Princeton University will honor five outstanding New Jersey secondary school teachers at its 2026 Commencement on Tuesday, May 26.
This year’s recipients of the Princeton Prize for Distinguished Secondary School Teaching are Myra Bellamy of Achievers Early College Prep Charter School in Trenton, Stephanie Fox and Devon Suppa of William R. Satz Middle School in Holmdel, Amy Mosser of Seneca High School in Tabernacle, and Angello Villarreal of Freehold Township High School.
They each will receive $5,000, as well as $3,000 for their school libraries.
“I myself am a product of the New Jersey school system, and even more so of New Jersey teachers. I know firsthand what kind of lifelong impact a dedicated teacher can leave with students,” said Michael Gordin, dean of the college and the Rosengarten Professor of Modern and Contemporary History. “These five awardees represent the very best of our state’s education and are exemplars for their colleagues everywhere.”
“These five exceptional educators exemplify the extraordinary work taking place in classrooms across New Jersey each day,” said Ashley Taylor Jaffee, interim director of Princeton’s Program in Teacher Preparation. “Their impact extends beyond the classroom, inspiring their students, enriching their schools, and supporting their communities in profound and lasting ways. We are honored to recognize their remarkable contributions and to celebrate their outstanding achievements — both this year and in the years to come.”
Ten finalists were selected by the Program in Teacher Preparation staff and visited at their schools by program staff member Paul Chapin. The four winners were then selected by a committee chaired by Rebekah Peeples, deputy dean of the college, that also includes Jaffee; Jack Tannous, associate professor of history and Hellenic studies and director of the Program in Hellenic Studies; Sabine Kastner, professor of psychology and neuroscience; and Jametta Clarke, a social studies educator at Lawrence High School and a previous prize recipient. The selection committee also considers recommendations from colleagues and students as well as evidence of the teachers’ accomplishments in the school and the community.
Princeton has honored secondary school teachers since 1959 after receiving an anonymous gift from an alumnus to establish the program.
Myra Bellamy
To address her school’s lack of a formal library, reading specialist Myra Bellamy started one in her classroom to encourage an early love of reading across all levels and interests. Bellamy, who teaches reading and literacy to 6th to 8th graders at Achievers Early College Prep Charter School in Trenton, stocked the shelves with her own collection of books, added suggestions from students, and applied for grants to expand it into a free resource for the entire school.
“Independent, interest-based reading is vital to students growing as readers and critical thinkers, and her contribution to this ideal has served our students time and again,” said a colleague, who called Bellamy the “pillar” of Achievers Early College Prep’s educational community.
In addition to working with students to provide individualized reading support, Bellamy serves as the school’s student technology coordinator and district testing coordinator. She also leads the school’s Girls Who Code club and runs the Scholastic Book Fair every year.
An administrator called her “an exceptional educator” whose impact extends not only to students but also to colleagues and the wider community.
“Bellamy exemplifies the very essence of distinguished secondary teaching: academic excellence, unwavering commitment to students, leadership among peers, and community service,” said an administrator.
Bellamy first joined the school as an English teacher in 2018. She has been in her current role for four years and seven with the district overall.
Previously, she taught writing in Trenton at Foundation Academy Charter School and reading and language arts at the Paul Robeson Charter School for the Humanities.
One former student at Achievers Early College Prep called her “a friend, reading buddy, mother figure, and an overall amazing teacher” and said, “I am a better and more capable student because of her dedication.”
Stephanie Fox and Devon Suppa
For over a decade, Stephanie Fox and Devon Suppa have co-taught 7th grade science at William R. Satz Middle School in Holmdel, forming a “professional partnership so seamless that if you walked into their classroom you would find their roles completely indistinguishable,” a colleague said. “Their instructional synergy is nothing short of breathtaking.”
Fox and Suppa completed a two-year STEM fellowship at Montclair State University and afterward revised their instructional model at the middle school to one driven by student inquiry. More recently, they oversaw the successful redesign and implementation of the school’s new 7th and 8th grade science curriculum.
