Teachers Who Rock and ESPs Who Make Magic honored by NJEA and local radio stations

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:

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