Act for Excellence CN

09/03/2026

ACT for Excellence is excited to participate in the Candidates' Virtual Forum for Colts Neck Board of Education on Tuesday, September 22nd at 7:00 pm hosted by the League of Women Voters!

If you wish to attend please use this link to register! https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uDWJxra2S6OTs967yIpMow

When you register to attend, you will have the opportunity to submit questions. If you are unable to attend, but still have questions you want to submit, please email [email protected] by September 15th with "Colts Neck BoE" in the subject line.

We look forward to having an open and honest conversation with the community about how we will support our amazing school district, teachers, and students!

08/08/2026

https://tworivertimes.com/nine-candidates-to-run-for-three-seats-on-colts-neck-school-board/

COLTS NECK – Voters will see a hotly contested board of education (BOE) election in the township this year, with nine candidates running for three open seats.

08/04/2026

Introducing the ACT for Excellence team for the Colts Neck School Board!

We will be out and about at National Night Out tonight (5:00 - 8:00 PM at Bucks Mill Park) so come talk to us and find out more about how we can ACT for Excellence in our schools!

07/31/2026

Meet The Candidates!

Tom Colella is a father of two children who recently entered the Colts Neck School District. Excited by what his kids tell him about the lessons they learn and the friendships they make every day, Tom is looking to continue to improve the school district that attracted him and his wife to Colts Neck five years ago.

Tom is a veteran high school educator with a Bachelors in History from Ramapo College, a Masters in Social Studies Education from Rutgers University, and a Masters in School Administration from Rowan University. With more than a decade in the classroom at Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School, Tom has taught every instructional level—from in-class support and College Prep to Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses—giving him a complete, practical understanding of what our students need to succeed at the high school level. Beyond that, Tom has also taught analytic reading and expository writing courses at Rutgers University for both freshmen and transfer students. With these experiences, Tom fully understands what our students in K-8 need to succeed as they move through their academic careers.

Both Tom and his wife, Allie, have lived in Monmouth County their entire lives - they even started dating at Holmdel High School before attending college together and finally getting married shortly after graduation! Their family can often be found enjoying the countless parks, playgrounds, and trails that make the area so special.

07/31/2026

Meet The Candidates!

Camila Fernandez-Cohen has proudly called Monmouth County home for the past 25 years. She and her husband, a lifelong Monmouth County resident and NJ public school superintendent, Rick, have raised three children who have attended Manalapan Township Schools, Colts Neck Township Schools, and are continuing their education in the Freehold Regional High School District.

As both a parent and a teacher, Camila understands the vital role a Board of Education plays in shaping the educational experience of students, supporting dedicated educators, and strengthening the entire community. She believes that thoughtful, transparent leadership and strong partnerships between families and schools are essential to student success.

Camila earned her business degree from Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas (UCA), a renowned Jesuit university in El Salvador. For the past 20 years, she has been a Spanish teacher, inspiring students both inside and outside the classroom. She also serves as advisor to the Spanish Honor Society, Model United Nations, and Youth and Government programs, where she encourages civic engagement, leadership, service, and active participation in the community.

Her family’s educational journey reflects the value of strong public schools. Her oldest daughter graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, her son is a fourth-year student at Northeastern University, and her youngest daughter proudly attends the Freehold Regional High School District’s Law and Public Service (LPS) program. Camila believes their accomplishments are a testament to the partnership between committed families, exceptional educators, and supportive schools.

If elected, Camila will bring the perspective of both an educator and a parent to the Board of Education. She is committed to educational excellence, responsible fiscal stewardship, transparent communication, and fostering a safe, supportive learning environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed.

07/31/2026

Meet The Candidates!

Alicia Raia-Hawrylak is a proud Monmouth County native and mother of two boys attending Colts Neck public schools. She and her husband, Jason, chose Colts Neck specifically for its high-performing schools and close-knit community values.

Alicia brings two decades of deep, hands-on expertise in K-12 education. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and joining Teach for America, she worked as a middle school language arts teacher and obtained a Masters of Science in Teaching English. She went on to earn her doctorate in sociology from Rutgers University, where her research focused on school climate, disciplined learning environments, and student behavior. She currently helps lead a statewide research-to-practice project at Rutgers that uses data and research-based strategies to improve conditions for teaching and learning and academic outcomes across New Jersey school districts. Alicia has also taught university courses in education, sociology, and criminology. She has an understanding of what builds and sustains strong, supportive and inclusive school environments and the conditions for success at various levels of education.

In the community, Alicia and her family attend the Colts Neck Reformed Church, and she can often be found cheering on her husband (Coach Jason) and sons at local youth baseball games and other sporting events.