Marcella Garavaglia was nominated by her colleague, Cathy Ryan.
Ms. Garavaglia is a rarity among a highly skilled and passionate group of professionals at Colts Neck High School. She is the point person of the incredibly talented team of ESL and SIOP trained educators. She epitomizes excellence as a teacher, role model for students, colleague, and caring member of the Colts Neck community. She is always prepared to lend an ear or a helping hand to students and colleagues while simultaneously focusing on the work that needs to be done and dilemmas that need solutions.
"The time and effort she dedicates to all of the challenges we face in education today is astonishing," Ryan said. "With her spirit, sense of humor, knowledge and exceptional technological skills, she breezes through countless tasks, creating an entertaining, yet productive work environment. She does all of this with a sense of responsibility and integrity that exemplifies her commitment to her students and peers."
As a teacher who helps students speak English as a Second Language, Ms. Garavaglia serves her students in a variety of ways. She acts as a guide for students through a significantly different learning environment than they were previously exposed to. She also communicates school rules, procedures, notes for absences, late busses, athletic forms, graduation requirements, school applications, field trip forms, opportunities, activities, and traditions. Ms. Garavaglia explains everything from filling out application forms to bus schedules and pick-ups. She encourages the students and teaches them how to advocate for themselves. She will advocate for students when necessary so they can participate in extra-curricular activities.
Ms. Garavaglia has been a leader in developing, organizing, and orchestrating the Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee Meetings for many years with her trusted and capable colleagues, Deborah, Ted, and Dan. She translates for students, parents and staff members to facilitate communication. Ms. Garavaglia also tests incoming and transfer students with placement tests in addition to ACCESS Testing in the spring. The ESL Program at CNHS won the state award for Model Program and was recognized throughout the state as the essence of the optimal learning environment for English Language Learners.
Ms. Garavaglia’s depth of knowledge and use of teaching strategies, instructional materials and graphic organizers enable her to foster an environment where students can fulfill their potential. She continually searches for new materials to provide the differentiation her students need. As a member of the executive board of TESOL, she is able to actively seek out the best practices teachers across the state are utilizing. Her passion compels her to share her work and knowledge with others in the workshops she provides to fellow educators in CNHS, the TESOL organization, and through the NJEA Teacher’s Convention.
"Marcella is a wonderful member of our teaching community and an incredibly gifted instructor who encourages her colleagues and students to strive for greatness," Ryan said. "She completes all tasks with a smile, persistence, enthusiasm, and a quick wit; which makes us all love her and admire her that much more. She is an especially important part of what makes CNHS such an amazing school and a special, safe, nurturing environment for the students."
Ms.G One of the best teacher's That I met in Colts Neck High School,Always with a Smile and joyful with all of her students !!
I met Ms. G the first day a came to school, it was last year during my sophomore year. She is very dedicated on her teaching job. I am completely sure that teaching is her vocation in life and every single day that she shows up to the classroom we all can tell that, even if she is going through a rough time, you will always see her smiling no matter what, because I feel and know that she loves helping everyone in all that she can do, she deserves this award and more in my opinion.
Ms. Garavaglia is a dedicated, caring professional. She is certainly worthy of this nomination and was recently recognized as staff member of the month at Colts Neck High School. She is an excellent role model for her students, demonstrating that drive and determination reap many benefits. She not only teaches her students content but helps them navigate through real-life issues and situations. She gives of herself for the betterment of her students. I recall a time when Ms.Garavaglia remained after school with a group of her students and helped them get ready for a school dance which was held in the evening. Her willingness to engage in "acts of kindness" makes her a life-changer for sure!
Ms. G. you really deserve it. You’re a very kind person, and an amazing teacher. I know you always got our backs, even when some people don’t try their best on what they are doing. I really appreciate what you do for me, and I admire you because you are very strong when you are with your students. (I mean, I would kick them out of the class, and probably go crazy). But the point is, doesn’t matter who are we, where do we come from, or how do we look, you always help us in everything we need to be a better person, and to be successful in life because OUTSIDE, THE WORLD DOESN’T CARE ABOUT OUR LIFE AND NOBODY CARES ABOUT OUR PROBLEMS, and that is very true, and that is why I am grateful for; for having a great guide next to me and the other people. Thank you Ms G.
CCP
Marcella Garavaglia goes above and beyond for her students, her Colts Neck HS family...and always with a smile ??
Hello
I am Withney Anilus student of Miss Gravaglia last year. I remembered last year when I came in school I could not understand anything about English. I had Miss last year, I learn a lot from her. She will do everything on her power to make you understand. Also she is not only a good teacher she is second mom her open heart make her want to help everybody on everything life school , ect... She is a RESOLVE of people’s problem. Her compassion and her patient make her one of the best teachers i have had.
I am new in the school and then Mrs. Garavaglia helped me with all I needed, I think that she is a excellent teacher, she help us with all she can.
