Dedication to children with a smile and a sense of humor. Her students loved being in Ms. Abbato’s class. They could feel how much she truly cared for each of them and it did not matter what their needs were. Whether they were hungry, tired, cranky or having trouble with work Donna was always there. Her ability to connect with her students, parents and colleague was uncanny—this was quickly apparent as she was awarded teacher of the year in only her third year working in Barnegat. She continuously served as a mentor to new staff or ones that just needed help or encouragement. Donna stayed on top of ways to improve instruction and was eager and always willing to share!  Donna was a handwriting expert and there was a long running joke throughout her school as it was quite easy to tell the students had her no matter what grade they were now in, due to their amazingly beautiful handwriting! She prided herself on loving to teach and even more to see her students learn.  Year after year Donna provided a solid foundation for each kindergartener in her care. Every single staff member, student, parent and grandparent of Barnegat learned something from Donna and we are all fortunate that she shaped our students for so many years. Dedication to children with a smile and a sense of humor- if they could make a mold to build future kindergarten teachers Donna would truly be the one!

Over Mrs. Makela’s thirty-eight plus years and her roles as a teacher, supervisor of language arts , and as principal she was a consummate professional that was totally dedicated not only to her craft but more importantly to the children and staff under her supervision. As a teacher she was prepared, competent and completely devoted to her students’ welfare. She consistently demonstrated her ability to motivate students and to enhance their learning experience. Due to her abilities she was acknowledged as an educational leader by fellow teachers and valued by all the district’s administrators as she guided them through the myriad of changes that always occur in education.

Mrs. Makela demonstrated outstanding leadership in assisting with the expansion of her school’s facilities and implementing a wide variety of innovative programs that enhanced the educational experience for her students and staff as well. In 2014 she won CTAUN Best Practice Award for their ROAR program. Kathy’s vision was always a step ahead of others. As a teacher you were always working with her not for her—hers was one of warmth, kindness, empathy, positive energy and love of people, and education. Dunfee’s climate was evident in everyone employed there! In whatever role she served, Mrs. Makela conducted herself with distinction and in doing so, made her classroom, school and district an exemplary environment for children to learn, grow and prosper. 

As soon as you entered the main office you were greeted with a big smile and a warm hello. All who came in contact with Ms. Marchese felt welcomed, cared for and loved. She was instrumental in setting the tone for each day as her enthusiasm was contagious and she affected students and staff alike. Ros’s work ethic was impeccable and she completed all tasks promptly and accurately. She was a team player who never hesitated to lend a hand to ensure her school ran smoothly and efficiently. In addition, she made sure that the safety of her students was a top priority, making sure to double check sign in and sign out sheets and staying on top of the often fast paced changes that occurred daily with parental request, nurse visits and abscesses. She always knew were each student was! Even in the most hectic days she never wavered and always remained a positive light that could solve any problem that came her way. Ros Marchese was an integral asset to the Dunfee school and the entire district, as her dedication and work ethic were evident as she served for over thirty years as a playground aide, vice-principal/principal secretary and as the BEA Vice President. In 2001 she was selected as the district support staff of the year and in 2008 as the Ocean County Education Support Professional of the Year.  Thank goodness for Ross! Everyone would go to her and we were thankful she was there to help and create and maintain a positive environment for so many years!

Mrs. Aftanis worked in Barnegat Schools from 1983 until 2019. Everyone was always impressed with her determination and dedication towards providing her students with everything they needed to be successful. At times this was warmth and understanding and at other times “tough love”. In either case she was respected and loved by all her students. Her dedication didn’t end in the classroom. She was involved with her student’s families as well. She would help  by providing groceries or even being a sitter when a parent had to go to work and could not find someone. She would find ways to make her students feel good about themselves and embrace who they were, even by giving students the courage to play the drums in front of the entire school. Students had a friend to listen, a parent when needed, and always someone they could truly trust.

Mrs. Aftanis made sure that while students were in her class they reached their full potential and she was always was sure to follow-up each year so next year’s teachers would understand e

She received teacher of the year not once but twice—that speaks volumes as to how her peers respected her. She was always willing to help out a fellow teacher or to mentor those young teachers just starting out. Staff knew they could come to her for assistance and guidance, always and at any time. In forty years or even a lifetime you could never find someone more caring, loving or dedicated to her students then Maggie.

In one of her students' own words “She always made me feel important and that I could do anything that I worked hard to do. Mrs. Aftanis helped me to be all that I could be.”

Teachers who had the privilege of working alongside Sue had the opportunity to see her implement her innovative ideas and strategies, they were ahead of her time and have become that backbone of instructional practice today. Students all around who were lucky enough to have her still will say that Ms. Sellarole was their favorite teacher, maybe it was for her 300 lollipops in June or her fondness of reading, or just how much fun and enriching it was to be in her class. She set a strong foundation for students to build on and appreciate all of the subjects she taught. Sue set her standards high and expected everyone in her room to master the skills that she was teaching. Her classroom was full of multi-sensory activities that were engaging and rigorous at the same time. Sue has left an incredible impact on her students and colleagues.

During her years of teaching in Barnegat, Sue received Teacher of the Year and was highly respected by her peers. She was the first to be willing to help her fellow teachers and open her classroom for student teachers to gain experience in the field. Sue was one of the first teachers to track the progress of her students and use data from assessments and consistently used the growth of her students to help plan her lessons.

