Board of Education

Chris Filiciello is currently a real estate agent with EXP Realty, Inc.

Chris attended both the George J. Mitchell School and the Frog Pond Elementary School back in the early 1990s.  Chris graduated from Pinelands Regional High School in the year 2000.  He is very proud to serve as a school board member in the same school district he grew up in many years ago. 

Chris has decades of experience in government, politics, education, and cybersecurity combined.  Earlier in his career, Chris was a presidential appointee in Washington, D.C. serving at the White House, the Pentagon, and the U.S. Department of Labor.  He returned home to New Jersey to get involved in state and local government and politics, including successfully running the mayoral campaign for the mayor of Atlantic City and becoming his Chief of Staff.  Following his service with the mayor, Chris worked as a teacher in New Jersey’s public school system.  As a teacher during the pandemic, Chris saw first-hand how technology and computer devices, such as the Google Chromebook and mobile devices, were becoming the dominant instrument of influence in students’ lives today.  He recognized that there is a tremendous shortage in the cybersecurity industry to help protect those same devices and information being transmitted and stored on them.  Leveraging his teaching experience, he entered the cybersecurity field as a Security Awareness Training Specialist, teaching businesses and their employees on how to avoid being hacked by cybercriminals. 

One of the main reasons Chris ran for the school board in 2022 was because of his son Mateo, now a second grader at the George J. Mitchell school.  Mateo was born with Down syndrome, and is part of the district’s special education student population.  Chris wanted to ensure that Mateo and all students in special education received the best possible inclusive education, and were afforded every opportunity to succeed.  Chris is a member of the Little Egg Harbor Special Education Parent Advisory Group (LEH SEPAG), which is mandated by law to collect input from parents of students with an IEP, 504, that receive services such as speech, OT, PT, etc. regarding their child's special education. The LEH SEPAG meets to inform parents of the latest happenings within the district, and to solicit feedback from parents on any systemic issues that may be needed to addressed by the Director of Special Services.     

When he's not working or attending Board meetings, Chris can be found on numerous athletic fields coaching (flag football, soccer, and basketball) their four young boys, ages 13, 9, 6, and 4.  He is married to Lorena.

Laura Erber is a Registered Professional Nurse and has worked in her profession for over 20 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from William Paterson University.  Laura worked as R.N. Supervisor in medical/surgical nursing and Infection Prevention for a large Senior Living Organization in Somerset County prior to moving to Little Egg Harbor 11 years ago. 

After moving, Laura accepted a School Nurse position in Port Republic, where she has served the school community for the last 10 years.  In addition to her nursing responsibilities, Laura is a Safety Specialist for her school district and works as recording secretary in the Atlantic County Nurses Association.    

As a person that has always been very involved in her own children’s education, Laura is committed to the improvement of all education that is delivered in New Jersey Schools.  This is the reason she ran for the LEH BOE, and the reason she continues to work so hard for the parents and children of this wonderful community.  Laura believes in the Little Egg Harbor School District and the families of Little Egg Harbor.  She wants to raise the bar and bring school achievement up to where it was years ago.  With the right administration in place and a transparent board that serves the public with integrity, we can get the job done!

Laura wishes to continue serving the community by addressing their questions and concerns in several areas, especially educational programs, and fiscal matters.  Parents are paying closer attention to what is happening in our schools, and they rightly should be.  Laura would like to continue to provide a welcoming place for parents to come to board meetings where their voices will be heard and respected.

Christine Snyder moved to Little Egg Harbor over 16 years ago to start a family, and thus has had a vested interest in the township’s success from the beginning. As a mother to five children, Christine has guided her kids through primary and secondary education over a span of two decades. She has children ages 20,18,18,13, and 11. In that time, she has discovered the ways that public school education can successfully craft the minds of young students. By extension, Christine identifies ways that schools can be improved for the betterment of all students, including the Little Egg Harbor School District.

Christine holds Bachelors and Doctoral degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology, and began her career as a research specialist at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She initially studied the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), contributing to a research effort that spanned four decades. Christine’s professional experience in both biochemistry and virology provided a unique perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic, and she will continue to utilize her skills to ensure the safety of Little Egg Harbor children. Beyond the scientific lens, her professional analysis has afforded her the critical thinking skills required to succeed in many different fields.

Christine’s career trajectory took a different path when she moved to Little Egg Harbor to raise her children. She began teaching as a way to meet the needs of her family, but the career change quickly sparked a lifelong passion for education. In the years since, Christine has taught at many higher education institutions, including Stockton University, the University of Phoenix, Purdue University Global, Kean University, and Ocean County College. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Stockton University, and designed all aspects of the “Chemistry of Coffee” course. Christine enjoys connecting with students and watching them flourish throughout their college career. Moreover, she is familiar with the rigors of teaching, as a seasoned educator herself, but balances that knowledge with her experience as a parent.

Christine has been a student, parent, and educator at various points throughout her life, and all of these roles have prepared her for the Little Egg Harbor School Board which she has done for the past 2 and ½ years and currently serves as board president. Her goal as President is to serve the best interest of all the students of the district, from those with special needs, the average student, as well-gifted and talented, so that everyone can get the best possible education and be successful.

