From Classroom to Community: Why Bergen County’s Top Teacher & Coach is Leaving Public Education
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
New Milford NJ, In a major shift for northern New Jersey’s youth development landscape, one of Bergen County’s most celebrated educators is stepping out of the traditional classroom.
Ray Cottiers—the reigning 2025 New Milford District Teacher of the Year and 2025 Bergen County Wrestling Coach of the Year—has announced he is leaving public education. The move marks the end of a highly successful decade-plus career in schools, but it signals the beginning of a massive expansion for local families. Cottiers is taking the reins of his youth enrichment organization, Varsity Prep USA, full-time.
The Decision to Step Away: Impacting Kids Year-Round
Leaving an award-winning teaching and coaching career wasn’t easy, but for Cottiers, the inspiration came directly from the transformation he witnessed each summer.
“Teaching and coaching shaped everything I know about working with kids,” Cottiers explained. “Walking away from both wasn’t easy. But every summer I’d see a kid show up to camp on day one barely talking to anyone, and by Friday they were leading their group. After eight summers of that, I knew I wanted to do this work year-round.”
By transitioning to a full-time leadership role, Cottiers aims to scale that exact transformation across multiple communities in North Jersey.
The Varsity Prep USA Difference: A Program Built by Educators
Founded by Cottiers in 2018, Varsity Prep USA has grown from a single seasonal program into a comprehensive, year-round youth enrichment platform serving hundreds of Bergen County families.
Operating in close partnership with New Milford Public Schools, the organization provides a wide array of options for children from pre-K through middle school:
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Summer Camps & Sports Clinics
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After-School Enrichment Programs
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STEM & Arts Curriculums
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Leadership Development & Experiential Travel
What sets the program apart is its foundational DNA. Every single block of curriculum is developed in-house using the same proven instructional principles Cottiers championed in the classroom. Furthermore, the organization relies on a staffing model made up of local teachers, coaches, college students, and high school student leaders—keeping the programs deeply rooted in the local neighborhood.
Pouring $160,000+ Back Into New Milford
Varsity Prep USA isn’t just expanding; it’s actively reinvesting. In 2026 alone, the organization will pour more than $160,000 back into the New Milford community.
This financial influx is delivered through wages paid directly to local educational staff and student leaders, alongside a formal district partnership that funds New Milford Public Schools’ local facilities and programs.
Expansion Plans: Bringing the “Win-Win” Formula to New Towns
With Cottiers leading the charge full-time, the flagship New Milford location is about to get some company. Varsity Prep USA is currently in active discussions with multiple Bergen County school districts to establish new partnerships ahead of Summer 2027.
“The model works because it’s built by educators, run by educators, and rooted in the school communities it serves,” Cottiers noted. “Districts receive a turn-key summer and enrichment program, employment opportunities for their staff, and financial support for their facilities. Families receive programming they can trust. It’s a win-win across the board.”
Looking Back and Moving Forward
As a New Milford High School alumnus (Class of 2004), Cottiers is incredibly proud of his roots. “I’ll always be a New Milford guy,” he shared, expressing immense gratitude to the administrators, families, and coaches who helped shape his trajectory.
For parents looking for premium local summer options, enrollment for Summer 2026 is currently open. Programs are scheduled to run from June 22 through August 28.
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