Meet our LMNOP Volunteers!

Toni Hoffman is our LMNOP lead.   She is a retired elementary school music teacher from the Bridgewater/Raritan School District, certified to teach Music Education, from Preschool through Grade 12.

During her 36 year teaching career, Toni found a special place in her heart for her 3 and 4 year old special education classes, and designed a music therapy program of one on one instruction to help them succeed when included with regular education classes.

She received the Special Education Alliance of Bridgewater/Raritan School District “Lighthouse Award” for her commitment to advocating for educational excellence for students with disabilities, enabling them to succeed academically and socially

She was also named the “Person Who Made a Difference in Education”  for the year, by the Courier-News.

Toni additionally received 3 Golden Apple Awards from the Bridgewater/Raritan School district.

In addition to being a concert pianist, Toni was trained in sign language communication skills to complement her special education experience.

After retirement, Toni realized how much she missed working with her special kids and when she learned about Gigi’s Playhouse, and the LMNOP program, fell all over herself rushing to volunteer.

She loves the challenge of tailoring her LMNOP classes to fit the needs and requests of the children and families of Gigi’s.   Her lessons are designed around the most needed and functional signs for everyday living, and she encourages the entire family to enjoy LMNOP to learn, all together, this very important communication skill.   

Toni, and her assistant Dori, use songs, stories, activities, visuals, and fingerplay poems, to teach and reinforce the signs of the week, encouraging family members to use hand-over-hand modeling for these young learners.

Dori,

Taught elementary education and special education for 35 years in the Dunellen Public Schools
I have 2 grandsons. One with DS
Love doing the LMNOP program. Enjoy observing the joy and excitement on the children’s faces as we learn and have fun together