When the PTA of her school found out Sue was retiring, they created a scholarship in her name,  this speaks volumes on the impact she left with her students and families. Her dedication to students is still evident as she continues to come to the school to read. She has left an incredible impact on her students and colleagues. Sue will forever be a teacher! 

Throughout her career Maria exemplified an abundance of admirable qualities, such as diligence, conscientiousness, and being highly motivated that made her a consummate professional and a mainstay and anchor of the Dunfee faculty. Perhaps most importantly, she exhibited a caring and supportive attitude that endeared her to her students, their parents, and her colleagues. All of these attributes combined allowed her to construct a classroom, year in and year out, in which students met with success, were understood and appreciated for their value and felt special and unique.

Walking into her classroom was always a pleasure, her students were fully engaged and lessons relevant, taught with focus and intensity. Maria was differentiating instruction before there was a book written about it, being sure to provide remediation or enrichment based on her observations or assessments. She never looked at her students for what they didn’t know, but saw each for their potential to learn.

Maria served as a mentor to new teachers, and helped lead so many committees and clubs including; Safety Patrol Advisor, After School Coordinator, PTA Liaison, Curriculum Council, Attendance Committee, Positive Behavior Support, Science Fair, as well volunteered her time to attend so many evening and Saturday events. As Maria made the Dundee school a second home to her for many years she was face and captain and was selected to be a teacher of the year.

She is indeed a very special teacher who was truly concerned for both her students’ academic and emotional welfare. Her students were most fortunate to have such a teacher as Maria in their lives—all of our children should be so lucky. It is an indisputable fact that her spirit in so many ways made the Dunfee school a very special place for all concerned, she made and continues to make a difference in the lives of all who both learned and worked there.

For thirty years Mario not only made sure that the schools were clean and safe he also dedicated himself to students and staff. While Mario was the “custodian” at the Lillian M Dunfee School he was so much more than just that. The hallways and the lunch room were filled with his Italian accent, laughter and genuine smile.

Every kid knew who he was and he knew every kid. Some students would often forgo going right home after school and spend a few minutes or sometimes an hour with Mr. Sammarco either in the custodial office or sometimes helping him with tiny tasks. He was truly another teacher within the school building who the students looked up to and learned from. For so many, the key lesson learned was that it didn’t matter what job you held, but that you held a job and did your best at that job every day. Mario with an attitude that could infect and affect the others around you That was always Mario’s attitude, infectious. There was never a moment that he wasn’t fun to be around, nor was there a time when he said no to staff or student. He was always willing to lend his hand no matter what was needed.

His lunchtime antics were hysterical, and for a few of the students who he had the best relationships with-- he might steal their lunch, their ice cream, or pretend to toss them into the trash. While this probably wouldn’t go over so well today, for so many students it is what made school so great. Dunfee always had a firm feeling of community and togetherness and Mario had a huge stake in those beliefs. He also was quick to “lend” change to anyone who was short for lunch or ice cream—kids genuinely looked forward to lunchtime as they knew Mario would be there, even if they spilled something, dropped their lunch He was always there quickly with a replacement and an assurance not to worry.

Mario is one of those people in education who impacted all and everyone was better for having him around. He was an all-star in all aspects within his capacity and how he served the students and staff here in Barnegat.

Holly Carson taught within Barnegat Schools from 1984 through 2015. She served on several committees, including the Curriculum Council, PTA Liaison, the ROAR committee, attendance, and the morning breakfast committee with Joe Donahue, and an advisor to countless clubs. She spent many summers revising curriculum in most subject areas, as well as, mentored several student teachers and students alike. She was Teacher of the Year in 1995.

Frank Constantine began teaching at the CSCS in 1983, and quickly thrust the music program into the forefront. When ROBMS opened in 1990, he started the music program from the ground up, and it grew every year to what it is today. Frank took our students to numerous county and state competitions where they excelled. He was the backbone behind all the success of the music program in the Barnegat School District. In recognition of all he has done the Tri-M Music Honor Society was named after him.

Cynthia Corle served from 1990 - 2016. She was not only the heart and soul of the ROBMS office, but the entire school. She opened the school in September of 1990 with her trademark smile and never stopped smiling. She was reliable, flexible, organized and devoted to making sure everyone she came in contact with had a positive experience. Cindy developed positive relationships with all parents, administration and colleagues at the Brackman School assisting everyone in any capacity she could.

Louise Muth served as a kindergarten and 1st grade teacher from 1980 to 2005. She has affected the lives of hundreds of students, parents, fellow teachers and administrators by setting the highest possible standards for herself and our profession. She received The Governor’s Award as Teacher of the Year in 1994.

Joseph Papernik from 1974 until 2012 Joe or “Mr. P”, was a Health and Physical Education teacher and longtime soccer coach. Right from the start of his career, he was a favorite teacher and colleague to so many. Later, he went on to become Barnegat High School’s first Track and Field coach laying the foundation for the successful program it is today. One of everyone's most memorable Mr. P lessons was his way of teaching hygiene-- he called it “Dirty Day.” When he retired in 2011 the ROBMS gym was named after him.

Rosalind Ribaudo served from 1985 to 2006 as Assistant Superintendent, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Principal of the Edwards School, and Supervisor of Basic Skills. The Barnegat High School National Honor Society Chapter is named in her honor. She was an integral part of many of the academic successes the Barnegat School District continues to exhibit.