Meet Our Teachers

Mary Beth D’Antoni, is a reading expert who has been active in the field of education for over thirty years. She holds a NJ K-12 Teaching Certificate. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Education. She worked as a Seventh Grade Language Arts Teacher, Reading Teacher, Adjunct Professor of Reading and is author of “Pathways to the Mind,” a reading program for students who have difficulty learning from traditional methods.

She is owner and founder of Jersey Shore Learning Center. Her educational experience has included concentrated work in remedial, developmental and enrichment areas for kindergarten through college level students. Ms. D’Antoni has done extended independent research related to students with learning differences. Her program, “Pathways to the Mind,” is based on her experience, findings and research on the development of reading skills and has been recognized throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Ms. D’Antoni’s teaching methods have been proven to be highly successful in the development of essential reading skills. Read more about Mary Beth’s story here.

Tara Keegan has been a Reading Specialist for over 20 years teaching kindergarten through 8th grade.

Tara has taught the LD and self-contained population. In, addition, she had taught in the Resource Center and as an In-Class Support Teacher.

As a Reading Specialist, Tara works on fluency, comprehension and writing skills. She also coaches teachers and helps to improve the Reading Program throughout the school

Tara is certified in the Wilson Reading and Orton-Gillingham Programs. She utilizes a multi-sensory approach to help her students become successful readers.

Sara DiMaggio is currently serving as a middle school administrator working with staff to provide excellent educational opportunities for all learners. Throughout her 25 years in education, she has taught a variety of subjects and grades to students with a wide range of ability levels. Her extensive experience in teaching and leadership includes the development of curriculum, assessment, and best practices in instruction. Ms. DiMaggio holds advanced degrees in teaching and educational leadership. She is the author of “Teaching Kids to Care”, featured in Voices from the Classroom, Volume II and was the recipient of the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Her goal is to share her passion for reading and writing with her students.

Kathy Mueller is a Reading Specialist who has been an educator for over 30 years. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education at Douglas College, Rutger’s University, and went on to study at the Rutger’s Graduate School of Education to receive her Elementary teaching certificate. Kathy completed the Lee Canter Master’s Program in Education and she has attended courses at the Teacher’s College, Columbia University.

She worked as a kindergarten, first and second grade teacher, before becoming a Reading Specialist in the East Brunswick Public School System. Kathy was with the East Brunswick Public Schools for 30 years and she was honored twice as the recipient of the Governor’s Teacher Recognition Award. She has been trained in the Orton and Wilson Reading Programs, as well as the Visualizing and Verbalizing Program. She was instrumental in implementing the Fundation’s Phonics Program in her district, as well as the Teacher’s College Reading and writing workshop models. She has presented several workshops for parents and teachers on how to help their children become better readers. Kathy was also a presenter at the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence 2012 Conference in Orlando, Florida. Kathy is dedicated to improving children’s reading skills through multi-sensory activities. She wants to develop a love for reading in each of her students.

I am a dedicated teacher with 14 years of elementary school experience. I believe that all children are capable of being accomplished readers. I’m a mom of a child who struggled with reading in her early elementary years and with the proper help and instruction was able to become a successful reader. Seeing my daughter succeed is what prompted me to obtain my Masters Degree in Literacy and become a certified Reading Specialist. My passion is to be able to diagnose and provide remediation for children who struggle with reading.

I have given numerous Language Arts professional development sessions to my colleagues. I have received Employee of the Month recognition three times throughout my years teaching in Long Branch. I am familiar with many reading programs and assessments which allows me to provide a balanced approach to reading instruction.

Kathleen Treharne has been a teacher with the Toms River Regional School District for 13 years where she specialized in elementary education. Over the course of her tenure, she taught general education students as well as individuals with learning challenges and special needs within a mainstreamed inclusive classroom. Kathleen implemented student-centered multi sensory lessons to accommodate and engage students with a wide range of learning abilities, helping to nurture their love of learning at an early age.Through her hard work and dedication, she was selected to pilot an innovative program that helped struggling students reach their full academic potential through more individualized attention.

Kathleen earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Management with a Minor in Theatre Arts from Gettysburg College. After spending a few years in the business world, she decided to return to school to pursue her true passion and received her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Monmouth University.

When Kathleen is not in the classroom, she is home taking care of her three young children and taking them to their numerous activities and sporting events with the help of her husband.

My name is Colleen Ferrarese. I live in Wall Township with my husband and three beautiful children. We also have a two-year-old lab named Leo. I’ve been teaching at Clara Barton School in Bordentown for seventeen years. I am trained and certified in Orton-Gillingham, a multi- sensory approach to teaching reading and spelling. I absolutely love my job and teaching my students every day. I am very excited to be a part of the Jersey Shore Learning Center family and truly enjoy working with our wonderful students and amazing staff.

Cheryl Marzigliano is a Learning Disability Teacher/Consultant and an Adjunct Professor at Monmouth University. In addition, she worked as an Assistant Principal and Director of Special Services. Her responsibilities include conducting Child Study Team meetings, facilitating the implementation of students with special needs and collaborating with the Child Study Team to develop IEP’s. She has had training in the Wilson Reading Program and has taught small groups of students using the Wilson Reading Method. Her passion is teaching reading to exceptional students using a multi-sensory approach that ensures each child succeeds.

Alma Garrity is a lifelong resident of the Jersey Shore, working as an English teacher for over twenty-one years. She holds a master’s degree in English and a Reading Specialist certification from Georgian Court University. She has also tutored students one-on-one extensively throughout her career, in reading and writing improvement, study skills and SAT prep. Her commitment to learning and her solid experience will enable her to help children of all ages improve their literacy skills and inspire them to develop a love of reading, which can be the key to success throughout their educational careers and beyond.

Denise Anderson is a dedicated Special Education /Reading Teacher who has over 37 years of experience. I earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and Masters Degree in Special Education.  I taught Elementary Communication Disorder, LD, Resource Room, Reading and Special Education at all grade levels. I have been trained in the Orton-Gillingham and Wilson Reading Program Level 1 and 2. I have tutored students one-on-one throughout my career in study skills, organizational skill, improving reading skills and writing skills. My goal is to provide each of my students the skills they need in reading and writing to be successful in school and to be able to achieve all their goals. I truly enjoy working with my students and want to share my passion for reading and writing with them.