SO, you feel the need to know a little bit more about me? Okay.....here are some facts. The reason this page was created is due to the fact that my students write a great deal about their personal life. I feel it's only fair to share some facets of my life with those of you who have some sort of curiosity.
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PREHISTORY
I
was born in Northern New Jersey.
My
mother was employed at Westing House for a brief period. Her parents were
full Italian.
My grandmother was born in Sicily, my grandfather was born in Naples.
My
father was a Fire Captain for a "real" fire department. His parents
were of mixed ethnicity. My grandmother was Croatian, my grandfather was
German & Austrian.
Needless
to say, there was quite a mix of cultures; however, my mother's parents lived
with us, and I was basically exposed to an "All-Italian" culture. It was
how we were brought-up and raised.
I
have two siblings: a brother and a sister
Growing-Up
We
were raised in a very strict Roman Catholic household. There were
definite answers to what was acceptable and what was wrong. My parents always
made us understand what type of behavior was acceptable, and they never hit
us either. They didn't have to hit us.....there was that LOOK!
My
family ate every meal together....no
exception to that rule. NONE. Television was a huge "no-no" until all school
work was completed. Actually, television bored the heck out of me except
for my three favorite television shows at the time: Lost in Space, The
Wonderful World of Disney and Scooby-Do.
I
found schoolwork easy to complete. In the 1st grade I was removed from my
class and placed in an advanced class. I enjoyed that classroom because it
was a lot of writing and science! It was challenging.
I
had great and close friends. We all went to the same school belonged to the
same church joined the same Scout Troup and all of our parents were good
friends and neighbors.
I am BLESSED to have had the BEST AUNT IN THE WORLD
. My aunt was awesome. When I was a little
kid, she took me into New York City several times a week. I saw scores of
Broadway Shows, every museum in the city, ate in every ethnic restaurant
there was, shopped in every conceivable store, frequented Coney Island, Little
Italy, Chinatown and Fifth Avenue. By ten years old, I knew New York City
like the back of my hand. She was a true inspiration when in 2001, at the
age of 88, she fought a battle with breast cancer and won. In 2003, God decided
it was time to take her Home. I know she is with me always.
Then,
in 8th grade, my parents decided to move to the suburban "countryside" of
Monmouth County. Our family: Dad, Mom, my brother, sister, grandparents, two dogs,
two birds and me, left the city and moved where the parks were safe.
Wonder
Years
When
we arrived in our new home, I was thrilled to have my own room.
YES!!!! Anyone that has ever had to share a
room with a sibling knows what I mean!
I
began going to junior high school, and I hated it!
YES, I hated it; they were so far behind the
classes I was a part of in in my old school, BUT....I went. It was
hard not to go. The school was RIGHT across the street from my new home.
It was basically filled with teachers who were just waiting to retire, and
I hated them and their lax teaching habits.
I
became active in soccer and track. I was the fastest runner in the 100 and
the 200 yard dash.
I
quickly made new friends, enjoyed reading, and getting involved in stage
production.
My oldest and dearest friend was met in
junior high. Oddly enough, it was a female. We became best friends and the
BEST advice givers to each other. To this day, we are still friends, and
my wife and I see her and her husband several times a year for dinner
High
School
Then
high school began........and life began to change (as it always does in high
school).
I continued to be active in the production part of theater. I was the first
sophomore to be a stage manager at for my school for
"The Dark at the Top of the Stairs"...it
was fun. We also produced "Fiddler on the
Roof" and "Mame" among others.I
remained very active in the theater world while in high school.
My
grandfather died (he was 96). He was a veteran
of both World War I and World War II. My mom went to work, and I met
a certain young lady in Literature Class in high school , that I began
dating immediately and later married. Yes, I met and began dating my wife
when I was 16; she was 14. We've been together ever since then. It seems
as though we were meant to be together. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah...the whole
"High School Sweetheart
Thing." But Hey....It Worked out Well! =)
I
got my very first job. Yes, I worked at McDonald's for
8 days. THEN I
had to leave. The overwhelming aroma of french fries was
too much. I decided right there and then I would NEVER work with Food
again! Though I will say that working in a Fast Food Restaurant is ok WHILE
you're going to school OR if that is REALLY what you want to be doing with
your life!
Young
Adult
After
high school, I began a year of college. I
originally declared psychology and stage production as my majors. Though
to be honest, I wasn't sure what I really wanted to be yet.
I
began working for Fayva Shoes and quickly became a manager with that company.
MISTAKE #1
I stopped attending college because
I was doing well in retail management. I eventually became a product merchandiser
and buyer. I was in New York and Philadelphia several times a week. It was
pretty exciting. MISTAKE #2
We
got engaged; my father's mother died an agonizing death from throat cancer
(she was 83 and a TRUE
LADY; PLEASE don't smoke!), my family then moved again to the
shore.
