If the NFL didn't work out for Casey Kreiter, the long snapper was happy to go teach high school science. It did, but that only made him the perfect person to hand out the Educator of the Year Award to Michael Balog, a Social Studies teacher at Manchester Township Middle School.

Manchester Township Middle School had two other teachers recognized by the Giants – Susan Morgan and Kristine Laporte of the Science Department – as part of the Educator of the Week Program.

The recent visit by Kreiter and the Giants celebrated the first year of the organization's partnership with the New Jersey Education Association. They also presented the selected educators each with a $1,000 donation to be used for enhancements to their working environment. The Educator of the Year received a $2,500 donation from the Giants.

"On behalf of the Manchester Township School District, I want to express my gratitude for this partnership with the New York Giants and the recognition of our outstanding educators," said Diane Pedroza, Superintendent of the Manchester Township School District. "Their dedication to student success and engagement is truly commendable.

"At Manchester Township Middle School, we remain committed to fostering a positive school culture, and initiatives like Saddle Up for Success play a vital role in that effort. This program is designed to improve student attendance, increase motivation, and create a sense of belonging—all key factors in academic and personal growth. The generous awards made by the NY Giants and NJEA to our MTMS teachers will be used to support and expand these efforts, ensuring that students receive the encouragement and resources they need to thrive."

Kreiter, shortly before re-signing with the Giants, spent the day with the middle schoolers in conjunction with the Saddle-Up for Success campaign. It is play on words as it relates to the MTMS mascot, a Mustang.

As MTSDNews chronicled, Kreiter encouraged students to not only set goals but to use those goals as a way to measure their decision-making, especially in tough situations.

"When you have goals, you can make the right choices," Kreiter said. "Set your goals and let them guide you when tough decisions cross your path. Ask yourself if your decision is going to help or hinder you from achieving your goal."

Undrafted out of Iowa, Kreiter was cut at the end of training camp in each of his first two years by the Cowboys. The third time was the charm. The defending champion Broncos gave him a chance in 2016, and now he has played 142 games in the NFL.

"Without failure, you cannot understand success," Kreiter said, according to MTSDNews. "Failure does not mean you did something wrong if you learned ​something from that failed experience, which is most important. Success is a constant up-and-down process, not a steady climb. Learn from ​all of the slopes along the way."

Below are the Educators the Giants honored throughout last season. Each honoree received a $1,000 donation and tickets to a 2024 home game where they were highlighted on the video boards.

Tanisha Johnson - Wayne Education Association

Trent Johnson - Wayne Education Association

Felicia Hardman - Manalapan-Englishtown EA

Lauren Lio - Hillsdale EA

Sundjata Sekou - Irvington EA, Essex County

Ikechukwu Onyema - Irvington EA, Essex County

Jesse Ambriz - Gilmore J Fisher Middle, Ewing NJ

Linette Y. Castro - Winfield Scott School no. 2, Elizabeth NJ

Jason Sabol - Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School

Kristine LaPorte - Manchester Township Middle School

Susan Morgan - Manchester Township Middle School

Monique Walker - Orange Education Association, Essex County

Michael Balog - Manchester Township Middle School