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One Bergen County public school teacher will be honored as "Outstanding" at Princeton University

Caren Lissner, Patch Staff

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Princeton University has announced the names of the four outstanding New Jersey secondary school teachers chosen to be honored at its 2025 Commencement on May 27.

Two are from Bergen County, and one of those is from Fair Lawn

This year’s recipients of the Princeton Prize for Distinguished Secondary School Teaching are Davine Floy of the Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology, Laurianne Brunetti Kuipers of Memorial Middle School in Fair Lawn, An Nguyen of Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill, and Theodore Opderbeck of Waldwick High School.

They each will receive $5,000, as well as $3,000 for their school libraries, the school said.

They said, "For 23 years, Laurianne Brunetti Kuipers has helped her students develop a love for literature, a commitment to citizenship and community service, and empathy for one another. The English teacher, who teaches seventh grade Language Arts, Literature Connections and Developmental Reading at Memorial Middle School in Fair Lawn, was selected by her school in 2001 and 2018 to be recognized by the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program."

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A former student said, “Her infectious and inspirational spirit, as well as her passion for literature shine through to all of us."

An administrator called Kuipers the “heartbeat of Memorial.”

Kuipers founded her school’s Character Education program, designing a nationally acclaimed curriculum that encourages students to be upstanding citizens.

Under her leadership, Memorial received a National Schools of Character Award and a State Schools of Character Award. She also created Celebrate America, a popular club for community service projects, and the Points of Light student recognition program.

“Her classroom is a place where character education isn’t just taught but lived and breathed,” said a colleague. “Kuipers is a rare gem whose dedication leaves a lasting legacy of compassion, excellence and humanity. She brings character education to life.”

Said an administrator: “Teaching is a science and an art. Ms. Kuipers is a master of both.”

Outside of her teaching responsibilities, Kuipers organizes events and fundraisers benefiting veterans, the local senior community and others.

“Kuipers is an extraordinary teacher, an inspiring leader and a quiet yet powerful force for compassion and humanity that resonates both in and outside of her classroom walls,” said a colleague. “She embodies excellence, not just as an educator, but as a role model for those around her.”

“The selection committee recognizes these four individuals as the kind of educator whose imprint on students lasts far beyond their time in the classroom. They are committed to their students, are dedicated to the craft of teaching, and contribute in countless ways to their communities,” said Michael Gordin, dean of the college and the Rosengarten Professor of Modern and Contemporary History.

“These four extraordinary teachers demonstrate the remarkable teaching taking place across the state of New Jersey,” said Todd Kent, director of Princeton’s Program in Teacher Preparation, when the recipients were announced.

Ten finalists were selected by the Program in Teacher Preparation staff and visited at their schools by Rosanne Zeppieri and Paul Chapin, members of the program staff.

The four winners were then selected by a committee chaired by Elizabeth Colagiuri, deputy dean of the college, that also includes Kent; Jennifer Jennings, professor of sociology and public affairs and a faculty associate of the Office of Population Research; Sabine Kastner, professor of psychology and neuroscience; and William Miron, principal of Millburn High School in New Jersey and a 1978 Princeton University graduate.

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.

“As a proud product of New Jersey public schools myself, I have always particularly valued that the University applauds superlative teachers like the ones who shaped my path,” Gordin said.

The other Bergen County teacher to win was Theodore Opderbeck of Waldwich High School, who has taught social studies for 29 years.

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Fair Lawn has expanded one of its two special improvement districts, this time looking to support and boost growth for businesses in the Fair Lawn Avenue area.

“We as a community are now giving Fair Lawn Avenue the attention it deserves and desperately needs,” said Ryan Greff, executive director of Fair Lawn Main Street Inc., the economic development group that manages the districts.

Fair Lawn's borough council has created two special districts in town: one on Broadway and a second that includes River Road and now Fair Lawn Avenue. Businesses in those areas are required to pay a special assessment into a pool of money used to promote the economic and general welfare of the neighborhood, supporting tasks like sidewalk beautification and litter cleanups.

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Not everyone is enthused about the expansion, however. Some local businesses balked at the added fees required by the new designation, questioning whether they are worth the benefits.

"I’m a town person. I love Fair Lawn and I hope this makes some sort of miraculous impact on the downtown Fair Lawn area," said Dave Drahouzal, owner of the Dutch House Tavern. "But I do have some questions.”

Owners of Fair Lawn Avenue businesses will be charged a rate of 9.7 cents per $100 of the property's assessed value, the same as retail locations in the River Road area, said Greff.

Extending onto Fair Lawn Avenue will add 23 properties to the district. It will generate an additional $40,000 per year for the SID on top of the $150,000 contributed by River Road, Greff said. The Broadway SID yields about $120,000.

Greff said over the last two years, as Fair Lawn Main Street Inc., took a more active role and “the benefits of being in a special improvement district have become significantly more visible,” store owners in other parts of town became interested in receiving similar services.

“It was kind of weird that Fair Lawn Avenue was not a SID while River Road was,” he said.

Property and store owners and community members spoke for and against the proposal during a December meeting, prompting the borough council to table a planned vote. But the ordinance was eventually approved with a unanimous vote at the end of February.

Prior to the expansion, Greff said, there was litter throughout the Radburn business area, which is included in the Fair Lawn Avenue district. The River Road special district, by comparison, is served by a private sanitation service twice a week in addition to the borough’s sanitation department.

