NJ Education Commissioner Revokes Former Bergen County Teacher’s License After Years-Long Misconduct Case
A former New Jersey high school teacher accused of repeated inappropriate conduct in the classroom has officially lost his teaching certifications after a lengthy state review process that lasted nearly seven years.
New Jersey Education Commissioner Lily Laux approved the revocation of Matthew O’Brien’s teaching licenses on April 28, ending a disciplinary case connected to his time as a business teacher at River Dell High School in Bergen County. O’Brien worked at the school from 2011 until his resignation in 2019, after district officials moved to terminate his employment following an internal investigation.
The case drew significant attention because of allegations that O’Brien maintained a classroom display called a “Wall of Shame,” where names of students accused of poor behavior were publicly listed. State officials also reviewed accusations involving inappropriate remarks toward students and conduct viewed as unprofessional by school staff.
According to the commissioner’s ruling, O’Brien was accused of several incidents during his time at River Dell High School. These allegations included making sexual comments in front of students, harassing female employees and students, and attending a gathering at a student’s home where alcohol was allegedly consumed with underage students present.
During earlier testimony, O’Brien defended the use of the “Wall of Shame,” saying it was intended to discourage bad behavior rather than humiliate students. He also said he operated a “Wall of Fame” in the classroom to recognize students for positive behavior and academic performance. Students who appeared frequently on the positive board reportedly received rewards at the end of the school year.
An administrative law judge who reviewed the case earlier this year determined that much of the evidence presented by the State Board of Examiners relied on hearsay and lacked strong corroboration. Judge Susana E. Guerrero ruled in January 2025 that O’Brien’s behavior was at times “inappropriate, insensitive, and tone-deaf,” but she stopped short of recommending permanent revocation of his teaching credentials.
Instead, Guerrero proposed a one-year suspension, pointing to O’Brien’s previously clean disciplinary history and favorable performance evaluations during his employment with the district. The judge also concluded there was not enough evidence to show that the “Wall of Shame” alone amounted to conduct unbecoming of a teacher.
However, the judge’s recommendation was not final. The New Jersey State Board of Examiners continued pursuing full revocation of O’Brien’s certifications, sending the matter to the education commissioner for a final decision.
Commissioner Laux ultimately sided with the state board and rejected the argument that the classroom display was acceptable. In her ruling, she criticized the public nature of the “Wall of Shame” and stated that educators should use private methods when addressing student behavior concerns.
Laux also objected to the classroom environment created by having separate “Wall of Shame” and “Wall of Fame” displays. She stated that publicly placing students into categories associated with “shame” and “fame” was not appropriate in an educational setting.
The commissioner further cited two additional incidents that were upheld during the proceedings. One involved testimony that O’Brien allegedly made an inappropriate comment about a female student while observing her in a school hallway. Another allegation involved claims that he mocked a student’s voice and mannerisms in front of classmates in a way staff members considered demeaning.
In her decision, Laux wrote that the behavior reflected poor judgment and failed to meet the standards expected from educators who hold positions of influence over students.
Although O’Brien’s certifications have been revoked, New Jersey law allows individuals in similar situations to reapply for teaching credentials after a waiting period. Under current state rules, O’Brien would be eligible to seek reinstatement after at least four years.
River Dell High School is part of the River Dell Regional School District and serves students from River Edge and Oradell in Bergen County.
Sources:
New Jersey Department of Education
State Board of Examiners
Office of Administrative Law, State of New Jersey
