Teacher of the Year: an award honoring only the best teacher in a school. While Freehold Township High School has many teachers deserving of this accolade, one specific teacher stands out: Mr. Gualtieri.

Mr. Gualtieri, or “Gual” as some students refer to him, is a physical education and health teacher with a passion for learning and bettering the school. Mr. Currie, one of the assistant principals at FTHS, recognized the unique drive that Mr. Gualtieri possessed and nominated him for this award.

Some of Mr. Gualtieri’s accomplishments during his time here at FTHS include the implementation of disc-golf courses and volleyball courts, creating the First Aid club so students are able to become CPR certified, donating the lost clothes from the locker room each year to the Salvation Army, annually raising money for “Coins for Kids” (all proceeds go towards buying stuffed animals for the pediatric unit at Centra State), and coaching baseball at this school for twenty-five years. In addition to these achievements, Mr. Gualtieri does everything in his power each day to make sure students are enjoying gym and given all the opportunities to make them successful. He is often there to turn to for advice and help, which is why he was so instrumental in aiding a student with his Eagle Scout Project.

Assistant Principal Mr. Currie says that, “Mr. Gualtieri’s tireless work ethic and selfless attitude is one which should be emulated by every educator and his passion for education is unmatched.” He is one of a kind in every aspect of being a person. No words can truly describe the effect he has had on FTHS as a whole, and without him, the school would be much different.

Throughout the time Mr. Gualtieri has won the award, he has been nothing but gracious and humble, stating, “I am filled with tremendous pride and joy at being nominated and selected… I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.” After receiving this honor, nothing has changed about his way of teaching or going throughout life. He is still the great person and teacher FTHS knows and loves.

Mr. Gualtieri has not only positively affected teachers, but also students. Junior Jordan Broadbent says, “Mr. Gualtieri loves his job more than any teacher I know. He is very educated on the topics we discuss in class and makes sure we understand everything.” He seems to wake up each morning excited to go to work and is truly passionate about his job.

All in all, Mr. Gualtieri is a beloved teacher, colleague, and friend. He is extremely deserving of Teacher of the Year, and The Patriot Press would like to congratulate him on this honor; no one is more deserving!