Merritt Honored as County Teacher of Year

CREST HAVEN – Ocean City first-grade teacher Carrie Merritt was honored by freeholders Sept. 25 as Cape May County Teacher of the Year 2017-2018. 
Merritt, who teaches at the Ocean City Primary School, is the daughter of a school principal and a teacher. According to the resolution passed by the board that afternoon, Merritt “grew up believing that education was a ‘family business.'”
For the last 11 years, she has been teaching in the Ocean City district in kindergarten and, for the last five, as a first-grade teacher.
When not in the classroom, she coaches girls sports and is a business owner and personal fitness trainer.
Also, Merritt is involved in many health and wellness initiatives that encourage community participation.
The resolution continued by noting Merritt “understands that she is preparing her students for a world that is fast paced and technologically driven and appreciates the importance of developing the whole child.”
Pupils in her classroom “are welcomed as are all differences of opinion in her efforts to promote tolerance, acceptance, and respect.
Along the way, she has been accorded awards that include AtlantiCare Healthy Teacher of the Year and Ocean City Primary School Teacher of the Year.
Present to witness the honor was Dr. Kathleen Taylor, Ocean City School District superintendent; Dr. Judith DeStefano-Anen, recently appointed interim executive county superintendent, Principal Cathleen Smith, and Merritt’s parents.