James Ackerman

Year of Appointment:  1992

Departments and Courses:  Director of Development and Upper School History:   U.S. History

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  University of Southern California – A.B. History & Humanities;
University of Southern California – M.A. Social Ethics; Cambridge University/King’s College – B.A. Divinity; Cambridge University – M.A. Divinity

"And the end of all our exploring / Will be to arrive where we started / And know the place for the first time."

Elisabeth Alexander

Year of Appointment:  2002

Department:  Physical Education:  Coach of Girls Tennis (Assistant Coach), Middle School Girls Soccer (Assistant Coach), Middle School Girls Basketball, and Middle School Softball (Assistant Coach)

Collegiate Affiliation and Degree:  University of Pennsylvania, BA Arts and Sciences, Major Fine Arts

My favorite recreational things to do; spend time with my daughter Kaia, hike, surf, and float on the Delaware.  My 13 month old daughter is saying her first words, walking around, and causing much loved trouble.

Deborah Anderson

Year of Appointment: 2006

Department and Courses:  Music and Assistant Director of Bands: Upper School Concert Band;  Jazz Band for grades 7 – 12; Saxophone Ensemble; Brass Ensemble

College Affiliation and Degree: The Hartt School at the University of Hartford. BM

Mrs. Anderson is a low brass specialist.  She studied the trombone with such noted trombonists as Herbert Rankin, Donald Harwood and Ronald Borror.  Mrs. Anderson also studied the flute with Stanley Aronson. She is a member of Music Educators National Conference.r

Theodora Angelos

Year of appointment: 2008

College Affiliation: Columbia University, BA
University of Virginia, MA

Courses:
English I
English II
Imagining New York
On the Road: Travel Literature

Theodora is happy to have returned to her home state to teach at RPS. She loves going to museums & movies, traveling, baking pumpkin products, and reading Walt Whitman.

Alyssa Applebaum

Year of Appointment:  2005

Department and Courses:  Physical Education/Special Events:  Pre K 3 and 5th/6th Grade; 11th Grade Health; Coach Middle School soccer, basketball, lacrosse and varsity lacrosse

College Affiliation and Degree:  B.S. Syracuse University

I graduated from Rutgers Prep in 1999 and went on to Syracuse University and majored in public relations. I also played soccer for Syracuse University.

Leslee Atiram

Year of Appointment: 2001

Department and Courses: Middle School:  5th grade Mathematics and Science; 6th grade Cycle: "A Place Called School"

College Affiliations and Degrees: BA Brooklyn College; MS Brooklyn College

Leslee Atiram is a founding member of the New Jersey Math Coalition. She is the Director of the Rutgers Prep Mini Camp and is an avid Rubber Stamper. Her two sons Zakariah '04 and Max '08 are graduates of Rutgers Prep School.

Kristen Auciello '03

Year of Appointment: 2010

Department and Courses: Upper School English, Sophomore English, Assistant Director of RPS drama productions

College and Degrees: Douglass College, Rutgers University B.A. in English; Rutgers University Graduate School of Education Ed.M in Secondary English Education

Ralph Avella

Year of Appointment: 1979

Department and Courses: Upper School Science: Introduction to Chemistry & Physics (ICP) and Meteorology

Collegiate Affiliation and Degree: Seton Hall University, BS

I have been a long time Advisor to School Council and have served as Grade Dean for many years -including the Class of 2013. I am an avid baseball fan.

Russ Bartlett

Year of Appointment: 1995

Department and Courses:  Upper School History Department Head:  Foundations of Civilizations; AP US History; Literature of the Holocaust (in the English Department)

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  BA, Yale; M. Divinity, Harvard

I am not just a teacher and department head (and Community Service coordinator) at Rutgers Prep; I am also the proud parent of two RPS students--Caleb (Class of 2022) and Ben (Class of 2023).  When I am not teaching, I like to go hiking and backpacking.

Dennis Boyle

Year of appointment: 2006

Department and Courses:  Music and Choir Director:  Upper School Women’s Vocal Chamber Ensemble; Women’s Choir; Development of the Solo Voice; Music Theory

College Affiliations and Degrees: Montclair State University, BM; College of New Jersey, MM

Mr. Boyle directs an adult choir, Philomusica, which has performed in Avery Fischer Hall in Lincoln Center NYC, St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Mark’s Cathedral in Italy, and Canterbury Cathedral in England. He is a member  of the American Choral Directors Association  and the Music Educators  National Conference.

Barbara Carcich

Year of Appointment:  1980

Department and Courses:  Lower School:  First Grade

Collegiate Affiliation and Degree:  William Paterson University – BA

I like lighthouses and travel.

Michelle Carlisle-Fink

Year of Appointment: 2007

Department and Courses:  Lower School:  Assistant Teacher in the Junior Kindergarten

College Affiliation and Degree:  Tufts University, BS in Clinical Psychology

I was born and raised in Maine, love the outdoors, playing with our horses and spending time with my family and friends.

Carol Coe

Year of Appointment:  2004

Department and Courses:  World Language:  Upper School Spanish 2, 3, and SCC (Spanish Contemporary Culture)

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  BA from Douglass College with major in Spanish and minor in French; MA from Rutgers University in Spanish Language and Literature

Tim Cohen

Year of Appointment: 2003

Department and Courses:  Upper School History: AP World History (10th/12th grades) and Foundations of Civilizations (9th Grade)

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  BA, History, University of Pennsylvania; MA, History, University of Vermont

In addition to teaching history, Tim is the RPS school archivist and faculty advisor to Model UN and the History Club.

Jill E. Cooper, Ph.D.

Year of Appointment:  2000

Departments and Courses:  Upper School Science, Upper School History, and College Counseling:    Psychology, AP Psychology, The History of American Science & Medicine (a sophomore elective)

College Affiliations and Degrees:  BS in biology from Bucknell University; Ph.D. in the history of science, medicine, and technology from Rutgers University

Eireann Corrigan

Year of Appointment:  2000

Department and Courses:   Upper School English: English I; English II; Advanced Placement English Literature

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  BA, Sarah Lawrence College; MFA, New York University

An alumna of Rutgers Prep, Eireann Corrigan has written four books for young adults - You Remind Me of You, Splintering, Ordinary Ghosts, and the upcoming Accomplice. She is married to Jeffrey Salzberger, a teacher in the Upper School History Department.

Paula D'Introno

Year of Appointment: 2005

Department and Courses:  Library/Media:  Lower School library specials and Middle School Information Literacy, 6th – 8th grades

College Affiliation and Degrees:  Rutgers College, BA in English and Art History; MLIS from Rutgers University, School of Communication and Information

Graig Domanski

Year of Appointment:  2006

Departments and Courses:  Upper School Science and Math:  Foundations In Science; Algebra I and Algebra II

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  BS, Rutgers University;  MS, National University

Stephen Duffy

Year of Appointment:  2005

Department and Courses:  Upper School Principal and English: English III

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  B.A., English, Middlebury College; M.A.; English Literature, Bread Loaf School of English, Middlebury College; Ed.M., Educational Administration, Columbia University

Stephen Duffy is a native of Boston and a loyal supporter of his hometown teams, especially when the Red Sox play the Yankees!  He loves Irish literature, good theater, Block Island, Cajun food and working at Rutgers Prep.

Circe Dunnell

Year of Appointment:  2001

Department and Courses:  Visual Arts: Drawing & Design; Introduction to Painting; Advanced Drawing; Critique & Production I; Critique & Production II

College Affiliations and Degrees:  BFA: University of Massachusetts at Amherst; MA of Fine Art: New York University

Circe Dunnell is a practicing visual artist, (circedunnell.com) working in mixed media, encaustic (molten pigmented wax) and digital photography.  She has exhibited in Graz, Austria, New England, New York and New Jersey.  Circe has been a long-standing member of Studio Montclair since its inception in 1996. She grew up at Brooks School, a boarding school where both her father and uncle taught English and has been involved in education ever since.   A native of northern Massachusetts, Circe has made New Jersey her home since 199

Nandini Dutta

Year of Appointment:  1997

Department and Courses:  World Languages Department Chair:  Upper School Spanish C & C, Spanish L&L, Spanish Language AP

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  M.A. (Jawaharlal Nehru University, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, University of New México)

When not teaching, I like to travel, meet new people and learn about new cultures, their lives, languages and food habits and come home and practice those skills at home.

Jennifer Hill

Year of Appointment: 2007

Department and Courses:  Lower School Music:  General Music Classes to grades PK-3 through 4th grade and Lower School Choir Director

Nancy Engblom

Year of Appointment: 2002

Department and Courses:  World Languages:  Upper School Latin III, Honors Latin III, Latin IV, Honors Latin Literature, Elegy, and AP Vergil

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees: University of Pennsylvania, BA in Classics; The College of New Jersey, M ed., concentration in English as a Second Language

I grew up in Plainfield, leaving New Jersey in my teens for school, work, and family. I enjoyed time as a stay-at-home Mom, explored numerous opportunities and academic interests, and have circled back to share what I learned to revere long ago, in a school not far away from where I began, in a much-changed community that still feels like home.

Debra Fehl

Year of Appointment:  2005

Department and Courses:  Lower School:  Pre Kindergarten Assistant

Collegiate Affiliation and Degree:  Rollins College, BA English and Art History

Nes Forney

Year of Appointment:  1980

Department:  Physical Education and Health Department Head

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  University of Charleston BA;  Emory University MAT

Two years of baseball, two years of college golf.  Have coached Varsity boys soccer, Varsity Girls soccer and 7 & 8 Boys soccer.  Coach Varsity Swimming and have coached Varsity Boys Lax and Varsity Golf.  My passion is Golf and I am also a teaching professional during the summer.

Allan Furtek

Year of Appointment:  2002.

Department and Courses:  Upper School Science:  General and AP Physics

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  BS, Chemistry, University of Massachusetts; Ph.D., Chemistry, University of Southern California

I spent almost 28 years in industrial R&D working for Union Carbide Corporation and Mobil Corporation before coming to RPS.  I'm a Vietnam veteran having served as a combat infantryman.  After all these years spent in the sciences, I haven't lost my love for the field.  My personal goals are to learn something new each year about an area of physics.

Hannah Garrow

Year of Appointment: 2009

Department and Courses: World Language Department: Spanish 2, Spanish 3 and Spanish Conversation and Culture

College Affiliations and Degrees:  B.A. Williams College; M.A. New York University

Before working at Rutgers Prep, Hannah spent two years teaching Spanish, French and English in a small independent school in northern Virginia.  She enjoys reading, cooking, exploring new languages and cultures, and watching nature specials.

Florence Gange

Year of Appointment:  1999

Departments and Courses:  Dean of Faculty and Upper School English:  English II and English III

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  SUNY @ Plattsburgh, BA, Secondary English Education;
St. Bonvaventure University, MA, English Literature

Prior to joining Rutgers Prep, I taught public school English and spent many years in the Pharmaceutical Industry where I focused on management training and development. I am the proud parent of recent RPS graduates (twins) who are now attending colleges in the Boston area (Babson College and Boston University).  I also serve on the board of education for my local public school district.  I enjoy reading best sellers, watching classic movies, cooking a variety of dishes, listening to rhythm and blues and classic rock, attending craft shows, and shopping, shopping, shopping.

Scott G. Gill

Year of Appointment:   2002

Department and Courses:  Director of Student Counseling Services:  peer leadership

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  Rider University; MSW from Rutgers University

Mr. GIll is a trained therapist in the treatment of adults, couples, children and adolescents. He has experience in both academic and clinical settings. In addition to his work at Rutgers Preparatory School, Mr. Gill is a therapist for Comprehensive Mental Health Services in Pennington NJ. Mr. Gill is an accomplished athlete, having played sports on high school teams and college teams. Mr. Gill loves playing soccer and spending time with his wife Tara and his two boys Logan and Brody.

Diane Glace

Year of Appointment: 1983

Department and Courses: Director of Admission, PreK- Grade 6; Lower School Assistant Principal

Collegiate Affiliation and Degree: Drew University, B.S., UMass, Amherst, Amherst Elementary Program

Diane enjoys getting back into the classroom, whether it's touring families looking into RPS or to playing math games with Lower School students.

Anne Glennon

Year of Appointment:  1990

Department and Courses:  Upper School English Department Head: English I, English III; senior electives (Shakespeare;/Mythology)

College Affiliations and Degrees:  BA  English  Trinity College(D.C.); Postgraduate; University College, Dublin, Ireland; MA  Ancient and Medieval History   Seton Hall University; Ed.S. Supervision and Administration  Seton Hall University

I have just completed my 25th year as an adjunct professor in the Department of Classics and General Humanities at Montclair State University. In recent years I have taught General Humanities I, similar to a Western Civilizations course with the emphasis on intellectual history and the arts. In days of yore, courses have included Mythology, Greek Civilization, Roman Civilization, General Humanities II, and Etymology.

Allison Gratzer

Year of Appointment: 2003

Department and Courses:  Upper School Mathematics Department Head:  Precalculus, AP Calculus BC, Multivariable Calculus

College Affiliation and Degree:  Princeton University, BA, Physics

Allison joined the RPS faculty directly after graduating from college.  In her free time, she particularly enjoys cooking, traveling, and playing in the backyard with her nieces.

Makiko Highton

Year of Appointment: 2008

Department and Courses: Visual Arts:  Middle School Art 5, 6, 7, 8.

College Affiliation and Degree:  BFA, Rhode Island School of Design

After years of working in SoHo as a Graphic Designer and Design Director, Makiko began a career as an art educator.  She has taught students in grades K-12 in public, charter, and independent schools. Her artwork is mixed media and encaustic based.  [Encaustic is an ancient painting medium dating back to Egyptian times, and uses pigment that is suspended in beeswax and combined with resin.]

Forrest Hinton

Year of Appointment: 2011

Department and Courses: Upper School Mathematics: Geometry, Honors Geometry, Algebra II

College and Degrees: BS in Mathematics Education from North Carolina State University; EdM in Education Policy and Management from Harvard University

Forrest joined Rutgers Prep after several years of researching and evaluating federal education policy and teaching adult learners in Washington, DC. Originally from North Carolina, he enjoys reading, writing, experimental cooking, and running long distances with his wife, Ashley. Forrest encourages all of his math students to critically question everything and justify their decisions with well-reasoned arguments.

Anne Jablow

Year of Appointment:  1993

Department and Courses:  Lower School:  4th grade, reading, math, and science

College Affiliation and Degree:  BS from The College of New Jersey in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood.  Certified to teach grades Prek-8th

I love to travel, plan, read and teach!  I did my senior thesis on appropriate technology in the classroom before we even had laptops in the classroom.

Lenore Kaufman

Year of Appointment:  1990

Department and Courses:  Lower School:  Kindergarten

Collegiate Affiliation and Degrees:  BA Geography, MS Elementary and Early Childhood Education, Teacher of the Handicapped Certificate

Educational trends come and go - good teaching practices remain forever.   My major goals are to help develop qualities and skills that will enable children to function effectively in their world.  Honesty, empathy, kindness, ability to make good decisions, independence and being able to work well as a team member, along with academics that are developmentally appropriate are of prime concern.

Christine A. Kazal

Year of Appointment:  1990

Department and Courses:  Lower School:  4th grade, language arts, social studies, and reading

College Affiliations and Degrees: Moravian College, B.A. in Political Science/History; Kean College of New Jersey,  New Jersey Teacher Certification, Grades K-8

I was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, a city in Central Appalachia.  My connection with the mountains continues with friendships  I've made with folks in the Southern Appalachian mountains, namely, Letcher County, Kentucky.

Siobhan Kelly

Year of Appointment: 2005

Department and Courses:  Upper School English:  English I and II; senior electives – Journalism and Contemporary Literature

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  B.A., Trinity College; M.A., Ph.D, Binghamton University

Siobhan Kelly came to RPS after thirteen years of college teaching.  She loves the beach, writing, and losing herself in a good book.

John Kendall

Year of Appointment:  1983

Department and Courses:  Upper School English and Middle School Computers: English I (9th grade); Advanced Placement English Language and Composition (11th grade); 7th grade robotics and introduction to computer programming

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  Princeton University, English, BA; Goddard College, Writing, MA

Mary Klinger

Year of Appointment: 1984

Department and Courses: Director of Athletics:  Upper school Physical Education;  Middle School cross country coach and Varsity Girls Basketball coach

Collegiate Affiliation and Degree:  Douglas College, Rutgers University, BS., Athletic Administration

I grew up in southwest Philadelphia, am 1 of 8 children, and I'm a twin. I love reading, golfing, and spending as much time as I can at the beach.

Tara Klipstein

Year of Appointment:  1992

Department:  Director of Admission

College Affiliations and Degrees:  Douglass College BA; Graduate School of Education, Rutgers, Masters in Education

I am a "lifer", began in Kindergarten, graduated class of '81, have taught Junior Kindergarten, Lower School French and Spanish, have served as Principal of the Primary School, and now in second year as Director of Admission grades 7 -12. Married David, '81, and have three sons who attend or have attended RPS.

Shelley Krause

Year of appointment: 2004

Department and Courses:  Co-Director of College Counseling: Junior and Senior Seminar

College Affiliations and Degrees: Brown University (BA in Comparative Literature) and University of Pennsylvania (MS Ed.)

Karin Krauszer

Year of Appointment- 2000

Department - School Nurse

College- Villanova University BSN, RN
Caldwell College-Certified School Nurse

Karin follows a long family tradition of being affiliated with RPS.  Daughter Kim is a current upper school student, sons Jimmy ’07 and Robert ’05 are alums of RPS along with husband Jim ’78 and his father Jack ’47. Karin enjoys summers at the Jersey shore, which include boating and fishing, and spending time with her family and friends all year long.

Catherine Krtil

Year of Appointment:  2009

Departments and Courses:  Upper School Learning Specialist and Upper School English:  English III

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  BA, Manhattan College; MS Ed, Lehman College of the City University of New York

Catherine joins RPS with extensive experience in the academic, social and emotional support of students with special learning needs in a college-prep environment.  After several years in California, the NYC native is thrilled to be home on the East Coast!

Terry Ladd

Year of Appointment: 2011

Department: Development Assistant

College and Degrees: Michigan State University, BA in English

Mythili Lahiri

Year of Appointment: 2004

Department and Courses: Lower School: Third Grade

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  B.A. Political Science -  Barnard College, Columbia University;
Master of International Affairs (M.I.A.) - International Business Concentration - School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University

I was a management consultant for Andersen Consulting (now known as Accenture) for six years.  After having three kids, I decided to change my career and become what I had always said I would be from the time I was a kid - a teacher.  I went back to school and started working at Rutgers Prep in 2004.

Pablito Lake

Year of Appointment: 2004

Departments and Courses: Upper School Computer Education Chair and Upper School Mathematics:
Advance Algebra and Trigonometry; Calculus; Introduction to Computer Science; AP Computer Science; Robotics; and Database Design

Collegiate Affiliation and Degrees:  BS and MS Computer Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology

I enjoy spending time with my family, sports, video games, and calypso music.  I am a member of the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA).

Jacque L. Lamb

Year of Appointment: 1998

Department and Courses : Upper School Science: Chemistry, Advanced Placement Chemistry, and Independent Student Research

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees: BA, Chemistry, Russell Sage College; MS Chemistry/ Biochemistry, Montclair State University

Jacque Lamb came to teaching after a career in molecular biology research at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, returning to her academic roots in the field of chemistry.  She is an avid sports fan, passionate Red Sox fan and an accomplished baker.

Michael Lamb

Year of appointment: 1998

Department and Courses:  Physical Education Grades Pre Kindergarten through 11th grade; Middle School Cross Country; Middle School Wrestling; Head Coach Varsity Wrestling; Middle School Softball

College Affiliation and Degree:  Rutgers College, Rutgers University B.S.

Charles Lid

Year of Appointment:  2006

Department and Courses:  Visual Arts:  Ceramics

College Affiliation and Degree:  B.F.A. Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University

Since leaving college I have dedicated myself to mastering the ancient art of firing wood fueled kilns, through a forged relationship with Peter's valley craft center. I have had the privilege to work for and with many renowned international artist/teachers. Currently I am working as an assistant to Peter Callas a wood firing ceramic master.

Jami Lippencott

Year of Appointment: 2001

Department and Courses:  Lower School: Junior Kindergarten

Collegiate Affiliation and Degree: University of Phoenix, AA

Jami Lippencott is the proud mother of a son and a daughter, both graduates of Rutgers Preparatory School. She enjoys spending time in Montana where she grew up as well as travel and outdoor adventure with her husband.

Geoff Loose

Year of Appointment:  2004

Department and Courses:  Upper School History:  Advanced Placement Economics; U.S. History; and  Foundations of Civilizations

College Affiliations and Degrees:  Kenyon College (A.B. Economics, concentration in public policy);
University of Michigan (M.A. Education)

My experiences working in politics and sports help make me a better teacher, because it really gives me a sense of how important writing, creativity and critical thinking are in the real world. Those are the traits that I try to develop within my students.

Steven Loy

Year of Appointment:  1992

Department and Courses:  Headmaster and Upper School English:  senior elective courses - Comedy Fiction and Detective Fiction

College Affiliations and Degrees:  BA in English from Princeton; MA in Educational Administration and Policy from Stanford; Ed.D. in Educational Administration from UCLA

Robert Marotto

Year of Appointment: 1983

Department and Courses:  Middle School Assistant Principal, 5th & 6th  Grade Latin

College Affiliations and  Degrees: BS in History, Kean College; MA in Educational Leadership, Fairleigh Dickinson University

I have been a member of the RPS faculty for my entire teaching career. My wife, Sue, and I are the proud parents of a senior at Rutgers Prep, Jackie, who has attended Rutgers Prep since she was 3 years old.
I have coached a variety of sports at RPS including State Championship teams in Baseball (1989) and Softball (2010).   My greatest joy has come in coaching Softball with my wife, and having
the opportunity to coach our daughter.

Heather Masterpol

Year of Appointment: 2003

Department and Courses:  Middle School Science Department Head:  6th  and 7th grade Science

College Affiliation and  Degree:  Cook College, BS Natural Resource Management (Conservation and Ecology)

Heather has taught a variety of courses at Prep over the years.  In addition to teaching at Prep, Heather teaches Hip-Hop, Ballet, and Jazz at a local dance center.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her three dogs.

David Mazsa

Year of Appointment:  1973

Department and Courses:  Upper School Science Department Head:  AP Biology and AP Environmental Science

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  Lehigh University, BA, Biology; Cornell University, MS, Aquatic Ecology

I worry that too many of us humans don't appreciate the beauty in a clear winter night sky, a periwinkle flower, and the scales on a butterfly wing.  We overlook so much beauty as we become physically and mentally immersed in our machines.

Laura W. McClanahan

Year of Appointment: 1996

Departments and Courses:  Visual Arts and Computer Education: Art and Architecture; Architecture II; Computer Design for Print and Web; Multimedia Design

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  BA, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA; Art Education Certificate,  Parsons School of Design and Bank Street College of Education, New York, NY; MFA, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD

Laura is an exhibiting artist showing abstract photography, photograms and video. She states about her work, "I am looking for origins and the source of life. Through a study of water phenomena I am questioning what makes something alive. In my own style of scientific investigation, I invite the viewer into a constructed world. Glass objects become subjects. Invisible micro details become visible.
Transparency transforms into an ambiguous mark." Laura is represented by Simon Gallery in Morristown, NJ and Gallery Imperato in Baltimore, MD. Solo exhibitions for 2009 have been at Simon Gallery, The Arts Club of Washington, DC and The Hunterdon Art Museum in Clinton, NJ. To see her web portfolio please visit www.lauramcclanahan.com.

Susan McCloskey

Year of Appointment:  1981

Department and Courses:  Visual Arts: Art Pre-Kindergarten-Fourth Grade

Collegiate Affiliation and Degree:  University of Massachusetts, B.A., Art History

Susan McCloskey is an avid photographer and has studied photography in Paris, Tuscany, and Toulouse. Ms. McCloskey is also an Olympic weightlifter who holds national records and is a former World Master champion.

Stacy McMillen

Year of Appointment:  2002

Department and Courses:  Upper School History:  U.S. History; American National Government; Advanced Placement American National Government.

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  B.A., UCLA, double major in History and Political Science; graduate work in History and Political Science at Vanderbilt University.

In her free time, Stacy tries to keep up with her 9 year old son; gardens; cooks; reads; and does her level best to be outdoors as much as possible.

Anne McNamara

Year of Appointment:  1995

Department and Courses:  Middle School:  6th grade Math and English; 5th  grade Computers

College Affiliations and Degrees:  Trinity College (Washington, DC) BA American Studies;
Drew University (Madison, NJ) MA English

Anne also earned a degree in Business from Brookdale Community College in between her degrees from Trinity and Drew.  She is certified in Elementary Education (grades 1-8), English (grades 1-12) and Social Studies (grades 1-12).  Anne is a member of Families with Children from China.

Pascal Meier, Ph.D.

Year of Appointment: 2003

Department and Courses: Upper School Science: Honors Chemistry.

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees: Idaho State University (BS); Princeton University (MS, Ph.D.)

Dr.  Meier is a native of Switzerland. He moved to the States when he was 19. His native language is French, but he also speaks Italian and German

Tony Mento

Year of Appointment: 1996

Departments and Courses:  Director of Learning Support, grades 5-12 and Middle School History Department Chair:  7th Grade American History

College Affiliation and Degree:  West Virginia University, BS Education

For the past ten years, while Tony Mento has been the Head Coach of the Varsity Boys Basketball Team, the Argonauts have compiled six Patriot Conference Championships and two Prep State Championships.

Amy Merges

year of appointment- 2010 

department and courses- lower school teacher- kindergarten

college affiliations- BA SUNY , graduate work at SUNY at Albany in social welfare

I have always had a love for working with children whether it was working with children with special needs or at risk children during my tenure in social work.  I came to education after volunteering as PTO president at my children's' school for 3 years.  I thought as long as I was always in the school, I might as well work.  I didn't know how much I would love it!  I am also the proud parents of two RPS students, Hannah and David.

Kevin Merges

Year of Appointment:  2000

Departments and Courses:  Director of Program Advancement and Upper School Mathematics:  Discrete Math A & B

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  SUNY Albany - BS Math;  Sage Colleges - MS in Education;  Rutgers, Ed.D. Mathematics Education

My educational research interests are online collaborative learning as it relates to discrete mathematics, fractal geometry, and chaos theory.  At RPS I work with Sustainability, Diversity, Technology Integration, and Upper School Scheduling.  I enjoy carving fruits and vegetables in my free time.

Benjamin Messinger-Barnes

Year of Appointment:   2009

Department and Courses:  Upper School Mathematics :  Algebra II; Algebra II Honors; Precalculus

Collegiate Affiliations:  Wesleyan University - B.A. in Mathematics, Economics

Mr. Barnes is an avid bassist, co-founding and playing in both a soul/funk trio "Barefoot Junction" as well as a bluegrass group "Uncle D. Todd and the Drybag Boys."  During the summer, Mr. Barnes spends his time in Maine taking 11-13 year old boys on canoe expeditions throughout the North Woods rivers and lakes as a camp counselor.

JoAnn Miller

Year of Appointment:  2000

Department and Courses: Lower School:  3rd grade

College Affiliations and Degrees: University of Scranton-BS; Teacher Certification from Rider University Graduate Department; NJ Certified Teacher K-8

Aside from teaching 3rd grade at RPS, I have taught Reading Workshop in the Summer School program, worked in ASP, Study Hub, run after school clubs, and tutored students.  When I am not at school, I love being home and spending time with my husband and three young sons.  I enjoy taking cruises, going to the beach, running/walking, cooking, and reading.

John H. Miller, ‘86

Year of Appointment: 2005

Department and Courses: Middle School Principal, English 8 and Spanish 1B

Collegiate affiliations and degree:  B.A. International Relations, Tufts University; Candidate for Masters in International Educational Administration, Lehigh University

John grew up in Rahway and attended Rutgers Prep from 7th grade through High School.  When he’s not at school, he and his family are likely to be in Mexico or on a baseball field.

Britten Milliman

Year of Appointment: 2011

Department and Courses: World Languages Department, Upper School Arabic and Spanish: Arabic I and II, Spanish Level I 

College and Degrees: B.A. Independent Scholar (Linguistics), Middlebury College; M.A. Arabic Language and Linguistics, University of Texas at Austin

Originally from New York, Britten has lived in Vermont, Texas, Italy and Egypt, though she is happy to be back in the Northeast. She studied ninjitsu for two years and loves good food, traveling, writing, and relaxing with a good book.

Valerie Minakawa

Year of Appointment:  2002

Department and Courses:  World Languages:  Japanese I, II, III, IV, and Spanish I

Collegiate Affiliation and Degrees:  Dickinson College, BA in East Asian Studies and Spanish

Raised in a South American family, Ms. Minakawa also sought to explore the other side of her heritage and spent two years living and teaching in Shizuoka, Japan, prior to Rutgers Prep.  She loves traveling, karate, latin dancing, and Slow Food.

Stephen Mitchell

Year of Appointment:  2000

Department and Courses:  Middle School:  6th grade History and 7th and 8th grade Latin

Collegiate Affiliation and Degree:  Tulane University, BA in Latin and History

I am a native of New Orleans and love eating Creole food, dancing to funk music, and spending time with my family and friends.

Gail Moskowitz

Year of Appointment:  1998

Department and Courses:  Lower School Assistant Principal and Math Coordinator:  Teaching PK, JK, K Guidance Classes; Summer School Assistant Director; Reading Workshop Coordinator

College Affiliation and Degree:  BA from Smith College

I have been involved with Rutgers Prep since 1985 when my daughter entered kindergarten.  My role in the community has evolved from volunteer to teacher and administrator, as my commitment to RPS continued to grow and I joined the faculty upon my daughter's graduation.

Mark Nastus

Year of Appointment: 2000

Department and Courses: Middle School English Department, 7th Grade Level Coordinator, 7th Grade English

Collegiate Affiliation and Degree: Boston College, BA English

Mark Nastus is also a graduate of Rutgers Preparatory School, class of 1994. He coached varsity and junior varsity basketball for 10 years and still serves as the assistant coach for varsity baseball and swimming.

Scott Neal

Year of Appointment:  1990.

Department and Courses:  Middle School Mathematics Department Head: Algebra 2, Algebra 1 and Algebra 1A; assistant coach with the girls' varsity basketball team.

College Affiliations and Degrees:  Bethany College, BA in Economics; Saint Joseph's University

Gary Neiditch

Year of Appointment: 2002

Department and Courses: Webmaster, Upper School Mathematics: Algebra IB; Head Volleyball Coach

College Affiliations and Degrees: BS, Rutgers University

I enjoy playing all types of sports but mainly volleyball. I also enjoy playing the guitar and working with students to prepare for their SAT test.

Lisa Nelson

Year of Appointment:  2009

Department and Courses:  Student Counseling Services:  lower school character education

College Affiliations and Degrees:  Quinnipiac University, BA in Psychology; The College of New Jersey,  MA in Counselor Education: National Certified Counselor

Mary Kay Papa

Year of Appointment: 2005

Department and Courses:  Lower School:  Lead Teacher of Pre-Kindergarten

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:   Middlesex County Vocational and Technical School, LPN; Kean University, CDA

I am a mother of two RPS alumni, and am a practicing nurse with 34 years experience in geriatrics and pediatrics. My love of children brought me to my second career as a pre-kindergarten teacher 12 years ago. Some of my interests are reading, outdoor activities, and spending time with my family and two grandchildren .

Susan Paterson

Year of Appointment:  2005

Department:  Certified Athletic Trainer for student athletes in grades 7 – 12.

Collegiate Affiliation and Degree:  West Chester University, BS Sports Medicine

Prior to joining RPS faculty Susan worked at a physical therapy office in Pennsylvania that provided rehab to minor and major league athletes from the Philadelphia Phillies Baseball Association.

Vivian Pérez

Year of Appointment: 1996

Department and Courses:  World Languages:  Spanish 1 to 6th and 7th grades and Spanish 2 to 8th  grade; 7th grade advisor

College Affiliations and Degrees:  Kean College of New Jersey, AA in Accounting; New York University, Certification in Translations Program

Viv was born in Guatemala, came to the U.S. at age one, and was raised in Hoboken, NJ.  She joined RPS a few years after commencing a career in the finance field. She is a member of the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages, the Foreign Language Educators of NJ, and the National Network for Early Language Learning. She enjoys cooking, traveling, music, dancing, the outdoors, football, and spending time with family and friends

Lisa Peterson

Year of Appointment: 1990

Department:  Music and Director of Bands

College Affiliations and Degrees: The College of New Jersey BA; The College of New Jersey MA

Valerie A. Pierce, Ph.D.

