What drew you to a career in teaching? Was there a teacher or family member who inspired you? As a child, I always played "school" and teacher with my friends (both real and stuffed animals). When I was allowed to get something from a store it was usually paper and "teacher pens". As the years progressed, I enjoyed being with my nieces and nephews. My oldest sister went off to college to be a teacher and I thought that was the best thing! I followed in her footsteps right down to the same university in Kentucky and have never regretted it.
How long have you been a teacher, and how long have you been at River Plaza? I have been an educator for 35 years! I taught in Virginia and Hawaii before teaching in New Jersey. My first job in New Jersey was in Keansburg with a work-oriented program for high school students. When I began teaching in Middletown Township, I taught in the resource room at Middletown High School North. From there, I went to Port Monmouth School with fourth and fifth grade neurologically-impaired students. As enrollment became too large and space was limited at Port Monmouth, I was transferred to Harmony School and taught in a self-contained classroom for Learning/Language Delayed students in grades K through 2. I have happily been at River Plaza teaching my "firsties" for seven years now and I love it!
What is your favorite part of your job? It is hard to pinpoint just one favorite thing. Here are a few:
- Seeing the faces of students as they finally "get it"!
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- Hearing laughter as children are learning
- Listening to students reading to each other
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- Watching a child be the best they can be
How do you challenge your students on a daily basis? The questions I ask my "firsties" most often are: "What do you think?" and "Can you prove it?”.
Do you have a motto for yourself and your students? Always do your best and have fun!!!Is there any advice you would like to offer parents? You are your child's first teacher and best advocate. Embrace and enjoy the challenge. "I am honored to be chosen as Teacher of The Year for River Plaza," McAleer added. "I have said often since this award was presented to me, this is not an award for just me. I believe it is an honor for all the people I work with -- students, parents, administrators, colleagues, school staff. Without cooperation from all, this would not be possible. Thank you!"
