2026 Winners: Teachers Who Rock

We are proud to welcome the following teachers to WMTR AM Teachers Who Rock Class of 2026!

Sponsored by NJ School Jobs & NJEA

Math Teacher at Classical Academy Charter
Nominated by Greg Farley, Superintendent at Classical Academy Charter School in Clifton

Ms. Sproule gives her heart and soul every day in the classroom. She piques her students interest in Math with any new idea or lesson that can help a student understand mathematical concepts and prepare them for high school and their future. Students measure anything/everything and apply formulas to find accurate volume and area of the objects. Ms. Sproule is always available during her free time to help students finish a test, do corrections, or explain a difficult problem a student may struggle with. Ms. Sproule can be found preparing her lessons in the morning, late afternoon or at home over the weekend to make sure her students are ready for high school. This is evidenced by former students coming in to thank her on a regular basis. Ms. Sproule runs the Math League each year, the Pi Contest on March 14th and can be found at all school events during the year.

She also volunteers at every Open House, and Curriculum Nights, Food Drives, Clothing Drives, Recruitment events, Board of Trustees meetings, and anything that helps the school function.

Ms. Sproule Rocks for her colleagues and students, every day!

English Teacher at Harrison High School
Nominated by Middle School Math Teacher, Patrick Algieri

Dave has been a football and baseball coach for Harrison High School and has been recognized as an educator of the year.

Mr. Najarian has dedicated over 30 years to teaching English at both the middle and high school levels. In addition to his commitment in the classroom, he has also made a significant impact as a coach at Harrison High School. Throughout his career, he has left a lasting impression on students across every district where he has taught. Since the mid-90s, Mr. Najarian has mentored countless young men and women to believe in themselves and their abilities.

His passion for teaching and mentorship is rooted in his upbringing in Jersey City, where he was inspired by his mother Rose, who always saw the good in others. Mr. Najarian embodies that same compassion and empathy, and his students are the fortunate recipients of those qualities. His unwavering dedication to his students both in and out of the classroom is a testament to the profound impact he has had on teaching.

We welcome Dave Najarian into the Teachers Who Rock Class of 2026!

Welding Teacher at Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School in Bridgewater
Nominated by Michael Meyer, Principal at Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School

Mr. Menke brings passion, innovation, and unwavering dedication to his program. He inspires students not only to master the technical skills of welding but to develop a genuine appreciation for the craft. He networks with industry professionals, researches the latest equipment and techniques, and ensures students graduate with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed for success.

Mr. Menke loves helping members of the SCVTHS and the Somerset County Community. His students have worked on several community projects including fabricating planters for the school courtyard, fixing equipment for the NJ Audubon Society, repairing school equipment and creating a sculpture for a local animal shelter.

Mr. Menke prepares his students to compete in the SkillsUSA competition. Since 2021, under his guidance, his students have earned several awards at the state level competition.

Richard Menke is an industry leader, a mentor and definitely a Teacher Who Rocks!

Social studies teacher at Teaneck High School
Nominated by Dr. Janice Dowd, a retired school administrator from Teaneck Public School

Jared Meli has been a social studies teacher at Teaneck High School for the past 20 years. He has taught Global History and U.S. History to students to ensure that they have a firm foundation of historical events.

Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated excellence in instruction, a deep passion for content, and an unwavering commitment to student success. His classroom is a model of high expectations paired with genuine support, where students feel safe, respected, and encouraged to take academic risks.

Outside the classroom, Mr. Meli has made significant contributions to Teaneck’s academic culture through his leadership of the Teaneck High School Writing Center.

Mr. Meli was a Teaneck High School Nominee for the New Jersey Governor's Educator of the Year Award, 2024. Plus, Mr. Meli served on the newly created committee to create Teaneck's Military Tribute Banners to honor members of the community who have served in the military and is a member of the Teaneck Historical Committee to honor former Teaneck High School graduates.

Mr. Meli is truly a teacher who rocks.

Teacher at Morris County School of Technology
Nominated by fellow teacher Colleen Pascale

Samantha Shane is a board member of NJASCD and runs a leadership group for aspiring educational leaders, hosts family nights at local elementary schools for families, and does toy drives with the Morris county sheriff's office  

Samantha has been part of the international society for technology in education 20 to watch educators association for supervision and curriculum development emerging leader mcst teacher of the year 

Samantha is a transformative leader whose work bridges the gap between the classroom and the community. As a title 1 student success coordinator, she drives innovation through her upcoming book, the secondary educator's CTE toolkit: igniting the spark for career readiness (Feb 2026). Samantha’s CTE students boast an incredible 97% graduation rate, a testament to her focus on authentic assessment and engagement. Leadership is the hallmark of Samantha’s journey. An ASCD emerging leader and learning forward nj board member, she mentors others through her new teacher academy and pop-up PDS on topics like AI and teacher retention.  

Congratulations to Samantha Shane, this week’s Teacher Who Rocks