Educational Program

Garden Academy will serve individuals with autism ages 3-21. Educational programs are individualized for each student to address specific deficits in the areas of communication, socialization and adaptive behaviors. Emphasis is placed on language acquisition, social interaction, self-help skills, pre-academic and academic skills, play skills and on the decrease of maladaptive behaviors. All aspects of the program at Garden Academy derive from the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Pedagogical technologies employed include, but are not limited to, discrete trials, incidental teaching, video and audio modeling, shaping, scripting and script fading procedures and peer modeling. Generalization procedures are implemented as part of the program to ensure maintenance of skills across people and environments. We will also provide hands-on, clinical training to staff professionals on an ongoing basis to ensure the best possible outcomes for each student. In addition, Garden Academy will provide training support to parents and other family members so that skills learned in school can be generalized to the home and community. Garden Academy also recognizes the need for students to be in the least restrictive environment in which they can learn. When appropriate, we will provide transitional support to our students throughout their educational careers.

To read an article about Garden Academy, CLICK HERE.

Board of Trustees

Stephen J. D'Angelo: President

Stephen J. D'Angelo is Co-Founder and CEO of Spring Lake Technologies.

A seasoned veteran of the software industry, Stephen D'Angelo recently held the title of President and Chief Executive Officer of Arasys Technologies where he was responsible for driving growth and strategic direction of the company. Previous positions include President of the Americas for Industri-Matematik International (IMI), a leader in supply chain management software specializing in complex Order Management, Fulfillment, Store Inventory optimization and Continuous Replenishment, Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Business Development of Celerix, a provider of supply chain collaboration/visibility and logistics procurement software delivered in an ASP environment, Vice President of Global Sales of Optum Software, a leading Supply Chain Execution firm, and Vice President of Sales for the Americas for Industri Matematik International (IMI). Mr. D'Angelo has close to 20 years of sales and operations experience in the software industry through his work at Automatic Data Processing, Lawson Software, JBA International, IMI, Optum, and Celarix

Mr. D'Angelo holds a business degree in Marketing & Management from Montclair University.

Darren Thomas Dangler

Darren Thomas Dangler is President/Director of the Dangler Funeral Home of West Orange. From 1982 to 1985, Mr. Dangler served as a police officer with the Essex County Police where he was recently awarded the Silver Life Membership Card form the West Orange Police Department in honor of the many years he has faithfully supported the Police Department. He became a fire fighter for the township of West Orange in 1985 and was promoted to Fire Captain in 1992.

Mr. Dangler is past District Deputy of the Knights Of Columbus District #19, Past Grand Knight of the West Orange Knights Of Columbus Council #5519 winning the Star Council two years in a row, Past President of the West Orange Fire Fighters Local #28 and International Association of Fire Fighters Local #692, Past Vice President of the West Orange Fire Superior Officers Association Local #228, a member of the Essex County Emerald Society Chapter #1, the Shillelagh Club, the Irish American Society of The Oranges, the West Orange Parade Committee, the Ancient Order of Hibernians -Michael L. Delahunty Division #9 Montclair, member and delegate of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Morris County , and the Eagle Rock Civic Association. He also served as Past President of the West Orange Municipal Federal Credit Union and is a lecturer and a Eucharist Minister at Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

Mr. Dangler holds a BS degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Business Administration from William Patterson College, and a BS degree in Fire Science from Jersey City State.

He and his wife, Mary Ellen, live in West Orange with their three daughters Kristin Leigh, Breann Erin, and Morgan Elizabeth and a son Darren Thomas Jr. (D.J.).

George C. Mammola:

Mr. Mammola is the President of MT Consulting, LLC. He has extensive experience at the senior management level in general management, sales & marketing, manufacturing, service, construction, distribution and finance. He is a proven leader with expertise in planning, organizing, directing and controlling the activities of small and large firms and has served as a director of several domestic and international companies. He is a member of the State of New Jersey Small Business Advisory Council, a member of the Board of Advisors for Longo Electrical-Mechanical Inc., and a member of the Board of Governors of North Jersey Country Club.

Professional experiences include serving as Aqua Alliance's President and CEO of Research Cottrell, Inc. a $400 million supplier of air pollution control related technologies and services, Aqua Alliance's President of the Industrial Group, Senior Vice President of the Service, Maintenance and Construction divisions, Executive Vice President and General Manager of REECO, a supplier of equipment for industrial pollution control applications, Executive Vice President of PPS Inc., an industrial distributor of fluid and air handling systems, Vice President of Sales & Marketing and Vice President Controller for Interpace Corporation, a manufacturer and provider of products and services to the water and wastewater and utility industries on a global basis and management trainee (BTC Program) for General Electric Company.

Mr. Mammola holds degrees in Finance and Economics from the University of Notre Dame and Strategic Marketing Management from Harvard Business School.

Anthony J. Masherelli (Tony)

Tony is a Partner in Ernst & Young's Metro NY Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences practices. Tony is an audit and business advisory services partner with over 18 years experience serving pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical products and healthcare clients. He is a certified public accountant in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and is a graduate of Seton Hall University (1990). Tony is a member of North Jersey Country Club, where he currently serves as the Financial Secretary of the Club.

Tony and his wife, Luciana, have two children. They currently reside in Kinnelon, New Jersey.

Thomas D'Ovidio

Tom is a Partner with ShoreView Industries, a private equity fund focused on acquiring manufacturing, distribution and service businesses. He has extensive experience in private equity and venture capital investing, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate finance. Prior to joining ShoreView Tom was a Managing Director with Thompson Street Capital Partners and a Vice President with Berwind Financial Group's private equity fund. Tom received a B.A. in Communications from Rutgers University and an M.B.A from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Tom and his wife, Maryann, have three children. They live in Neshanic Station, New Jersey.

Edward W. Bitterle

Ed is currently the Division Vice President of Sales Operations with ADP (Automatic Data Processing, Inc.), a 9 billion dollar computer services firm. His career has included diverse experiences in sales, sales management, general management, business development, strategic planning, marketing, alternate distribution, strategic alliances and mergers/acquisitions. Ed is a member of the Lake Valhalla Club and Knoll West Country Club.

Ed holds degrees from the University of Connecticut – MBA, Marketing and Seton Hall University – BS, Economics.

Ed resides in Montville, NJ with his wife, Peg, and son, Brian.