OUR DEDICATED STAFF

I have been teaching at the Roosevelt Elementary School in Rahway for the last 20+ years. I have been a teacher at Dash for nearly years too. I also have been working at Oak Knoll Adventures summer camp for about the same amount of time. In my hometown I have volunteered as a coach for over 13 years. I have coached baseball, football, basketball, and wrestling. My interests are sports, military history, and fishing. I have two boys, 3 cats, 1 dog, and a wife who make me very happy.

I am Mrs. Mary, the head teacher for Kindergarten, 1st, & 2nd grades. I have been working at DASH for over 10 years. My first few weeks working here I was with the upper school students, and soon realized the real fun was with the little people. Their laughter is what keeps me motivated and we sure do laugh!

I'm absolutely passionate about teaching, and I'm thrilled to be part of the DASH team! I started off teaching 3rd and 4th graders in a self-contained classroom in South Brunswick. Then, I discovered my love for high school education in Edison and have spent the last 25 years inspiring minds at JP Stevens High School. My goal? To spark a lifelong love of learning in all my students. By teaching with zest, I hope to nurture their desire to keep exploring and growing.

A Rahway native, I'm still involved in tons of cool community stuff around town. At home, I'm a mom to three amazing girls and one super energetic Golden Retriever—yeah, they keep me pretty busy! When I do snag some downtime, I'm all about crafting, losing myself in a good book, or capturing life's moments with my camera.

I am a former DASH student that was mentored through the DAIT (Destiny Assistants In Training) program when I was in middle school. I loved participating in all the activities and clubs, but the dance clubs were always my favorites, and I'm thrilled to share that love with the DASH kids of today. I have worked at DASH on and off throughout high school and college. I am now a Bloomfield College graduate, working as a paraprofessional in Roosevelt school, and continuing my part time work with DASH and loving all of it!

In February of 2023, after 33 years I retired from NJIT. During that time, I discovered my passion to be an advocate for the youth with a focus on academic support. In December of 2023, I began to volunteer two days a week at DASH assisting Ms. Mary with her class of kindergarten through 2nd grade students. Then I stayed on to work with the summer camp and in the 2024 I was hired as the 4th grade head teacher. My goal is to guide and mentor our DASH students to succeed both inside and outside of the classroom by thinking outside the box, exploring things they would never think about doing or trying, such as gardening, using different techniques to create art using yarn, and STEAM for classroom projects, etc. During my downtime, I love being with my family and friends, gardening, walking, cooking, volunteering at Grover Cleveland Elementary School's PTA, and also in the NJ Food Bank.

I was a DASH student in elementary school. A few summers ago, I volunteered at DASH and the next school year I got a job working with Ms. Mary in the kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade students. Never a dull moment in our classroom.

I am a proud native of Elizabeth, NJ. I've grown up with a deep passion for basketball and a lifelong love of drumming. DASH has been a place where I am able to share and teach both of these passions.

I'm truly grateful to be surrounded by a great staff that has helped guide my journey from volunteer work to real on-the -job experience. I aim to inspire the youth and help them grow into strong, productive individuals who will make a positive impact in the world.

I was a DASH student when I was in elementary school. When I was looking for a job I thought why not apply at DASH, I love kids so why not try working with them. Working with kids makes me happy and the DASH kids are so much fun.

In the summer of 2024, I worked for with the TeenWorks program in Rahway and volunteered at DASH every day after that program was over. It was a fun place with cool people, and it kept me busy. At the end of the summer, I asked for a job during the school year and have been working with the staff who are not just my friends and co-workers but have become my family.

I have been a DASH student since I was in Kindergarten. As I grew in the program, I earned many responsibilities and was thought of as a role model which led me to be a helper throughout the program. I volunteered for a couple of year in the summer camp and then during the beginning of this school year too with the hopes of getting a paid position. Finally, I am a DASH staff and enjoying the day to day playing and working with the kids and staff. DASH is an extended family!

I have been involved in the DASH program since I was in the 3rd grade. During COVID, I did my virtual learning at DASH and that's when I received lots of attention because I was very helpful, responsible, and a lot of fun! I volunteered for several year in summer camp and also during the beginning of this school year, and now I am a paid staff. I play and work with the kids and staff along with my best friend who works here too. I play around a lot but take my responsibilities seriously. DASH is family.

I spent most of my elementary school years and now my high school years at DASH in many roles, ranging from student participant, a helper or volunteer, and most recently a staff member. I have grown up here with my DASH family who have guided me along the way. It's a good feeling to know you always have someone to talk things out with no matter how old you are or what is going on in your life.