Joe Nappi - New Jersey Teacher of the Year

JOEL MATHEW, Contributing Writer

Photo Courtesy of Joel Mathew - Joe Nappi and the members of the yearbook posing for a picture

At the start of a new year, comes a new Teacher of the Year. Joe Nappi, the New Jersey Teacher of the Year, has been traveling to multiple school districts in New Jersey and interacting with students, spending time answering their questions about his career and life in general. Tuesday, April 23, Nappi came to NBTHS to spend time with some of the students in their classes and give a presentation about his life and the award.

Joe Nappi, Teacher of the Year for New Jersey and teacher at Monmouth Regional High School, has been teaching for about 19 years in various class courses. Nappi explained about his childhood, and how he had dealt with school and home life alongside his ADHD, showcasing how a "college reject" managed to turn his life around with the help of others and managed to become the person and teacher he is today.

Photo Courtesy of Joel Mathew - Joe Nappi providing a presentation to the Freshman class of NBTHS

Nappi spent time with the freshman class giving a presentation and answering any questions the students had for him. He proceeded to spend time with different classes throughout the school day, sharing a few words of advice for students and staff, "Teachers, remember why you got into this profession. As for the students, it gets better and I know it’s not easy, but take it one foot in front of the other and it will turn out great." All in all, Nappi provided the students with a new perspective on life in general, answering their questions to the best of his abilities and giving them some advice for the future to come.