Congratulations to the Following Teachers!
Gail Salmon
Bayville School
Nominated by Principal Steven Rieder
Gail Salmon is a Guidance Counselor at Bayville School. Nominated by Principal Steven Rieder, Gail has been in education for 40 years, and she’s considered the “heart and soul” of Bayville School. She has dedicated her career to ensuring the well-being and success of every student.
Gail goes beyond her role as a guidance counselor, creating a nurturing environment where students feel valued and supported. One of her standout contributions is hosting “Lunch Bunch,” a program that provides a safe and welcoming space for students to connect with peers and receive guidance in an informal setting.
She also organizes the holiday drive, ensuring Bayville School’s less fortunate families experience the joy of the season through acts of kindness and generosity. Gail also organizes the “Voices of Bayville School,” a team of students who lead the morning announcements, fostering confidence and leadership in young learners.
She also provides invaluable support to parents, offering advice and resources to help them navigate the challenges of raising children. Her commitment to the community is unparalleled—she has even visited former students’ homes to motivate them to return to school, demonstrating her dedication to their success and well-being.
Gail embodies the qualities of a true leader and role model, and her contributions over the decades have left a profound and lasting legacy, making her a shining example of what it means to be a Teacher Who Rocks.
Brittany Varga
Manchester Township Elementary
Nominated by Kimberly Costagliola
Brittany Varga is a Basic Skills Teacher at Manchester Township Elementary School. Nominated by Kimberly Costagliola, Brittany has been in education for 12 years and she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to helping struggling learners succeed.
Her tireless efforts to identify and implement new methods and resources have made a significant impact on the lives of her students. What sets Brittany apart is her exceptional patience and caring nature. She has a unique ability to connect with students who may be struggling, and her gentle guidance and support have helped countless students build confidence and achieve academic success.
She spends extra hours preparing lessons for the individualized attention she provides to each student. Brittany’s leadership extends far beyond her classroom, taking on the role of running the after-school Discovery Club, a tutoring program specifically designed for Title I students.
She is also active with the “Kevin’s Kids” program, which is the district’s holiday drive for families in need. Her commitment to providing additional support and enrichment opportunities to these students is a testament to her dedication to equity and excellence in education. Brittany’s exceptional teaching, leadership, and commitment to her students make her a shining example of what it means to be a Teacher Who Rocks
Gabrielle Coco
Red Bank Middle School
Nominated by Athletic Director Isaac Nathanson
Gabrielle Coco is a Math Teacher at Red Bank Middle School. Nominated by Athletic Director Isaac Nathanson, Gabrielle has been in education for 9 years.
An amazing addition to the staff since joining the Red Bank School District in 2016, Mrs. Coco has not only served as a Math teacher but she’s been an active member of the AVID team, which helps students develop the essential skills they need to succeed in college.
AVID focuses on supporting students from underrepresented groups, empowering them to achieve academic success and pursue higher education. Mrs. Coco’s passion for guiding these students has made a significant impact on their lives. Mrs. Coco is dedicated to mentoring students through Homework Club, where she provides math support and helps students tackle their academic challenges. She has also served as the Head Coach of the girls’ basketball team for the past four years.
On top of all her coaching and mentoring, Mrs. Coco is currently pursuing her Masters in Education, furthering her dedication to growing as an educator and leader. She is a remarkable role model for the students of Red Bank and truly embodies what it means to be a teacher who Rocks.
Nicole Jagger
Clara B. Worth Elementary
Nominated by Principal Cara Burton
Nicole Jagger is a Special Education Teacher at Clara B. Worth Elementary School in Bayville. Nominated by Principal Cara Burton & Asst. Principal Kevin Waldron, Nicole has been in education for 12 years. For the last 4 years, Mrs. Jagger has been working in the school’s Autism program.
Everything she does in her classroom is thoughtful, intentional, and purposeful and always in the best interest of her students. Mrs. Jagger’s empathy and ability to connect with students and families is second to none. Her students are non-verbal or have limited language, yet Mrs. Jagger holds them in the highest regard and challenges them academically every day in a variety of ways. Additionally, she leads the team of adults in her room with confidence and ease.
Mrs. Jagger is a dynamic, committed educator who thrives in the special education classroom. She is a shining example of the hard work, dedication, and compassion needed to make an impact on some of the most special children in our community. It is a pleasure to work with Mrs. Jagger every day and she is most definitely a “Teacher Who Rocks.”
Olympia Gaglioti
Grunin Performing Arts Academy
Nominated by Kyle Sieverd
Olympia Gaglioti is a Science Teacher at Grunin Performing Arts Academy in Toms River. Nominated by Kyle Sieverd, Olympia has been in education for 11 years starting as a private tutor and she’s also an adjunct professor at the local community college. Mrs. Gaglioti exemplifies excellence in education by integrating creative teaching methods that inspire a deep curiosity for science among students.