John Ciccone is a maintenance foreman with a strong background in facilities management. Working in a school district has given him the opportunity to collaborate closely with teachers, staff, and students, deepening his understanding of how critical a well-maintained environment is for education. John joined the Board of Education for Little Egg Harbor to give back to the community, support the schools, and contribute in ways that align with his experience.

John believes his background in facilities management will offer a practical perspective that can complement the work of the board, but he also understands that his role as a member is to collaborate, listen, and help guide decisions that benefit the LEHSD students and staff. John is eager to contribute as part of a team and to work toward the best interests of the Little Egg Harbor schools and community.

Outside of John's professional life, he enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, and taking every chance he can to enjoy the outdoors.

By given the opportunity to be on the Board of Education, John is dedicated to serving the community, using the skills he's gained through his career and life experiences to support the district in meaningful ways. John looks forward to listening, learning, and working collaboratively with the other board members to help ensure the success of the Little Egg Harbor schools and the well-being of everyone in them.

To be updated. 

Tiffany Middlecoop is a dedicated advocate for children and families, drawing on her experience as an autism mom, foster parent, and mother of 10. Over the past nine years, she and her husband, Tony, have cared for more than 40 children, at times parenting up to 12 children at a time. This experience has given her a strong understanding of the diverse needs of students and families and a deep commitment to inclusive, supportive learning environments.

Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, Tiffany spent 15 years as a senior manager in the corporate world, where she developed leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills that she now brings to the Board of Education. Her professional background, combined with her hands-on experience working with children and families, provides a practical and balanced perspective on education and policy.

Tiffany has a long history of community involvement, including many years as president of the LEH PTO, service on the LEH SEPAG board, and 10 years as a Girl Scout leader. She continues to volunteer with organizations such as The Village- Foster Family Closet and Wonder-full Minds. Tiffany and her family enjoy cruising and trips to Disney. As a Board of Education member, she is committed to transparency, open communication, and policies that support student growth, well-being, and success.

Dennis S. O’Keefe brings more than three decades of experience in education, leadership, and industry to his service on the Board of Education. With over 15 years in education and a career that spans classroom instruction, district leadership, and operational oversight, he offers a comprehensive perspective on the academic, fiscal, and cultural responsibilities of a public school district.

Mr. O’Keefe currently serves at Central Regional High School in a dual role as Acting Assistant Principal and educator, where he supports daily school operations, instructional leadership, and student culture while remaining actively engaged in the classroom. His work emphasizes a positive school climate, faculty collaboration, and student-centered decision-making. During his tenure, he has served as a Department Head overseeing the Technology, Business, and World Language departments, and previously as Dean of Students, where he helped implement restorative practices and positive behavioral supports. His engineering design courses include embedded college credit through Ocean County College, where he is recognized as an adjunct faculty member, providing students with early access to postsecondary learning opportunities. Mr. O’Keefe also serves as Head Coach for the girls varsity bowling team and the boys freshman football team, and as an assistant coach for the girls flag football team at Central Regional.

Earlier in his career, Mr. O’Keefe served as Assistant Principal at Keansburg High School, where he directed school operations, led instructional initiatives, and ensured compliance with state and federal requirements. He played a key role in the development of the school’s Comprehensive Education Plan, secured Perkins Grant funding, strengthened student support systems, and advanced school safety and attendance initiatives. Prior to that, he was Head Teacher of the STEM Department at Long Branch High School, where he led district-wide STEM programming, expanded career and technical education pathways, and implemented NGSS-aligned Project Lead the Way engineering curricula.

In addition to his work in education, Mr. O’Keefe has extensive private-sector experience in engineering, construction management, and business operations, including leadership roles with K. Hovnanian Homes and engineering firms in New Jersey, as well as franchise ownership experience in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This background provides him with a strong foundation in budgeting, project management, and organizational accountability—skills that directly support effective board governance and responsible fiscal oversight.

Mr. O’Keefe holds New Jersey Department of Education certifications as a Principal, Supervisor, Business Administrator, and Teacher of Technology Education. He earned a Master of Science in Educational Administration from the University of Scranton and a Bachelor of Science in Education and Industrial Studies from Montclair State University.

Mr. O’Keefe and his wife, Gina, are proud parents of three children—a daughter currently attending college and two sons who are successful young adults. Both Mr. and Mrs. O’Keefe chose careers in public education out of a shared passion for helping children reach their full potential and for understanding education from the perspective of families and students. Mrs. O’Keefe is a longtime paraprofessional at Freehold Intermediate School, further grounding the family’s commitment to public education.

Mr. O’Keefe’s educational philosophy reflects the principles of progressive education, drawing on John Dewey’s emphasis on experiential learning and Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences. He believes effective schools recognize diverse strengths, promote authentic learning experiences, and prepare students for meaningful participation in their communities and the broader world.

A committed community leader, Mr. O’Keefe has served on municipal boards and committees, founded and led nonprofit and alumni organizations, coached youth athletics across multiple sports, and participated in academic advisory roles with secondary, middle, and elementary schools. His service reflects a longstanding commitment to collaboration, mentorship, and community engagement.

As a member of the Board of Education, Mr. O’Keefe is dedicated to supporting high-quality instruction, respecting and empowering professional educators, ensuring sound financial stewardship, and making thoughtful, transparent decisions that prioritize students, families, and the long-term strength of the Little Egg Harbor Township school district.