Understanding, welcoming, funny and inspiring: the list goes on—so what’s there not to love about the Communications High School (CHS) 2025 teacher of the year, Jennifer Baldaccini?

The senior class council and CHS principal Emily Bonilla surprised Baldaccini with the news on  Dec. 4, in a rather unconventional manner. They called Baldaccini into the nurse’s office, where she found Bonilla with a CPR dummy, which had a printed photo of Baldaccini on it and a paper that said “Teacher of the Year.”

“They took me off guard in the way that they did it,” Baldaccini said. “I thought they were doing some sort of emergency drill, so I did not expect that at all.”

Senior class council member CJ Spears of Tinton Falls helped plan the surprise and said the goal was to make the moment memorable. “We met with Ms Bonilla, and we got together and said, okay, we need to do something big,” Spears said. “Ms Bonilla just pitched something with the CPR dolls, and they were huge, so it was a little crazy.”

Baldaccini, more commonly known as Ms. B, is one of CHS’s fitness and health teachers, as well as the senior class advisor. She is in her fifth year of teaching at CHS and says she’s always tried to encourage all students to stay active and enjoy themselves in class.

“Getting the students to enjoy fitness class is something that I think is important, and for the most part, everybody participates and enjoys at least something that we do throughout the year,” Baldaccini said. 

Through being the senior class advisor, Baldaccini has worked closely with students throughout all of CHS, and aims to make them feel seen and welcome.

Senior Shawn Ribeiro of West Long Branch is one of many students who worked with Baldaccini during his time as class president, his freshman year.

“I still hadn’t found my place in the school, but Ms. B was always there to support me, and as more than just a teacher, as a mentor and as an inspiration to me,” Ribeiro said.

Her love for her job and her students, as well as her positive attitude, have led her to become a beloved teacher. 

Freshman Ava Tuohy of Ocean Township said she looks forward to having gym class with Baldaccini.

“Every time I walk into her gym class in the morning, she’s just smiling and is so happy to be here, and it just makes me want to smile and have a great time during gym,” Tuohy said.

The love and appreciation for Baldaccini doesn’t stop at the students, however. Other teachers and staff members, including fitness and health teacher Madison Gibson, have expressed their admiration for her determination to help in any way she can.

“She definitely deserved it,” Gibson said. “She’s been working very hard with the senior class this year, so I’m very excited for her.”

Students and staff alike are happy with Baldaccini’s efforts being recognized, and she continues to reap the benefits of her hard work at CHS.

“I know the rest of the seniors, and the whole school, is really grateful to have Ms. B in our CHS community,” Ribeiro said.