HSA Staff Member Spotlight
The teachers and staff members at Gibbsboro School are one of the key reasons our school is so wonderful. Highlighting the important role of the staff members at Gibbsboro School will only make our school community stronger. We want to share our appreciation for their outstanding work with a new program, HSA Staff Member of the Month. Our staff opt out of a state wide program that highlights teachers so that they can foster their sense of community without anyone being singled out. We want to continue to respect the wishes of our staff members. Instead of choosing our staff member of the month based on nominations received, we will make it a random drawing, as was requested.
There will be a staff member randomly selected each month. Winners will receive a certificate and a small gift. Staff members may only win once until all staff members have won.
Program Established September 2022
Highlighted Staff Members
April 2024
Ms. Berryann
How long have you worked at Gibbsboro School?
16 Years
What’s the best/worst thing about being a teacher?
The best thing about being a teacher is coming to work everyday to work with little minds.
If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share?
Dream until your dreams come true!
If you could take the students on a field trip, where would you take them?
I would take them back in time to when I was in 1st Grade.
March 2024
Mrs. Minalga
How long have you worked at Gibbsboro School? 9 Years
What is one of your hidden talents? One of my hidden talents is that I love gardening, but probably should try being a comedian. Despite what the students say!
If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them? The field trip I would take the students on would probably be a beach day. Just sitting and relaxing on the beach.
What's the best/worst thing about being a teacher? The best part of working in a school is seeing how much kids improve and how they succeed in their subjects. Plus, working with great co-workers is a fun part of my day!
February 2024
Mrs. Graham
Questions
How long have you been a teacher?
I have been teaching for 12 years.
How long have you worked at Gibbsboro School?
I have worked at Gibby for 9 years. Six years in 5th grade, and this is my third year in 3rd grade.
What is one of your hidden talents?
Singing!
What are some traditions or superstitions you have for the First Day of School?
I like to wear my prettiest dress to feel confident!
What inspires you?
Ordinary people being part of GREAT change and not giving up in the face of adversity. I try to remind and encourage my students that the ordinary influential people we learn about CAN and WILL be them someday!
What’s the best/worst thing about being a teacher?
Best thing: having a career that feels important, meaningful, and like I am making a positive impact on the lives of children and, in turn, the future of the world.
Worst: Always being "on" and feeling very worn-out at the end of the day! Not a lot of time to complete any thoughts in your own head without interruption, haha.
If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share?
You are never alone. You have more cheerleaders than you may think. People who believe in you, love you, and who are happy that you are in their lives! Open up to them, share your feelings, ask for help, they are happy to be there for you.
If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
A big roadtrip of a few of the National Parks. I'd love for them to see the beauty of nature and to explain the science behind it.
January 2024
Mrs. Ettore
How long have you been a teacher ? I have worked in a school for over 22 years.
How long have you worked at Gibbsboro School? I believe this is my 6 th year
What is one of your hidden talents? I am a lic. Hairstylist.
What are some traditions or superstitions you have for the First Day of School? Excitement.
What inspires you? People who are generous with their time and resources. People who go out of their way to make someone feel loved and appreciated.
What’s the best/worst thing about being a teacher? I love working with children of all ages. I started in a high school .
If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share ? Get as much education as possible. You are never done learning. I learn everyday something new.
If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them? Italy is am amazing country with sculptures and paintings dating back 2000 years. There are not enough words to describe Rome and Pompey and the restoration of a city buried in ash. I would live in Italy if I could. Everyone was so nice.
Feel free to add anything else you want to share!
I raised 4 kids in the school system and none of the schools compare to Gibbsboro. This school has amazing teachers who really work hard to bring forth the best lesson plans for the day. I couldn’t name the ones that impress me. There are too many to choose from.
December 2024
Mr. Bonafiglia
November 2023
Miss Bausman
How long have you been a teacher?
3 years
How long have you worked at Gibbsboro School?
6 years
What are some traditions or superstitions you have for the First Day of School?
Every first day of school I take a small handful of poppy seeds, a tradition passed down from my great grandmother.
What inspires you?
Learning something new.
What’s the best thing about being a teacher?
The best part about teaching is creating a community in your classroom. It is so fun to see your class become a family!
If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share?
Be kind to others and be kind to yourself!
October 2023
Mr. Shanfeltet
September 2023
Mrs. Hariharan
How long have you worked at Gibbsboro School?
I have worked at Gibbsboro School for 17 years now.
What are some traditions or superstitions you have for the First Day of School?
I always look forward to the new school year- so I make sure I set the alarm and get ready on time especially after the long summer.
What inspires you?
People I meet everyday inspire me.
What’s the best thing about being a teacher?
The best thing about being a teacher is meeting a new set of students every year.
If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share?
Kids are always excited about birthdays and want to grow up- I would say- Don't grow up!!
If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
I would take them out into nature- forest, mountain or sea. There is so much to wonder and learn from just being outside.
I enjoy reading, gardening and cooking.
June 2023
Mrs. Hartzell
How long have you been a teacher? I have been a teacher for 16 years.
How long have you worked at Gibbsboro School? I have worked at Gibbsboro for 16 years.
What is one of your hidden talents? Although I don't think most would consider this to be a talent, my understanding and knowledge of the importance of no technology in my classroom is important. My recent group of students in this past school year enjoyed playing and the "take a break from technology" weekend.
