Envy: you have something I want Jealousy: I have something and I’m afraid someone might take it. I envy my neighbor. His wife is beautiful. I am jealous of my beautiful wife, I don’t like how she smiles at my neighbor. Most native speakers don’t know the difference and use these interchangeably. I am envious of your students, they have such a good teacher, or, I envy your students, ...

Envy is engendered when someone else has something that you don't, but could. Jealousy engendered when someone else has something that you don't, and can't because someone is blocking the way. In this example, you would say, "I am envious of your students because you are the best teacher ever," -- or -- "I envy your students because ..." "i am envious of ..." = "I envy ..."

"I am envy (or jealous) your students because you are the best teacher ever" (incorrect as written) (some variations) => I envy your students for having such a great teacher as you. => I am jealous/envious that your students learn from you who might be the best teacher ever". => I am jealous/envious of your students for having a top notch teacher like you. => I am jealous/envious of your students because(or "that") they have a top notch teacher like you. 'envy' is a verb and 'jealous/envious' adjectives. 'envy' and 'envious' sound more formal, so people often seem to prefer 'jealous', but I think the right word for your example is 'envy'. 'jealous' has the connotation of disliking someone because they have something good - it can sound small minded or even childish. 'envy/envious' has less of the bad connotations.

You can say "I am jealous of your students..." or "I am envious of you students..." and they would have similar meanings. Add "of" after which word you pick as well. Hope that helps :)

I am a native speaker, and I admit I don’t know the difference between envy and jealousy. 😅No one has ever corrected my word choice in conversation, probably because my friends and family don’t know the difference, either. 😂 In any case, I would use the word “of” right after: envious of, jealous of.