Meet JAG New Jersey Specialists

Dr. Beausoleil-Holt started teaching in the Newark Public Schools in 2008 after a career as a Federal Technician with the Army National Guard.  She holds a BA in Interior Design from City College of New York, an MAS in Aircraft Safety Systems and Airport Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Rowan University.

Dr. Beausoleil-Holt has taught at Barringer High School and transitioned to Weequahic High School where she became a JAG Specialist in 2017.  She was recruited to the position because of her strong bond with the students, her passion for teaching and her commitment to ensuring JAG students succeed. Alyson received the JAG national 5 of 5 award in 2018.

Fun fact:  Alyson is a dual rated aviator—she is certified in rotary and fixed wing aircraft.

Jennifer Bogar-Richardson began teaching in 2009 with a dream to give her students access to the opportunities she knows they deserve. Equipped with her B.A. in Journalism & Mass Media along with a Masters and expected Doctoral degrees in Educational Leadership, she worked tirelessly at this goal, which eventually led her to the JAG program. Ms. Bogar-Richardson encourages her students to capitalize on the opportunities provided by JAG, such as the state and national student conferences. She loves to watch as these experiences shape and mold her students into young professionals that see the greatness in each other, and in themselves.

Fun Fact: Ms. Bogar-Richardson believes in seizing opportunity not only for her students, but for herself. She’s worked as a journalist for the Associated Press and travels whenever she gets the chance, including a solo trip to Sydney, Australia.

Leon Bunion feels that the JAG program represents one thing: opportunity. For Rahway High School’s many youth of great promise, JAG is the opportunity to receive support and guidance that may not otherwise be available. For Mr. Bunion, JAG is the opportunity to be that support and guidance. He finds his purpose in being a mentor that works relentlessly to open minds, facilitate growth, and make a tangible difference in the lives of the students he serves.

Fun Fact: Mr. Bunion doesn’t chase success, he outruns it. Under his guidance as head coach, Rahway’s cross country and track and field teams have won 22 state championship titles.

Ms. Dabney has been teaching since 2007 after a career change; she had always enjoyed working with people and, more specifically, kids, and decided teaching was the next step in her journey.  She received her bachelors degree in sociology from Kean University. In 2023, Ms. Dabney became a specialist for JAG NJ after reading about the program and thinking it would be a perfect opportunity to help young scholars achieve their goals in life.

Fun fact: Michelle loves to sit on the beach and bask in the sun with a good book and some music.

Mrs. Doyle-Smith began her teaching career after more than 30 years of working in banking, investments, retail, gaming, and insurance.  She switched to teaching in 2003 as a tribute to her father and fell in love with the profession.  Her teaching career launched at the Camden City School District and she became the JAG Specialist at Woodrow Wilson High School (now East Side) in 2017.  Mrs. Doyle-Smith’s love of the JAG program comes from the opportunity to contribute to the development of her students and become a mentor for life.  She is privileged to see her students grow into responsible adults and, in some cases, start their own families.  She made the move to Newark Public Schools in 2021 and became the JAG Specialist at West Side High School in 2022.

During her education career, she has received numerous awards and recognition including the 2017 JAG National Performance Award.

Mrs. Doyle-Smith has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting from Saint Joseph University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Cheyney University.  She is a certified business and marketing teacher and also holds a comprehensive business certification as well as a supervisor certificate.

Fun fact:  Valaida loves to bake and her students are often able to enjoy the treats she makes throughout the year.

Michael Esquerre began teaching in 2014 after getting his degree from Rutgers University. He has a Master of Arts for Teachers from Rutgers University. As a teacher, his goal is to be an advocate for his students and to ensure their success by preparing them for future challenges. Through the JAG program, he has been able to realize this goal by working closely with his students to meet their individual needs and to prepare them for both their personal and professional futures.

Fun Fact: Mr. Esquerre is a family-oriented man who loves going on vacations and watching his son play soccer.

Mr. Izaguirre is a JAG Specialist at Passaic High School and has been employed by the Passaic School District since 2002. He joined the JAG NJ team in 2020, compelled by the quality of the JAG curriculum and the numerous ways it connects with students and helps them in a non-traditional setting by allowing students to take ownership of their classroom experience. He received his bachelor’s degree in History Education from William Paterson University.

Fun fact: Not only does Juan teach at Passaic High School, he also graduated from the school.

Mr. Kriete joined the JAG NJ team in 2016 at the New Brunswick C.A.R.E.S./ Adult Learning Center when his District Curriculum Advisor and building Principal thought he would be a great fit for the position. He started teaching in 2003 after spending some time in the private sector.  Mr. Kriete left teaching in 2006 to pursue a business venture but returned to the profession in 2013.  He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Rutgers University and NJIT and he also earned his MAEdL from Thomas Edison State University in 2021.

In addition to earning the district Teacher of the Year Award and JAG NJ Specialist of the Year in 2019, Mr. Kriete has received national recognition from JAG including the coveted 5 of 5 performance award for the classes of 2019 and 2021.

Fun fact:  Joe loves to swim.
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Sheri Lowery has passionately pursued student education and enlightenment since she began teaching in 2005. With her B.A. in Business Administration from William Paterson University and two Master of Education degrees from the University of Arkansas, she works towards this goal by teaching her students how to work with her. As a teacher, Ms. Lowery finds project-based learning to be most effective because it has led to a more productive, engaging, and student-led environment. This is what drew her to the JAG program. In conjunction with JAG’s student-centric philosophy, Ms. Lowery pushes her students to think critically and embrace leadership roles that prepare them to be the well-equipped adults of tomorrow.

Fun Fact: Ms. Lowery has so much passion for student development that it cannot be contained by the borders of New Jersey. She spent her first seven years of teaching in Houston, Texas public schools.

