The New Jersey Governor’s Educator of the Year Award is a program dedicated to honoring teachers who are outstanding contributors to the success of their students and their school.
The program set up in 1985 initially focused on recognizing outstanding teachers, but later expanded to honor educational services professionals. This shift was made to acknowledge a broader category of contributors to the overall betterment of the educational system.
As of the 2024-2025 academic year, the Governor’s Educator of the Year award at Ramapo High School was awarded to Ms. Vander Molen. She was acknowledged for her overall outstanding performance and dedication to the school and the success of her students. Other awards given through the Governor’s program include Educational Specialist of the Year awarded to Ms. Katz and Support Staff Professionals of the Year awarded to former staff member Ms. Ruth Hillas.
Ms. Vander Molen is a history teacher at Ramapo High School and is actively teaching AP United States History 1 for sophomores, World Civilizations to freshmen, and in the past has taught Anthropology which she looks forward to teaching in the future. As an active participant in the Ramapo community, Ms. Vander Molen is the official advisor of two clubs: Women in Business and a branch of Amnesty International, a global movement and organization dedicated to campaigning and working towards a world where human rights are enjoyed by all. “The job is a ton of work but also incredibly rewarding, being able to share my favorite subject with teenagers is really fun,” Ms. Vander Molen said in an interview, “I have fun in front of class coming up with lessons, interacting with my students and everything the job has to offer.”
Ms. Vander Molen knew history was her passion since fourth grade when she learned about the group of Indigenous people, the Lenni Lenape. Her mind was blown as she had never learned anything about history previously, and was exposed to a whole new world of knowledge. She found herself doing additional research, asking to go to museums, and doing anything she could to immerse herself in history.
Teaching high school students was of particular interest to Ms. Vander Molen, “I like teaching high schoolers more than any other grade, they are a lot of fun. Being able to have a conversation with teenagers about these topics in ways you can’t with younger students is especially exciting,” she said.
Students at Ramapo High School describe Ms. Vander Molen as someone who is very passionate about what she teaches. Throughout her lessons, assignments, and interactions with her students, you can tell she truly enjoys what she does. Former APUSH student Emily McCarthy speaks very highly of her time in Ms. Vander Molen’s class. She said, “Ms. Vander Molen’s class was always so enjoyable and exciting as she always kept it interesting and she was very passionate about the topics we were learning. I was always intrigued in class because she made simple notes slides so memorable. Ms. Vander Molen, no matter the day, was excited to see us and that always brought up the level of energy in our class. She always did fun debates and interactive activities that helped us retain the information in a very fun, hands-on way.”
Ms. Vander Molen found out that she had received this honor like everyone else in the building, over the loudspeaker during third period; she was teaching a class at the time. Her students clapped for her and congratulated her which she was extremely thankful for.
The recognition left Ms. Vander Molen surprised, and thankful for the support of her fellow staff members who throughout the day, came up and congratulated her.
Ms. Vander Molen is hardly seen without a smile on her face. That day, however, her joy was even more apparent, thanking everyone for their support and receiving an abundance of heartening encouragement.
Ms. Vander Molen is a well-known, well-liked, and respected teacher at Ramapo High School. The only things you hear about her are positive comments on her lesson plans, exciting assignments, and the attitude she brings into the classroom. Some of the many noteworthy routines she has introduced to her classes include the Today in History and the Vander Molen challenge. These activities keep her students on their toes and help them learn unique facts about moments in history. Her Vander Molen challenges are her way of making sure her students keep past units and chapters in mind, testing their knowledge on sections of the curriculum they have already covered.
“Her Smart Cookie System encourages her students to truly do their best in hopes of achieving their name on the board as a cookie,” said Emily later in an interview.
Her kindness, generosity, and personable character make Ms. Vander Molen an outstanding teacher and one who is very deserving of the title, Educator of the Year. Her ability to radiate positivity is an impactful trait that has left so many students with a love and passion for learning history as Ms. Vander Molen experienced herself in fourth grade.
Ramapo High School is forever grateful for the impact Ms. Vander Molen has made and will continue to make throughout her teaching career. Every day is a great day with Ms. Vander Molen’s attitude and presence in the hallways of Ramapo.
