RFH is pleased to announce that Donald Russell has been named “Teacher of the Year.”

Russell has been teaching science for 33 years, all of them at RFH. He is currently teaching honors and level I biology.

“Don is an educator in every sense of the word,” said Dr. Peter Righi, superintendent of RFH. “He provides inspiration and leadership to our young teachers and is an exemplary role model. In his 33rd year of teaching, Don still comes to work each day well-prepared and excited about educating his students.”

Russell has also coached soccer for the past 32 years and boys varsity tennis for 24 years. He was inducted into the RFH Athletic Hall of Fame for coaching in 1993 and has been named tennis coach of the year five times by either the Asbury Park Press or the Newark Star Ledger.

Russell graduated from Monmouth University (then Monmouth College ) in 1972.

"There is no greater honor a teacher can receive than to be recognized by his peers, students, and the community for what he does in the classroom,” said Russell. “Being named teacher of the year is one of the nicest things that has ever happened to me in my career of 33 years."