Meet Amanda Galante, Running For Red Bank Regional Board Of Education

LITTLE SILVER, NJ — As there is every year, there is a school district election this autumn in Little Silver.

Local residents Steven Pedersen and Amanda Galante (currently on the board; she was appointed in August to fill a vacancy) are running against each other for one seat representing Little Silver on the Red Bank Regional High School Board of Education.

Patch asked both candidates the same set of questions, and both responded. Here are Galante's answers:

Provide a brief bio on yourself. Age, education and occupation.

I am running to represent Little Silver on the Red Bank Regional High School Board of Education. I am 66 years old and have a diverse educational background, with a bachelor’s degree in international business administration from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in cybersecurity from the University of Maryland. I also hold several certifications in networking, cybersecurity and digital forensics.

Professionally, I taught technology for 16 years at Red Bank Regional. I have developed a nationally recognized cybersecurity curriculum and regularly speak at conferences on cybersecurity education. I am also a co-founder of Garden State Cyber, a non-profit organization that helps train New Jersey teachers to bring cybersecurity learning into their classrooms.

I have been honored as Teacher of the Year at Red Bank Regional High School and Monmouth County, received the Yale University Educator Award, and been named CyberPatriot Coach of the Year and a SANS Cybersecurity Institute Difference Maker.

Do you have children in the district or formerly in the district?

I've proudly lived in Little Silver for 37 years during which I've raised three children who graduated from Red Bank Regional High School, and currently have five grandchildren attending schools in Little Silver. My oldest grandson will be at Red Bank Regional in five short years! In my years as an Red Bank Regional teacher I also mentored hundreds of students through their college years and still provide advice during their work careers.

What experience do you have that would make you a good BOE member?

My experience as a parent, teacher and former Little Silver Board of Education member uniquely qualifies me to represent our community on the RBRHS Board. During my 13 years on the Little Silver Board, I served on the Finance and Negotiations Committees and co-founded the Education Foundation of Little Silver to secure funding for school technology.

In 2002, I became a teacher at the RBRHS Academy of Information Technology, transitioning from a career as a network administrator. During my 16 years in the classroom, I created a four-year cybersecurity track that integrated competitive Cyber Club teams, which I coached to achieve national recognition. I also took the initiative to introduce the CyberPatriot program to our middle school, expanding cybersecurity education to younger students.

I believe I bring a unique perspective as the only candidate who has firsthand experience with the day-to-day life at Red Bank Regional High School. I have navigated curriculum changes, like transitioning from 40-minute to 80-minute classes, and I am familiar with the safety protocols for fire, lockdowns and emergency evacuations. I have supported students with IEPs and written countless college recommendations. I am well-versed in the complexities of state testing and fluent in the various educational acronyms, organizations, and regulations. No other board member can bring this level of expertise to our Board’s decision-making process.

For current school board members, what is some of the work you're proudest of that the Board has done?

I was only appointed this August 18 to fill a seat vacancy and look forward to having a positive impact on the Board.

Where do you think the Board needs to improve?

I believe communication is the area most in need of improvement. We can start by adapting the BOE meeting format to include questions from attendees. While we may not always have immediate answers, open dialogue will allow us to address concerns effectively and follow up as needed. It’s essential to listen to all stakeholders — students, teachers, parents and community members — to ensure their voices are heard and their perspectives are considered in Board decision-making.

The Board must also work to improve transparency by providing clear and timely information about its decisions. By keeping the community informed and educating them on important issues, we can help everyone better understand the reasons behind key actions taken by the Board.

Looking ahead, what are some of the biggest challenges facing your school district in the next 2 - 5 years, and how do you plan to confront them?

One of the biggest challenges for Red Bank Regional High School is ensuring academic rigor. We must provide a challenging curriculum that prepares students for college and careers, fostering critical thinking and offering diverse course options.

Equally important is the financial impact on our community. As we strive for academic excellence, we need to be mindful of budget constraints and the taxpayer burden. Transparent decision-making and community engagement are essential to maintaining trust as we navigate these financial challenges.

Retaining and supporting our talented staff is also a top priority. We must motivate our educators by providing professional development, competitive compensation, and a positive work environment where they feel valued.

Addressing the effects of social media on student behavior and mental health is crucial. We need to educate students on responsible use and provide mental health resources. Collaborating with parents, teachers, and mental health professionals will help us develop effective support programs.

Finally, integrating technologies like AI into our curriculum is vital. By teaching practical applications of AI, we can enhance learning experiences and equip students with the skills they need for future careers.

Who else got back to Patch:

Meet Steve Pedersen, Running For Red Bank Regional Board Of Education

The election will be Nov. 5, but you can vote early in person at the Little Silver Women's Club (111 Church Street) from Oct. 26 - Nov. 3. Hours will be Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. and Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary, according to the state of NJ Division of Elections. There is also mail-in voting.

Here's who's running in 2024 in Little Silver:

Red Bank Regional High School Board of Education - Vote For One

• Tara Gibb Committed. Engaged. Advocate.

Red Bank Regional High School Board of Education - Vote For One

• Steven R. Pedersen Transparency, Advocacy, Accountability
• Amanda Galante

Little Silver Board of Education - Vote For Two

• Alicia Aninowsky Achievement Community Dedication
• Kathryn Galbavy Dedicated Community Leader
• Scott Galkin Decisive, Determined, Dependable

Little Silver town council: Vote for two:

• Christian M. Smith (R) Monmouth County Republican Organization
• Laurette Vilardi (R) Monmouth County Republican Organization
• No Nomination Made (D)
• No Nomination Made (D)