“Every day I am asked what the secret is to ensuring every child in New Jersey graduates from high school ready for college and career, and I always have one simple response – outstanding teachers.”

Those are the words of NJ Acting Commissioner of Education Christopher Cerf in a video address made available Monday on the state's website.

“I began my career as a high school history teacher, and I can honestly say that I never worked harder or felt more rewarded than I did during those four years. We as a state should make sure that we celebrate outstanding educators every day for their work with our children and for developing the next generation of leaders.”

In Lacey, you can help celebrate local teachers who make a difference in our children's lives by sending your story about your favorite teacher to Lacey Patch Local Editor Elaine Piniat at elaine.piniat@patch.com. You can also tell us in the comments OR upload a photo with caption to this story.

In addition to Patch, the New Jersey Department of Education is also looking for stories of outstanding teachers:

• Teacher Memory: This is a new feature of the state’s website where New Jersey residents can submit a memory of their favorite teacher, either past or present. These memories will be reflected on the Department’s website to demonstrate the important contribution that teachers make in each of our lives, even many years later. http://education.state.nj.us/feature/
• Teacher Spotlight: Each month, the Department will feature a different outstanding New Jersey teacher to recognize and reward their contribution in the classroom. The first teacher to be featured in this series is New Jersey Teacher of the Year – Jeanne DelColle. http://education.state.nj.us/feature/spotlight/12/05.php

A great teacher can change the course of many lives. Tell us about a teacher who changed your life or those of your children.