What are some traditions or superstitions you have for the First Day of School? On the first day of school in Kindergarten, I enjoy getting to know my students and reading the story Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten.
What inspires you? My own children inspire me to learn and grow and use what I learn from them in the classroom.
What’s the best/worst thing about being a teacher? The best part of teaching in my Kindergarten world is that we dance and sing and enjoy coming to school. Every day is different in teaching which drives me to love coming each day.
If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share? The wisdom I would pass on to my students would be always Be Kind to others and "Team Work makes the Dream Work". I loved hearing my students this pass year using this saying when it was time to work together to clean up or complete a task:)
If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them? The best place in New Jersey for little ones - Storybook Land! Even possibly during the winter months too with the decorated lights:)
May 2023
Mrs. Eisinger
April 2023
Mrs. Gonnella
I have been a paraprofessional at Gibbsboro School for 21 years. Work doesn't feel like work when you enjoy what you do. I am thankful and grateful to be able to spend my day with these kids. They inspire me everyday.Thank you for this acknowledgement.
March 2023
Mrs. Jungclaus
How long have you been a teacher? This is my 6th year teaching
How long have you worked at Gibbsboro School? I started teaching at Gibbsboro in September of 2017
What is one of your hidden talents? I can make a water drip sound and occasionally do it while I wait for my students to get ready for the next activity. They always get wide eyed and say "What was that!" 
What are some traditions or superstitions you have for the First Day of School? I always incorporate silly memes into my welcome back slideshow
What inspires you? That "ah ha" moment, it is my absolute favorite thing to see that moment when something just clicks! Or when a student who persevered through a challenging concept is feeling a new found confidence.
What’s the best/worst thing about being a teacher? My favorite thing about teaching is that it doesn't always feel like work, I enjoy what I do and I love my students dearly.
If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share? Success is knowing you tried your best, if you know you tried your absolute best, then you have been successful.
If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them? I would love to show my students different parts of the world. I had the privilege of teaching in a rural school in India and it was an eye opening experience. The culture, the food, the art, the history, there is so much the world can teach us.
February 2023
Ms. Harris
- How long have you worked at Gibbsboro School?
- This is my 12th year at Gibbsboro School. I long term subbed for 2 years in another district prior to coming here.
- What are some traditions or superstitions you have for the First Day of School?
- A tradition of mine on the first day of school is to always teach my students how to do the Pledge of Allegiance in sign language.
- What’s the best/worst thing about being a teacher?
- The best thing about being a teacher is that I get to have fun every single day, especially when we dance to our grammar and math songs.
- If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
- If I could take my students anywhere on a field trip I would take them on a cross country road trip to see all of the famous sites in America!
January 2023
Mrs. Egan
- How long have you worked at Gibbsboro School?
- It was four years in January
- What is one of your hidden talents?
- Baking
- What are some traditions or superstitions you have for the First Day of School?
- Arrive early; be excited!
- What inspires you?
- The teachers and my fellow staff members - their dedication to the students is awe inspiring
- If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share?
- Always think before you speak; you never know the effect your words can have.
- If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
- New York City - there are so many things to do, places to see!
December 2022
Erin Berehieko
- How long have you been a teacher? I have been working in Special Ed for 16 years
- How long have you worked at Gibbsboro School? This is my 7th school year with Gibby! (I LOVE IT! Accepting a position here has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.)
- What is one of your hidden talents? I once had a job in college that required me to make balloon animals. I still remember how to do a few!
- What are some traditions or superstitions you have for the First Day of School? I love taking a picture of each of my students on the first and the last day in the same location in my classroom. It is fun to see how much they have grown and changed over the course of the year.
- If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share? You can do anything you put your mind to. Just keep trying and never give up!
- If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them? Walt Disney World... So many of my students do not get the opportunity to go. I wish they could experience a little bit of the magic if even just for one day.
- Feel free to add anything else you want to share! I am getting MARRIED on April 15th! My fiance and I have been together for 8 years and we are very excited for this!
November 2022
Roesanne Aversa
October 2022
Tim Aucello
- How long have you been a teacher?
- 7 years
- What inspires you?
- My students.
- What’s the best/worst thing about being a teacher?
- Best: Teaching.
- Worst: Every part of the job that is not teaching.
- If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share?
- Kindness is not what you do, but who you are. Be patient and honest with yourself, with others, and everything else will fall into place.
- If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
- A concert of their favorite musical artists.
September 2022
Jeff Galda
- How long have you been a teacher?
- I have been a teacher for 24 years
- How long have you worked at Gibbsboro School?
- I am in my 19th year at Gibbsboro
- What is one of your hidden talents?
- I don't know if there is any hidden talent. I try to share what I can do
- What are some traditions or superstitions you have for the First Day of School?
- I am always extra early on the first day of school
- What inspires you?
- So many things inspire me. I am inspired by seeing people that really care about people and care in general about what they do. There is an endless list of these people that have had an impact on my life in that way.
- What’s the best/worst thing about being a teacher?
- It is all good to me. Other than being a father/husband, it is the best thing I have ever done in my life.
- If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share?
- Be Kind, Work Hard, Do Your Best, and Be Resilient
- If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
- No trips for me. But, I hope all the students come back and tell me about all the great places they have gone in their lives.