Monica DeTuro
Principal

Since I was a very small child, I have always wanted to be a teacher. I attended Marywood University in Scranton PA and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education and Elementary Education. This enabled me to obtain certification as a Teacher of the Handicapped and Elementary teacher with the New Jersey Department of Education. I was the first teacher hired to work at the Alpha School in 1980. Previously, I had taught at the Early Chilhood Learning Center in Madison, New Jersey for 3 years. I taught various mutiply disabled classes at Alpha for my first five years. The administration encouraged me to pursue my Masters Degree in Supervision and Curriculum Development which I received from Georgian Court College. This allowed me to become the vice-principal of the school in 1985. I left the school in 1986 and spent 10 years working at another private special needs school as a teacher, supervisor and vice-principal. It was also during my time away from Alpha that in 1992 I became a mom to my son Colin. In 1996 I was welcomed back to Alpha to take on the role I had when I left, vice-principal. I continued in my role as vice principal for three years and then I became the principal. This is a role that I had dreamt of having. I am fortunate to be doing what I know I was meant to do.

Alpha School is a very special place. The teachers, assistants, therapists and support staff are very dedicated to our students. Going above and beyond what is required, is something that our staff members do everyday. It is my job to give them the tools they need to help each of our students reach their individual potential. It is a great privilege to work with this special group of people who are totally committed to the children that we provide services for.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has”. Margaret Mead

Anne Marie Leahy Hall
Supervisor of Instruction

I have been with the RKS group since 1999. I am currently serving as the Supervisor of Instruction at the Alpha School. I am a summa cum laude graduate of Boston College with a BA in Elementary and Special Education and a Masters of Education in Special Education /Generic Learning Specialist. I began my career in education as a fourth grade teacher at Oak Knoll School in Summit, NJ. After obtaining my masters from Boston College, I was a resource room teacher for students in sixth through eighth grade at Weston Jr. High School in Weston, Massachusetts. Upon my return to New Jersey, I taught first and second grades, as well as Intermediate Neurologically Impaired Classes for third though sixth graders for the Millburn Public School System.

I joined the Harbor School in Eatontown after a twelve year hiatus spent raising my two daughters, Caitlin and Megan. There I taught multiply disabled students and served as Harbor’s Learning Disabilities Consultant prior to becoming the Supervisor of Instruction at Alpha School. I continued my education at Rutgers and Georgian Court College where I earned a Supervisor’s Certificate. I hold certifications from the New Jersey Department of Education as an Elementary School Teacher, Teacher of the Handicapped, Learning Disabilities Consultant and Supervisor. I also hold Elementary and Special Education Certification in Massachusetts. I am dedicated to improving the lives and instruction of children with special needs.

Murae Vogler
Social Worker

I am a licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have been happily working at the Alpha School since 2002. I started my journey into special education and developmental disabilities when I was in high school. I have known since I was young that I wanted to help children and adolescents manage their special challenges. I obtained my undergraduate and graduate degrees from Rutgers University. I received my Masters in Social Work in 1999 and my clinical certification in 2003. My role in the school is to provide therapeutic counseling to students, provide information on referrals and resources to therapeutic programs and to provide families with emotional support and the means necessary to navigate through the education and mental health system.

When I am not happily working at Alpha, I am home with my two daughter, Mackenzie and Mikayla and my husband, Mike. I love to read, garden and socialize with my friends and family.

Linda Barich
School Nurse

I have enjoyed being the Alpha School nurse since 2003. I became a registered nurse after completing the nursing program at St. Vincent’s Medical Center of Richmond School of Nursing and I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Kean University. I am a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the Honor Society of Nursing. I am currently working towards a graduate degree in school nursing at New Jersey City University. My favorite aspect of nursing is the interaction with the students and the challenges of acting as an independent practitioner in the school setting which requires responding to diverse nursing situations. I keep current with best practice standards in nursing including asthma management approaches as developed by the Pediatric/Adult Asthma Coalition of New Jersey and seizure management practices from the Epilepsy Foundation of America. I work with an interdisciplinary team that includes teachers, teaching assistants, parents, therapists, our social worker, students’ physicians and administration to provide care which focuses on both the health and academic needs of our students. I admit that it is a very different type of nursing, moving from hospital based care to community nursing, but now I couldn’t imagine doing anything else!

