Jan. 11, 2025
By Nikalena Iacono
Managing Editor
With over two decades of experience mentoring LHS’ business and technology students, Ms. Jankowski is being recognized as LHS’ Governor’s Teacher of the Year.
Jankowski teaches Accounting I Honors: Dual Enrollment, personal finance and Social Media and Internet Applications. She also co-advises the Academic Competition and Future Business Leaders of America Clubs.
“I love teaching accounting, but all my classes are super important to me,” Jankowski said. “Personal finance is probably the most important class a student can take, and, of course, FBLA is the best club ever.”
Jankowski, who graduated from LHS in the top 10% of her class, was part of the Drama Club, fall and winter cheerleading teams, Pep Squad and softball team. She said she loved high school and still has many friends from her years as an LHS student.
Jankowski holds a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and supervisor’s certificate from Montclair State University as well as a master’s degree from The College of New Jersey in Ewing.
She started her teaching career at Wayne Hills High School, where she worked for seven years before taking a leave of absence to raise a family.
During that time, she worked in Rutherford as a part-time tutor at Kumon, an after-school math and reading program.
Jankowski began working in the Lyndhurst Public School District in 1998, teaching sixth through eighth grade math at Roosevelt School.
In 2003, she transferred to LHS because she said she always wanted to teach technology classes at the high school level.
“She is a source of wisdom and guidance for many people in our building.”
Jankowski said the highlight of her career has been seeing her former students thrive in their jobs and personal lives.
“When I meet students a few years after they graduate and they are happy and successful in what they are doing, it makes me feel that I had a small part in creating that happiness. It’s very rewarding,” Jankowski said. “Each thing I teach will help students move on in life.”
Jankowski said she is honored to have been selected by her peers to receive LHS’ Governor’s Teacher of the Year Award.
“The staff [members] at LHS are all deserving of this award. We have a very dedicated staff who love what they do. I feel this is a group award,” Jankowski said.
Senior Kyla Marino, who has been in FBLA for four years and was Jankowski’s student in personal finance and Social Media and Internet Applications, said Jankowski’s best quality is her ability to connect with her students.
Mrs. Jankowski genuinely cares about everyone’s success, not just academically but personally as well,” Marino said.
She said Jankowski embodies the qualities of an outstanding educator.
“She not only teaches but… motivates and empowers her students,” Marino said. “Her ability to inspire and guide students toward success sets her apart from other teachers.”
Marino said Jankowski brings energy and creativity to everything she does.
“She incorporates hands-on activities, group projects and real-world examples into her lessons,” Marino said. “In FBLA, she creates a sense of community and ensures that everyone feels valued and included.”
Senior Michael Longo, a four-year FBLA member who took Jankowski’s Accounting I Honors: Dual Enrollment and personal finance classes, said Jankowski is hardworking and kind.
“Mrs. J is always the one to have a smile on her face and brighten up your day, and she is also the one to get serious during class time and put her students to work,” Longo said.
He said Jankowski goes out of her way to support her students.
“Mrs. Jankowski always made class interactive with different videos and websites, while for FBLA, she made it enjoyable by… pushing us to be the best possible businessmen and women,” Longo said.
Spanish teacher Mrs. Silvelo said she has enjoyed co-advising the Academic Competition and FBLA Clubs with Jankowski for the past seven years.
“We are a great team and help each other to achieve our goals and run extremely successful clubs. All of this happens [because of] the seamlessness of our working together for so many years,” Silvelo said.
She said Jankowski has been an invaluable mentor.
“She always has a very positive classroom environment, and the students and staff respect and love her,” Silvelo said. “She is a source of wisdom and guidance for many people in our building.”
Silvelo said Jankowski deserves to be Teacher of the Year.
“Her knowledge [in] her subjects and incorporating them to real-life experiences is one of the things that makes her very relatable to her students,” Silvelo said. “She is kind, fair and always willing to help any student or staff.”
