Junior high school teacher Jeanette Capritti of New Jersey has garnered a prestigious 2025-2026 Milken Educator Award. Photo credit: Milken Educator Awards

It is always my pleasure to share the story of a talented educator who has earned recognition for her work in the classroom. One of these is Jeanette Capritti, a junior high school school teacher from New Jersey who has garnered a prestigious Milken Educator Award for 2025-2026. She is one of only 30 educators to be so honored this year.

Jeanette teaches Language Arts to seventh graders at Lawrence Middle School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. In her classroom, she strives to foster meaningful engagement and critical thinking skills and meaningful engagement. To accomplish this, she organizes immersive events such as sci-fi “book tastings,” where mood lighting, music, costumes, and thought-provoking questions designed to draw students into the material. In this way, Jennette encourages the use of personal, student-led storytelling to foster voice, structure, and identity.

In addition, Jennifer has contributed to the development of an elective writing course which strengthens student writing skills. She leads professional development within her district and mentors student teachers from Rider University. She has also served as a guest speaker at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). In the summers, she teaches literacy through the Summer Destinations Program.

Jeanette earned her Bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education in 2019 and her Master’s degree of Education in Literacy in 2024, both from TCNJ in Ewing, NJ.

The Milken Educator Awards have been described by Teacher Magazine as the “Oscars of Teaching.” In addition to the $25,000 cash prize and public recognition, the award includes membership in the National Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 2,700 exemplary teachers, principals, and specialists from all over the country whose work strengthens best practices in education. To learn more, click on Milken Educator Awards.