The New Jersey Department of Education selected two Hoboken Charter School (HCS) teachers as 2025 Exemplary Secondary Educators, a distinction given to just 120 teachers in the state. The recipients are Christopher Kunkel, who teaches K–12 STEM, and Matthew Persico, who teaches humanities in grades 7 and 8.
- Only 120 teachers in New Jersey were named 2025 Exemplary Secondary Educators, and Hoboken Charter School had two: Christopher Kunkel and Matthew Persico.
- Kunkel earned the distinction for leading award-winning STEM teams and receiving major honors, including Mentor of the Year (twice), the Golden Egg Award, and Innovator of the Year.
- Persico was recognized for his humanities program, Social Justice Book Clubs, strong NJSLA results, and awards such as the 2024 We Need Diverse Books Grant and the 2022 Book Love Foundation Grant.
Christopher Kunkel: Recognition for STEM Work
Christopher Kunkel has taught mathematics and STEM at HCS since 2008. He uses hands-on, learner-centered methods that connect science, technology, engineering, and math to real-life situations. His students have earned top results in the FIRST Tech Challenge, FIRST Lego League, Future City, and the Technology Student Association (TSA).
His teams have won awards such as the Champions Award, Design Award, and Control Award, and have gained national recognition in engineering design and sustainable infrastructure. His middle school TSA teams have finished in the top 10 nationally and earned first place in New Jersey in Video Game Design, Website Design, and Data Science.
Kunkel’s personal awards include the Outstanding Volunteer Award, two Mentor of the Year honors from FIRST Robotics, the Golden Egg Award from the NJ FIRST Tech Challenge, and the Innovator of the Year Award from the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association. He has also been recognized in the Hudson Reporter for his work in robotics and engineering.
He has spoken at events such as the World Maker Faire’s “Girls in STEM” panel and has led community workshops on coding and robotics. His teaching also includes social justice topics, such as period poverty through statistics and clean water equity through environmental science.
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Matthew Persico: Recognition for Humanities Work
Matthew Persico has taught humanities at HCS since 2011. He leads a program that focuses on critical reading, writing, and reflection. His teaching connects academic skills with empathy, inclusivity, and civic understanding.
Persico is known for his Social Justice Book Clubs, where students read novels and texts about race, class, identity, and social issues. He also led a disability awareness project tied to Of Mice and Men, working with the Coordinator of Special Education and his 7th graders to help create a sensory room for the school.
His students show strong performance on the NJSLA, regularly scoring above state averages in writing and critical thinking. He also serves as a mentor teacher, Student Government Association advisor, and drama club director. He helps guide programs like No One Eats Alone Day, Pink Shirt Day, and Week of Respect.
Persico has received the We Need Diverse Books Classroom Library Grant (2024), the Book Love Foundation Grant (2022), the Association of American Educators National Teacher Scholarship (2019), and the Kidsbridge Character Education Leadership Award (2017). He has presented nationally at the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and at The College of New Jersey.
