CL Reutter School Honors Mrs. Jennifer Cockerill as 2025 Teacher of the Year
Franklin Township, Gloucester County, NJ – November 26, 2025 – Reutter School is proud to announce that Mrs. Jennifer Cockerill, a distinguished Fifth Grade Math Teacher, has been named the 2025 Reutter School Teacher of the Year. This prestigious recognition marks the second time Mrs. Cockerill has been bestowed with this honor during her illustrious career, which spans 24 years of dedicated service to the students of Reutter School.
Mrs. Cockerill’s longevity and impact on the district are unparalleled. Her unwavering commitment has made her a cornerstone of the fifth-grade team and a profound influence on her colleagues and students.
Fifth Grade STEM Team Leader and colleague, Mrs. Jennifer Riggione, highlighted Mrs. Cockerill’s professional stature in her nomination: “I am proud to nominate Jen Cockerill for the Governor’s Educator of the Year Award at Reutter School. It has been twenty years since Jen was last formally recognized, and yet over that time, she has continued to demonstrate consistent, long-term impact on both the academic progress and personal growth of her students. It is time to celebrate her again.”
Mrs. Riggione further praised her impact, noting that working alongside Mrs. Cockerill has “set an example of professionalism, creativity, and compassion that has shaped the way I approach my own teaching.”
Mrs. Cockerill is lauded not only for her dedication but for her significant contributions to school-wide initiatives. She has successfully navigated decades of change in education with grace and professionalism, remaining a steadfast, reliable face for students, families, and colleagues.
Her instructional practices are exemplary, combining deep content knowledge with creativity to reach every learner; in fact, her classroom has become a model for others, including administrators, professionals from other districts, and even visitors from Rutgers University, who visit to learn from her practices. Beyond her classroom, she has demonstrated powerful leadership, notably as the instrumental force in developing and refining the school and district’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) model, a system since adopted across the district. Her vital work in this area led to the district’s recognition by the New Jersey Department of Education and Rutgers University for their Promising Practices Project. As a natural leader, she dedicates herself to service by mentoring new teachers and volunteering on multiple committees, offering guidance and encouragement to colleagues at every stage of their careers. Most importantly, Mrs. Cockerill is a powerful advocate for her students, supporting both the academic and emotional needs of even the most at-risk learners. She builds strong, trusting relationships and actively participates in school and community events to show her unwavering support and deep investment in their success.
Reutter School Principal, Mr. Theodore Peters, added: “Mrs. Cockerill is the very definition of a true professional and overall wonderful educator. Her impact extends well beyond her own students, shaping our entire school’s approach to learning and mentorship. We are incredibly fortunate to have her as a leader in our building.”
In every way, Mrs. Cockerill represents the heart of what it means to be an educator: dedicated, compassionate, innovative, and deeply invested in the success of her students and colleagues.
About Reutter School
Reutter School is a fifth and sixth-grade intermediate school within the Township of Franklin Public Schools, committed to fostering sustained academic excellence, student growth, a national award-winning character development program, and a NJDOE-recognized Promising Practice Multiple Tiered Systems of Support for ELA and Mathematics.