In her 40th year of teaching and her 34th year in the East Orange School District in East Orange, New Jersey, Theresa Maughan is a high school social studies teacher at East Orange STEM Academy. Maughan, who was born in Belize, emigrated with her family when she was in elementary school. Her social studies teacher’s efforts to save her family from deportation inspired Maughan to recognize the impact educators have on their students’ lives and pursue a career in education. Maughan earned a Bachelor of Arts in history and education from Rutgers University, a Master of Arts in administration and supervision from New Jersey City University, and is completing a Master of Arts in American history from Pace University. Maughan credits her longevity in the profession to her life-long commitment to professional development and the camaraderie and collaboration embedded in her professional learning communities. Maughan has a growth mindset and tells her students that she tries to learn something new every day. Maughan is a curriculum writer and has developed and presented several interdisciplinary professional development workshops for her school district. She has served as a mentor for new teachers and pre-service teachers and is the 2021 Essex County Teacher of the Year. Maughan is the 2021 New Jersey History Day Senior Division Teacher of the Year and a nominee for the National History Day Patricia Behring award. Maughan has attended the New Jersey Amistad Commission’s summer institutes for more than a decade and is proud to serve as an Amistad Scholar.