Her innovative approach seamlessly connects scientific principles with artistic discipline, fostering a unique and engaging learning environment. Mrs. Gaglioti consistently goes above and beyond to nurture students’ potential. Outside the classroom, Mrs. Gaglioti has become a beacon of hope for LGBTQ+ teens who have been forced out of their homes due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Recognizing these young people’s challenges, she launched fundraising initiatives to provide them with essential resources like shelter, food, and educational support. We’re proud to welcome Olympia Gaglioti to the 2025 Class of Teachers Who Rock for her work in and out of the education setting.
Conchetta Moynihan
Lanes Mills Elementary School
Nominated by Dena Balo
Conchetta Moynihan is a Special Education Teacher at Lanes Mills Elementary School in Brick. Nominated by fellow teacher Dena Balo, Conchetta has been in education for 19 years.
Mrs. Moynihan began her teaching career as one of the pioneering educators in the center-based autism program, specifically teaching kindergarten. Conchetta’s expertise spans various special education settings, including self-contained Learning Disabled classrooms, resource classrooms & inclusive environments.
Her students don’t just learn, they thrive. Beyond her classroom work, Mrs. Moynihan serves as a leader and role model for her colleagues, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and support. Many former students and their families maintain contact with her, often attributing their child’s success to the strong foundation Mrs. Moynihan helped to create.
Her life’s work is a testament to her unwavering commitment to helping students achieve their fullest potential. As such a remarkable educator and leader, we’re proud to welcome Conchetta Moynihan to this year’s class of Teachers Who Rock.
Eva Finamore
Berkley Township Elementary School
Nominated by Assistant Principal Michael Conforti
Eva Finamore is an Art Teacher at Berkeley Township Elementary School in Bayville. Nominated by Assistant Principal Michael Conforti, Eva has been in education (and a cornerstone of the Berkeley community) for 47 years. Her impact on the school and its students goes far beyond the art room.
Eva’s dedication to her craft and her students is nothing short of inspiring. She makes art come alive and encourages creativity and self-expression in every student who walks through her door. Her classroom is not just a space for learning but a place where students feel supported, valued & empowered to explore their artistic potential.
Beyond her teaching, Eva takes great pride in transforming the school building into a vibrant, welcoming environment that displays various pieces of art from all students. She even convinces her husband Joe to help her and they both can be seen in any one of our wings rearranging art based on the season or the school event. Her love for art and teaching is so great that three of her daughters have followed in her footsteps and are successful art teachers in other districts.
Eva regularly volunteers her time for events like the school plays, PTA events, concerts and the annual Multicultural event. She gives up her prep periods to work with her art helpers who are generally students struggling to connect with other adults. She is someone who goes the extra mile to ensure her students feel encouraged and appreciated.
Her kindness, enthusiasm, and dedication leave a lasting impression on the students and staff of . For over four decades, Mrs. Finamore has been a shining example of what it means to be a “Teacher Who Rocks.” She embodies passion, creativity & selflessness all while making a difference in the lives of her students and the entire Berkeley community. The BTES community can think of no one more deserving of this recognition of a “Teacher Who Rocks” than Mrs. Eva Finamore.
Diana Bradley
Ridgeway Elementary School
Nominated by Ellen McCann
Diana Bradley is a 3rd Grade Teacher at Ridgeway Elementary School in Manchester. Nominated by school secretary Ellen McCann, Diana has been an educator for 24 years.
Ellen says that during the 12 years she’s worked with Diana, she continues to amaze with her enthusiasm and love of education. Diana is an exceptionally skilled and dedicated educator with many students in her class whose first language is not English, which can make her job as a classroom teacher even more challenging.
However, she is especially nurturing to these young children, and they all respond positively to her pleasant and optimistic teaching methods. Some of Mrs. Bradley’s former students who have moved on to Middle and High School will stop by Ridgeway Elementary to visit, and still talk about her. She tells her students “Once a Bradley, always a Bradley.”
Diana is also an instructor for Ridgeway Elementary School’s after-school Title I Program “Power Hour,” three afternoons a week, which she thoroughly enjoys. In December 2023, Diana scheduled and facilitated a Native American Lenape Tribe presentation for students and teachers which was received with so much positive feedback as it was both interesting and informative!
Diana and her husband Ken are also very active with volunteering and assisting with the marching band at their daughter’s school, Toms River High School East. She has non-stop energy! This kind, wonderful, and passionate educator goes above and beyond her job each day! Mrs. Diana Bradley is most definitely worthy of joining the Teachers Who Rock Class of 2025.
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