Mary-Jean’s lifelong commitment to education and to her hometown of Bloomfield stems from family tradition—her mother taught in Bloomfield for 42 years. Mary-Jean attended Fairview School and continued through Bloomfield Junior High and Bloomfield Senior High, graduating from BHS in 1955. She earned a BA degree from Dunbarton College of the Holy Cross (Washington, D.C.) and a Master’s degree from Seton Hall University. While still in college, she volunteered in a campus nursery school and later tutored inner-city children in Newark.

Mary-Jean began her teaching career in Bloomfield at Berkeley and then Brookside. She was later employed as Counselor and Assistant Director of Students at Jersey City State College, then as Counselor and Associate Dean of Students at New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Combining her career with her dedication to learning and education over the years, Mary-Jean volunteered in many capacities at The Adult School of Montclair, serving as member and chair of the Curriculum Committee and a term as elected President of the Board of Trustees. She also worked with adult school ESL students in a social interaction program.

Mary-Jean has been an active member of the New York Philharmonic Volunteer Council for 30 years, chairing various committees, including her current service with the Education Committee, music clinics, and Young People’s Concerts.

Serving on the Board of the Bloomfield Educational Foundation since 2001 has been both an honor and a passion for Mary-Jean. She was a member of the Grant Committee for many years, including a term as Chairperson. Mary-Jean is proud to be part of the BEF’s mission to support the students and schools in her hometown.

“Involvement in education is, for me, a lifelong labor of love.”