Winner graduated from Somerville High School and always wanted to return to the borough and give back.
SOMERVILLE -- Lindsay Frevert, a second-grade teacher at Van Derveer Elementary School, came full circle Thursday morning when she was named New Jersey's 2016 winner of the prestigious $25,000 Milken Educator Award in recognition of her teaching abilities.
Frevert, who grew up in Branchburg and graduated from Somerville High School in 2001, was shocked when she was named winner of the award during a school-wide assembly. None of the students or teachers knew what the assembly was actually for or that Frevert had won the award.
Van Derveer Elementary School is a diverse pre-kindergarten through fifth grade school with an enrollment of more than 900 students.
After Milken Educator Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley announced to the crowd that the Milken award would be presented to a teacher at Van Derveer and it included a $25,000 cash award, the students erupted. A colleague whispered to Frevert that 'It could be you.' Frevert said she responded by saying, 'No way.'"
Moments later, Frevert's name was announced and she burst into tears.
"This is my town," said Frevert. "I had a special four years going to high school here. That's why I wanted to come back and give back. This is where I wanted to work. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. This is where the magic happened for me.
"This award is for all of us. From the top all the way to the bottom, the staff, the administrators, the town of Somerville. I'm accepting this award on behalf of everyone.the staff, the administrators and the town of Somerville."
The award is hailed by Teacher magazine as the "Oscars of Teaching." Frevert is the only recipient in New Jersey this year, and the first from the Somerville Public Schools. Up to 35 teachers nationally will receive the award his year, according to a Milken official.
U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-7th), New Jersey Acting Commissioner of Education Kimberly Harrington and Somerville Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Timothy J. Purnell were among those who attended the presentation.
Frevert, who said she has wanted to be a teacher since the age of five, can spend the award money in any way she wishes. She said she plans to do something special for the staff and for her sister, who was recently married.
Frevert, who has been teaching for 12 years, all at Van Derveer, teaches children along the entire educational spectrum and adapts her instructional strategies to each individual student. Last year, 67-percent of her students started out reading below grade level. By the end of the school year, 95-percent of her students were reading at grade-level.
Frevert reads with students before school, organizes Family Literacy Night, tutors students in all grades, coaches soccer and softball, created a variety show for fourth- and fifth-graders, chairs the school's Fostering and Instilling Staff Happiness committee and organizes event to boost staff morale. She has also advocated for new technology for the teachers.Union county teacher won award in 2015
"Lindsay is the teacher that every student dreams of having," said Purnell, who won the 2015 Superintendent of the Year Award given by the National Association of Superintendents.
"We have deemed her classroom as a model for other teachers to see. This award is so deserving. Lindsay isn't just a teacher of academics, she's a teacher of life."
After the ceremony, students huddled around Frevert for a group hug. She called her mother to share the news. She shared hugged and kissed with colleagues, administers and dignitaries.
"I just want to take this all in," said Frevert. "Since I was five years old I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I have the drive. I love children."
The 2016-17 award season marks the 30th year of the Milken Educator Awards. Winners are selected in their early to mid-career for what they've achieved and their promise. More than $138 million in funding, including $68 million in individual $25,000 awards, have been devoted to the program.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.