A New Jersey educator is making New Jersey proud.

Marbel Tamayo has been a Spanish teacher in Paterson for more than two decades. She received the Everyday Hero Award at the New Jersey Hall of Fame this past weekend.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Tamayo dedicates significant time to organizations in Paterson that support survivors of domestic violence and local orphans.

Tamayo has also been fighting Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma since 2015. She continues to teach and serve her community throughout her treatment.