Joanna Leigh Congalton-Hali is a fifth generation Ridgefield resident raising the sixth generation of her family in our borough.  She graduated from Ridgefield Memorial High School in 2003 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Rowan University in 2007 (Cum Laude, Medallion Award for Excellence in Theatre and Dance).  Mrs. Congalton-Hali then attended Columbia University where she studied Theatre, earning a Master of Fine Arts degree in 2009.  In 2019 she earned a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University and was recognized as one of the top students in her program and graduating class (Alpha Epsilon Lambda).  Mrs. Congalton-Hali currently works as the Director of Special Services in the Palisades Park School District; having previously worked as the Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, a Teacher of English, and a Teacher of Theatre.  

Mrs. Congalton-Hali met her husband, Scott Hali (RMHS class of 2001), while they were both students in high school.  Together, they have built a life in Ridgefield, where they remain active in town, school, and community events.  They have three children: Hudson (6), Edison (4), and Theodore (3), who attend school in Ridgefield.  In their spare time, they can be found working on their 108 year old home, playing with their children at Borelli Park, or spending time with family and friends, most of whom still live in Ridgefield.  

In high school, Mrs. Congalton-Hali worked as a Ridgefield Recreation Summer Camp Counselor and Assistant Director.  She also volunteered as a Recreation Cheerleading and Track Coach.  Mrs. Congalton-Hali was selected as both a Color Guard and Track Team Captain and was a proud Varsity athlete for the Ridgefield Royals.  

Known as "Coach Joanna" to her Recreation Soccer players, Mrs. Congalton-Hali remains an active volunteer in Ridgefield and the local community.  Beyond coaching Soccer, Mrs. Congalton-Hali also manages both a T-Ball and Coach/ Pitch baseball team for the RBAO, is a Subcommittee Co-Chair for the Ridgefield Schools International Festival, and was selected as a Bronx Zoo Teacher Advisory Council Ambassador.  One of her children's favorite memories was when she won the 1st place trophy at the English Neighborhood Reformed Church Chili Cookoff this past fall.  

Mrs. Congalton-Hali learned at a young age that the most important aspects of our lives, the parts that help us to truly become the best version of ourselves, are created during our formative years.  The friendships we cultivate.  The mentors who teach us. The experiences that shape our perspectives.  For her, all of those experiences occurred in and around this wonderful borough.  It is her absolute honor to give back to Ridgefield, a borough that gave so much to her.  Mrs. Congalton-Hali's family would not exist without their foundation in the Borough of Ridgefield.  She remains, and has always been, a Ridgefield Royal forged in pride and hopeful to help continue a tradition of service and support to this great community.