As the 2024-2025 school year approaches, the back-to-school season is just around the corner. Students are busy gathering their supplies, while teachers are diligently preparing their classrooms to ensure a smooth start to the new year. Many need supplies such as notebooks, pens, erasers, and more. However, shopping for school can become overwhelming and costly. That’s why The Montclair Girl decided to make the process of purchasing school supplies easier by helping out our local Northern New Jersey educators. Read on for a list of New Jersey teachers’ wishlists for the 2024-2025 school year.
Sophie — 4th Grade ELA
Sophie is entering her 3rd year of teaching, with her first year in fourth grade. She has always been passionate about teaching and believes it’s crucial to provide her students with the tools they need to be successful.
Lauren — 5th Grade
Lauren teaches 5th grade at Lincoln Elementary School in Caldwell.
Read More: Montclair Produces Talent! Montclair High School Notable Alumni
Georgia Galati — Kindergarten
Georgia has been teaching for 17 years and has two kids of her own. She loves teaching and is dedicated to helping her kindergartners thrive.
Hannah — 2nd Grade
Hannah is a 2nd-grade teacher starting her third year. She loves her students and is passionate about providing them with new opportunities. Outside of teaching, Hannah enjoys hiking and spending time with dogs.
Meghan Burke — 2nd Grade Special Education
Meghan loves watching her students gain confidence throughout the school year, helping them become well-rounded individuals. She has lived in Montclair, Bloomfield, and Nutley for the past four years.
Brittney Dorney — 8th Grade Social Studies
Brittney is gearing up for her twelfth year of teaching and is also excited to celebrate her first wedding anniversary in October.
Regan — English Language Special Education
Regan is a mom of three girls who enjoys hiking, reading a good book, and gardening. She is entering her sixth year of teaching at West Milford Highlander Academy, which is part of the high school. Regan teaches students with behavioral and emotional disabilities.
Stefany — Pre K
Stefany is entering her 6th year of teaching in West Orange.
Jen Taylor — Pre-K
Jen is starting her 15th year of teaching and loves it.
Kaitlyn Taylor — Pre-K
Kaitlyn loves seeing how much her 16-24-month-olds grow and learn in her class.
See More: Hoboken Was Home to the Very First In-School Kindergarten in America
Pre-K Teacher — Iman-Jazelle Bond
Iman is embarking on her first full year of teaching. She officially started in January after several years working as a TA and paraprofessional. Although she graduated in 2014 with a degree in journalism, initially fearing she might not meet all the qualifications to become a teacher beyond her passion for helping children, she is thrilled to have overcome those fears and now be in her dream job.
Yafrany — Elementary School Teacher
Yafrany is in her 9th year of teaching and her 4th year back in Jersey after moving from Texas. She teaches wonderful young students who learn in both Spanish and English, with Spanish being their native language.
Where to Visit Santa in Montclair + Beyond for 2024
It's Christmas season, which means Santa has arrived in New Jersey and is ready for photo ops. From local restaurants hosting holiday brunches to malls across Northern New Jersey providing visits with Santa, there are plenty of opportunities for families (and pets) to take photos with the big guy himself. Read on for a list of places to visit Santa in Northern New Jersey for 2024.
Disclaimer: Many of these events require reservations, please call ahead to confirm before showing up.
Brunch with Santa at Gioia Mia | 331 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
December 8th | 10:30AM
On Sunday, December 8th Gioia Mia in Montclair will host a brunch with Santa. At this event, priced at $60 per adult, guests can enjoy a pre-fixe holiday menu, which consists of three courses and features options like avocado toast, eggs benedict, panettone bread pudding, and more. Children, for $50 a ticket, will receive a breakfast menu, which includes milk and cookies, a Christmas gift, and a photo with Santa. Children can also enjoy holiday arts and crafts. To make a reservation, call the restaurant at 973-233-0350. See this Instagram post for more information.
Read More: These Restaurants in the Montclair Area Have the Best Holiday Decor
Breakfast with Santa at RoofTop at Exchange Place | 1 Exchange Place, Jersey City
December 21st | 11AM-3PM
Breakfast with Santa returns to RoofTop at Exchange Place for the holiday season. On December 21st, guests can experience a morning of family-friendly holiday fun, which includes a packed brunch buffet and a photo with Santa. For breakfast, options like scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, turkey sausage, Parisienne-style breakfast potatoes, pastries, a waffle station, a hot chocolate station, and more will be available. Tickets are priced at $50+ for adults and $25 for children. To make a reservation, visit this website or call 551-256-7850.
Santa at Freehold Raceway Mall | 3710 US-9, Freehold
Ongoing until December 24th
Guests can visit Santa’s winter wonderland at the Raceway Mall, located on the lower level at Zara Court. There are various featured events, depending on the day, like a pet night, where canine friends can take a photo with Santa, and Santa Cares, a holiday event where people of all ages can meet Santa in a sensory-friendly environment. Although a visit with Santa is free, photo packages must be purchased. Reservations are also encouraged. To view the different packages and schedule a reservation, see here.
Santa at The Commons | 400 Commons Way, Bridgewater Township
Ongoing until December 24th
Santa has arrived at The Commons in Bridgewater, located in Center Court on the lower level, and is available until Christmas Eve. In addition to ongoing photo opportunities for the kiddos, there are also pet photo days, where guests can bring their furry friends for a photo with Santa. For more information see here.
Photos with Santa at Willowbrook Mall | 1400 Willowbrook Mall, Wayne
Ongoing until December 24th
Santa is available for photos and a meet and greet at Willowbrook Mall in Wayne until December 24th. In addition to photos with children, there are also scheduled pet nights, where pets and their owners have the opportunity to take a photo with Santa. Walk-ins are welcomed, but reservations are encouraged. To see the schedule of events and make a reservation, visit Willowbrook Mall's website.
Santa's Flight Academy at The Mall at Short Hills | 1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills
Ongoing until December 24th
Santa's Flight Academy is an interactive holiday experience featuring a 22-foot tall sleigh, a snowfall dance party, and, of course, photo opportunities. Although walk-ins are welcomed, reservations are highly encouraged. See here to make a reservation and to see the different photo packages available.
The Santa Photo Experience at Simon Malls | Multiple Locations
At The Santa Photo Experience, kids and families can take a holiday photo with the big man himself. The following Simon Malls in New Jersey are participating in this event:
Menlo Park Mall | 55 Parsonage Road, Edison | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
Newport Centre | 30 Mall Drive West, Jersey City | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
Ocean County Mall | 1201 Hooper Avenue, Toms River | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
Quaker Bridge Mall | 3320 US-1, Lawrenceville | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
Rockaway Townsquare | 301 Mount Hope Avenue, Rockaway | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
The Mills at Jersey Gardens | 651 Kapkowski Road, Elizabeth | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
The Shops at Riverside | 390 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
See More: Newport Skates in Jersey City Opens for the 2024-25 Season
Photos with Santa at Westfield Garden State Plaza | 1 Garden State Plaza Parkway, Paramus
Ongoing until December 24th
Located near the Planet Playskool on level one, Santa is available for photos at GSP. There are also special events scheduled for certain nights, like a pajama party, an ugly sweater party, and more. Reservations are encouraged, as space is limited. Times also vary depending on the date, so check out the website for more information here.
