Cedar Creek Teacher Named Atlantic County Teacher of the Year

On Monday, the New Jersey Department of Education announced the 21 educators named New Jersey’s County Teachers of the Year for the 2026-2027 school year.

The teachers were recognized at an awards ceremony today at The College of New Jersey in Ewing.

The Atlantic County Teacher of the Year is Kimberley Briles from Cedar Creek High School in Egg Harbor City.

“The  County Teachers of the Year exemplify the excellence, creativity, and dedication that define the teaching profession in New Jersey,” said Dr. Lily Laux, Commissioner of Education.

“School can change the trajectory of a child’s life – and great teachers are the heart of that change, providing students with meaningful learning opportunities that make them feel safe, supported, and successful. We are proud to celebrate these educators and the positive influence they have on countless students and families.”

The County Teachers of the Year will network with colleagues throughout the state and serve as ambassadors for New Jersey’s public schools during the school year.

The New Jersey State Teacher of the Year will go on to represent New Jersey in competing for the title of National Teacher of the Year.

Atlantic County Teacher of the Year

Kimberley Briles is a history teacher at Cedar Creek High School in the Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District

Ms. Briles received a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Delaware and completed graduate coursework in education and history at Ohio University.

Over the years, she has taught nearly every social studies course and level offered at Cedar Creek High School.

Kimberley is recognized for creating civic learning experiences that connect classroom instruction to authentic participation.

Through professional development with the Case Method Institute and fellowships with the Sphere Institute, the College of William and Mary, Founding Forward, and Ohio State University, she has developed programs that promote civil discourse, historical inquiry, and student engagement.

She recently led a schoolwide civic engagement initiative that partnered with voting advocates and election administrators to provide more than four hundred students with authentic voting experiences.

Kimberley also created Novel Ideas, a professional learning community that pairs educational texts with experiential field trips to foster collaboration among educators. Beyond the classroom, she has advised numerous student organizations, coached field hockey, chaperoned five international travel experiences, and served for seven years as president of the Greater Egg Harbor Regional Education Association, representing 400 educators.

Kimberley is defined by her ability to foster inclusive learning environments where students think critically, engage respectfully, and discover the power of their voices as informed citizens.