Career
& "Back to
School"
I
began working for a retail store and eventually
became a junior executive with them. Though I met a few nice people there,
the company itself was an awful place to be 12-19 hours a day. They
treated people with little or no respect. MISTAKE
#3
We were married at a Nuptial Mass. We had already been together for
9
years. We moved to up north but stayed
active at the church in which we were married.
My
wife and I started teaching CCD classes at our local church as a favor to
our parish priest, and I became very interested in working with kids.
I
decided to take some "Education Courses" at
a local community college. I was really enthused about becoming a teacher. I
took a few other classes and then transferred to
Seton Hall University
(A GREAT
PLACE!). The next few years would be
tough to juggle the five major towns in my life: where I
lived
(Middletown),
worked (Toms River/New York),
went to school (Seton
Hall-South Orange), did my student
teaching(Elizabeth).
One
of my favorite aunts died.... (she was a 94 & a
trip!).She was the type of person who told it JUST like it was.....even
if you DIDN'T want to hear it. She had a lot of charisma.
I
became a double major at Seton Hall. Elementary Education & Communications
with Minors in Religion, History, and Film.
My
Grandmother Died (She was
93) She had lived with
us my entire life. She was a GREAT LADY to have grown-up with. She was THE
BEST COOK I have ever seen. I still can smell her pignoli cookies baking!
The aroma from her culinary skills filled the house. She was the epitome
of the "Italian Grandmother" who cooked and was a tough cookie at 4'11"...She
was AWESOME! She began making SUNDAY dinner on Saturday morning. The kitchen
table was sacred to her. Her hand pasta machine sits in our kitchen today.
I
was going to school full-time (5-6 Classes a
semester), beginning student teaching (90 Hours
a semester), and I was still working full time at Macy's. Needless
to say, I was pooped! BUT...I had a goal to complete. No time for
complaining.My wife was the epitome of the word supportive.
Teaching/Loss
I
was offered my first teaching position before I graduated from Seton Hall,
at a private Catholic School. I jumped at the chance! I was the first male
teacher in that building's history. I was assigned the 5th Grade Class.
They were awesome! I got to
quit retail! YEAH! It was one of the most happy days in my life. They had
called me up to the office to promote me to another position, and I told
them that I was quitting. It was a beautiful thing.
My
Father Passed Away in 1995. It was without warning (He
was 57 Years Old), and he had just retired. He was a great guy. A
true Hero. He had saved many lives while he was a
fireman. No one can prepare
you for an event like that. One moment he was celebrating New Year's Day
with all of his family, the next moment was a terrible phone call at 5:37
in the morning from my sister. He was the type of man anyone would want to
have as their father. It's a shame.....he never saw me graduate, he never
walked his daughter down the aisle of the church on her wedding day, he never
held his grandchildren. What a waste! DON'T
SMOKE. However, my father lives on in many of the things that I do and say.
He was a person that others looked to for truth. He gave the most practical
and honest advice. I am fortunate that I had become old enough where my father
and I became friends. He is still with me; when my own daughter smiles, when
I hear a fire engine, when I say something that he said...he is here.
Even
though I was working full time, I was happy with the grades I maintained. I
graduated Magna Cum Laude from
Seton Hall University in 1995. It was tough,
but it was worth it!
LRMS
I
was fortunate enough to send an application to the school system that presently
employs me after
my second year at the Bender Memorial Academy. Within a week of sending in
my application, I had an interview with two principals at the same time,
Mr. Handschuch, and Mr. Fudali. The interview lasted a long time; by time I
drove home, I had received a message to interview with the Superintendent of
Schools for Brick, Dr. Normandia.
That
meeting went well, and I was hired for teaching at LRMS.
They originally hired me for 6th Grade Math/Science.....LUCKILY
(THANK GOD), another position opened up, and
I was placed in 7th Grade for Language Arts in a THREE PERSON PARTNERSHIP
that would happily last for six years with Mrs. Barnfield & Ms. Magnotti.
I was very fortunate to get two great partners! Our First Class was
phenomenal.
The desks in my classroom have been "graced" with a variety of students with
a variety of abilities, personalities, and gifts. The Class of 1998 was a
lot of fun.
Equally rewarding was the class of 1999; they were a lot of fun
to have in class ,and they were NICE to each other. We did a lot of new and
different things with them
There was the class of 1999-2000
; they brought some unique
challenges. Though in that school year, the teachers were taught some lessons
about remaining optimistic despite great adversities;some of which exist
outside of the classroom walls.
Then in the 2000-2001 school
year...God smiled on the three of us. We were given an outstanding group
of students who made coming to work each day a pleasure. They were kind,
considerate and eager to learn. It was the nicest gift to end our six years
of teaching together. Ms Magnotti retired on June 19, 2001. Sadly, that group
of students didn't stay as close to each other once they entered the 8th
Grade. At the end of that school year, I was honored by my peers by being
selected "Teacher of the Year." I never expected the honor.
