Riverdale Educator Named Morris County Teacher of the Year for 2025–2026

Fourth-grade teacher Natasha Tyjer-Mendez to serve as educational ambassador representing Morris County in statewide program.

The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) has announced the 2025–2026 County Teachers of the Year, honoring 21 educators across the state for their dedication to student learning and professional excellence. Among the honorees is Natasha Tyjer-Mendez, a fourth-grade teacher at Riverdale Public School, who has been selected as Morris County Teacher of the Year.

The awards were presented during a ceremony held at The College of New Jersey in Ewing, recognizing outstanding educators selected through the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program. The program celebrates the contributions of teachers and educational services professionals and offers a platform for them to share best practices and serve as role models throughout the academic year.

As Morris County’s representative, Tyjer-Mendez will join her fellow County Teachers of the Year in statewide networking and leadership opportunities, where they will act as ambassadors for New Jersey’s public education system.

The selection process for County Teachers of the Year begins at the school level. Each school nominates a Teacher of the Year, who may then apply for county-level recognition through a competitive process involving applications, video submissions, and interviews.

One educator from this cohort will be chosen as the New Jersey State Teacher of the Year later this year. That individual will go on to represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

The full list of 2025–2026 County Teachers of the Year is available on the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program webpage, where additional information about the selection process and program goals can be found.

For the Riverdale community, Tyjer-Mendez’s selection is a point of local pride and a reflection of the strength and impact of dedicated educators in Morris County.