Three Montville Township Public Schools teachers received the local and [Morris} county VFW Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Awards for elementary, middle, and high school education focused on patriotism and Americanism. VFW Post 5481 Commander Ken Hanzl presented their awards at a BOE meeting. Teachers Maureen Moran (Cedar Hill), Scott Riotto (MTHS), and Nicole Rudge (Lazar) are pictured with Hanzl. Moran has recently been named the VFW NJ Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year. Her state award automatically enters her into the competition for the national VFW Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award.

MTPS Elementary Teacher Named VFW’s NJ State Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year - Post 5481 Honors Three MTPS Teachers at the County and Community Levels for Teaching Americanism and Patriotism in the Classroom

Montville Township Public Schools

February 1, 2025

Teacher Maureen Moran has been chosen as the VFW’s New Jersey State Elementary School Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year. Moran is a grade 2 teacher at Cedar Hill Elementary School in Montville Township, NJ. Moran was awarded the local and county VFW Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Awards on November 9, 2024. She will receive her state VFW award on February 8, 2025. Her application for the National VFW Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award has been submitted by VFW Post 5481.

Teacher Maureen Moran has been chosen as the VFW’s New Jersey State Elementary School Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year. Moran is a grade 2 teacher at Cedar Hill Elementary School in Montville Township, NJ. Cedar Hill is one of seven schools in the Montville Township Public Schools district.

“This prestigious honor is given to teachers who promote Americanism and patriotism in the classroom, the school, and throughout the community,” said VFW Post 5481 Commander Ken Hanzl. “We at Post 5481 recognized her for both the Post [Montville Township community], and [Morris] County level at the November 19, 2024, Montville Township Board of Education [BOE] meeting. Maureen has now been recognized at the VFW NJ state level. 

Each year the Veterans of Foreign Wars [VFW] select teachers from elementary, middle and high school education to participate in the Meyer Smart VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Program. Applicants are judged on their teaching of America's history, Americanism, civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism. 

“Maureen has made our Post proud,” Hanzl said.”Maureen faced strong competition at every level, including the Post (local), District (county) and Department (state) levels. Eighteen Districts in the state submitted candidates. Maureen will now compete at the VFW national level against the other forty-nine Department winners.” 

Moran was joined at the local and county awards levels by Nicole Rudge, a grade 8 social studies teacher at Robert R. Lazar Middle School, and Scott Riotto, a social studies teacher for AP American Government and Politics, and US History I Honors, at Montville Township High School [MTHS].

“We are very proud of our faculty, and the district’s commitment to citizenship and patriotism,” said Superintendent Dr. Thomas A. Gorman. “I am grateful to Maureen, Nicole, and Scott for their enthusiastic dedication to the students and veterans of the Montville Township community. These three teachers truly represent the Montville Township Public Schools motto: ‘Educate. Inspire. Empower.’ These three teachers not only inspire their students and colleagues, but they inspire the greater Montville Township community. Each year I am awed by their unique approaches to curriculum, community, and character. I thank them for their commitment to educating and empowering students through history and creativity.” 

“These three teachers truly represent the Montville Township Public Schools motto: ‘Educate. Inspire. Empower.’,” said Superintendent Dr. Thomas Gorman.  Pictured are Cedar Hill Elementary School 2nd Grade teacher Maureen Moran, Nicole Rudge, a grade 8 social studies teacher at Lazar Middle School, and Scott Riotto, a social studies teacher at Montville Township High School. All three received the VFW Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award at the local and [Morris] county level. Moran has also been named the VFW NJ Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year. Her state award automatically enters her to compete for the National VFW Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award.

VFW Post 5481 regularly partners with all seven Montville Township Public Schools to support, share, and highlight American history, patriotism and citizenship. Students and educators also organize events to honor and thank those who have served in the United States Military.

At the November BOE meeting, Hanzl said of the three educators: “Their commitment to teach the values of citizenship and patriotism to their students will greatly benefit our communities as these students grow into adults.”

During the VFW presentation at the BOE meeting, Hanzl added the following: 

  • “Maureen Moran instills in her students, and students throughout the school, a sense of national pride and civic responsibility – combined with her unwavering commitment to character education. Maureen is a vital part of Cedar Hill Elementary School’s Character Education Program, and a key driver of the school’s Veterans Day event. Maureen has the exceptional ability to connect the values of citizenship and patriotism to her everyday teaching.”

  • “Nicole Rudge has taught for 20-years. Her tenure has been tied to a connection to the members of the VFW. Her many programs, at Robert R. Lazar Middle School, have included involvement with veteran tributes, lunches and events. The one that stands out most is her work with our Post each year during the Memorial Day week. Nicole assists in getting students and her colleagues to place flags on the graves of our military dead. Her work with the students at Lazar has built a strong message of patriotism.”

  • “Scott Riotto has taught for 30-years and has always made sure that the students throughout Montville Township High School remember all patriotic days: Memorial Day, Veterans Day, 911, Pearl Harbor Day…. Each year Scott takes his students to Independence Hall, to the Liberty Bell. What could be a stronger message of Americanism than that? This experience is invaluable to helping students understand the significance of The Constitution and the importance of civic engagement. His passion for American history has not only helped educate students but also instilled in them a proud respect for the values and history that defines our nation.”

Having been awarded the local and county VFW awards, all three of the teachers were entered into the VFW’s state-wide NJ competition. Video of the VFW presentations at the November BOE meeting can be found on the Montville Township Public Schools YouTube Channel. 

Moran will accept her VFW State of NJ Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award at noon on Saturday, February 8, 2025.

Montville Township Public Schools [MTPS] comprises Montville, Towaco, and Pine Brook, NJ. The MTPS district is home to 3,500 students. MTHS educates nearly 1,030 students in grades 9 through 12. Robert R. Lazar Middle School has a student population of 800, for grades 6 through 8. Cedar Hill Elementary School is one of five elementary schools in Montville Township, NJ. Cedar Hill’s population is 325 kindergarten to grade 5 students.