“You can’t educate a child who isn’t healthy and you can’t keep a child healthy who isn’t educated”.

Dr. Jocelyn Elders, 15th Surgeon General of the United States

Eileen Trainor
Transistion Coordinator

I graduated from Kean University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education. I have been an educator at the Alpha School for twenty one years. Currently, I am the high school Career Education teacher and I work with our students to develop various work and appropriate social skills to succeed in the working world. I also work ad the Transition Coordinator. I work closely with the job coach to place our students in various local community businesses to provide them with the opportunity to sample career choices and field experiences. Working with our students continues to be the best part of my job. It’s rewarding to hear about successful work experiences from our former graduates.

When not at work I enjoy photography, shopping and spending time with my husband Patrick and my son Joseph.

Kathy Moore
Physical Education and Health Teacher

I have worked at the Alpha School for twenty five years, as an Adaptive Physical Education instructor. My responsibilities include developing and implementing the health and physical education curriculum, as well as strengthening social interactive skills with peers. I especially enjoy the strong rapport and respect I have established with my students. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in health and physical education from Trenton State College (presently The College of New Jersey) and I hold a New Jersey certificate to teach Pre-K through 12. I reside in Brick Township with my husband Tony, daughter Amy and my twin sons, Michael and Ryan.

Wanda Pratola
Secretary

I first started at the Harbor School (our sister school) in 2001 and I transferred to the Alpha School in 2004, and have been here ever since. My job is diversified which makes it interesting on a daily basis. I am the first person everyone sees when you enter our doors. I have a positive attitude and I am always happy to greet all our visitors. My duties consist of answering the telephone, taking care of students’ records, scheduling all meetings, and speaking with many of our students’ parents on a daily basis. I also assist all our staff with their needs as well. I feel that being positive, compassionate and getting along with administration as well as my co-workers is very important in our setting. The Alpha School has become my second family and I enjoy coming to work everyday. I feel that I make a real difference in the lives of our students and their families.

Peg Kennedy
Preschool Teacher

I have been employed at the Alpha School since 1992 and for most of those years I have enjoyed teaching the Preschool Disabled class. A Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education, my nursery certification and the graduate classes that I have taken in Early Childhood Education have contributed to the activities that I present to the children in my classroom. In addition, the administrators encourage me to take advantage of opportunities for further training in my field. This training has included the use of the Picture Exchange System, Eden Training for Discrete Trial, workshops on Verbal Behavior and applied behavior analysis (AB), information on a variety of syndromes and access to conferences and workshops that provide updated information about techniques for working with children on the autism spectrum.

The Alpha School uses an interdisciplinary approach which encourages interaction between all the professionals in the school and affords me the opportunity to work beside speech, occupational and physical therapists so that we can continually reinforce skills taught I other areas. This approach has allowed me to continue learning while I enjoy teaching my little children and celebrating their accomplishments.

Linda Cranin
Music Teacher

I started teaching music at the Alpha School during the 2009-2010 school year. I have been with the RKS Associates for 17 years. I have a Bachelor’s degree in music education and a Master’s degree in special education. I also obtained a certificate in general education k-8.

I use music to enrich our students’ lives, reinforce concepts such as body and spatial awareness, seasons, colors, numbers, calendar and introduce the older students to the history and culture of other places and times. All of my students are successful in music class. I readily adapt the lessons to what is needed for each student. We have music specials that the students enjoy including Rhythm Band and Hand Bells. We have a lot of fun. It is a pleasure to come to the Alpha School.

Mary Beth Lamb
Elementary Teacher

I started working at the Alpha School in November of 1995. I was returning to the work force after being home with my young children. When both children were in school full time I returned to work. I am a teacher in a multiple disabled class. I work mostly with children ages 5-9 years of age. This is my favorite age group. The children are little sponges. They want to learn and they do learn. I have success working with children who need a little extra attention addressing their behavioral needs. I enjoy watching their progress. I graduated in 1978 from New Jersey City University with a Bachelor’s degree in education. I have a Teacher of the Handicapped certificate. I am married with two children.

