Principals remember Plumsted teacher

By Michael Benavides
Staff Writer

PLUMSTED – A teacher who died earlier this month is being remembered by the principals of New Egypt Middle School and New Egypt High School for his commitment to educating children in Plumsted Township. 

Dagoberto Pinol, 57, died on March 10 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. He was born in Puerto Rico and resided in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Lakewood before settling in Jackson 17 years ago.

Pinol taught at Keansburg High School for 10 years before arriving in Plumsted. He taught at New Egypt High School for four years before transferring to New Egypt Middle School at the start of the 2016-17 school year.

New Egypt Middle School Principal Andrea L. Caldes said Pinol’s loss will be felt throughout the middle school and in the community.

“Mr. Pinol was an incredible teacher who touched the lives of so many people. He was kind, patient, creative and unbelievably witty. He set high expectations for his students and provided unyielding support, believing that all students can and will achieve,” Caldes said.

“He was an excellent role model, a true professional and a refined gentleman. His passing is a tremendous loss to the middle school and to the entire community. Our hearts go out to his family whom he loved, cherished and spoke of often. He will be sorely missed, but will never be forgotten,” she said.

Caldes said Pinol was teaching a digital media class at the middle school.

New Egypt High School Principal Michael Mendes said, “When I heard about Mr. Pinol’s passing, I was shocked and devastated. He was a special person. He was the (type of) person who would do anything for anyone. He had great relationships with his students and colleagues. He has touched so many people with his positive, vibrant attitude.

“Mr. Pinol was a compassionate person and teacher who truly embraced our school and community. He did an amazing job always putting his students first. Mr. Pinol was a teacher and a person who will never be forgotten by his students or his colleagues,” Mendes said.
He said Pinol taught business and technology at the high school for four years before moving to the middle school to start the school’s technology program.
Pinol coached tennis, bowling, volleyball and lacrosse. He was planning to coach baseball this spring.

Pinol is survived by his wife, Marlene; children, Jolene and her significant other, Francisco, Jon Christian and his significant other, Jessica, and Danielle Lavery and her husband, Michael; granddaughters, Valentina Noelle and Mackenzie Lily; mother, Gladys; sisters, Ilse and Selma; and a large extended family, according to his obituary.