Grade 4

Welcome to Fourth Grade, All-Stars!

My name is Mrs. Barlow, and I am thrilled to be your child’s teacher. This school year will mark my 32nd year teaching at MTES, and I still consider it my DREAM job! Mendham has given me such a fulfilling and enriching experience over the course of my career. I feel very fortunate to work with such wonderful and supportive families, as well as staff members. The sense of community that has been established at MTES, along with the amazing children, is just one of the many reasons I love coming to work each and every day!

I believe that education is a partnership between teachers, students, and families. My goal is to create a positive and inclusive classroom environment where every student feels valued and empowered to learn and grow.

I am passionate about fostering a love for learning and encouraging curiosity in my students. I strive to make lessons engaging and relevant, incorporating a variety of teaching methods to cater to different learning styles. I also believe in the importance of open communication. Meeting the children's needs is very important to me as an educator.

I am confident that my All-Stars will have a fantastic 4th-grade year!

Education:

• Bloomsburg University, PA
• Centenary University, NJ

Degrees and Certifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (K-5)
• Minor in Psychology
• Master's of Education in Educational Practice

Welcome to 4th grade!

My name is Jessica Couto and I'm delighted to be your child's fourth grade teacher. Fourth grade is an exciting and memorable year for MTES students. As a class, we will work together to establish a sense of community that will support students as they grow as learners. I look forward to partnering with you to make this an incredible year for your child.

To share a little about myself. I began my teaching career in 2010 as a high school Social Studies teacher. In 2022, I decided to make the shift to elementary school, teaching 3rd and 4th grade in Mendham Borough. I hold a BA in History and Psychology and a M.Ed. in Social Studies Education from Rutgers University.

As a Mendham Township resident, my three children have all attended MTES. I have been active in the parent community, volunteering on the PTO board. When I'm not teaching, I enjoy reading, traveling, and spending time with my family.

Wishing you all a wonderful school year!

Hello and welcome! My name is Kellie De Gise, and I’m thrilled to get the 2025–2026 school year started! This year marks my 18th year of teaching, and I couldn’t be more excited to continue this journey at MTES—a place I’ve been proud to call home since year 8 of my career. The welcoming and supportive MTES community has made teaching here an absolute joy.

Fourth grade is such a special and memorable year filled with academic growth, increased independence, and exciting new adventures. In our Superhero Classroom, we’ll work together to build a strong sense of community, support one another, and prepare for the exciting transition to middle school. I am passionate about creating a learning environment that is engaging, inclusive, and fun for all learners.

When I’m not in the classroom, you’ll likely find me cheering on my kids from the sidelines! My husband, Dave, and I are the proud parents of three amazing children—Anthony, Alyssa, and Tyler—and we also have a lovable silver lab named Marley. As a sports-loving family, we spend most of our evenings and weekends at games, practices, or enjoying time together.

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Education:

• Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY

• Hofstra University, Long Island, NY

Certifications:

• K–5 Elementary Education

• Special Education

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I’m looking forward to a fantastic school year filled with learning, laughter, and superhero strength! Let’s make 2025–2026 unforgettable!

Welcome to Fourth Grade!

I am so excited to welcome you to an exciting new school year! I’m thrilled to be part of the MTES community as a Fourth Grade Teacher. Throughout my career in education, I’ve had the opportunity to teach 2nd, 4th, and 5th grades, and most recently, I worked as an Interventionist and ELL teacher. I’m eager to bring my passion for teaching and my commitment to building a positive, inclusive classroom to our school community.

To My Fourth Grade Students:
Get ready for a year full of fun, adventure, and discovery! We'll explore fascinating topics, dive into exciting projects, and learn more about the world—and ourselves—along the way. In our classroom, curiosity is encouraged, mistakes are celebrated as learning opportunities, and teamwork is essential. You’ll have the chance to ask questions, share your ideas, and grow every day. I’m here to guide and support you every step of the way!

To Families:
Thank you for entrusting me with the privilege of teaching your child this year. I believe that a strong home-school connection is essential to a successful learning experience. I look forward to partnering with you to help your child thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Together, we can create a supportive and inspiring learning environment.

A little about me—my husband and I live in Mendham with our two daughters and two cats. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, running, traveling, and watching my daughters’ dance and musical theater performances.

Here's to a wonderful year ahead!

EDUCATION

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education, Minor/Concentration: Spanish: Susquehanna University

CERTIFICATIONS

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Elementary School Teacher, NJ Standard Certificate, K-8

Please visit my page for important documents.

Welcome to Ms. Lombardo's Owl Class! I am looking forward to providing your child with an exciting, challenging, and memorable school year.  I am very grateful to be a member of the fourth grade team.  Your child will have many opportunities to shine as a fourth grader.