Bridgewater-Raritan High School applauds the honorees of the Governor’s Educator of the Year Award and the Governor’s Educational Services Professional Award for the 2025-2026 school year.
Michelle Henry is the winner of the Educator of the Year Award and Linda Franco is the recipient of the Governor’s Educational Services Professional Award.
Ms. Henry is an English Language Arts Teacher who revealed that “to teach has been in my blood: I can remember making dittos for my brothers to complete when we played 'school.”
Ms. Henry studied Literature at Ramapo College and graduated in 2011. She began her career as a student teacher and then as a maternity leave replacement at Edison High School, her alma mater. She secured a full-time teaching position in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District in 2012.
Today, she teaches primarily sophomore and junior students and has recently begun instruction in the AP Language and Composition courses, which she revealed, “and love it: the challenge, the students, and the double curriculum of British Literature and exam prep.”
Ms. Henry also serves as Bridgewater-Raritan High School’s advisor to the Book Club, Knitting and Crochet, and the Korean Culture Club.
“Every day is a treasure and an adventure,” the high school’s Educator of the Year said.
Ms. Franco serves in her crucial role as a nurse for Bridgewater-Raritan High School.
Ms. Franco, an alumnus of Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair, went on to graduate from Rutgers University and then she received her nursing degree from Seton Hall University.
She has been a nurse for over 20 years and has been here at Bridgewater-Raritan High School for eight years. She is the nurse for the sophomore and junior classes at Bridgewater-Raeitan High School.
She, too, cherishes her position and the tasks at the high school.
“ I love what I do! My goal has always been to continuously try to have a positive impact on the high school students' overall health,” she said.
Ms. Franco concluded.
“I am truly grateful to work with such wonderful, dedicated, and supportive coworkers.”