Karolina Mills named 2024-25 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year
August 7, 2024 Vineland Public Schools News
Karolina Mills, an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at Durand Elementary School, has been selected as the Cumberland County Teacher of the Year.
Mills, with 18 years of experience in the district, was among the 21 top teachers in the state. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and education and a master’s degree in education from Palacký University in the Czech Republic. She taught English as a Foreign Language for five years in the Czech Republic and has been an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher for eighteen years in the Vineland School District. Karolina was named a Featured Educator in 2017 by the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment Consortium and was recognized as a New Jersey Department of Education’s Exemplary Educator in 2020. She has served on New Jersey’s Bilingual-ESL Education Advisory Committee, where she had the opportunity to advocate for multilingual learners across the state. Karolina has been an active member of New Jersey Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages / New Jersey Bilingual Educators and has presented at their state conferences.
“To be chosen as the 2024-2025 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year, representing Vineland Public Schools and our remarkable county, is an accomplishment that fills me with a deep sense of gratitude,” Mills said. “This recognition is not merely a personal triumph but a testament to the collective dedication and passion that spreads through our educational community. This award is also a reflection of the unwavering support I have received from my colleagues, my students, and my community. It is a testament to the power of education to transform lives, to bridge cultural divides, and to create a brighter future for all. My commitment to education remains steadfast. I will continue to strive for excellence, to inspire my students, and to advocate for “the voiceless.” This honor is not an endpoint but a new beginning, a call to action to continue making a difference in the lives of others in my community.”
Dan Greco, Durand School principal, echoed many of these same sentiments.
“The entire Durand School Family is so very proud of Karolina and this amazing achievement,” Greco said. “Mrs. Mills embodies every aspect of what an outstanding educator should look like. The two words that always come to mind when I think of Karolina Mills are relentless and resilient. She refuses to let any obstacle stand in her way or in the path of her students’ ability to achieve academic success. Karolina never settles for anything less than her best or the best from her students. Mrs. Mills serves as an example of how great of an impact a teacher can have on a student’s life. We look forward to celebrating this once-in-a-lifetime achievement with her throughout the year and could not be more proud of our award-winning teacher.”
Mills was informed of her award in April, with a surprise announcement at Durand. She was escorted into the library, where her students waited with hand-drawn signs of congratulations. Interim Executive County Superintendent Robert Bumpus was on hand with Superintendent Alfonso Llano to officially make the announcement.
“On behalf of the entire school community, I want to congratulate Karolina on receiving this prestigious award,” Llano said. “Your unwavering dedication to your students exemplified the very best of our profession. We are incredibly proud of you.”
Mills, along with the other 20 County Teachers of the Year, were honored on August 6 by the New Jersey Department of Education at The College of New Jersey in Ewing.
The County Teachers of the Year will network with colleagues throughout the state and serve as representatives for New Jersey’s public schools during the upcoming school year. A panel of educators will select the New Jersey State Teacher of the Year from among the 21 County Teachers of the Year based on written applications, video submissions, and interviews with the top finalists. The New Jersey State Teacher of the Year will go on to represent New Jersey in competing for the title of National Teacher of the Year.
Click on this link to a video from VPS Broadcasting highlighting the surprise announcement.
