Brick Memorial High School proudly announces that Jacqueline Castellano, a dedicated and innovative science teacher, has been selected as a “Teacher Who Rocks” for the 2024 year. Mrs. Castellano’s outstanding contributions to education and her commitment to student success have earned her this prestigious recognition.

“I am honored! I am so thankful to all my colleagues and my students for making every day a great day to teach at Brick Memorial!” said Mrs. Castellano.  “My favorite part of the day is watching my students in small groups ‘doing science’ and ‘speaking biology’ to each other!  Nothing puts a bigger smile on my face!”

Mrs. Castellano is known for her unwavering dedication to her students’ academic achievement. She goes above and beyond by offering extra help before school, during her lunch, and after school. Her commitment to her students extends beyond her own classes, as she has also provided assistance to students from other classes through virtual platforms.

In her role as a teacher in the STEM Academy Biology class and the Advanced Placement Biology class, Mrs. Castellano has demonstrated exceptional teaching skills. In just her first year of teaching Advanced Placement Biology, her students achieved impressive scores on the college test, showcasing her effectiveness as an educator.

One of Mrs. Castellano’s key strengths is her innovative approach to teaching. She constantly develops new labs and activities to enhance the learning experience for her students. Despite the availability of existing materials, she uses her creative abilities to create unique learning opportunities, which require additional time and effort. Mrs. Castellano generously shares her creations with her colleagues, making her a valuable collaborative member of the science department.

Within the science department, Mrs. Castellano is highly respected as an educator and a colleague. Her professional advice and opinions are sought after by many, reflecting her expertise and leadership in her field.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Mrs. Castellano actively serves her school in various capacities. She is a member of the SCiP Committee, where she contributes her insights to enhance school programs and policies. She has also been invited to speak to the Board of Education and to be a presenter at the school’s professional day, showcasing her leadership and expertise beyond the classroom.  She is also a respected member of the district DEAC Committee and National Honor Society Faculty Counsil.

Mrs. Castellano’s impact extends beyond the school walls through her creation of a pre-med club for students planning to enter the medical field. Through this club, she has established partnerships with community members representing fields such as organ donation, nursing, and nutrition. These partnerships have provided students with valuable insights into medical careers and professional contacts in the community.

Mrs. Castellano was nominated for this award by her colleague Darren St. Jean, who recognized her exceptional contributions to education and her dedication to her students’ success.

The community is invited to tune in to Rockyn Robyn’s Show on 95.9 WRAT and 100.1 WJRZ with Matt Knight on Friday, February 2, 2024. Mrs. Castellano’s story will be featured on air at or around 1:20pm on WRAT and around 3:20pm on WJRZ. Listeners can tune in via radio or stream the stations from their websites by clicking the “LISTEN LIVE” button.

Brick Memorial High School is proud to celebrate Jacqueline Castellano’s accomplishments and contributions to education. Her passion for teaching, dedication to her students, and innovative approach to education truly make her a “Teacher Who Rocks.”