The 2025 recipient of the Max Sobel award, presented by the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New Jersey (AMTNJ), is Pascack Valley Regional High School District’s very own Dr. Mark Russo.
According to the AMTNJ website, the Max Sobel award honors individuals for “Outstanding Service and Leadership in Mathematics Education.”
Although many now know Russo as Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in the Pascack Valley Regional High School District, he was previously Supervisor of Mathematics and Computer Science.
Russo began as Supervisor of Math and Computer Science at Pascack Valley in 2014 and was promoted to his current position in July of this year.
“[The award’s] an incredible honor, particularly since I’m really only halfway through my career,
Russo said. “It kind of makes me feel a little bit old, actually.
But when you look at the list of people who have earned the award, it really is a group of incredible public servants [and] incredible educators.”
“So it’s very humbling. It’s really an amazing honor, [and] I’m very grateful for the recognition,” Russo added.
Caitlin Murphy, a Pascack Valley Math Teacher, who Russo supervised, shared her sentiments about Russo’s honor.
“I was lucky enough to be there when Dr. Russo received the award, which was pretty awesome,” Murphy said. “He received it at the AMTNJ conference, and he’s being recognized for the award because he’s just an incredible educator: he cares about people, he cares about this job, and he does such an amazing job of it.”
Russo’s commitment to learning and teaching in mathematics is apparent in his long list of accomplishments. Along with his career at Pascack Valley, he has also been an adjunct professor at Montclair State University.
Russo has a bachelor’s degree, three masters’ degrees, and a doctoral degree. However, when asked what his proudest achievements were, Russo’s focus was on his work teaching and supporting those around him.
“The thing I’m most proud of is the work that I’ve done with students,” Russo said. “ There is nothing like the experience of working with a student, particularly one who is struggling, that you can help reach understanding. It’s amazing.”
Even when he’s unable to work with students, Russo is working with teachers and colleagues to find the best way to support and educate students.
“I’ve been able to work with colleagues to try and help kids with math. So whether that’s by writing or presenting or serving on a leadership team or working with the state, I think I’ve been able to come alongside a lot of talented people and help provide support for them,” said Russo.
“So I really don’t think the award is ultimately about me, it’s about the people that I’ve worked with,” said Russo.