Administrators called the teaching team’s “dynamic integrated co-teaching model» one that «consistently results in deep student engagement and strong academic growth.”
“Ms. Fox and Ms. Suppa help students see what they are capable of becoming,” one said.
Fox, who also teaches 7th grade science and forensics, previously taught AP environmental science as a high school science teacher. Suppa provides extended school-year services to students and was recognized in 2023 by the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program. She is a former preschool classroom paraprofessional.
“They care about their students in a real way, and they make everyone feel welcome, no matter if they have the student or not,” said a former student.
Another said: “Their encouragement, mentorship, and care have shaped me and many of my classmates into more confident, self-assured learners.”
Outside the classroom, Fox and Suppa are advisers to their school’s Science Olympiad team and have coached students to victory at regional tournaments and qualified at the state level. Additionally, they serve as field trip advisors, bringing students to the Liberty Science Center and other STEM venues.
Both have also served as evaluation chairs for the Holmdel Township Education Association and on the school district’s Learning Professional Development Committee and its School Improvement Committee. They meet regularly with the Holmdel Township Green Team to promote sustainability projects with community partners, including two school greenhouses and a hydroponic classroom garden.
Amy Mosser
In her 20 years as a math teacher at Seneca High School in Tabernacle, Amy Mosser has dedicated herself to building students’ confidence, both in math and in life. She currently teaches Geometry and AP Calculus AB for grades 7 through 12 and has taught most of the math curriculum at various times in her two decades at the school.
Students praised her as a tireless advocate for their success.
“I watched classmates who once doubted their abilities instead take on challenges, knowing that they can fail and overcome the struggle with her guidance,” one said.
As a member of her school’s administrative council, Mosser serves as the mathematics department coordinator and a curriculum specialist, leading district-wide trainings and curriculum review. She has also helped expand the school’s math progression to include courses like data science.
An administrator called Mosser a “master teacher.”
“She not only elevates the reputation of our school but actively contributes to the professional growth of educators across the region and beyond,” said a colleague.
Mosser was selected as the Teacher of the Year in 2025 by both her school and the Lenape Regional High School District. She received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching in 2015. In 2022, Mosser earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the American College of Education in Indiana.
She has spearheaded professional development opportunities across her department and district, as well as at the regional and national levels. Mosser sat on the board of directors for the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New Jersey and served on various committees at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. She is also a Cub Scout leader and coaches youth baseball and soccer.
Angello Villarreal
In just five years as a Spanish teacher at Freehold Township High School, Angello Villarreal, known widely by his nickname, “Profe,” has distinguished himself as a leader in the world language department and a cherished mentor to students and colleagues throughout the school.
“Villarreal is an exceptional educator whose dedication, energy, and commitment to his students and school community set him apart as a true leader and role model,” an administrator said. “His passion for language and culture is infectious, inspiring students to embrace learning and explore the world beyond their immediate surroundings.”
Since 2024, Villarreal has also taught English as a Second Language at RAISE Academy, an alternative after-school instruction program in the Freehold Regional High School District. Previously, he was an adjunct professor at Monmouth University and an ESL teacher at Long Branch Public Schools.
“He creates a welcoming and inclusive environment where all students — regardless of background or ability — feel valued, supported, and challenged to reach their fullest potential,” said a colleague. “His dedication extends well beyond academics; he fosters confidence, empathy, and global awareness in every lesson he teaches.”
Another called Villarreal the “cornerstone of our school community.”
Outside of his teaching responsibilities, Villarreal organized a school supply drive last summer for K-8 students and founded The Brotherhood, a mentorship group.
Villarreal emigrated to the U.S. from Callao, Peru. He is the author of two books, “Hispanic Scholar Perspectives on Education and Wellbeing” and “Hispanic Perspectives on Student Support and Community Empowerment,” and has co-authored papers published in the Journal of the National Association for Professional Development Schools.
“He is an amazing individual who can always brighten his students’ days with his energy and sense of humor, all the while truly showing his passion for teaching us the Spanish language,” said a former student.
Among his many honors, he was named a 2022 Emerging Leader by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and selected for the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program.
