Angel Santiago named NJ’s 2021 Teacher of the Year

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Elementary school teacher and musician Angel Santiago of Blackwood, New Jersey, has been named his states 2021 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: the Philadelphia Inquirer.

I enjoy sharing stories about exceptional educators who have earned recognition for their work in the classroom. One of these is Angel Santiago, an elementary school teacher from New Jersey who has been named his state’s 2021 State Teacher of the Year.

Angel teaches fifth grade Language Arts at Loring Flemming Elementary School in Blackwood, New Jersey. In addition, he leads an after school club called Young People of Character (YPOC), a group of fourth and fifth grade students from diverse social backgrounds. As members of the club, the students perform a variety of community service projects. Through YPOC, Angel works toward raising leaders who are strong, empathetic, and who reflect the community which, one day, they will lead.

“I teach because I get to participate in cultivating the most precious resource this world has to offer: our future, our children,” Angel declares. “Teaching is my passion,” he continues. “It is the reason why I get up every day with a positive outlook on life and the reason why I can fall asleep each night feeling fulfilled with my worldly duties,” he concludes.

Angel not only teaches, but he is also a musician. Before launching his career as an educator, he toured the country with an alternative rock band, Days Like These. The band recorded two albums together. Today, he sings and plays the guitar, and is often hired to perform at local weddings. Angel says he often infuses his lesson plans with music.

After his graduation from Vineland High School in Vineland, New Jersey, in 2002, Angel earned his Bachelor’s degree in Humanities and his Master’s degree in Education, both from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. While in college, he became a member of both Phi Theta Kappa and Kappa Delta Pi Honor Societies.
The honored educator has taught his entire professional career in Camden County. In 2012 he began teaching in the Lindenwold Public Schools, and in 2013 he moved to Gloucester Township Public Schools, where he teaches today.
To read more about this amazing educator, see this article about him published in The Philadelphia Inquirer.