Delran High School educators Gabby Acevedo and Bobbi Jo Gormley take extreme pride in teaching and helping the next generation move on in life’s journey.
Acevedo, a special education teacher, and Gormley, a school psychologist, both took different paths to getting to Delran, however, they have since teamed up and have provided an insurmountable impact for all of the students in Delran – especially students with special needs.
Due to their exuding pride and positive impact within the school, Acevedo was named Delran High School’s Educator of the Year while Gormley was named Educational Service Professional of the Year.
“I was completely shocked,” Acevedo said. “I’ve only been in this school for three years and for part of it I was on maternity leave with my second child so I was just thinking that there are so many people here that are so deserving.”
“They actually surprised me because one of the assistant principals used to work with my dad, so she called my dad and had my parents come here. They announced me as the educator of the year and then I turned around and there were my parents,” Acevedo said. “I was just in tears.”
For Gormley, the honor is a goal fulfilled.
“This was a goal that I have been working for since they created the ESP award a few years ago,” Gormley said. “I work hard and I want my students to be successful, so to get this award shows that my hard work is appreciated by my students and my colleagues. I am very blessed and honored to have received it.”
Acevedo’s journey to becoming a special education teacher at the high school is one driven by passion and a calling to teach. As the daughter of two educators, Acevedo grew up knowing that she wanted to follow in her parents’ footsteps.
She began working at Delran Middle School teaching science, but ultimately wanted to get her master’s degree in special education. Upon receiving her degree, her passion to help students with special needs was awakened. Acevedo sought to become the special education teacher at the middle school and was able to teach one special education class each day.
“I absolutely loved it,” she said. “I told my principal that I wanted to switch to become a special education teacher, but she said there was nothing open. I told her that I really wanted to be a special education teacher and I would be willing to switch schools. When I came back from maternity leave, Principal (Daniel) Finkle at the high school called me and said he had a position for me.”
Since being at the high school, Acevedo teaches some in class resource, a life skills course for students with disabilities, transition classes for students with IEPs as well as a cafe where students are able to get job and life skills.
“I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this honor than Mrs. Gabriella Acevedo,” Finkle said. “The enthusiasm, skill, dedication, passion and knowledge that she brings to the classroom every day is always at the highest level.
“She is the epitome of an educator, working tirelessly for her students both inside and outside of the classroom. She strives to ensure that her students receive the best education, experience and support in order to succeed in this world,” Finkle noted.
For Gormley, her journey was a little different. Gormley didn’t know that she wanted to become a school psychologist. While playing field hockey at Rutgers, Gormely kind of just fell into psychology. It was only after Rutgers when Gormley went to the Rowan program for school psychology that she truly found her passion for testing and working with children with special needs.
Gormley would then go on to do her 60-hour practicum and internship at Delran High School. According to Gormley, she made herself invaluable to Delran by learning how to do various things and essentially creating a position for herself.
“I kind of fell into it because I wasn’t sure which direction I wanted to go into, but I’m really happy this is the path I found.”
“Bobbi Jo is an exceptional educational service provider,” Finkle added. “She provides counseling, evaluation and case management for students throughout our district and many out-of-district students as well.
“She is an extremely hard worker that always goes above and beyond to support the students and colleagues of our district.”
