Morristown pre-school teacher named Educator of the Year by nonprofit

From Children on the Green:

Morristown Preschool Teacher is Educator of the Year!

Stephanie Wilson of Children on the Green has been named a 2020 S.H.I.N.E. Educator of the Year by Child & Family Resources (CFR) of Morris County.

A virtual gala on March 11, 2021, recognized the long-time teacher for her work with young children.

The award is given annually to educators who SHINE – serve, help, inspire, nurture and excel – and was established to reward those who have the most significant impact.

“In keeping with our mission to support the development of children and strengthen families,” Rebekka Zydel, executive director of CFR says, “we recognize educators as essential partners.”

These are the teachers who “worked long hours, went out of their way to motivate and inspire students, and made personal sacrifices. All too often they are over worked, underpaid, and rarely appreciated.”

Ms. Wilson started her career at Children on the Green as a part-time assistant while attending Morristown High School, and it was then that she realized her passion.

“I knew I had the patience to understand young children,” she recalled. “I wanted to make a difference in children’s lives.” She attained an associate’s degree at County College of Morris in pursuit of that goal.

Video: Stephanie Wilson is honored as Educator of the Year:

Twenty-two years later, she is an early preschool teacher and preschool supervisor, responsible for mentoring new teachers in addition to her classroom duties. She has helped prepare hundreds of 2- and 3-year olds for their educational journey in kindergarten and beyond.

“The children are the best part of being a teacher,” according to Ms. Wilson. “I love seeing the children progress through the year. Watching them learn something new and seeing them repeat things they’ve learned to their parents. I absolutely love what I do and find it to be challenging and rewarding each and every day.”

Children on the Green is a nationally accredited, full-year child care center serving infants through pre-K children in the center of Morristown.

Child & Family Resources, in Mt. Arlington, NJ, works toward creating a more equitable community, where all children have the opportunity for a strong start through parent education, violence and abuse prevention, child care financial assistance, and child care workforce development, working with families, child care providers, and community stakeholders throughout Morris County.