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Two William Paterson University College of Education alumni are among the 21 educators from across the state named 2024-2025 New Jersey County Teachers of the Year by the New Jersey Department of Education. Alyssa Guagenti MEd ’12, ’08 was selected from Morris County and Bernadette Orsita ’08 was selected from Passaic County.
“New Jersey’s public schools are considered the best in the nation because of our outstanding teachers, and this year’s 21 County Teachers of the Year exemplify that excellence,” said Governor Phil Murphy.
Morris County Teacher of the Year: Alyssa Guagenti
WP Degrees: MEd ’12 Special Education; BA ’08 History Secondary Education with Certification as Teacher of Students with Disabilities
A teacher in both the special education and gifted & talented programs at Jefferson Township Middle School in the Jefferson Township School District, Guagenti began her teaching career as a special education teacher in 2009 in Paterson before transitioning to Jefferson Township Middle School in 2012.
“This honor highlights the collective effort of our school to create an environment where every student can thrive,” Guagenti says. “It’s a celebration of our shared commitment to nurturing young minds, fostering creativity, and building a strong, inclusive community.”
Guagenti says her experience at William Paterson University “profoundly shaped” her teaching style, particularly through its emphasis on hands-on learning and student engagement.
“The collaborative projects and interactive classroom discussions encouraged me to prioritize active learning in my own teaching,” she explains. “The mentorship from passionate professors also influenced my approach, instilling the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment. These experiences taught me to value all the perspectives each student brings, and that every student has a story, and their stories matter, guiding my efforts to create a classroom atmosphere where every voice is heard and respected.”
Among her standout professional accomplishments, Guagenti spearheaded Jefferson Java, a school-run coffee business where general education students collaborate with students with disabilities, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. She has also organized a Family STEM Night and the Hour of Code, pep rallies, faculty competitions, food drives, guest speakers, and is currently collaborating with community stakeholders to organize a 5K for mental health awareness to take place April 27, 2025.
Passaic County Teacher of the Year: Bernadette Orsita
WP Degree: BA ’08 Spanish Secondary Education
Bernadette Orsita is a Spanish teacher at Manchester Regional High School in the Manchester Regional High School District, where she began teaching immediately following her commencement from WP.
“This honor reminds me that teaching is more than just a job; it’s a calling that requires constant growth, empathy, and dedication to helping every student reach their full potential,” Orsita says.
Orsita took big steps to reach her full potential in an unconventional way. She became a transfer student at WP when she was a grandmother, helping to raise her three infant grandchildren while also working fulltime and carrying a fulltime course load. Despite those responsibilities, she also served as a very active president of the University’s Spanish Club and helped to launch the first Hispanic Fair on campus. “Today, I’ve expanded on that experience by coordinating—with the collaboration of many colleagues, students, families, administration, and the custodial staff—a Multicultural Fair at Manchester, where over 40 countries are represented annually,” Orsita explains.
She has also spearheaded other initiatives at her school, including the Make a Difference Club (wherein special needs and general education students meet after school to take part in various activities that foster long-term relationships between the two), Camp Students Overcoming Substance Abuse (SOSA), and a high school fashion show that promotes inclusivity of all people with all abilities,
“William Paterson not only laid a strong foundation in education for me but also fostered a sense of community and collaboration that I carry with me to this day,” she continues, noting many faculty and staff with whom she forged great relationships. “The emphasis on innovative teaching methods and the encouragement to be a reflective and passionate educator have been crucial in helping me become the respected teacher I am today.”
Twice per year, Orsita visits the WP campus with her high school students to give them a tour and inspire them “to visualize the possibility of attending WP themselves,” she says. She is proud to say that many do apply to and attend her alma mater.
“William Paterson will always hold a special place in my heart,” Orsita says.
A panel of educators will select the New Jersey State Teacher of the Year from among the county honorees based on written applications, video submissions, and interviews with the top finalists. The New Jersey State Teacher of the Year will go on to compete for the title of National Teacher of the Year.
08/21/24
