Linda Dolan has been a library assistant in the Branchburg School District for the past 14 years, and currently works at Stony Brook School. She’s an extremely valuable member of the library staff, and works primarily with grades 4 & 5. She goes above and beyond her job description which includes, but is not limited to, loaning out close to 300 items each day to both students and teachers, and, after they’re returned, putting them back where they belong!

She assists teachers when they request items, and will quickly create bibliographies based on the subjects they ask for. She’s available to assist students who need help, and is responsible for managing the library collection while circulating materials.

Linda knows that technology is an integral part of how the library operates, and is constantly evolving to meet the demands, while managing the Chromebooks and Android tablets, as well as printers, digital cameras, desktop and computers. When working with students, she’s always respectful, considerate, soft spoken and friendly.

Linda Dolan is a vital component to the Stony Brook School Library, and this is why she’s the “Educational Service Professional Who Makes Magic!

Dena Orfanitopoulos, or, “Miss O” as they call her, teaches Technology, Basic Skills, Advises the Odyssey of the Mind Club, runs the Talent Show, and is the Administrative Aide to the Principal at Beers Street School in Hazlet. She creates rigorous academic projects for her 5th and 6th graders that engage them with real-life problems.

Learning is what it’s all about in Dena’s classroom, as she presents lessons like a college professor structuring activities to guide students toward learning objectives and prepare them for college and careers.

Dena’s written grants for robotics, coding, and technologies that students will need when they get to Middle and High School, and has worked hard to foster Science, Technology, Engineering, and Technology in all her lessons. She was also the catalyst to get the “Junior STEM Academy” up and running, a club that meets after school so students can work on projects that incorporate a 3D Printer and other contemporary tools.

Dena Orfanitopoulos is extremely dedicated to her profession, and makes the educational environment a positive and dynamic place to learn!   This is why she’s a “Teacher Who Makes Magic!”

Tanya Anderson enters her classroom each day at Franklin Park School with a desire to make an impact on her students! Her teaching style is nothing short of excellent, and anyone who’s observed her class can see she puts a lot of effort into her daily lessons.

She’s always researching the best practice methods to provide new-found, hands-on learning experiences, and has the ability to build relationships with all students to establish a classroom community of learners. Tanya possesses the knowledge and ability to differentiate material for students at various levels. Her lessons are well organized, carefully executed and continuously address all individualized needs.

She’s worked hard to create an environment where each student plays an important role in their learning, and assumes responsibility for their actions. Students set goals for themselves as readers and writers and work in collaboration with Tanya to accomplish them. She’s always evaluating student outcomes to be certain that they’re challenged in ways that are appropriate.

Outside the classroom, Tanya has a positive working relationship with fellow teachers and staff, and is incredibly giving with her time and willingness to share her expertise in language arts and literacy.

Tanya Anderson is an incredibly hard worker and inspiration to all, and this is why she’s a “Teacher Who Makes Magic!”

Ursula Melon is an extremely nurturing, dedicated, caring teacher who makes all students feel welcome at Pine Grove Manor. She has a passion for teaching, and makes Bilingual Math and English easy to understand and fun! She treats each student with respect, and understands that everyone learns at their own pace.

She puts in long hours each day, but still has some leftover energy to train the entire staff for the annual talent shows! The money raised goes toward the PTO to help fund field trips and other necessary things for Pine Grove Manor, or even to donate to local animal shelters and food pantries.

It’s obvious to anyone who comes in contact with Ursula Melon that she loves what she does for a living, and gives 100 percent each day.   This is why she’s a “Teacher Who Makes Magic!”

Ada McCrady is a dynamic English Literature teacher who knows how to make words come alive in the classroom! Her lessons are engaging, fun, and inspiring to all. She’s enthusiastic, energetic, and while she holds all students to high standards, she’s empathetic to each individual student’s pace of learning.

She’s always looking to try out new methods, techniques, and resources in the classroom to keep students actively engaged in learning, and researches new trends to enrich her teaching skills. She constantly attends workshops and embraces district initiatives.

She was a member of Raritan High’s one-to-one “Chrome Book” steering committee, and was also very active in making recommendations for Raritan’s one-to-one rollout, supporting fellow teachers and staff through the initial stages of the implementation, and is involved in many aspects of the school community that enhance students lives outside the classroom.

Ada McCrady is committed to making the student experience at Raritan High fulfilling and exciting, and exudes dedication, and school spirit. This is why she’s a “Teacher Who Makes Magic!”

Deborah Walczyk approaches each day with a big smile and a desire to make an impact on her third grade classes! She provides new-found learning experiences, and builds connections to establish a flourishing community of learners!

Deborah’s classroom style, while structured, is exceptional, and anyone who walks in, or observes, can easily see how she’s worked hard to create an environment where each student is challenged to think and to problem solve, and although they’re young, they’re taught to assume responsibility for their own actions.

Deborah also embraces technology in the classroom, and loves to get students interacting with a host of programs that create high levels of enthusiasm about math and science. She is incredibly giving with her time, and works together with fellow teachers and the administration to come up with new ways to engage students. For all of these reasons and many more, Deborah Walckyk is a “Teacher Who Makes Magic!”

We all know that math can be a difficult subject, but with the right lessons and motivation, the students at Crossroads Middle School are thriving, and it’s due in large part to Tina Neely!

