie Callahan, Patch Staff
Los Alamitos-Seal Beach, CA|News|
A Milestone To Remember: Seal Beach Police Recreate Sweet Photo With Graduating Students
McGaugh Elementary School Liaison Officers joined up with a class of graduating students to recreate a photo shot six years ago.
Miranda Ceja, Patch Staff
Bridgewater, NJ|News|
Hillside Teacher Builds Coding Library For Students Using Grant In Bridgewater
The grant, received by Christina King, helps Hillside Intermediate students explore coding, robotics, design, and STEM topics.
Alexis Tarrazi, Patch Staff
Montclair, NJ|News|
Good News In Essex County: Teens Help Teens + Senior Writers + Awesome Teachers
New Jersey is filled with humor, inspiration and kindness. Here are seven stories to make you smile from Essex County.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Sayville-Bayport, NY|News|
Sayville Students Cheer Local Heroes At First Responder Parade
Students honored firefighters, EMS workers, medical professionals, police officers and other first responders during the annual event.
Kepherd Daniel, Patch Staff
Stamford, CT|News|
New Assistant Principals Named At Several Stamford Schools
The appointments are effective July 1, according to Stamford Public Schools.
Richard Kaufman, Patch Staff
Randolph, NJ|News|
Instagram Food Creator Visits Randolph High School Culinary Arts Class
Olivia DeMattio of That Food Chick walked students through filming, editing and storytelling — and every student left with a finished video.
Sarah Salvadore, Patch Staff
Basking Ridge, NJ|News|
New Library Assistant & Patrol Officer Hired, 24 Employees Honored In Bernards Township
The Township Committee approved two personnel appointments and recognized workers marking five to 30 years of service.
Alexis Tarrazi, Patch Staff
Wallingford, CT|News|
Mary Mushinsky Day Proclaimed In Wallingford
Wallingford recently recognized retiring State Rep. Mary Mushinsky for her more than 40 years of service to the town and the state.
Vincent Salzo, Patch Staff
Wallingford, CT|News|
Schools Administrator Of The Year Announced In Wallingford
The Wallingford Public School District recently announced its Administrator of the Year for the 2025-26 school year.
Vincent Salzo, Patch Staff
Huntington, NY|News|
Harborfields Names New Assistant Principal For Greenlawn Elementary School
Jessica Castoro brings experience in special education, instructional leadership and speech-language pathology, the district says.
Kepherd Daniel, Patch Staff
Westport, CT|News|
Westport Teacher To Receive State Peace Award
The Coleytown Middle School teacher is slated to receive the Connecticut Education Association’s Peace Award next month.
Alfred Branch, Patch Staff
Windsor, CT|News|
Windsor Police To Join Special Olympics Torch Run
Residents are invited to cheer on Windsor police as the Special Olympics Torch Run moves through town.
Jay Kenney, Patch Staff
Caldwells, NJ|News|
Student-Led Nonprofit In The Caldwells Helps Young Athletes Who Are 'Priced Out Of Sports'
“This felt like a solvable problem,” the founder of Gift Your Gear said.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Montclair, NJ|News|
Montclair Teachers, Counselor Earn ‘Judy Weston Awards’ For 2026
“It feels like magic when you watch a really good teacher do what they do.”
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Basking Ridge, NJ|News|
Bernards Township School District Nationally Recognized As Top For Music Education
The NAMM Foundation recognized Bernards Township for support of music education and student access.
Alexis Tarrazi, Patch Staff
Danbury, CT|News|
Danbury Schools Name 2026 Teacher, Paraeducator Of The Year
The two longtime educators were recognized Tuesday by district officials.
Hayleigh Evans, Patch Staff
Bernardsville-Bedminster, NJ|News|
Bernardsville Lacrosse Coach, Educator Of The Year Named Somerset Hills Athletics Supervisor
Jessica McGinn compiled 200+ wins and 3 state sectional titles during 14 years of coaching BHS girls lacrosse.
Sarah Salvadore, Patch Staff
Homer Glen-Lockport, IL|Sponsored|
Lockport Special Education Teacher Helps Students Get Back On Track
From a brand partner: Bryan Murray is recognized for helping students learn from mistakes, stay accountable and achieve their goals.
