Meet the Teachers
Justina Pignatello- Gifted Specialist - Pull out Grades 2- 8
She has been an educator for over ten years. She started her career in Early Childhood Education. Justina worked at the Garfield ECLC Aftercare Enrichment Program, while she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in from William Paterson University. Justina graduated with Magna Cum Laude Honors in Elementary Education, specializing in Social Studies Grades 6-8. She also received her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, where she graduated with Summa Cum Laude Honors from St. Peter’s University.
Justina pursued her teaching career as an elementary school teacher for the Garfield School District. During her professional career she taught various grade levels ranging from first grade to fourth grade. Most recently, she taught second grade for the past five years. In addition to teaching, Justina also coached Garfield Middle School Girls Soccer.
Justina gained valuable knowledge from all of my educational experiences and is excited to cultivate students’ curiosity and interest in learning through the Gifts and Talents Program. She continues to implement STEAM education: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. Justina is looking forward to facilitate STEAM teaching to provide students the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge they have learned and integrate them with real-world relevant learning.
In addition to contributing new ideas and challenges, Justina is determined to set high expectations aligned with both New Jersey and the National Gifted Standards. Her enthusiasm and passion allows her to work effectively with students, parents, teachers and administrators in the school community. Furthermore, Justina will continue to utilize her expertise to promote district wide growth by successfully facilitating the Gifts and Talents Program.
Justina has been happily married for the past three years to her college sweetheart, Rick. Her hobbies include traveling to different places around the world. Her most recent adventure was a trip to Paris, France. Justina also enjoys running and working out to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. In 2016, she successfully trained and completed the New York City Marathon with her husband. Justina also participated in the Garfield’s Centennial Polonia 5k Race where she placed first in her age group.
She has been an educator for over ten years. She started her career in Early Childhood Education. Justina worked at the Garfield ECLC Aftercare Enrichment Program, while she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in from William Paterson University. Justina graduated with Magna Cum Laude Honors in Elementary Education, specializing in Social Studies Grades 6-8. She also received her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, where she graduated with Summa Cum Laude Honors from St. Peter’s University.
Justina pursued her teaching career as an elementary school teacher for the Garfield School District. During her professional career she taught various grade levels ranging from first grade to fourth grade. Most recently, she taught second grade for the past five years. In addition to teaching, Justina also coached Garfield Middle School Girls Soccer.
Justina gained valuable knowledge from all of my educational experiences and is excited to cultivate students’ curiosity and interest in learning through the Gifts and Talents Program. She continues to implement STEAM education: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. Justina is looking forward to facilitate STEAM teaching to provide students the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge they have learned and integrate them with real-world relevant learning.
In addition to contributing new ideas and challenges, Justina is determined to set high expectations aligned with both New Jersey and the National Gifted Standards. Her enthusiasm and passion allows her to work effectively with students, parents, teachers and administrators in the school community. Furthermore, Justina will continue to utilize her expertise to promote district wide growth by successfully facilitating the Gifts and Talents Program.
Justina has been happily married for the past three years to her college sweetheart, Rick. Her hobbies include traveling to different places around the world. Her most recent adventure was a trip to Paris, France. Justina also enjoys running and working out to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. In 2016, she successfully trained and completed the New York City Marathon with her husband. Justina also participated in the Garfield’s Centennial Polonia 5k Race where she placed first in her age group.
