Educators throughout the state were selected by three radio stations, in partnership with NJEA, to recognize these individuals for their support of students and their school community. This program was part of The NJEA Community Service Spotlight, which is broadcast in several radio markets (WMGQ 98.3 FM, WDHA 105.5 FM, WMTR 1250 AM, WRAT 95.9 FM, and WJRZ 100.1 FM).
Each educator was honored at an awards banquet, received special gifts, banquet tickets, a Class of 2022-2023 Award, and their stories read read on stage.
On April 12, at the WDHA/WMTR Teachers Who Rock 2023 event in Oak Ridge, educators from Bergen, Essex, and Morris Counties were given awards at the banquet. There to present on behalf of NJEA, was:
Bergen County Education Association First Vice President Andy Policastro
Essex County EA President Christine Candarella
Morris County Council of Education Associations President Laurie Schorno
Union Township EA President Ann Margaret Shannon
Award recipients:
Patrick Algier
7th Grade Mathematics Teacher
East Hanover Middle School
Sgt. Harvey Craig
JROTC Teacher
Irvington High School
Susan Lipere
Art Teacher
Intervale Elementary School & Littleton Elementary School
Kerrie Viray
Science Teacher
Teaneck High School
Valerie Hemenway
Orton Gillingham Reading Specialist
North Dover Elementary School
Nominated By: Heather Carlton & John Gannaio
Nicole Malakuskie
LDTC – Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant
Mount Arlington Public School
Nominated By: Jeff Grillo
Laura Malec
Science Teacher
Morris Knolls High School
Anemarie Hall
Reading Specialist Teacher
Sandshore Elementary School
Jennifer Crane
Second Grade Teacher
Washington Elementary School
Shawn Adler
English Teacher
Science Park High School
Debra Benitez
5th Grade Teacher
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Cathy Mohrle
English Teacher
Morris County School of Technology
Melanie Turtur
6th Grade Special Education Teacher
William Annin Middle School
On April 18, at the Magic 983/Fox Sports Teachers Who Make Magic 2023 banquet in Edison, educators from Union and Middlesex Counties were given awards at the banquet. There to present on behalf of NJEA, was Middlesex County EA President Lois Yukna.
Award recipients:
Barbara Glinka
1st Grade Teacher
Van Derveer Elementary School
Erica Viel-DeSimone
Kindergarten/Special Education Teacher
Whiton Elementary School
Larry Roibal
Art Teacher
Dunellen High School and Lincoln Middle School
Samantha Abood
4th Grade Teacher
Triangle Elementary School in Hillsborough
Jennifer Austin
English/Language Arts Teacher
Bridgewater Raritan Middle School
Jillian Rice
Special Education Teacher
Livingston Park Elementary School in North Brunswick
Corin Duffy
Behavioral Disorder Teacher
South Amboy Elementary School
Jill Peluzzo
Math Teacher
Churchill Junior High School in Each Brunswick
Kerri-Ann Bresocnik
Kindergarten Teacher
Harry S. Truman Elementary School
Christine Connolly
Language Arts & Social Studies Teacher
Hammarkjold Middle School
Ines Simoes
3rd Grade Teacher
Stony Brook Elementary School
Jessica Bolognese
English Teacher
Franklin Middle School
Cheryl Pieroni
English Teacher
Bridgewater Raritan High School
Ashley Anthal
Second Grade Teacher
Franklin Park Elementary School
On April 25, at the WRAT WJRZ Teachers Who Rock 2023 eventin Spring Lake, educators from Monmouth and Ocean Counties were given awards at the banquet. There to present on behalf of NJEA, was NJEA Associate Director of Communications Meredith Barnes.
Award recipients:
Kimberly Grigoli
Kindergarten Teacher
Spring Lake Heights School
Jason Bloom
Social Studies Teacher
Brick Memorial High School
Jessica Parsons
Kindergarten / 1st Grade Teacher
Ridgeway Elementary School, Manchester
Candice Schultz
Spanish Teacher
Toms River High School East
Kathy Palagonia
Media Specialist
Berkeley Township Elementary School, Bayville
Rachel DeBari
Art Teacher
Red Bank Primary School
Kathy Rose
1st Grade Teacher
Saint James Elementary School
Jodi Hughes
Special Education Teacher
Lanoka Harbor Elementary School
Arlene Comstock
Special Education Teacher
Clara B. Worth
Maria Gkionis
Honors Pre-Calculus / AP Calculus B/C Teacher
Jackson Memorial High School
Elizabeth Schappert
8th Grade Basic Skills Teachers
Lacey Township Middle School
Marjorie Browning
Math Teacher
Southern Regional Middle School, Manahawkin
Kaitlin Coghlan
Preschool Teacher
Clara B. Worth Elementary, Bayville
Participating radio stations: