MKA Faculty 2013-2014
Below is a listing of teaching faculty and administration at MKA for the 2013-14 academic year.
Administration:
Thomas W. Nammack, Headmaster, Appointed 2005 - B.A., Brown University, M.S. Ed., University of Pennsylvania
Richard Sunshine, Assistant Headmaster and Chief Financial Officer, Appointed 1989 - B.B.A. Hofstra University
Karen Newman, Assistant Head of School for Curriculum and Professional Development, Appointed 1990 - B.A., Swarthmore College, M.A., University of Chicago
Dr. David Flocco, Head, Upper School/Director of Enrollment Planning, Appointed 1995 - B.A., M.A., Boston University, M.Ed., Teachers College, Columbia University, Ed.D., Seton Hall University
Dr. Randy Kleinman, Head, Middle School, Appointed 2000 - B.A., SUNY at Stony Brook, M.A., New York University, Ed.D., Seton Hall University
Virginia Kriegel, Head, Primary School, Appointed 1977 - B.A., Wilson College, M.A., Seton Hall University
Geoffrey Branigan, Director of Development and External Affairs, Appointed 1988 - B.A., University of Notre Dame, M.A., New York University
Deborah Kozak, Director of Communications and Marketing, Appointed 1997 - B.A., The University of Bristol, UK, Dip. CG, The Polytechnic of the South Bank, UK
Reshan Richards, Director of Educational Technology/Middle, Appointed 2011 - B.A., Columbia University, Ed.M., Harvard University
Sarah Rowland, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Appointed 2008 - B.A., Denison University
Todd Smith, Director of Athletics, Appointed 2000 - B.A., Lafayette College, M.Ed., Lehigh University William Stites, Director of Technology, Appointed 1994 - B.A., Montclair State University
Faculty:
CherylAnne Amendola, Social Studies/Middle, Appointed 2006 - B.A., Montclair State University, M.A., Columbia University
René Amirata, Foreign Language Department Chair/French, Spanish/Middle, Appointed 1996, B.A., Washington College
Maria Arellano, Dean of Students/English/Middle, Appointed 2011 - B.S., SUNY at Geneseo, M.S., Hunter College, M. Ed. Teachers College, Columbia University
Susan Awerdick, Pre-Kindergarten/Primary, Appointed 1990 -B.A., Lake Forest College
Shannon Baldwin, Athletic Trainer/Upper/Middle, Appointed 2010 - B.S., East Stroudsburg University, M.S., West Virginia University
Ann Banegas, Spanish/Primary, Appointed 2010 - B.A., Hamilton College, M.A., Caldwell College
Michelle Barbetta, Mathematics/Upper, Appointed 2012 - B.S., M.S., Montclair State University
Patricia Bartolomeo, Learning Specialist/Primary, Appointed 2013 - B.A., M.A., William Paterson University
Alden Basmajian, Mathematics/Upper, Appointed 2009 - B.S., College of William and Mary, M.A.T., Liberty University
Maureen Bates, Grade Two/Primary, Appointed 2012 - B.A., Boston College, M.S.Ed., University of Pennsylvania
Jeffrey Beer, Latin, French/Upper, Appointed 2004 - B.A., Trinity College, M.Div., Yale University
Shiva Behradnia, Fifth Grade Dean/English/History/Middle, Appointed 2008 - B.S., Montclair State, University, M.A.T., Johns Hopkins University
Carlaina Bell, Assistant Head of Middle School/Spanish/Middle, Appointed 2002 - B.A., University of Virginia, M.Ed., Harvard University Dominique Benson, Chinese, French, Latin/Middle, Appointed 1999 - B.A., M.A., University of Geneva, Switzerland, B.A., University of Tianjin, China
Jason Bink, Science/Upper, Appointed 2007 - B.S., M.S., Montclair State University
Jessica Bishop '04, History/Middle, Appointed 2010 - B.A., Franklin and Marshall College
