Each May, the Board of Education recognizes staff from every school at its meeting. This evening, the Board of Education celebrated the following staff members as the 2025-26 Teachers of the Year and 2025-26 Education Service Professional (ESP) of the Year!
Heather Staples - Teacher of the Year
Manchester Township High School
Mrs. Staples is enjoying her 27th year in the district with a schedule that includes AP Lit, Tomorrow’s Teachers, and In-Class support Engl 11. Students in her class feel heard, challenged, and supported. She is extremely proud of her former students who are now working in the district. In addition, she leads our National Honor Society students, and their commitment to community service is second to none. This year's involvement includes the Senior Santa, Relay for Life, and ongoing collaboration with the Ocean County ARC where the high school was awarded the 2025 Youth Community Volunteer Partner Award. Thank you for all you do for the students at MTHS!
Rachel Kelly - Educational Service Professional of the Year
Manchester Township High School
Congratulations to Mrs. Kelly, the MTHS ESP of the year. She has the rare distinction of being recognized as MTHS Teacher of the Year for the 20/21 school year as well. Mrs. Kelly loves the real-world problem-solving that her position allows her to do. She is a strong advocate for her students and also understands the demands of the teachers, which allows her to be a resource for everyone at the high school. She is currently serving as the President of the Ocean County School Counselors Association. Her efforts led to our duel enrollment agreement with Stockton University, and she has been an SGA Advisor and coach for XC and track during her tenure at the HS.
Elissa Wagner - Teacher of the Year
Manchester Township Middle School
A 28-year veteran in the district, Mrs. Wagner approaches each class with the same passion, dedication, and professionalism that have characterized her entire career. What’s more, she goes above and beyond to assist her students and is a solid contributor to our school community. Whether it involves collaborating with a colleague, assisting with a spirit event/fundraiser, or even serving as an Asst. Coach to our Track team, Mrs. Wagner is always up for the challenge. She is an integral member of the MTMS team, one who is truly deserving of this recognition.
Jenn Hordych - Educational Service Professional of the Year
Manchester Township Middle School
To say that Mrs. Hordych is an outstanding member of the Child Study Team is truly an understatement. For starters, she is dedicated to her craft, passionate about what she does, and serves as the consummate advocate for her students. Furthermore, she also makes a point of attending professional development whenever she can to improve her craft and serves as a co-coordinator of our I&RS team. However, perhaps her most meaningful contribution is the positive effect that she has on the lives of her pupils, both now and in the future.
Brittany Varga - Teacher of the Year
Manchester Township Elementary School
Now in her ninth year, Mrs. Varga has made an extraordinary impact as a Grade 2 teacher, I&RS, Discovery Club, and Jump Start Coordinator, as well as a Tier 3 interventionist. Her passion for education, unwavering dedication to student success, and commitment to supporting every child are truly remarkable. She is a trusted and valued resource for colleagues, students, and families alike, always willing to lend a helping hand, share her expertise, and go above and beyond for others. Her positive spirit, collaborative nature, and impeccable dedication make her a true example of excellence in education.
Susannah Meiter - Educational Service Professional of the Year
Manchester Township Elementary School
Ms. Meiter serves as a paraprofessional in our kindergarten team. Her dedication, support, and commitment to our school community are greatly appreciated. She works hard each day to assist students and staff while helping to create a positive learning environment. Her willingness to help and steady presence make her a valued member of our school family. We are proud to celebrate her and this well-deserved recognition.
Danielle Fredo - Teacher of the Year
Ridgeway Elementary School
We are proud to celebrate Ms. Fredo as our Teacher of the Year, an exceptional educator whose passion, skill, and dedication inspire students every day. Ms. Fredo creates engaging, supportive learning experiences, uses data and evidence-based strategies to meet diverse needs, and goes above and beyond to ensure every child can grow and succeed. From supporting multilingual learners to leading intervention efforts and strengthening home-school connections, Ms. Fredo is a valued leader, collaborator, and advocate for students. We are honored to recognize her outstanding impact on our school community.