Harvey Mills truly knows his passion and purpose: teaching and history. He dedicated himself to his schooling, earning his B.A. in history and Ed.M. in Social Studies Education – both from Rutgers University. Mr. Mills has applied these degrees to develop young minds, first as a social studies teacher at Camden Big Picture Learning Academy, and more recently, as a JAG specialist at Woodbury Junior/Senior High School. He teaches his students social studies, but more than that, he teaches them how to live. As a man who understands the passion that drives success, he works tirelessly to inspire his students to discover their own passions and apply them to a purpose that will serve them in their adult lives.

Fun Fact: Mr. Mills definitely remembers the 21^st night of September, and won’t soon forget it, as Earth, Wind, and Fire is his favorite band.

Mrs. Neuner started as a JAG Specialist in 2018 and joined the JAG NJ team in 2019 at Pinelands Regional High School in Little Egg Harbor Township. The program appealed to her because she loves working with young adults and wants to treat her students the way she hopes her own children are treated. Her goal is to give her students the social and financial skills needed to work smarter, not harder, and to give them the social and financial skills to reach their fullest potential.  Mrs. Neuner obtained her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Montclair University and a Comprehensive Business Teaching Certification. She has also completed all the courses to be certified as a Cooperative Education Coordinator. Mrs. Neuner has achieved 5 of 5 or 6 of 6 status for her JAG NJ program for the classes of 2020-2024 and has also been awarded JAG Specialist of the year in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Fun fact: Maureen parachuted with the US Army Golden Knights parachute team!

Ms. Parr has been teaching for 25 years and became a JAG Specialist in 2023 due to her passion for providing students with additional support in overcoming obstacles to future success. She pursued her education at Rosemont College, where she earned her B.A. in English, and subsequently obtained her master’s degree in Education from Rowan University. Ms. Parr is dedicated to making a positive impact in the community and assisting students in their preparation for future endeavors.

Fun Fact: Josephine is a published author of a poetry book titled “On Purpose” and actively engages in poetry performance and event organization.

Ms. Ragin began her career in education in 2004 as a Project Director with a national dropout prevention program, but did not start teaching until 2021.  She is a certified Social Studies teacher with a degree from Rutgers University and has taught in the following Newark Public Schools:  Miller St. Academy, West Side High School, Newark Vocational High School (as a Community Engagement Specialist/Parent Liaison) and Central High School, where she currently serves as the JAG Specialist.

Ms. Ragin was drawn to the JAG program because she believes that a positive interaction with a student can impact their family over several generations–JAG is that positive interaction.

Fun Fact:  Stacey watches sports analyst shows on a daily basis.

Mr. Rush has been employed by Vineland School District since 2006 and joined the JAG NJ team in 2015. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration / accounting from Thomas Edison State College and his master’s degree in special education from Rowan University. Mr. Rush is also a business owner and entrepreneur. He has received JAG national recognition multiple times with the coveted 5 of 5  and 6 of 6 performance outcome awards. He also received a national High Performer award in 2023.

Fun Fact: Mr. Rush loves cartoons, especially old ones–Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote being his favorite.

Kenneth Scott is a man who believes in the transformative power of education and proper guidance on our youth, which is why he became a teacher in 2022. A man of action, he promptly began his campaign to revolutionize the student body of Willingboro High School, starting when he brought JAG to the school in 2024. Through the program, he is able to dedicate himself to his students by providing them with hands-on training and real-world skills that will prepare them for their future careers and lives beyond high school. Mr. Scott’s indelible dedication to student development serves as an inspiration to students and specialists alike.

Fun Fact:  A man of many talents, Mr. Scott also serves as the head football coach for the incredible Willingboro Chimeras.

Rafeeza Shahabudeen is a proud second generation teacher for Newark Public Schools. Over her two decades of teaching she has accomplished much, and is certified in English, Special Education, and as a Principal. Of all her roles however, serving as a JAG specialist has been one of her favorites. Ms. Shahabudeen relishes the transformative nature of the JAG program, and takes great pride in imbuing her students with vital life skills, such as creating a resume, learning how to interview, and effective time-management. Additionally, Ms. Shahabudeen encourages her students to critically engage with her teachings through community service, project-based learning, and civic-based projects. Her stalwart dedication to her school and to her students ensures their success and readiness for future endeavors.

Fun Fact: Ms. Shahabudeen loves to travel and spend time with her family.

Mr. Shepherd became a JAG Specialist at Barringer High School in the spring of 2020 when another JAG Specialist saw his “JAG-ability” and recruited him for the position.  He earned his degree in History Education from Clark Atlanta University and has taught in high schools in both Georgia and New Jersey.  Charles has a passion for helping others prepare to reach their goals which started when he launched his career in fitness and personal training and continues through JAG and his work as an instructor and mentor at Seton Hall University’s Upward Bound program as well as the NJIT Gear-Up program.

Fun Fact:  Charles was on Fit or Flop-The Search for America’s Next Fitness Star 2014-2015 and was ranked 10 out of 20 best trainers in America.

Nichole Williams believes in the futures of her students, and has dedicated her career to cultivating their success, primarily as the JAG Specialist for the Leaders for Life Academy. She joined the program in 2024 because she felt drawn to the program’s mission of uplifting and supporting its students by imparting education and life skills that will serve them as adults. Ms. Williams felt aligned with the mission as it mirrored her own approach to raising her daughters. By instilling values such as community service and empowerment through education, Ms. Williams works tirelessly with New Jersey’s many youth of great promise to ensure a future where they can be as successful as she knows they can be.

Fun Fact: Small in stature, but big in spirit, Ms. Williams stands at 5’1 but tackles adversity as if she was 10 feet tall.