She’s a caring, dynamic, teacher who works with the most struggling students and motivates them to improve their math skills. Tina understands every student learns at their own pace, and while she holds them all to high classroom standards, she knows how to incorporate fun and keep students engaged.  Many have said they actually LOVE math due to her tenacity to make lessons easy to understand!

Tina Neely is considered a leader in the school community, an asset to fellow teachers and co-workers, and now, she can add “Teacher Who Makes Magic” to her growing list of accomplishments and accolades!

Kathy Bontomase has been a music teacher for the past twenty-one years, and it’s evident to everyone at Stony Brook School that she cares about educating her students in a respectful, nurturing way.

Kathy knows that technology is heavily integrated into every aspect of life, so she’s found a way to balance that while encouraging students to meet their individual practice goals.

She works diligently each day and provides each student with constructive feedback and a hand written practice chart that serves as a weekly form of home-school communication.  She sends daily emails to all parents with progress reports and reminders of what will be expected, and shows unwavering dedication to her profession.

Kathy’s fairness and sense of humor complement her teaching style, she treats everyone with kindness and respect, and serves as an excellent role model.

These are the reasons why Kathy Bontomase is a “Teacher Who Makes Magic!”

Christine Gappa’s day teaching Kindergarten at Irving School in Highland Park starts by enthusiastically greeting each and every student who walks through the doors of her classroom, and, much like the energizer bunny, she just keeps going and going!

Christine likes to use music to help foster a love of learning, and her students absolutely appreciate it! She’ll keep the music on in the background throughout the day, so whether the students are working in centers, group activities, or individual work, it helps to create a very relaxed and positive classroom environment.

While teaching students about words, letters, sounds and vowels, Christine will say things in a funny voice, and ask the students to repeat it. While they think it’s hilarious, it also gets them to remember the lesson, and keeps them constantly engaged.

Christine holds work shops for fellow teachers and shares her ideas on using music in the classroom to foster a positive learning environment. She’s always looking to make a difference, regardless of a students learning ability, and knows how to structure her classroom with a healthy balance of knowledge while allowing her kids to just “be kids.”

For all these reasons and many more, Christine Gappo is a “Teacher Who Makes Magic!”

Nicole Petronio teaches Kindergarten at Conerly Road School in Somerset, and all her fellow teachers agree she’s an innovative thinker who’s dedicated to fostering a love of learning. She has a unique ability to recognize the individual strengths of her students, and creates opportunities for them to succeed, both in and out of the classroom.

She’s a team player and participates in many things that make Conerly Road School a great place to learn, including the “Positive Behavior Support Team,” “CRS/PTO” and many after school clubs.

Nicole manages to incorporate “hands on” learning with a little play time in her daily instruction, and her students truly appreciate and enjoy it. She understands the increased emphasis being placed on academics at such a young age, but also realizes at the end of the day, her students are still children and learning should be fun.

For all these reasons, Nicole Petronio is a “Teacher Who Makes Magic!”

Patti Helwig was born and raised in Somerville, and is fully engaged in her love of teaching music. Ask any of her co-workers, and they all say Patti defines the Somerville school motto of “All In.” Before she taught music, Patti was a “grade level leader.” She kept all the teachers informed and made sure all tasks were completed. If they had questions, she would be the person to ask the administration and get the answer for them.

Patti’s always looking for new and exciting ways to educate students and relates what she’s teaching to the units of study the children in a particular grade are working on. For example, if the second-grade class is working on a unit about Pioneers, she’ll find music that relates to this time period. Patti is always giving all she can for her students, and even wrote a grant to have access to ukuleles in the classroom.

Patti is also the Chorus Director and has taken students to various community events to showcase their singing. She creates a warm and welcoming environment for all students and greets them in the front lobby each morning. The students love to tell Patti what’s going on in their lives, and not only think of her as their teacher but a “Mom” figure as well. Now, Patti can add “Teacher Who Makes Magic” to her growing list of accomplishments!

Kristin Jones possesses all the wonderful qualities of a special education teacher: professional expertise, personal warmth and true commitment to her craft. She motivates everyone at Amsterdam Elementary School, and gives her all each and every day, both in and out of the classroom.

She holds all students to high standards, but helps them meet their potential with appropriate guidance and support. Her goal for each and every child is independent learning. She’s also a master at motivating students to strive harder and achieve more.

Kristen packs her classroom with fun activities to entice learning. For example, one day, you may see her students walk the red carpet, another day, they’re solving puzzles, making movies, writing songs, or using technology to master their reading and writing skills.

In her precious spare time, Kristen helps to organize school wide celebrations, runs the glee club, directs staff videos, and participates in the character education program.

Providing a fun learning environment where students feel confident to achieve academic success is how Kristen Jones keeps learning alive. She’s unique, talented, an inspiration, and now, also a “Teacher Who Makes Magic.”

Patrick McDowell is the ONLY music teacher at South River High School, and he’s one of those teachers who simply “gets it!” He possesses the ability to connect with his students regardless of their conceptual understanding of music, and as a result, they walk away with a wonderfully enriched education.

Patrick understands that South River High School is a small community, and many students are involved in the same clubs and organizations. He thinks nothing of staying after school and holding band practice at various times so all students can attend.

He directs three concerts annually, and promotes community involvement by having the school band featured in local parades, and also organizes the annual talent show.

His former students keep him updated on their long term goals, and many come back to assist with the annual spring concert.

Patrick McDowell understands that the arts and music are very important components to shape his students academic career, and this is why he’s a “Teacher Who Makes Magic!”