Christine Tomaine
High School Teacher

My career at Alpha began 21 years ago in Apil, 1989 when my youngest son was in Kindergarten. My time here was spent working with the high school students teaching Language Arts and Social Studies for many years. The past 5 years I’ve been teaching Math and Activities of Daily Living, along with running the school store and ordering school supplies for the Alpha Staff. I’ve also worked on overseeing the production of our yearbook for the past 20 years I’ve enjoyed working with the students doing community service projects such as fundraising for various causes by selling pretzels and having bake sales. I have helped the students to raise money for Hearts for Haiti and Pennies for Peace.

My Bachelor of Arts Degree came from William Patterson University. I am certified as a Teacher of the Handicapped and in Elementary Education. Along with spending time with my family, I enjoy reading and going to afternoon teas with my friends.

Diane Turick
Personal Assistant

My career started in September, 1999, when my youngest daughter went to school. For five years, I filled many positions as a substitute teacher’s assistant. The last six years, I have worked with a young man as his one on one in the high school. I have enjoyed seeing his progress through the years. I am proud to say that this June, he is graduating and has grown into a remarkable young man.

My background in bookkeeping has assisted me in keeping accurate financial records for the school store. I also have enjoyed running cooking lessons with the high school students and have also taught cooking in the weekly school clubs. We have two lovely daughters, Barbara-Jean and Katie. This year we welcomed our son-in-law Jimmy into the family. Reading and gardening are my favorite activities to do at home. In 2010 I was proud to accept the Ruth K. Newman award for Excellence at Alpha School.

Beverly Holborow
Speech and Language Pathologist

I began working at the Alpha School in September 1996 as a staff Speech-Language Pathologist and Related Services Specialist. As the Related Services Specialist, I am responsible for coordinating Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy for all the students who attend Alpha School. In addition, I act as a liaison between the therapy staff and the administration at the Alpha School. I provide information regarding our therapy programs to new parents and case managers during our intake process. I collaborate with therapists from our sister schools, Harbor School and Gateway School, to gain new information and ideas to keep our therapy program dynamic. As a staff Speech-Language Pathologist, I provide speech and language therapy for Pre-School and Early Elementary aged students. I have attended numerous continuing education courses in the areas of augmentative communication, oral-motor/feeding therapy and autism. I am trained to use the PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets) method. In 2002 I received the Ruth K. Newman award for Excellence in teaching special needs students.

I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Kean University in May of 1992. I went on to receive my Master of Arts degree in Speech Pathology in August of 1993. My first job experience was as a Speech-Language Pathologist at the Children’s Center of Monmouth County. I have worked for a private practice in Monmouth County as well as for several agencies throughout Ocean County. I currently have a part-time private practice.

Mary Jo Mongaliri
Art Teacher

I started at Alpha School in 1983 as a full time employee, after subbing for two years. All together I have 27 years of experience working with students with a variety of disabilities.

My art room is always busy with classes as well as individual specialty art groups. The inspiration and chatter while they work is such a great thing to view. Students are always encouraged to experiment and exchange opinions to create artwork. I see my job as more of a facilitator and mentor to the young artists in our school, while building on their skills and techniques through the elements of art. Along with regular artwork during the year our student artists have presented their work to the yearly VSA are show as well as state and local art contests. We have had winners and received honorable mention for their work. Every year we have a school wide craft sale that helps support our program. All the crafts are made by our students with pride. When you visit our school, please note the wonderful artwork in the hallways. It is our Alpha Art Gallery full of our artists’ great work.

I attended Ocean County College as well as Jersey City State College. I love creating art with my eight grandchildren, ranging from 1 to 18 years of age. I encourage them to always be proud of what they do no matter what the end results are. I have three married children, two of which are special needs teachers as well. My husband gets involved with the art program along with my son in laws by cutting all the wood needed for our craft show projects. Rich has been my biggest supporter as well as an understanding companion throughout my career. I’ve always encouraged my family to share whatever talents they have with others. To give back is the greatest lesson we can learn. I also stress this to my students, to share their art talents with others. The art program is the outgrowth of observing and interacting with my student so that I can better meet their needs and make art an enjoyable, challenging and creative activity for them, one they can call their own and have pride in.