Monmouth Beach teacher is finalist for NEA award Karen Ginty, a kindergarten teacher at Monmouth Beach Elementary School, is one of five national finalists for theNational EducationAssociation (NEA)Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence. The winner will be announced at a gala in Washington, D.C., during which football legend Tiki Barber will also be honored. Gintywill be honored for exceptional contributions to public education.As a national finalist, she received the Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence and a personal gift of $10,000. The recipient of the Award for Teaching Excellence receives an additional $25,000 and national recognition. Ginty has taught for 35 years, with 30 of those years spent as a kindergarten teacher.