A Catholic school teacher who represents the true “spirit of education” has been named the 2023 New Jersey Nonpublic School Teacher of the Year.
Lauren-Carmel Sirak, a second-grade teacher at Our Lady of Sorrows School in Hamilton – the Diocese of Trenton – will officially receive her award Oct. 17.
“I’m not surprised that a Catholic school teacher won this award,” Dr. Bill Watson, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Camden, said upon hearing the news. “Catholic school teachers are some of the most committed professionals, not only to their craft, but to the people they serve.”
Sirak began her teaching career in 2008 and joined Our Lady of Sorrows School in 2014. She teaches religion, math, English language arts, science and social studies. In addition, she is a lifeguard and swim instructor at the Catholic Youth Organization of Mercer County, Yardville, and Rider University’s head cheerleading coach. She is also a peer mentor at Our Lady of Sorrows School, where she runs a summer enrichment program for students and mentors new faculty members.
“Nonpublic school teachers are pivotal in preparing students for the skills and knowledge needed for the rapidly evolving challenges of the 21st century, especially here in New Jersey,” said Dr. George Corwell, director of the Office of Education for the New Jersey Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state’s Catholic bishops. “Their efforts strengthen the advancement of parental choice in education so that parents have the right to send their child to a school that best suits their individual needs.”
Dr. Corwell also serves as the award’s selection committee chairman; the award is sponsored by the NJ Council for American Private Education, which aims to “promote the interests and betterment of private/nonpublic schools within the state of New Jersey.” All major nonpublic school constituencies in New Jersey are invited to submit a nominee for the award.
Sirak holds a bachelor of science degree from Rider University, and a master of science degree in church management from Villanova University. Her first job in teaching was at Trenton Catholic Academy as a middle school science teacher.
“[My] philosophy of education is practical and effective because it, like the United States Constitution, is pliable enough to grow, but solid enough to be the basis of effective teaching,” she said, adding that her greatest satisfaction is watching students develop the knowledge and understanding of subjects and guiding them in their faith journey.
This year’s awards finalists were Susan Jotz, a 13-year educator from Saint John the Apostle School in Clark, and Alexandra Schmidt, a 15-year educator who teaches at All Saints Episcopal Day School in Hoboken.
“Our winner and finalists demonstrate each day what it means to be fully invested in your career, and they represent the best and brightest among the thousands of dedicated nonpublic schoolteachers who do their jobs in a way that embodies the true spirit of education, while enhancing the lives of nonpublic school children and the communities in which they live,” Dr. Corwell said.
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