Mark Bishop, Mathematics Department Chair/Upper, Appointed 2002 - B.S., University College London, UK, PGCE, The Institute of Education, University of London, UK
Paige Boncher, English/Spanish/Upper, Appointed 2012 - B.A., Wellesley College
Gillian Branigan, Dean of Students/History/Upper, Appointed 2001 - B.A., Oberlin College
Deborah Branker, English/Middle, Appointed 2008 - B.A., Swarthmore College, M.A., University of Wisconsin - Madison, M.S., Bank Street College
Phyllis Bresner, Learning Specialist/Middle, Appointed 2011 - B.A., Fairleigh Dickinson University, M.A., Kean University
Steven Brown, Head Athletic Trainer/PE/Health/Upper, Appointed 2006 - B.S., The George Washington University
Erica Stuart Budd, Technology Coordinator/Professional Development Coordinator/Latin/Upper, Appointed 1995 - B.A., Dickinson College, M.A., University of Pennsylvania
Marianne Burke, English/Upper, Appointed 1997 - B.A., Vassar College, M.A., SUNY at New Paltz, M.A., Stanford University
Guadalupe Cabido, Mathematics/Middle, Appointed 2005 - B.Ed., Instituto Superior Del Profesorado, Argentina
Heather Cannavale, Math/Middle, Appointed 2011 - B.A., Washington College, M.A., Stony Brook University
Donna Carrara, Coordinator of Curriculum and Instruction/Primary, Appointed 1979 - B.A., William Paterson University, M.A., Teachers College, Columbia University Thomas Carroll, Economics/Upper, Appointed 2009 - B.S., Georgetown University, M.B.A, Northwestern University
Steve Clayton, Network Administrator, Appointed 1997 - B.F.A., Kean College
Scott J. Coronis, Health Department Chair/Middle, Appointed 1983 -A.B., Dartmouth College
Alicia Cuccolo, Art/Upper, Appointed 1999 - B.F.A., School of Visual Arts, M.A., New York University
Anthony Cuneo, Art/Arts Liaison to the CCO/Upper, Appointed 1988 - B.F.A., M.F.A., University of Pennsylvania
Paul Cunningham, English/Upper, Appointed 2002 - B.A., College of the Holy Cross, M.A. Rutgers University
Allison Currie '04, Science/Upper, Appointed 2011 - B.A., Hamilton College, M.A., Teachers College, Columbia University
Cynthia Darling, English/Upper, Appointed 2005 - B.A., Trinity College, M.A., Boston College
Kristi Delfino, Spanish, French/Middle, Appointed 2011 - B.A., Seton Hall University
Laura Demaria, Learning Specialist/Middle, Appointed 2007 - B.A., The College of Wooster, M.S.Ed., City College of New York
Deanna Donnelly, Senior Associate Director of College Counseling/Upper, Appointed 1994 - B.A., Bates College
Barbara DuRant, Fine & Performing Arts Coordinator/Art/Primary, Appointed 1996 - B.S., University of Florida, M.S., Bank Street College
Rosemary D'Urso, Library/Primary, Appointed 2011 - B.A., Lehigh University, M.L.I.S., Rutgers University
Nathaniel Eaton, English/Middle, Appointed 2013 - B.F.A, Boston University, M.F.A., University of San Francisco
Monica Elmore, Dance/Middle, Appointed 2007 - B.F.A., Temple University, M.A., New York University Christian Ely, Theatre/Middle, Appointed 1998 - B.F.A., Western Kentucky University
Iris Erlemeier-Gerald, French/Primary, Appointed 2010 - B.A., University of Hamburg, Germany, M.Ed., Lesley College, M.A., Montclair State University
Dr. Ellen Ferguson, English/Upper, Appointed 2007 - B.S., Cornell University, M.Phil., Trinity College, Dublin, M.A., Ph.D., Washington University in St. Louis
Susan FitzGibbon, Grade Four/Middle, Appointed 2006 - B.A., Union College, M.B.A., Columbia University
Tom Fleming, Grade Four/Middle, Appointed 2000 - B.A., M.A., William Paterson University
Dr. Carrie Flyer, Science/Upper, Appointed 2013 - B.S. Mt. Allison University, M.S. San Diego State University, Ph. D. University of Connecticut
Susan Foley, Spanish/Middle, Appointed 2011 - B.A. Rutgers College
Patricia Forbes, English/Upper, Appointed 1989 - B.A., Kansas Wesleyan University, M.A., Middlebury College, M.Ed., The College of New Jersey
Amy Fossett, Science/Middle, Appointed 2001 - B.A., Middlebury College, M.S., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Nichole Foster-Hinds, Mathematics Department Chair/Middle, Appointed 2011 - B.S., Purdue University, M.B.A., Pennsylvania State University, M. Div., Princeton Theological Seminary
Alan Fraker, Director of College Counseling/Upper, Appointed 2003 - A.B., Dartmouth College, A.M., M.A.T., Duke University
Joelle Francht, Art/Middle, Appointed 2013 - B.A., University of Richmond, M.F.A., Pennsylvania State University
Yuri Francis, Associate Director of Admissions/Upper. Appointed 2011- B.A., Williams College
Nathan Gardner, History/Middle, Appointed 2013 - B.A. Kenyon College
Catherine Gaynor, Science/Middle, Appointed 2011- B.S., Union College, M. Ed., University of Massachusetts Peter Gaynor, History Department Chair/Middle, Appointed 2011 - B.A., Union College, M. Ed., University of Massachusetts
Dominique Gérard, Dean of Student Life/History/Upper/Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Appointed 2002 - B.A., University of Houston, M.A., Fordham University, M.Ed., Columbia University
Andrea Gershwin, Associate Director College Counseling/Upper, Appointed 2011 - B.A., Emory University, J.D., Brooklyn Law School
Maria Gilmartin, Fine & Performing Arts Department Chair/Chorale/Music/Middle, Appointed 2001 - B.M., William Paterson University, M.A., Montclair State University
Crystal Glynn, Science/Primary, Appointed 2013 - B.A., University of Denver, J.D., University of Minnesota
Margaret Gonzales, Coordinator of Student Services/Mathematics Coordinator/Primary, Appointed 1999 - B.A., M.F.A., University of Michigan, M.A., Teachers College, Columbia University
Dustin Good, History/Middle, Appointed 2012 - B.A., State University of New York at Cortland
Benjamin Goodrich, Associate Director of Curriculum and Professional Development/Science Department Chair/Middle, Appointed 1999 - B.S., Brown University, M.Ed., Harvard University
Deborah Goodrich, Mathematics/Middle, Appointed 1999 - B.A., Brandeis University, M.A., Columbia University
Alex Gordon, Technical Theatre/Digital Art/Middle, Appointed 2005 - B.A., Williams College, M.A., New York University
Nancy Gratz, Grade Five/Mathematics/Middle, Appointed 2002 - B.S., Grove City College, M.S., University of Pittsburgh
Nate Green, History/Upper, Appointed 2013 - B.A. Wesleyan University, M.A. Wesleyan University
Danielle Guidi, Director of Extended Day/Assistant to Director of Admissions, Appointed 2005 - B.A., Boston University, M.B.A., Montclair State University
Jennifer Haakmat, Learning Specialist/Upper, Appointed 2013 - B.A. Manhattanville College, M.S. Bank Street College of Education Dimitri Hadjipetkov, Music/Upper, Appointed 1999 - B.A., Montclair State University, M.A., New York University
Susan Hansen, Science/Middle, Appointed 2013 - B.S. Eastern Michigan University, M.A. Teachers College, Columbia University
Luke Harris, PE/Athletic Liaison to the CCO/Upper, Appointed 2012 - B.A., Dickinson College, M.A., Shippensburg University
Marshall Hatcher, English/Middle, Appointed 2013 - B.A. University of Mississippi
Dr. Xinping “River” He, Chinese/Upper, Appointed 2012 - B.A., Peking University, M.Phil., Ph. D., Chinese University of Hong Kong
Regina Henry, Kindergarten/Primary, Appointed 2011 - B.A., M.A., Stony Brook University, M.Ed., Teachers College, Columbia University
David Hessler, History/Upper, Appointed 1993 - B.A., Davidson College, M.A., New School for Social Research
Toni Lee High, Tri-Campus Nursing Director/Middle, Appointed 2005 - B.S.N., William Paterson University, C.S.N., Caldwell College
Jean Hooi Lee, Math/Computer Science/Upper, Appointed 2013 - B.S. Cornell University
Dr. Tom Holt, Science Department Chair/Upper, Appointed 2011 - B.S., University of Illinois, M.A., Teachers College, Columbia University, Ph.D., University of Illinois
Nicole Hoppe, Fine & Performing Arts Chair/Drama/Dance/Upper, Appointed 2008 - B.M., American Musical and Dramatic Society, B.F.A., The New School University
Dr. Michael Houston, Foreign Language Department Chair/French/Upper, Appointed 1998 - B.A., M.A., University of Texas, Ph.D., University of North Carolina
George Hrab, Science/Upper, Appointed 1969 - B.S., Rutgers University, M.A., Teachers College, Columbia University
Dennis Hu, Mathematics/Upper, Appointed 2006 - A.B., Princeton University Marie Ihnen, Reading Specialist/Primary, Appointed 2002 - B.M.Ed., Manhattanville College, M.S., Bank Street College
Shanie Israel, Sixth Grade Dean/English/Middle, Appointed 2011 - B.S., M.Ed., Ohio University
Dr. John Jacobs, Eleventh Grade Dean/Latin/Upper, Appointed 2010 - A.B., Brown University, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D., Yale University
Isabel Janelli, Spanish/Upper, Appointed 2008 - B.A., M.A., Middlebury College
Deborah Jennings, Academic Dean/French/Upper, Appointed 1984 - A.B., Dartmouth College, M.A., Middlebury College
Alan Jones, Grade Four/English/History/Middle, Appointed 2000 - B.A., Hobart & William Smith College, M.L.S., Simmons College, M.A.T., Tufts University, M.Ed., Bank Street College
Thomas Jones, History/Upper, Appointed 2007 - B.S., University of Delaware
Tony Jones. Twelth Grade Dean/Science/Upper, Appointed 2000 - B.A., Franklin Pierce College
Dr. Sophie Kan, Mathematics/Upper, Appointed 2004 - B.S., Institute of Structural Design, M.Ed., State University of Novocherkassk, Russia, Ph.D., State University of Kharkov, Ukraine
Gary Kaufman, Math/Middle, Appointed 2013 - B.A., Connecticut College
Maryanne Kesler, Senior Associate Director of College Counseling/Upper, Appointed 2012 - B.A., University of Notre Dame, M.A., New York University, M.A., Queens College, City University, New York
Marsha Kleinman, English Department Chair/Middle, Appointed 2003 - B.A., SUNY at Binghamton, M.A., Teachers College, Columbia University
Dr. David Korfhage, History Department Chair/Upper, Appointed 2007 - A.B., Harvard University, M.A., Indiana University, M.A., Ph.D., Princeton University
Dr. Suresh Krishnan, Mathematics/Upper, Appointed 2011 - B.Tech., Indian Institute of Technology, M.S., Clarkson University, Ph.D., University of Michigan
Tracy Kuser, Spanish/Director of Global Programs/Upper, Appointed 2007 - B.A., The Colorado College. M.A., Middlebury College Alex Langbein ‘03, Pre-Kindergarten/Primary, Appointed 2012 - B.S., M.A., Springfield College
Linda Larkin, Band/Music/Middle, Appointed 2000 - B.Music, Boston University, M.Music, Indiana University
Laura Lemaire, Fourth Grade Team Leader/Middle, Appointed 1997 - B.A., University of Santa Clara, M.B.A., Montclair State University
Lori Loebelsohn, Learning Specialist/ Upper, Appointed 2005 - B.F.A., The Cooper Union, M.S., Hunter College
Tim Lynch, Science/Upper, Appointed 2005 - B.A., Cornell University, M.S., California Institute of Technology
Barbara Mamchur, French/Upper, Appointed 1980 - B.A., Douglass College, M.A., Montclair State University
Caylie Marden, Pre-Kindergarten/Primary, Appointed 2007 - B.A., Smith College, M.S., Wheelock College
Dr. Louise Maxwell, Associate Director of College Counseling/Upper, Appointed 2002 - B.A., University of Virginia, M.A., Rice University, Ph.D., New York University
Jill Maza, Tri-Campus Head Librarian, Appointed 2010 - B.A., The College of William and Mary, M.L.S., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Ruth Miller, English/Middle, Appointed 2001 - B.A., Trinity College, M.A., M. Litt, Middlebury College
Sunnie Minn, Science/Health/Middle, Appointed 2008 - B.S., and M.S., SUNY at Stony Brook
Meghan Murray, Library/Middle, Appointed 2007 - B.A., William Paterson University
Zandi Nammack, Associate Director of Admissions/Primary, Appointed 2008 - A.B., Princeton University, M.S.Ed., University of Pennsylvania
Helen Noble, Grade Two Coordinator/Primary, Appointed 2005 - B.A., Seton Hall University
John Odell, Pre-Kindergarten Coordinator/Primary, Appointed 2004 - B.A., Syracuse University Charles Olsen, Music/Upper, Appointed 2003 - B.M.Ed., Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, M.Music, Julliard School
Ralph Pacifico, Director of Intramurals/Physical Education/Primary, Appointed 1992 - B.A., University of New Haven
Patricia Parke, Grade One/Primary, Appointed 1975 - B.A., Beaver College, M.A., Montclair State University
Andrew Prince, History/Ethics/Upper, Appointed 2011 - A.B., Harvard College
Sheila Pryor, Kindergarten Coordinator/Primary, Appointed 2011 - B.A., Roanoke College
Jordan Raper, Physical Education & Health Department Chair/Upper, Appointed 2012 - B.Ed, Leeds Carnegie University, UK
Yesenia Ravelo-Rodriguez, Spanish/Middle, Appointed 2010 - B.A., The College of New Jersey, M.A., Marygrove College
Benjamin Rich, Science/Upper, Appointed 2010 - B.A., Colgate University, M.Ed., University of Maryland
Dana Rose, Grade Three/Primary, Appointed 2007 - B.A., Brandeis University, M.Ed., Cabrini College
Tom Ruddy, Library/Middle, Appointed 2000 - B.A., M.L.S., Rutgers University
Colleen Ruplinger, Grade One/Primary, Appointed 2012 - B.A., Northwestern University, M.A., Bank Street College of Education
Dr. Eric Salehi, English/Upper, Appointed 2008 - B.A., Loyola University, M.A. and Ph.D., New York University
Lynn Salehi, Dean of Student Life/History/Middle, Appointed 1995 - B.A., Loyola University
Jessica Sarfati, Kindergarten/Primary, Appointed 2007 - B.A., Bates College, M.A.T., Montclair State University
Sheila Sarma, Grade Two/Primary, Appointed 2010 - B.A., Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, M.A., Middlebury College
Karen Schifferdecker, Library/Primary, Appointed 2004 - B.A., Drew University Meghan Schorr, Grade Three/Primary, Appointed 2012 - B.A., University of Virginia, M.S.Ed., University of Pennsylvania
Nicholas Schutsky, Art/Upper, Appointed 2002 - B.A., Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, M.F.A., University of Delaware
Jamie Segraves, Spanish/Upper, Appointed 2010 - B.A., The University of Texas at Austin, M.A., Middlebury College, M.S., Georgetown University
Leon Shade ‘98, Seventh Grade Team Leader/Physical Education/Health/Middle, Appointed 2004 - B.A., Rutgers University
Alise Shuart, Physical Education/Health/Middle, Appointed 2007 - B.A., Kenyon College, B.S., SUNY at Buffalo
Meg Slotkin, French/Upper, Appointed 1999 - B.A., Swarthmore College
Jane Smith, Music/Primary, Appointed 1985 - B.A., M.A., Montclair State University
Jolinda Smith, Counselor/Primary, Appointed 2009 - B.A., Wells College, M.S.W., Columbia University
Kenneth Smith, Coordinator of Department of Athletics/PE Department Chair/Middle, Appointed 1984 - B.S., Gordon College
Laurie Smith, Science/Upper, Appointed 1985 - B.A., Clark University, M.L.F.S., University of Maryland
Patricia Sullivan, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Physical Education/Health/Upper, Appointed 1995 - B.A., M.A., Montclair State University
Randall Svane, Music Director (K-12)/Upper, Appointed 1992 - B.M., Manhattan School of Music, M.A., New York University
J.C. Svec, Theatre/Upper, Appointed 1989 - B.A., Rutgers University, M.A., William Paterson University
Robert Tickle, Mathematics/Computer Science/Upper, Appointed 2001 - B.S., Virginia Tech, M.S., University of Kentucky
Caroline Toman, English Department Chair/Upper, Appointed 1996 - B.A., Wheaton College, M.Lit., Drew University S. Veronica Toscano, French, Spanish/Middle, Appointed 2006 - B.A., Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Ecuador, M.A., Universidad de Salamanca
Maurine Toth, Grade Three/Primary, Appointed 1998 - B.A., Thomas Edison State College, M.L.S., Syracuse University
Laura Treadaway, Mathematics/Upper, Appointed 2013 - B.S., M.Ed., Vanderbilt University
Dr. Jeanne Tsai, Biology/Chinese/Upper, Appointed 2011 - B.S., National Normal University, Taiwan, M.S., University of Hawaii, Ph.D., University of Nebraska
Stephen Valentine, Director of Academic Leadership/Assistant Head of Upper School/Interdisciplinary Department Chair/English/Upper, Appointed 2002 - B.A., Boston College, M.A., University of Virginia
Kerry Verrone, Ninth Grade Dean/Tri-Campus Ethics Department Chair/History/Upper, Appointed 2004 - A.B., Brown University, M.A., Yale University
Daniela Vespucci, Grade One Coordinator/Primary, Appointed 2008 - B.A., M.A., Quinnipiac University
Katalyn Vidal, Spanish/Middle School, Appointed 2012 - B.A., Swarthmore College, M.A., New York University, Madrid, Spain, M. Ed., Teachers College, Columbia University
Kathy Waggoner, Grade One/Primary, Appointed 2008 - B.A., Marymount Manhattan College, M.A., Bank Street College
Roger Walter, Spanish/Upper, Appointed 2011 - B.A., The George Washington University, M.A., Universidad del Norte, Colombia
Donald Warren, Music/Upper, Appointed 1995 - B.A., Montclair State University, M.A., Teachers College, Columbia University
Kristen Weaver, Dance/Drama/Primary, Appointed 1997 - B.A., SUNY at New Paltz
Penny Weissman, Science/Middle, Appointed 2006 - B.A., SUNY at Buffalo, M.S., SUNY at Stony Brook Joan Weller, Director of Student Services/Upper, Appointed 1974 - B.A., Rosemont College, M.S., Fordham University
Ronald Wolfson, History/Upper, Appointed 1999 - B.A., Clark University, M.A., Teachers College, Columbia University
Dr. Alina Yurkovsky, Director of Student Services Pre-K-12/Student Counselor/Middle, Appointed 2007 - B.A., M.A., American University, Psy.D., Yeshiva University
Fanzhou Zhang, Chinese/Middle, Appointed 2013 - B.A. Northeast Normal University, M.A. Seton Hall University
Laura Zimmerman, Science/Middle, Appointed 2011 - B.S., Mary Washington College, M.A., Columbia University