In the 2001-2002 school year,
the new team of Mrs. Barnfield, Mrs. Camburn and myself was formed to create
a new partnership. The teaching philosophies were similar and the new team
greeted the new students that year. I was again honored by the community
by receiving Walmart's New Jersey State Teacher of the Year. I will NEVER
forget the morning of the award presentation. Ms. McNamara, the
school principal, accompanied me to Walmart to receive the award. Upon our
immediate return to the school, we had learned that the world had been turned
upside-down. It was September 11, 2001. Getting back to class and watching
the terrorist attacks with my students was an unbelievable nightmare. I shared
great concern with my kids as they worried about loved ones in New York City
as my wife was working in Manhattan, too. May God Bless the victims, their
families and our country.
In the 2002-2003 school year,
a tremendous change came to the teaching team. We became a two person team. This eliminates an additional 30-35 students from
the academic setting. Mrs. Barnfield decides to challenge students with Math
and Social Studies. I decide to stay with Language Arts and Science. This
new arrangement will dramatically affect the learning environment for the
better
Each of them that have graced my gradebook are found on my "Stupendous Student Salute Page"
During
the 1997-1998 school year, I became the advisor for the school's NEW newspaper.
The very first formation meeting with new students brought 158 students to
Room 134. There were a lot of new ideas to explore and the group of students
decided upon the name of the paper. Since the birth of
"THE LAKER" took
place in December of 1997, over 3,251 issues have been sold. It gets better
each year. NOW...EVERY student gets a copy of The Laker (2002)
In
the spring of 1999, I was very happy to be a part of the very first
Lake
Riviera Track Team coaching
staff. As a former track team member, it was a great opportunity to get into
coaching. I was fortunate to work with Mr. Hellwig, Ms. Karatz, and
Mr. Nase. We had a great time working with several hundred athletes who pushed
themselves to succeed. The very first year was a success, and I was extremely
proud of the performance of the team!
Year Two of the Track Team allowed Mr. Hellwig and I to be head coaches with Mr. Bleim and Miss Meeker assisting. We had a GREAT YEAR with the girls' team finishing in second place in the county. Overall, we were very proud of the whole team. We broke MANY records in 2000.
Year Three of Track brought the Boys Team to the second place division. The Girls had enjoyed that spot the year prior. The Gym Wall Records came tumbling down thanks to the Track Team of 2001.
Year Four of Track brought a new addition to the Coaching Staff. Mr. Panuska replaces Miss Meeker (Mrs. McDevitt) during this year.
YEAR FIVE TRACK: BOYS TAKE THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE RED DIVISION!
Currently, Mrs Gialanella and Mr. Hill are now working with Mr. Panuska and me. We have a great time working with the kids!
Life at LRMS is good. I'm surrounded mostly by people who are pleasant to work with on a daily basis. The school is very supportive of the needs of the students. That makes a big difference.
Traveling
My
wife and I have been very fortunate to travel. We have been to Maine, Vermont,
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky,
Washington D.C., North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Hawaii, Florida,
Walt Disney World (30 Times
and counting) California, Canada,
Italy (4 times), France (3
times), Spain, Portugal, Monaco, Switzerland, Ireland, England, Germany(2
times), Austria and
good old Hershey Park.
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The
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We
are now sharing some of our traveling experiences with some former students
with a program called "The Ultimate Field Trip" which began in the SUMMER
of 2001.. We will be offering
specific Seniors, Juniors,
Sophomores, and Freshman the opportunity to travel to Europe. Our first destination was
FRANCE and
ENGLAND in the summer of
2001
DESTINATION #2
DESTINATION # 3
GERMANY and AUSTRIA 2006
DESTINATION # 4
ITALY 2006
Church
&
Hobbies
We're
both very active at our church. Both my wife and I are Eucharistic Ministers
.
In
my Outside Church Life...I'm a Youth Ministry Leader for 7th, 8th, and 9th
graders.
As
stated previously, we LOVE to travel. But equally rewarding, is reading,
relaxing and just spending time with our family and friends.
I personally believe that every individual is in desperate need of some religious
formation in their life. God plays an important role in our lives. When you
have faith in something, that is your conscience, moral structure and family
building block. Whether Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim or
any other, when God is in your life, you have unlimited strength to battle
anything that comes your way.
~Only the fool sayeth, "There is no God."
BLESSED
WITH A
GIRL and
A BOY!
