Surprise! Three of Camden's Top Teachers Get RISE Award

CAMDEN, NJ – When a large group of education and government leaders burst into Erica Nelms' classroom at KIPP Lanning Square Primary School on Friday, she looked up in shock and then was overcome with emotion as they told her she was one of three Camden teachers recognized this year with the 2023 RISE Teaching Awards from the Camden Education Fund.

Across town, English Language Arts teacher Iran Mercado dropped into a slump as the group of adults sprang the surprise of his RISE award from the door of his Creative Arts High School classroom…