Schools Scene

RFH’s Matthew Leddin Named ‘Educator of the Year’

You could say that he made his own history.

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Social Studies teacher and advisor, Matthew Leddin, has been named the high school’s Educator of the Year.  

Leddin was bestowed the award while teaching a class by RFH Principal Stephen Sarles with school administrators, including Assistant Principal Meredith Brow, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Sarah Fitzgerald, Supervisor of Social Studies and English Melissa Bryan, and students present.

The Educator of the Year is chosen annually by a small group of anonymous administrators, teachers, students, a Board of Education member and parents who consider nominations from any members of the RFH school community.  Leddin was chosen this year, because he has distinguished himself as an exemplary educator both in and out of the classroom.”

A Rutgers University graduate with a degree in Social Studies Education Leddin is now in his tenth year of teaching at RFH, Leddin its known to work “tirelessly in constant collaboration with his colleagues and supervisor, Melissa Bryan, to elevate the quality of Social Studies instruction for all students with extremely varied abilities and interests,” school officials said in a released statement.  

Leddin currently teaches AP World History, World History and Current Issues classes.  

His excellence in teaching, reflected in the Educator of the Year honor, “is validated by the scores the students earn on the AP exam and the relationships that he establishes with his students. Through the preparation that Mr. Leddin provides, RFH students routinely score higher than the State and National average on the AP World exams. As one RFH parent, who nominated Mr. Leddin, wrote ‘I have never seen my son more excited about learning as he was during Mr. Leddin’s classes.’ Without a doubt, Mr. Leddin’s enthusiasm in the classroom resonates with students and staff alike and he ignites curiosity and passion in a way that can’t help but promote engagement, collaboration and student learning. Mr. Leddin’s tireless devotion to his students shines through on a
daily basis throughout the whole year.”  

RFH administrators

Leddin’s contributions to the school community extend beyond his classroom and any academic year for students and the RFH community.

Considered an “indispensable member of our extra-curricular team,” he is the Tech Crew advisor for the school plays. Leddin was nominated for the Monmouth County Basie Award for Outstanding Set Design for the RFH production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. 

He also provides technology support for many evening RFH-hosted events. Leddin is known as a “team player who knows that the interests of the school and students come first.”

He is also known to forge strong connections and support networks with students who have varying interests and is trusted implicitly.

Leddin is also seen as a stellar example for teachers in his enthusiastic and passionate teaching methods. A true asset to RFH is what administrators call him.

— Edited press release from RFH