I consider myself fortunate to work alongside Ms. Garavaglia. Not only is she knowledgeable and extremely helpful but at the same time, she is very humble. She routinely spearheads tasks and instead of touting her own involvement, she acknowledges the efforts put forth by others though they might pale in comparison to her own. She is both efficient and effective in her performance and is constantly seeking to improve upon regular procedures. I have no doubt that her efficacy translates into the classroom as she has become both a helping hand and a realistic reminder of how actions speak louder than words to each of her students. Ms. Garavaglia is certainly worthy of this nomination and would be worthy of the award. She is often the first welcome to students coming from other countries and she is their constant supporter throughout their entire high school years and, often, beyond. So, I send this in support of a great teacher, colleague, and friend whose actions are shouting from the rooftop: "Lifechanger!"
Ms.Garavaglia is an amazing person. All her classes are special, like I said once to her "Everyday is a different Broadway musical in your class, Ms. G." She is always smiling and showing her best attitude to everyone. Even when we do something wrong she is always there to give us an advise and become a better person because at the end of the day we are the future of this world and she wants to make sure that when we graduate we will be good persons. She is like a mother for all the ESL student, she is the one who reminds us of everything, school events, homework,etc.Even when we know that she does not have to but she still does it because she is always worry for us and want us to be ready for the school or every situation we are in. She is a person we are always going to be looking at because she is a good example for us. She shows us how hard working she is in all kinds of situations. She has a lot of skills, she is good dancer, good writer, etc. What I most admire from her is her accent because even though she was not born in Argentina, she talks like an Argentinian person because she does not want us to feel ashamed of our accents and roots. She always wants us to embrace our cultures and be our pure self. I think she deserves this awards for all the things that she has done for us. All the hours that she spent with us in the after school program. All the important essays that she corrects for us. At last but not least, for always being her true self. For showing that no matter how weird we are,we are still awesome.
A teacher who enjoys their job and always is learning about their students, is very good teacher. A teacher who dedicates more love in their job is an excellent teacher, but A teacher who gives more than that who worries about their students, give more time is supposed to do and every night tries to make simple changes in the next day class making their student learn and enjoy the class at the same time is an AMAZING teacher. Ms. Garavaglia is more than that, a teacher who gives heart, soul and love an every class she does. It was a pleasure to have her in my sophomore and junior year. I dont have her any more like a teacher, but she always is there to help anyone who needs help. Even in my senior year,I continous visit her in her classroom when I need help. She always is helping doesn´t matter if you didn´t have her she is going to be there. With a big smile always in her class, with the same smile walking in the hallways and the same smile when she helps you. A teacher who loves her job, and a teacher who helps her students and other students, a teacher who has that spark every day to enjoys her job. That teacher her name is MARCELLA GARAVAGLIA !!!
Ms. Garavaglia is one of my favorite teachers. She
The best teacher i met. She deserves the award.
Ms. Garavaglia is one of the best teacher I met. She is enthusiastic and she really loves what she is doing. Is one person who everybody wants to know and have like a teacher. I learned a lot from her and not only about English but also about life. I really like her and she deserves the award.
Good luck!! you are the best Ms.
Marcella goes above and beyond her role as a teacher for her students. In addition to helping her students, she teaches her students social skills and life lessons so they can learn to adapt to a new country and culture. She not only wears her teacher hat but also plays the role of social worker and guidance counselor.
Ms. Garavaglia has always been a caring and positive teacher to her students. Her demeanor and attitude to the teaching profession is evident in the smiles and achievements of her students. Teaching English as a second language requires an emotional connection and an understanding of diverse cultures. Ms. Garavaglia's patience, commitment, and respect for the integrity of each and every student are just some of the reasons why she is admired by students, parents, and faculty members.
Marcella is such a strong role model for her students both inside and outside of school. She orchestrates a symposium with expert speakers on informational topics from how to become knowledgeable and navigate the challenging process of pursuing higher learning, how to assess in the job market opportunities and become successful in the workplace. She also has former graduates speak about their story of success, which encourages the students to think about future endeavors and possibly follow in the footsteps of the speakers. She inspires her students to become involved in helping others, including Leiry Paulino, a Mouth College student, who is has been involved with the Somos Valientes (We are Strong) Organization for some years now, helping to educate children on health topics and values and helping domestic violence victims overcome their situation by empowering their life by creating jobs, providing health education, and change of image, providing basic food items to those in need and so much more.
§ Deliver Physical Education and training to play sport (e in the Dominican Republic
Since her first day of student teaching Ms. Garavaglia has been an inspiration to staff and students alike. Cheerful, knowledgeable and resourceful, she effortlessly adapts her teaching to the needs of every student. She is a source of knowledge regarding all things technological and has helped me , a veteran teacher, navigate the world of Google Classroom, Forms, etc. Her boundless energy and passion for her craft has enriched the lives of colleagues and students. Despite the challenges of time and constant demands of endless state testing, she fosters in her students a can do attitude. Si, se puede. She is a marvel!
