Bound Brook High School history teacher Lee Casperson is the recipient of the local and New Jersey State Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award for the 2021-2022 school year.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) launched the award program in 1999 to recognize classroom teachers for promoting citizenship education. Teachers who promote civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism are prime candidates.

“Receiving this award is a tremendous honor,” Casperson said. “Working in BBHS, I am challenged to merge the red, white, and blue of our flag and to encourage our diverse students. The breadth and depth of the cultural heritage – Italian, Polish, Ukrainian, Salvadorian, Costa Rican, Mexican, Puerto Rican – that is the student body at BBHS is an asset and great learning opportunity for me and the students.”

“Mr. Casperson has a rapturous love for America and its ideals as well as an infectious enthusiasm for teaching social studies,” said BBHS Principal Edward Smith. “His dedication and passion in making Bound Brook High School a better place has been commendable in conjunction with his work ethic and professionalism.”

As the recipient at both the local and state level, Casperson is now a national finalist. This spring, three winners nationwide will be chosen to receive $1,000 for professional development and $1,000 for their school.

“In 2021, New Jersey was ranked third in the nation for best school systems,” said Casperson, “so to represent the state is genuinely one of the proudest moments of my burgeoning career.”