Fifty years ago Toby Cohen began teaching math at, what is now known as, the Robert R. Lazar Middle School in Montville Township, New Jersey. At the time, Robert R. Lazar was the principal of the school, and the school was known as Central School. Though the name of the school has changed, and the building has expanded over time, to accommodate community growth, Cohen has remained a consistent and creative educator, dedicated to the students and families of the Montville Township Public Schools community. As popular with students today as she was in the 1970s, Cohen, an enthusiastic educator, continues to love teaching math.
“I’m teaching the children of children I have taught,” Cohen said when accepting her award. “I may have to retire when I begin teaching the grandchildren of children.”
Cohen was honored with the Montville Township Chamber of Commerce Gold Service Award on Thursday, March 13, 2025. Cohen’s Award was one of nine community service awards distributed at the 61st Annual Montville Township Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet. The Gold Service Award is given in acknowledgement of 50 years or more of service to the Montville Township Community.
Carl Grau, a member of the Montville Township Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, was a 7th grade math student of Cohen’s. Today he is a Senior Vice President at Provident Bank.
Grau began his introduction by illustrating how he had recently found himself “solving for X” during a DIY shed-building project. Throughout the execution of the shed project, Grau noticed that he was thinking back to 7th grade math with Toby Cohen, where he once wondered, “When will I ever use this in real life?” As it turned out, according to Grau, that particular mathematical knowledge was extremely useful as he endeavored to construct a weatherproof home for his lawn mower.
An amusing anecdote, Grau’s story drove home the life-long impact Cohen’s dedication to teaching has had on the more than 5,000 students she has taught during her 50 years in Montville Township.
Carl Grau then shared another notable item. Carl Grau’s father, Charles “Charlie” Grau, who served on the Montville Township Board of Education for more than 30 years, was once a teacher in West Orange. There he taught Toby Cohen math. Years later, at a Central School/middle school Back-to-School Night, Charlie Grau ran into Toby Cohen. Toby had become the math teacher of her math teacher’s -- Charlie Grau’s – son, Carl.
As Cohen made her way through the Knoll West Country Club ballroom toward the dais to accept her award, the audience of more than 200 people stood and clapped.
Cohen expressed gratitude to the Montville Township Chamber of Commerce for recognizing her 50 years of service, and thanked her family for their support, encouragement and enthusiasm.
Cohen also said,
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to my fellow educators, past and present, who have challenged me and inspired me to grow. I could not have lasted these years without them. You have become my second family and are always there for me….
“To the Board of Education and the administrators, thank you for the unwavering support. Thank you for providing an environment where both teachers and students can thrive….
“As for my students, both past and present,” [Cohen paused to acknowledge one of her current students who was in attendance at the awards banquet,] “you have been my greatest teachers. You have taught me patience, resilience and the joy of learning. Each of you has left an impression in my life.”
In all, the following nine awards were presented to individuals, organizations, or companies at the 61st Annual Montville Township Chamber of Commerce Awards Ceremony: Gold Service: Toby Cohen, Silver Service: Sandy Purnell, Citizen of the Year: Toni Smith, President's Award: Al Paganelli, Business of the Year: Sea Breeze, Good Neighbor: Cafe Club, Organization of the Year: Gracie's Army, Public Safety: Chief Andrew Caggiano & Detective Sean Regan, and Public Service: Kelly Kehoe.
“What a wonderful event,” said Superintendent Dr. Thomas A. Gorman when asked about the Montville Township Chamber of Commerce Awards Ceremony. “It is an evening of celebration in honor of, and about, individuals who tirelessly give their time in the service of others and in the service of community.”
“I am grateful,” Gorman continued, “for Toby Cohen and her work. I am also grateful that the Montville Township Chamber of Commerce has honored her with the Gold Service Award for her 50 years of teaching, and I am proud and honored to be a part of the Montville Township community through the Montville Township Public Schools.”
The Montville Township Chamber of Commerce was established in 1962. The Montville Township Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization serving the businesses of Montville, Pine Brook, and Towaco, New Jersey, as well as from surrounding areas. According to their website, the Montville Township Chamber of Commerce “provides its members with information, support, and the opportunity to promote their businesses within the Chamber and the entire community.”
The Chambers website states that the organization’s mission is: “to create, promote and advance the commercial, industrial and civic interests of Montville Township; to promote integrity and principles of good and fair practices in the conduct of business; to acquire, preserve and disseminate industrial, commercial and civic statistical information of value; to encourage the location of new industry, business and professions in Montville Township; to participate in the representation of Montville Township in any decisions relating to local, state and national issues; to act at all times in an unbiased manner for the good and welfare of the Chamber.”
The Montville Township Public Schools [MTPS] are home to 3,500 students from the Montville, Pine Brook, and Towaco sections of Montville Township, NJ. MTPS is a preschool to grade twelve district comprised of five elementary schools, one high school, and Robert R. Lazar Middle School. The student population of Lazar is just over 800 in grades six, seven, and eight.