Gillian Ober

In this episode, we engage with Gillian Ober, the 2026 New Jersey Teacher of the Year, as she shares her inspiring journey from undecided college student to passionate educator. We delve into her experiences teaching abroad in Spain and Thailand, which ignited her commitment to education and shaped her teaching philosophy, particularly concerning multilingual learners. Jillian discusses the complexities of teaching English Language Learners (ELLs) and the importance of changing mindsets among educators to recognize the strengths ELL students bring. She highlights her advocacy work with the New Jersey Department of Education, focusing on supporting multilingual learners and the need for professional development across all teaching staff. The conversation blends serious educational insights with light-hearted anecdotes, culminating in Gillian's vision for a more inclusive educational landscape that honors the diversity within our classrooms.