Ms. Gina DiRenzi has been named Passaic Prep Teacher of the Year for 2025!
Ms. DiRenzi teaches English 2 Honors and English Literature and Composition Honors to freshmen and juniors here at Prep. The award recognizes teachers’ leadership, dedication, and impact on the school community.
Other Teacher of the Year nominees included Mr. Stamat, Ms. Martin, Ms. Reilly and Ms. LoPuzzo.
The Boulevard Online asked questions Ms. DiRenzi some questions about receiving the Teacher of the Year award.
The Boulevard Online: Who nominated you for Teacher of the Year?
Ms. DiRenzi: Ms. Aquino and Ms. Taylor
TBO: What does the award mean to you?
Ms. DiRenzi: I was complimented to learn that my co-workers took the time to write the nominations on my behalf. They were very complimentary.
TBO: What caused you to pursue a career in teaching?
Ms. DiRenzi: The teachers that I had early on in life had a monumental impact on my life and that caused me to want to enter the profession.
TBO: Why did you choose English as a subject to teach?
Ms. DiRenzi: I love reading and writing. It was a subject I have always enjoyed.
TBO: Was there another subject you wanted to teach?
Ms. DiRenzi: I would like to have taught history.
TBO: What advice would you give young educators?
Ms. DiRenzi: I think all educators can benefit by sharing their ideas with each other. My teaching is just one way of teaching and I love learning the teaching styles of others to enhance what I do in the classroom.
TBO: If you won $10 million in the lottery, would you keep teaching? What else would you do?
Ms. DiRenzi: No, I would not keep teaching. I would take classes as I like to learn and believe in lifelong learning.