Mrs. Karen Mascari - Gifted Specialist - STEAM ENRICHMENT TEACHER K-5
Mrs. Mascari has been an educator for the past 24 years. She started her career in Early Childhood Education. She taught Fifth and Sixth grade in an Garfield School District. Karen then became a Gifted Specialist. Mrs. Mascari has provided professional development on the following topics: Gifted Education, Gifted Learners, Tech Tools for the Elementary Classroom, Kindergarten Best Practices, S.T.E.M. Activities, Mindfulness, Mindfulness Meditation, Mindfulness in the Classroom, and Mindfulness and Test Prep. Mrs. Mascari presented at the National Association for Gifted Children in Arizona. Mrs. Mascari was asked to present at the SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted) in Virginia. Currently, an editor from Prufrock Press Inc contacted Karen about writing a book on mindfulness. Mrs. Mascari has served as the Vice President of the Bergen County Consortium for Teachers of the Gifted. Her devotion to bringing peace and security to her students brought her to the study of mindfulness and mindful meditation. Mrs. Mascari's training of mindfulness includes the completion of the Fundamentals of Mindfulness, Mindfulness Curriculum Training, The Five Core Skills of Mindfulness, Yoga and Mindfulness Tools for Children and Adolescents, Mindful Teacher Certification Program, Trauma-Informed Care for Professionals Working for Youth, Mindful Communication, Dealing with Difficult Emotions. Mindfulness meditation is a daily part of Mrs. Mascari's life. Volunteerism is an important part of Mrs. Mascari's life. Her family currently sponsors a child from Guatemala. Mrs. Mascari is Brand Partner with Vasayo. She busily runs a team of 300 plus brand partners and helps her customers achieve overall health and wellness. She has been happily married to her high school sweetheart, Joe, for the past 22 years. She has been blessed with three amazing children; Vincent is her oldest biological son who is currently serving in the US Air Force. Carlos is her middle child and was adopted from Guatemala. Faith, who is her youngest, was adopted from South Korea. She also has a Bulldog puppy, Nina and a Jack Russell, Paulie
Mrs. Mascari has been an educator for the past 24 years. She started her career in Early Childhood Education. She taught Fifth and Sixth grade in an Garfield School District. Karen then became a Gifted Specialist. Mrs. Mascari has provided professional development on the following topics: Gifted Education, Gifted Learners, Tech Tools for the Elementary Classroom, Kindergarten Best Practices, S.T.E.M. Activities, Mindfulness, Mindfulness Meditation, Mindfulness in the Classroom, and Mindfulness and Test Prep. Mrs. Mascari presented at the National Association for Gifted Children in Arizona. Mrs. Mascari was asked to present at the SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted) in Virginia. Currently, an editor from Prufrock Press Inc contacted Karen about writing a book on mindfulness. Mrs. Mascari has served as the Vice President of the Bergen County Consortium for Teachers of the Gifted. Her devotion to bringing peace and security to her students brought her to the study of mindfulness and mindful meditation. Mrs. Mascari's training of mindfulness includes the completion of the Fundamentals of Mindfulness, Mindfulness Curriculum Training, The Five Core Skills of Mindfulness, Yoga and Mindfulness Tools for Children and Adolescents, Mindful Teacher Certification Program, Trauma-Informed Care for Professionals Working for Youth, Mindful Communication, Dealing with Difficult Emotions. Mindfulness meditation is a daily part of Mrs. Mascari's life. Volunteerism is an important part of Mrs. Mascari's life. Her family currently sponsors a child from Guatemala. Mrs. Mascari is Brand Partner with Vasayo. She busily runs a team of 300 plus brand partners and helps her customers achieve overall health and wellness. She has been happily married to her high school sweetheart, Joe, for the past 22 years. She has been blessed with three amazing children; Vincent is her oldest biological son who is currently serving in the US Air Force. Carlos is her middle child and was adopted from Guatemala. Faith, who is her youngest, was adopted from South Korea. She also has a Bulldog puppy, Nina and a Jack Russell, Paulie
Miss Ashley Anderson - Gifted Specialist Pull out Grades 2 -8
Ashley has worked for the Garfield School District for over three years now. She graduated from Montclair State University with a B.A. in English. Ashley has always loved working with children, so she decided to pursue a career in education and became certified to teach P-12, specializing in English Language Arts. Since then she has been teaching all grades and various subjects throughout the district. She also worked for the Garfield YMCA, substitute teaching and assisting during the summer for the YMCA camp program. Last year Ashley took on her first long-term replacement position at Woodrow Wilson School #5 where she taught kindergarten for half the year. It was such a great experience for her, and given the opportunity to have this real hands-on classroom experience is what made her know undoubtedly that teaching is what she was truly meant to be doing. Ashley's goal is to motivate and inspire students. She is so excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the Gifts and Talents program and is looking forward to a successful school year.
Ashley has worked for the Garfield School District for over three years now. She graduated from Montclair State University with a B.A. in English. Ashley has always loved working with children, so she decided to pursue a career in education and became certified to teach P-12, specializing in English Language Arts. Since then she has been teaching all grades and various subjects throughout the district. She also worked for the Garfield YMCA, substitute teaching and assisting during the summer for the YMCA camp program. Last year Ashley took on her first long-term replacement position at Woodrow Wilson School #5 where she taught kindergarten for half the year. It was such a great experience for her, and given the opportunity to have this real hands-on classroom experience is what made her know undoubtedly that teaching is what she was truly meant to be doing. Ashley's goal is to motivate and inspire students. She is so excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the Gifts and Talents program and is looking forward to a successful school year.
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