Meet the Candidates
My name is Christina Dunne, and I am running for one of the three seats for the Board of Education in Hanover Township. My running mates are Karen Mascolo and Brian Gibbons. We are committed to an engaging and challenging curriculum taught in a nurturing and compassionate environment. We seek to refocus the attention of the Board of Education on closing the academic gap that developed during Covid.
My life has always revolved around children, education, family, and community. My husband and I moved to Hanover Township 36 years ago because of the community and its schools. As an educator, I know the value of excellent schools. My husband and I wanted the best start for our sons. All four attended the Hanover Schools where they were nurtured by dedicated and caring teachers. They have now gone on to be successful adults leading productive lives while still possessing the burning desire to learn.
Christina Dunne
Education provides opportunities for children to explore, to question, and learn. Our schools should be safe havens for all children to grow, thrive, and engage. They should feel valued and accepted in nurturing classrooms. My education at Bucknell University where I acquired my degree in Elementary Education and my Masters degree in Reading from the College of New Rochelle gave me the tools to inspire children to learn. During my 40 year career in education, I was driven to excel and was recognized for my achievements. I won a national teaching award from the National Council for Geographic Education for my innovative approach to Geography instruction. I also was recognized as a “Teacher Who Rocks” from our local radio station, WDHA, for making a difference in the classroom.
In my former district of Caldwell-West Caldwell Schools, I mentored many student teachers and new teachers as a way to give back to my profession. This experience can help retain and support our teaching staff. I also served on many curriculum committees developing engaging curriculums. The NJ Department of Education also recognized my expertise in curriculum and state standards. I worked closely with the Department of Education for 10 years on the development of state exams for Language Arts literacy for grades 3-5. I feel my experience and my love for children and education will further our town’s reputation for schools that make a difference. I hope you will cast your ballot on November 7th for me, so I can serve our children and community on the Hanover’s Board of Education.
Hello, my name is Brian Gibbons, and I am running for the Board of Education in Hanover Township. My wife and three children moved to Hanover Township nearly 8 years ago to enroll our children in the school district and be closer to family and friends living in town. We have been grateful every day since we made the move and now, I am eager to give back.
I am proud to be running alongside two amazing and accomplished women, Christina Dunne and Karen Mascolo. Together, we are committed to refocusing the Board of Education on education, with an emphasis on safety, curriculum, compassion, and community. We further intend to help steer the Board of Education away from the national political noise and earnestly promote solutions that raise test scores, improve physical and mental health for students and staff, maintain qualified and enthusiastic staff, and encourage academic excellence.
Brian Gibbons
As a bit of background, I am an Accredited Police Chief Executive (ACE Certified) with 25 years of experience in Essex and Morris County law enforcement. I completed my Associate of Science Degree from Essex County College and my Bachelor of Arts and Master of Administrative Science Degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Furthermore, I hold post graduate certifications from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Emergency Management Administration and Administrative Science.
Additionally, I am a NJ State Certified Public Manager (CPM) and Police Training Commission certified police academy instructor – teaching criminal law, environmental crimes, and Alcohol Beverage Control Act for more than a decade.
Moreover, I am a commissioner for the NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police accreditation program – helping to promote and enhance the highest ethical and professional standards in law enforcement at all levels throughout New Jersey. I sit on a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and helped assemble a local Behavior Threat Assessment Team (BTAM) designed to prevent school violence, mitigate threats, and improve school and community safety.
My experience in law enforcement and emergency management administration will be instrumental in promoting safety measures and improving physical and mental health for students and staff. I am uniquely qualified to join the Board of Education and I commit to sharing my training and experience to ensure all Hanover Township children are safe and thriving. I would like to thank you in advance for your consideration and humbly ask for your support and vote, so we can deliver on our vision of Curriculum, Compassion, and Community for all students of Hanover Township!
My name is Karen Mascolo and I am running for the Board of Education in Hanover Township. My running mates are Christina Dunne and Brian Gibbons. We plan to focus on education and utilizing our resources to strengthen our curriculum. My team wants to unite our community and together create a safe and welcoming place for all students to succeed.
I feel Hanover Township is moving in the wrong direction and I want to highlight educational excellence and bring positivity back to our community. Born and raised in Hanover Township, I look forward to my three children attending the same excellent schools that I graduated from. My oldest is starting Kindergarten at Salem Drive School in the Fall and after watching and attending several board meetings over the past two years, I was compelled to take on a bigger role.
Karen Mascolo
I have cared for and protected children since I was at WPHS. I lifeguarded and coached at the Bee Meadow Pool, volunteered on the EMS squad in Cedar Knolls and volunteered each year at Memorial Junior School’s Career Awareness Day until its last year in 2019. I hope to see this program return to MJS since it is where I was inspired to become a nurse. I am also an involved member at Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Church, where I serve as a cantor with the adult choir.
I graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing and worked as a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit RN at Columbia Presbyterian before receiving my Masters Degree in Nurse Anesthesia from Columbia University. After working for several years at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in NYC, my husband and I moved back to Hanover to raise our family. My career as a Nurse Anesthetist has provided me with a skill set to handle the challenges that come with being a Board of Education member. I am an effective team member and collaborate well with others. I am often faced with challenging situations and find solutions with a sound mind and logic.
There is an obvious divide in Hanover Township and I hope to unite our community and find solutions that will benefit all students. Parental involvement and transparency already exists in our schools. Trusting our teachers and administrators is essential to allow our children the space to learn and grow. I want to utilize our resources to provide opportunities to assist staff by staying up-to-date on the latest evidence-based teaching strategies and technologies. I know how special Hanover Township schools are and believe I can move us in a positive direction that allows our children to learn and thrive here.