These Central Regional Teachers Are Making A Difference

BERKELEY, NJ — A charity to help people suffering after natural disasters. Building a school and a refugee camp for Congolese families. A foundation that helps veterans with PTSD. These have all been done by Central Regional School District teachers, who are aiming to make a difference in the world.

“There is no place like Central” is the theme for the 2024-25 school year, according to a district news release. And they're focusing on a culture within the district of helping other people and making the world a better place.

“Central Regional is a very special place,” noted Superintendent Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder. “Many of our staff and faculty spend their time trying to improve the lives of other people. This culture created by our staff is also handed down to our students, to our clubs and sports teams, which also host fundraisers and spend time helping others.”

One example, the district said, is Mark Haug. The high school wilderness teacher's charity “Hold On, I’m Coming” just came back from Georgia, where he was helping the victims of Hurricane Helene. Read more: Central Regional Teacher Heads To Florida To Help During Helene

Haug, a resident of Ocean Gate, created the non-profit after losing his home to Superstorm Sandy in 2012. He has said this experience made him realize what other natural disaster survivors go through and what he can do to help. Haug takes a trailer full of supplies like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and shampoo and hand sanitizer to national disaster sites, distributes them and feeds victims hotdogs and potato chips, cookies, granola bars as well as other non-perishables. He offers hot coffee and cold water. His efforts in Georgia helped more than 3,500 people and were recently featured in the Asbury Park Press, on News12 New Jersey and NJ Spotlight/PBS News.

“The support and donations have been overwhelming and amazing,” he said. “After this trip we will have aided over 7500 people.”

Fellow high school teacher Dan Torsiello has made headlines before too for his work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - his non-profit, the Kivu Foundation, built a school for the children in need there. Read more: After Building New School In Africa, Central Regional Teacher Sets Sights On New Project

Unfortunately, the civil unrest plaguing the country has led to the school being taken over by rebel groups. Most of the families whose children attended the school fled to a large refugee camp, which Torsiello said was very unsafe. He worked with others to create a smaller refugee camp for the school’s families and now raises money to feed, clothe and educate them, he said.

“This experience has taught me that one person can make a difference as long as they apply themselves,” he said. “I feel that there is a sense of reward, a sense of community. At this point, I spend so much time with them (the families in Kivu), that they call me ‘father’ like I am an elder in the community and this is an extension of my family.”

Torsiello said the district helped him by hosting fundraisers, allowing him to take time to travel and getting involved with donations - even the students chip in.

Seventh grade special education math teacher Holly Nitto, who also teaches an elective art and cooking skills class, volunteers her time with her fiancé’s Redondo Foundation, a nonprofit which helps veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries and suicidal tendencies.

Nitto said her fiancé Don Redondo, an army infantry combat medic served in Iraq and wen through a tough time when he returned home. So, he decided to do something to help his fellow veterans and Nitto said she help him plan trips for the veterans and spouses to remote locations to focus on post-traumatic growth where they enjoy mindfulness, meditation, yoga, equine therapy and keep journals. For more information, visit https://projectawol.org/.

Football and winter and spring track coach Bill Kvalheim, who is also a physical education teacher, has personally dealt with mental health concerns as well. In 2019, he and his wife Ciara Kvalheim, who is also the Central Regional head lacrosse coach, founded https://www.tackledepression.org/ to help others with mental health issues.

“I wanted to share my story and give student athletes the opportunity to get some help and share their feelings with somebody,” he said, adding, “it definitely helps.”

Kvalheim said he is also pleased that Central Regional has partnered with InSite Health and is taking initiatives to ensure the health and wellness of its students. “This new program will help students get the help that they need,” he said.

Earlier this year, CarneyRay-Yoder announced that the district had partnered with InSite Health, a leader in digital mental health solutions, which is providing a new hybrid program in the district. The district is also offering a new HELPme app so students can use the app on their phones or personal devices to seek assistance when needed. Read more: Mental Health App Introduced To Support Central Regional Students

CarneyRay-Yoder said she loves how so many of her staff enjoy helping others in their spare time. “That is the culture of Central Regional,” she said. “Our staff and faculty are always making an effort to help others.”