Amanda Goodstein - Educational Service Professional of the Year
Ridgeway Elementary School
We are thrilled to celebrate Ms. Goodstein as our ESP of the Year and to honor the outstanding contributions she makes to our school community each day. As an exceptional school psychologist and valued Child Study Team member, Ms. Goodstein brings deep knowledge, professionalism, and compassion to her work with students, families, teachers, and administration. Her thoughtful insight, steadfast advocacy, and genuine care help children grow and thrive, while her ability to serve across two buildings reflects her extraordinary dedication and commitment. We are proud to recognize Ms. Goodstein for the difference she makes and grateful for the excellence she brings to Ridgeway and Whiting Elementary Schools.
Natalie Baranyay - Teacher of the Year
Whiting Elementary School
Natalie Baranyay first joined MTSD 19 years ago, starting her career at Ridgeway as a full-day kindergarten teacher. Natalie joined Whiting School as a second-grade teacher, looping to third grade with her class in year five. Throughout her career, Natalie has embodied our district motto, “Excellence by Example.” She is not only an exceptional educator but also a trusted colleague, a mentor to student teachers, and an advocate for children. She challenges students to grow academically while also nurturing their confidence, independence, and character. Her classroom is more than just a place of learning—it is a calm, joyful, and structured environment where students feel safe, supported, and loved.
April Bute - Educational Service Professional of the Year
Whiting Elementary School
Mrs. April Bute serves as a Teacher’s Assistant in our Preschool program. What makes “Ms. April” especially remarkable is her ability to connect with students who need it most. Throughout her career in Manchester, she has worked with students in preschool, kindergarten, self-contained classrooms, and students with autism. No matter the child, no matter the challenge, she is someone we can always count on. She brings creativity into learning, helps develop engaging activities for students, and uses her experience across multiple age groups and educational settings to ensure every child feels supported and successful. Ms. April, your kindness, resilience, and dedication inspire all of us all.
Maria Brucato-Wilson - Teacher of the Year
Regional Day School
Mrs. Brucato-Wilson is a dedicated master teacher and always goes above and beyond for her preschool students. She is the consummate professional, always sharing resources to assist students and colleagues. Maria is involved in numerous committees and continually makes a positive impact. This is her ninth year in the district, and the second year she was selected as our Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Brucato-Wilson volunteers countless hours in the community from the sidelines, to a thrift shop at a local church, to organize fundraisers for students in need. Her school and community spirit are unparalleled. She deserves this honor. Congratulations Maria!
Alicia Scarano - Educational Service Professional of the Year
Regional Day School
Mrs. Alicia Scarano is an exceptional Occupational Therapist. She develops creative, research-based, and functional activities for students ages three to twenty-one. OT goals and interventions increase students' participation in academic tasks, provide a higher level of engagement, build independence and confidence, and improve self-regulation. Mrs. Scarano was instrumental in the expansion of our OT Room and the creation of our new Sensory Space. Mrs. Scarano is a leader amongst her peers, advocating for students and employing a student-centered approach. She has great pride in our students and her work! Congratulations Ally!
These exceptional educators were chosen by their colleagues for their hard work and dedication to their profession and the students of Manchester. They live out our district motto of “Excellence by Example” every day through the way they teach and care for their students and school community.
In recognition of this honor, our Teachers of the Year and Educational Service Professionals of the Year were also celebrated alongside Superintendent Pedroza this week at the 2026 Teacher of the Year Recognition Breakfast hosted by the Ocean County Association of School Administrators. The event highlighted the impact these professionals have not only within Manchester Township Public Schools, but across the county’s educational community as well.
It takes a village to educate our students, and we are so pleased that these professionals were selected by their peers to represent themselves and Manchester Township Public Schools as our 2025-26 Teachers of the Year and Educational Service Professionals of the Year.