CHS Spotlight

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CHS Spotlight

December Spotlight:
Mr. Rafaniello

“We are the music makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers,
And sitting by desolate streams; —
World-losers and world-forsakers,
On whom the pale moon gleams:
Yet we are the movers and shakers
Of the world for ever, it seems.”
— "Ode," Arthur O'Shaughnessy

Stats

- Department and Classes:

I'm in the Performing Arts Department and I teach Choir and Music Theory. Specifically, I teach Madrigal Choir, Concert Choir, Treble Choir, Tenor/Bass Choir, Music Theory 1, Music Theory 2, and AP Music Theory

- Years at CHS:

This is my 17th year at CHS. I started in September 2005. I served as the Supervisor of Fine and Performing Arts for Cranford Public Schools from September 2017-June 2020, and chose to return to the classroom because I missed teaching and making music with students

- Alma mater:

I grew up in Connecticut and went to Bristol Central High School in Bristol, CT. I have a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and Sacred Music from Westminster Choir College, and a Master of the Arts in Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University

- Fun Facts:

- My primary instrument is the piano, which I've been playing since Kindergarten.
- I'm also the church organist and choir director at Trinity Church in Cranford.
- My family lives in Connecticut and I try to see my parents, sister, and two nieces there as often as I can.
- I listen almost exclusively to classical music.
- I go to Starbucks too often.
- I spend too much money on clothes.
- I enjoy cooking when I have the time.
- My neighbors always compliment me on the flowers I grow in my yard.

Quotes

How has this faculty member impacted your time here at CHS? (Click the arrows to scroll)

He has stressed the importance of professionalism in and outside of choir and classroom. He has not only helped his choir students become better singers, but also better and more mature people

The Omniscient One
Class of 2019

Mr. Rafaniello creates a family. Both in concert choir and in uniting all the arts to go support one another. I’m so grateful that we all have the opportunity to make art in our own way and I feel like Mr. Rafaniello works hard to keep those dreams alive.

Asher Shectman
Class of 2022

He is an amazing singer, pianist, choral instructor, and Supervisor of the Cranford Performing Arts Department. He's an amazing teacher because he loves his students individually and does what he can to help them. He deserves this spotlight for the twelve years he's taught at CHS.

Desiree Santos
Class of 2020

He puts so much energy and time into teaching us to b better singers and people.

Ryan Whitmore
Class of 2023

Really fun teacher that is great to so many students. Bake him stuff on Thanksgiving because he's so nice

Owen Usinowicz
Class of 2023

Mission Statement

Founded in 2017, the purpose of the "CHS Spotlight" is to honor and preserve the legacy of our CHS teacher, faculty, and staff family who have left a significant impact on CHS.

Nomination Form:

MUST be filled out and submitted through our secure Google Form in order for any current CHS teacher, faculty, or staff member to be considered to be in the spotlight. Nominations are reconsidered every month if the teacher, faculty, or staff member that was nominated is not yet in the spotlight. A teacher, faculty, or staff member will not be reconsidered to be in the spotlight again until two years have passed since they were in.