The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) has partnered with Beasley Media Group to celebrate the 2025 class of “Teachers Who Rock” and “Teachers Who Make Magic,” honoring over forty outstanding educators from communities statewide. The annual program recognizes New Jersey educators (teachers, educational support staff, and various certificated staff) who have made a significant difference in their students’ lives by going above and beyond in their dedication to student success. Honorees range from kindergarten teachers to high school department liaisons to custodial staff members who have demonstrated a unique impact on the daily lives of students, staff, and their community.
Beasley Media Group invites the public to nominate exceptional educators for recognition on local radio stations. Winners were selected from listener nominations across Beasley’s New Jersey stations—including WDHA 105.5 FM, WMTR 1250 AM, WMGQ 98.3 FM, WJRZ 100.1 FM, and WRAT 95.9 FM, and Fox Sports NJ.
The Teachers Who Rock and Teachers Who Make Magic awards program is part of NJEA’s ongoing effort to spotlight excellence in education. The 2025 winners represent schools across the entire state, from large urban districts to small rural communities. Each winner’s story is different, but all of them share a commitment to student success and community engagement in their schools. NJEA aims to celebrate outstanding educators who inspire communities across the state.
Award recipients
Eva Finamore
Art Teacher
Berkeley Township Elementary School
Diana Bradley
3rd Grade Teacher
Ridgeway Elementary School
Olympia Gaglioti
Science Teacher
Grunin Performing Arts Academy
Concetta Moynihan
Special Education Teacher, Resource
Lanes Mill Elementary School
Gabrielle Coco
Math Teacher
Red Bank Middle School
Nicole Jagger
Special Education Teacher
Clara B. Worth Elementary School
Gail Salmon
Guidance Counselor
Bayville School
Brittany Varga
Basic Skills Teacher
Manchester Township Elementary School
Danielle Genovese
Special Education Teacher
Ridgeway Elementary School
Jillian Wasilewski
STEAM/Technology Teacher
Eagleswood Township Elementary School
Michael J. Sinisi, IV
Health and Physical Education Teacher
Howell High School
Gale Paff
Honors and AP Chemistry Teacher
Wall High School
Ashley Fitzgerald
Social Studies Teacher
Toms River High School East
Linda Madden
Kindergarten Teacher
H&M Potter School
Dana Oleksy
Business and Technology Teacher
Toms River High School North
Patricia M. Dalon
Science Teacher
Southern Regional Middle School
Christin Connell
Kindergarten Teacher
Spring Lake Heights Elementary
Kathleen D. Tierney
Special Education Teacher
Pinelands Regional High School
Shannon Adiletta
2nd Grade Teacher
Ridgeway Elementary School
Idania Rodriguez
Spanish & Special Needs Teachers
|Princeton Public Schools
Kelly Robertson
Special Education Teacher
Scotch Plains Fanwood High School
Mary Austin
Second Grade Teacher
John F. Kennedy Primary School
Wendy Kolodziej
Head Custodian
Hillsborough Elementary School
Jillian Mahon
Physical Education Teacher
Kennedy Elementary School
Fontella Best
Kindergarten Teacher
Conerly Road School
Wendy Pierre
English Teacher
North Brunswick Township High School
Stefanie Woods
English Teacher
Bayonne High School
Lauren Finizia
Related Arts Department Liaison
New Milford High School
Devin Novakoski
Latin Teacher
Classical Academy Charter School of Clifton
Hafeezah Abdullah
Teacher of Biology
Sayreville War Memorial High School
Alejandra Ferrari
Head Custodian
Ironia Elementary School
Peter Bellomo
Music Teacher
Jotham Wakeman Public School 6
Jeanne Kimball
STEM Instructional Coach and Gifted and Talented Teacher
Oxford Central School
Eileen Drago
Middle School Teacher
Hasbrouck Heights Middle School
Angela Calasso
Biology Teacher
Henry P. Becton Regional High School