After the ordinance passed, Fair Lawn Main Street Inc. contracted with Dare Commercial Services LLC of Franklin Township for supplemental cleanup on Fair Lawn Avenue twice per week, said Greff. Native Fields Landscaping of Wharton was also contracted for landscaping and weeding services starting in spring.

“At the intersection of Panera Bread, there is a sticker that says 'Clinton/Gore ’96,'” said Greff. “I think that’s a huge, illustrative point of how little attention this area has gotten. In Broadway, we have something coming out every other week, from a ribbon-cutting to a grant.”

Looking ahead, Greff also hopes to bring a facade improvement program that has benefited River Road and Broadway to Fair Lawn Avenue too.

Stella Lemberg, president of the Fair Lawn Chamber of Commerce, said Radburn-area store owners often ask her why they don't get holiday decorations during Christmas or “how come River Road and Broadway gets this or that.

“They don’t realize there’s an added cost to it,” she said.

Those same business owners have been asking for extra garbage pickup and planters, Lemberg added.

Still, she acknowledged, some business owners have also come to her with concerns, saying they can’t afford to pay their Chamber membership dues, support other town efforts like the Rotary Club and also absorb the cost of being in the district. Chamber dues can vary from $175 to $400 a year depending on the number of employees.

“We’re trying to work with these businesses to try to help them understand the value that they’re going to get by having the area more kept up,” said Lemberg. “Now that it’s an expanded district, we can get more resources to them.”

In an interview, Dutch House owner Drahouzal said that while there is some litter in local parking lots, he doesn’t feel the need for a special improvement district in the corridor. The move will force some businesses to withdraw from town groups, he predicted, mentioning he has quit the Chamber of Commerce since the SID expansion was approved.

“This is basically replacing it,” said Drahouzal. “I have a problem with paying for something that I already do. I know there are some benefits, but I don’t think they will apply to my business that well.”

Some business owners, however, are looking forward to the services the SID will provide.

Cameo Zvanets, who owns two cafes and a beauty salon in town, said one of the main concerns for her Fair Lawn Avenue businesses was that garbage was “all over the parking lot and the landscaping.”

“It just wasn’t being picked up enough,” said Zvanets. “Even when we first opened CoZie Café, we got a message from a person who was happy that we were here but [added] that it was just so dirty around the building.”

The cafe and Zvanets' The Beauty Loft are now part of the Fair Lawn Avenue business district, while her Better Daze Café is on River Road. She rents all three locations.

Now that the additional sanitation is in place, Zvanets said she’s “really looking forward to not having to experience that anymore for myself and people coming to my business.”

“I know some other businesses have shared the same concerns of the tidiness of the area,” said Zvanets, who mentioned she was also looking forward to new holiday decorations and landscaping. “We just want it to be a more walkable space, which brings more people to our businesses.”

Stephanie Noda is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: noda@northjersey.com; X: @snoda11

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Fair Lawn Main Street Inc. and the Fair Lawn Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the grand opening of Just A Taste Of New Jersey, housing Carson’s Cookie Dough, at 25-05 Broadway.

“Carson’s Cookie Dough’s choice to set up shop on Broadway is the latest example of the ongoing transformation of Broadway into a vibrant business district,” said Fair Lawn Main Street Inc. Executive Director Ryan Greff. “New and exciting businesses continue to select Fair Lawn as a destination because they know how supportive our community is for entrepreneurs with creative and innovative ideas.”

Carson’s Cookie Dough, a bakery business that sells cookies and cookie dough products, donates portions of every sale to organizations that benefit members of the differently-abled community. The business also employs differently-abled individuals.

Kelly Castro, the owner, was inspired to grow the business after seeing limited opportunities for people with autism after they turn 21. In 2024, Fair Lawn was chosen to participate in the United States Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration’s federally funded Economic Recovery Corps. program. The program, administered by the International Economic Development Council, is designed to help improve economic development outcomes in key regions.

The grand opening celebration was attended by numerous local government officials.

Carson Castro, Kelly Castro’s 8-year-old son who was diagnosed with autism at an early age, ceremonially cut the ribbon to commemorate the business’s opening on Broadway.

Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) Monday announced the appointment of Eduardo Villa as the Iselin Office Managing Partner (OMP), effective February 28, 2025. In his new role, Villa will oversee more than 1,200 EY professionals driving exceptional client service and helping companies solve their most pressing challenges. Villa succeeds Anthony Sgammato, who will be focusing on driving growth in the market and serving clients.

“EY is experiencing remarkable momentum in Iselin, and I’m eager to build upon Anthony’s success as we deliver quality service and industry expertise to our clients,” Villa said. “The capability of our team to blend extensive technical knowledge with the vast resources of a global organization is so important to our business community right now as it evolves, adapts and thrives.”

Villa has been with EY for more than 22 years and has served as the New Jersey Tax Market Leader since 2019. As the leader of the Indirect Tax Consumer/Health Industry Group, Villa has supported clients ranging from private and public companies, primarily in the life sciences, retail consumer products, automotive, energy, manufacturing and technology sectors. Villa also serves on the Board of Choose New Jersey and the statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.

Sgammato started his career at EY in 2001 and has since served as an Assurance professional, private equity leader and leader serving various industries. He spent three years with the firm’s national practice focused on the execution of quality and risk management initiatives throughout North and South America.