New Jersey Social Studies educator Robert Fenster is one of only five 2022 inductees into the National Teachers Hall of Fame (NTHF) Photo Credit: NTHF
After a Covid-related hiatus in 2021, the National Teachers Hall of Fame (NTHF) has resumed honoring teachers for their exemplary work in the classroom. The five inductees for the class of 2022 have been announced. One of them is Robert Fenster, a high school teacher from Hillsborough, New Jersey.
Robert earned his Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science in 1991 from Rutgers University. He earned his Master’s degree in Social Studies Education in 1993, also from Rutgers. His career in education started in 1993 at Hillsborough High, where he teaches Social Studies to sophomores, juniors, and seniors at Hillsborough High School in Hillsborough, New Jersey. His entire 28-year career has been spent at this school.
In addition to his responsibilities in the classroom, Robert serves as the advisor for his school’s Mock Trial team, Model United Nations, Model Congress, the Amnesty International Club, and the Podcasting Club. He also serves on the Township Recreation Committee. As if all this were not enough, Robert is a member of the National Education Association, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the National Council for History Education.
“Mr. Fenster’s teaching had such a profound impact on my life that I have mentioned it while testifying before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee,” declared his former student Nina Jankowicz. “I credit his classes and mentorship during my high school years not only with my interest in Political Science and international relations in college, which led me down the career path that took me to the halls of Congress, but also for instilling in me (and my classmates) the importance of being an active citizen,” she continued. “He is not only an excellent educator, but an empowering mentor, emboldening each student – male or female, quiet or outspoken, history buff or not – to truly shine,” Jankowicz concluded.
The honored educator’s induction into the National Teachers Hall of Fame is one of numerous honors this Chalkboard Champion has earned. He garnered the 2021 Paul A. Gagnon Prize from the National Council for History Education; the 2019 Secondary Education Teacher of the Year Award from the New Jersey Council for Social Studies; the 2019 Law-Related Education Teacher of the Year Award from American Lawyers Alliance; and the 2017 Claes Nobel Top Ten Educator of the Year Award from the National Society of High School Scholars.
This honor is not the only one Robert has earned. He received the 2021 Paul A. Gagnon Prize from the National Council for History Education, the 2019 Secondary Education Teacher of the Year Award from the New Jersey Council for Social Studies, the 2019 Law-Related Education Teacher of the Year Award from American Lawyers Alliance, and the 2017 Claes Nobel Top Ten Educator of the Year Award from the National Society of High School Scholars. To read m ore about Robert Fenster, see the link to Central Jersey.com.
The National Teachers Hall of Fame was founded in Emporia in 1989 to honor outstanding educators through a recognition program and museum. Nominees must be certificated public or non-public school teachers, active or retired, with at least 20 years of experience in teaching grades preK-12. Since the inaugural induction ceremonies in 1992, 140 educators from 40 states and the District of Columbia have been inducted. This year’s class of inductees represents the 30th anniversary of NTHF induction ceremonies when both the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2022 will be officially installed.