Cinnaminson, NJ|Sponsored|
Palmyra Educator Makes Lasting Impact On Students, Families
From a brand partner: Colleague Allison says Erica H. Campbell supports the “whole child” by bringing families and communities together.
Concord, CA|News|
Concord Officers Carry 'Flame Of Hope'
Police officers and city staff escorted the Special Olympics Flame of Hope before handing off the torch.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Walnut Creek, CA|News|
Walnut Creek Officers Carry 'Flame Of Hope' Through Downtown
Police officers and city staff escorted the Special Olympics Flame of Hope through Walnut Creek before handing the torch to Danville.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Woburn, MA|News|
Hundreds Of 'Kindness Kits' Go Out From Woburn To Children In Need: Report
The local organization, which assists children who are ill or homeless, got some much-needed help from an auto-glass installer.
William Hall, Patch Staff
Freehold, NJ|Sponsored|
Freehold Teacher Angello Villarreal Praised For Seeing Students’ Potential
From a brand partner: Known to students as “Profe,” Mr. Villarreal is recognized for his caring, student-centered approach.
Radnor, PA|Sponsored|
Upper Merion Teacher Helps Students Grow With Respect, Understanding
From a brand partner: Jake Vogel is known for supporting students with compassion, guidance and judgment-free encouragement.
Lake Forest-Lake Bluff, IL|Sponsored|
Lake Bluff Teacher Praised For Building Character, Confidence In Students
From a brand partner: Ekaterina Jorgensen’s teaching style encourages students to grow academically and personally.
Fairfax, VA|Sponsored|
Fairfax Public Speaking Teacher Makes Lasting Impact On Student Confidence
From a brand partner: Sumedha Bahri helped one student become more comfortable speaking in front of classmates.
Monroe, CT|Sponsored|
Monroe Educator Helps District Navigate New Literacy Resources
From a brand partner: Marlo Verrastro-Ruggiero helped lead the rollout of new reading and writing resources across the district.
Manchester, CT|News|
MHS Boys Hoop Coach Picks Up Major Coach Of The Year Hardware
John Reiser received a serious recognition from a major organization.
Chris Dehnel, Patch Staff
Plainfield, IL|Sponsored|
Plainfield Educator Helps Students Succeed Inside And Outside Classroom
From a brand partner: Parent Barbara says Rebecca Scott’s enthusiasm for science and commitment to students have made a difference.
Minneapolis, MN|Sponsored|
Minneapolis Teacher Helps Students Build Professionalism Through Performing Arts
From a brand partner: Colleague Tory Peterson says Kevin Werner Hohlstein goes above and beyond for students and school events.
Hopatcong-Sparta, NJ|Sponsored|
Green Township Special Ed Teacher Helps Students Thrive Beyond Classroom
From a brand partner: Parent Karen Schuessler says Jenna Kelly has helped students gain confidence, life skills and new experiences.
Orange County, CA|Sponsored|
Fullerton College Coach Dillon Brown Praised For Impact On Students
From a brand partner: A Santa Ana grandmother says the longtime pitching coach leads with fairness, consistency and care for young athletes.
Shrewsbury, MA|News|
Shrewsbury Police Honor Lifesaving Efforts, Years Of Service At Awards Ceremony
The Shrewsbury Police Department used its third annual Awards Night to recognize those whose work stood out over the past year.
Jessie Castellano, Patch Staff
Cheshire, CT|Sponsored|
Cheshire Teacher Helps Students Reach New Goals With Confidence
From a brand partner: Gina Ferry is known for bringing compassion, encouragement and joy to her students every day.
Fairfield, CT|Sponsored|
Fairfield Basketball Coach Recognized For 35 Years Of Mentorship
From a brand partner: Dave Danko has helped generations of girls pursue basketball and college opportunities.
Murrieta, CA|Sponsored|
Murrieta PE Teacher Recognized For Going Beyond Physical Education
From a brand partner: Scott Marcus inspires students to build confidence, perseverance and pride in themselves.
