Hello, my name is Brooke Traina (Tharp) and I am the School Social Worker at Aura Elementary School. This is my 6th year at Aura and I can't believe how fast the years fly by! I am originally from Vineland, NJ, but now reside in Buena with my husband and 2 1/2 children (11, 2 & baby in my belly). I received my Bachelor's Degree from Rowan University in Sociology. I then continued to earn my Master's Degree in Social Work from Rutgers University, followed by my Certificate in School Social Work. I always knew I wanted to work in a school and I am so grateful to have my dream job!

 

Growing up I danced, did cheerleading, gymnastics and participated in school plays. Now I get to enjoy watching my daughter follow in my footsteps. She is an Excel Gold competitive gymnast for 8 years now even winning State Champion on Balance Beam. She also takes hip hop classes. Both her and my son keep me very, very busy & I love planning family trips & activites! I am a gymnastics coach for my cute little preschool kids at Starbound Gymnastics Academy. I like to travel, but I'm also a homebody. Some of my favorite places I'ved visited are DISNEY, Key West, Vegas, Mexico and the Bahamas. My favorite food is pizza and I can't live without ice cream. 

 

I enjoy popping into the classroom and participating in acitivites with students & teachers. I've had the opportunity to attend field trips and plan assemblies. I am part of the Home and School Associaton due to being a parent of a 6th grader in the district. Some of my job duties include integreated group and individual counseling sessions, observations, serving as the District Test Coordinator for State Testing, HIB Specialist, Case Manager for IEP and 504 students, I&RS Committee, ESY Counselor and lots of meetings. This is my third school year sitting on the Cultural and Climate Grant Team. If you pass me in the hallway please say "hi".