School News

Lake Riviera Teacher Named Ocean County Teacher of the Year

by
Daniel Nee
August 15, 2023

Jaclyn Potochar, Ocean County Teacher of the Year, 2022-23. (Photo: Brick Twp. Schools)

A teacher at Brick Township’s Lake Riviera Middle School has been named Teacher of the Year for Ocean County.

Jaclyn Potochar, a 7th grade teacher at Lake Riviera, has been a teacher in the Brick school district for the past 15 years and was recognized for her contributions to the community both in and outside the classroom.

“Brick Township Public Schools is fortunate to have such a dedicated teacher in our ranks,” said Superintendent Thomas Farrell. “Mrs. Potochar is a shining example of the district vision, ‘Student-Centered, Teacher-Led, and Community Connected.'”

Potochar works with an exceptionally diverse cohort of students who “truly benefit socially, emotionally, and academically” from her ability to build relationships, her excellent pedagogy, and her skill in implementing interventions to meet the individual needs of each of her students, the district said in a statement. She also has deep roots in the Brick Township community, serving as the Lake Riviera Middle School Relay for Life team captain, organizing a holiday meal train for the needy, participating in charity 5K races for Alzheimers and Parkinsons, and assisting with Red Cross blood and clothing drives.

“Her contributions to the Lake Riviera Middle School climate and culture are profound,” said LRMS Principal Kevin Campbell. “She not only is an active participant in district and school-based professional development, she attends many out of district [professional development] experiences and is often requested as a professional development presenter for school-based initiatives.”

This past year, Potochar provided turnkey training for Academic Teaming to her colleagues.

“Jaclyn represents the very best that public education has to offer,” said Alyce Anderson, Director of Curriculum and Instruction.