I truthfully feel sorry for couples that do not have children. I pity those that do not want children. A child allows a person to become their full potential. Parenting has no manual, no rule book. My wife and I were a bit older when we had our first child. A few years later, our son was born. They are the light of our lives, and that's what children should be. Young people need to travel, get jobs and experience life a bit before having children. It is after doing all of those things that having a child will put everything in its proper perspective. Seeing all of the things you enjoy, vacations, movies, songs, the ocean, colors mean something deeper when you watch your own child see them for the first time. Most Importantly, everyone should make sure that they are READY to have a child. Likewise, in my own opinion, they should wait until they are married and financially stable.
ABSOLUTELY
NOTHING IMPORTANT HERE!
Just Trivia!
Favorite
Color-GREEN
Favorite
Authors- William Shakespeare, Agatha Christie, Jules Verne, Michael
Brown, Stephen King, Mark Twain, Robert Frost, Dante, Elizabeth
Barrett Browning
Favorite Novels- Of Mice and Men, And Then There Were None, Inferno,
The Final Hour, Animal Farm, Carrie, It, The War of the
Worlds, Macbeth, The Great Gatsby, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, The
DaVinci Code
Favorite
Television Shows- I don't watch much television, but I enjoy HOUSE,
CSI, and I Love Lucy reruns. Guilty Pleasures: Spongebob Squarepants,
Survivor, Big Brother
Favorite
Hollywood Director- Alfred Hitchcock
Favorite
All-Time Entertainers- Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly, Jimmy Stewart, Bette
Davis, Walt Disney, Olivia Newton-John
Favorite
Music- I listen to a little bit of everything:
Pop, Classical, Hip Hop, Country, Classic Rock & Roll
Favorite
Movies- It's a Wonderful Life , Gone with the Wind,
Fantasia, Titanic,
The Agony and the Ecstasy, North by Northwest, Dark Victory, History of the World Part I
Favorite
Foods- Italian & Mexican! Hands Down!
(not to forget chocolate)
Favorite
MEAL: Ravioli with : artichoke hearts, romano cheese, tomato and garlic sauce
Favorite Artists- Michelangelo, Salvador Dali, Monet, Caravaggio,
El Greco,
Mary Cassatt, Henry Matisse, Paul Gauguin, Auguste Renoir, Pablo Picasso
Favorite Ways to Pass Time- Reading, Religion Works, Mysteries, Surfing =)
Favorite
Holiday- Christmas
Favorite
Vacation Getaways- Italy, Walt Disney World, Hawaii, Austria
Favorite
Quote-
All the world 's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts.
William Shakespeare's. As You Like It
MY PERSONAL PET PEEVES
-
People who mistreat others
-
People who refuse to try to improve themselves
-
Those that are hypocritical
-
Intolerance
-
Prejudice
-
Laziness
-
Persecution of innocent people
-
People who curse due to lack of anything intelligent to say
-
Liars
-
Racism
-
People who don't try their personal best
-
People who stand-by while others are mistreated
-
People who make feeble excuses for their actions
-
People who make feeble excuses for the actions of their family or friends
-
Those who refuse to be responsible for their lives
-
Those that make fun of others in order to hide their own insecurities
-
Those that say they "can't" when they haven't tried
-
Fools who believe you can achieve something worthwhile without work
-
The Media- When twisting the truth and presenting it as fact.
-
Those who feel their intelligence makes them superior to others who may struggle
-
People who lack the capacity to show kindness and empathy to others
-
TERRORISTS that cowardly slaughter innocent people in order to demonstrate their "so-called" bravery
-
People that can not mind their own business and spend their life bitter at others who are happy
-
Cowards who can not take responsibility for their actions while hiding behind anonymity
Those who are in jobs that they do not do to their best ability
All in All, not the most "fascinating" life story that there is to tell; however, it's mine .....so far.
One thing is certain, and that is unpredictability.
You never know what life has waiting for you; that is why it's best to be prepared for anything. Just try to be happy. If you can be happy while making others happy.....wow, that's a charmed life. You've made it!
"In everything, one must consider the end" -Jean de la Fontain
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THE LIVING YEARS
Mike and the Mechanics
Every generation
Blames the one before
And all of their frustrations
Come beating on your door
I know that I'm a prisoner
To all my Father held so dear
I know that I'm a hostage
To all his hopes and fears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years
Crumpled bits of paper
Filled with imperfect thought
Stilted conversations
I'm afraid that's all we've got
You say you just don't see it
He says it's perfect sense
You just can't get agreement
In this present tense
We all talk a different language
Talking in defence
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye
So we open up a quarrel
Between the present and the past
We only sacrifice the future
It's the bitterness that lasts
So Don't yield to the fortunes
You sometimes see as fate
It may have a new perspective
On a different day
And if you don't give up, and don't give in
You may just be O.K.
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye
I wasn't there that morning
When my Father passed away
I didn't get to tell him
All the things I had to say
I think I caught his spirit
Later that same year
I'm sure I heard his echo
In my baby's new born tears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye
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