Staff Spotlight: Mrs. Caponigro, Teacher of the Year

For many students, the subject of math can feel intimidating. For Mrs. Caponigro, better known as Mrs. Cap, helping students feel confident and comfortable with math is exactly what inspires her every day. This dedication has earned her the honor of Metuchen High School’s Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Cap began teaching at Metuchen High School in 2023 and currently teaches various levels of Algebra and Geometry. She also serves as the advisor for both Freshman Student Council as well as the MHS newspaper, Bulldog’s Bark. Though teaching runs in her family, her path to the classroom was shaped by personal influence and passion.  “My mom, my grandma, and my uncle are all teachers, I would say mostly my grandma inspired me,” Mrs. Cap said. “She was a math teacher… I ultimately decided that I wanted to work with young people and help inspire them to feel more confident in math because a lot of the time people are afraid of math or nervous.” 

Mrs. Cap attended Monsignor Donovan High School in Toms River (now Donovan Catholic), before earning her degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education from The College of New Jersey. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she continued her postgraduate studies by earning her master’s degree from the American College of Education in Advanced Studies of Mathematics and Adult Education. From the moment she arrived at MHS, Mrs. Cap felt welcomed by the school community. “The students have always been so great and friendly… probably the best part of the high school are the students,” she said. “There are genuinely such great people here, and I love the community.” Inside the classroom, Mrs. Cap works to make math accessible to all students through patience, creativity, and encouragement. “Keeping a calm presence and having a variety of different activities with multiple paths of entry is really important,” she explained. By validating students’ thought processes and encouraging vulnerability, she creates a space where students feel comfortable taking risks. Mrs. Cap compares math to an “infinitely large blanket or quilt,” emphasizing how everything connects. This philosophy was inspired by her high school history teacher, who further influenced her own teaching style by focusing on storytelling and connections rather than harping on memorization. “He made the classroom a comfortable, happy place to be,” she said.  

As a student, I (Katelyn Chonka) can personally attest to Mrs. Cap’s impact. Having her as my freshman year geometry teacher and as the advisor for Bulldog’s Bark, I have seen how much she truly cares about her students. She is always available for extra help and goes out of her way to make sure students understand the material. Beyond academics, she is an extraordinary presence at the high school, always encouraging students and supporting them both in and out of the classroom. Through her passion and commitment to helping students, Mrs. Cap has made a lasting impact here at Metuchen High School. Her Teacher of the Year recognition reflects the appreciation for her felt throughout the entire school community.