Year of Appointment:  2003

Department and Courses: Upper School Science:  Biology, Honors Biology, Introduction to Forensic Science

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  Rutgers University, B.A. in Biology/ French; University of Chicago, Ph.D. in Evolutionary Physiology.

Valerie Pierce is a New Jersey native who lived and traveled around much of the US during her research career and still enjoys traveling, hiking and outdoor activities.  She co-captains the Rutgers Preparatory School academic team and is interested in technology uses in education.  She also probably qualifies as a Sudoku addict.

Lanetta Putnal

Year of Appointment:  2007

Department and Courses:  Lower School:  Kindergarten Assistant

Collegiate Affiliation and Degree:  Stetson University, BBA

Lanetta enjoys ballroom dancing, gardening and anything Disney.  She is the parent of two RPS middle school students.

Denise Quenault

Year of Appointment:  2001

Department:  Director of Summer Programs

Collegiate Affiliation and Degree: Elementary Education Degree and Minor in Special Education from Loyola College, Baltimore, Maryland.

I am one of 111 grandchildren!  My parents are both one of 12...makes for fun and entertaining family gatherings. I also enjoy spending time exercising, reading, watching movies, going out to dinner with my husband JJ, vacationing, and running around endlessly with my 2 beautiful boys, Chase and Kane!  Life is wonderful and I am truly blessed!

JJ Quenault

Year of appointment: 2000

Department: Director of Publications/Photographer, Head boys Lacrosse Coach

Collegiate Affiliation and Degrees: Rutgers University, B.A. fine art

JJ coached the boys lacrosse team to its first State championship in 19 years in the 2009 season, and was named the Home News Tribune Coach of the Year.

Sherry M. Riggi

Year of Appointment: 2000

Department and Courses: Co-Director of College Counseling:  Junior Seminar & Senior Seminar

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees: B.A. in Speech Communications, University of Rhode Island; M.A. in Education, Seton Hall University

Sherry served in various positions in the College Admissions field at three different institutions prior to joining the RPS community in August of 2000.  Sherry is a member of both national and regional organizations related to the College Admissions Process and has presented at both national and state conferences.  Most recently, Sherry has been appointed President-elect of the New Jersey ACT Council.

Katherine Moran Riley

Year of Appointment:  1989

Department and Courses:  Middle School English Department Head:  English 8

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  AB- Goucher College; MLA- Johns Hopkins Univ.; MA, PhD- University of Pennsylvania

I continue to be intrigued about how students learn and am always looking for ways to catch and keep their attention.  I'm eager to share all kinds of literature with them and hope to make them lifelong readers.

For relaxation, I do yoga and fold paper, two activities that keep me centered and put me in the students' shoes so that I better appreciate what it is like to learn as well as teach.

Kathleen M. Rusyn

Year of Appointment:  1983

Department and Courses:  Lower School Principal and RPS Summer School Assistant Director - (Faculty)

Collegiate Affiliation and Degree:  Kean College of NJ - BA Education, NJ Certification - Elementary Education K-8, Minor - Music

Director of Music/Organist/Adult Choir Director - St. Anthony of Padua RC Church (NPM)

Laurence Santowasso

Year of Appointment: 1996

Department and Courses:  Dean of Students and Physical Education/Heath:  9th Grade Health Education; Middle School Wrestling Head Coach; Varsity Baseball Head Coach (14th year)

Collegiate Affiliation and Degree:  Bethany College, History and Education

I’m a Rutgers Prep graduate from the class of ’91.  I was a 4-year starter on the Bethany College baseball team and returned to Rutgers Prep to continue my baseball career as a coach.  I was awarded the 2003 and 2009 Star-Ledger Prep Coach of the Year and have sent numerous graduates to college to continue playing baseball.

Claudia Schwartz

Year of Appointment:  2010

Department and Courses:  Upper School Mathematics:  Honors Precalculus, Honors Geometry, Geometry

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  Boston College, B.A. Mathematics; Central Connecticut State College, M.S. Curriculum and Supervision

After teaching for over twenty years at The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, GA, Claudia returns to the Northeast and her family in New Jersey.  An avid runner and tennis player, Claudia is a passionate fan of both the Boston Red Sox and the University of Notre Dame.

Matthew Shifman, RPS '72

Year of Appointment:  1983

Department and Courses:  Middle School:  Math 7 and 8

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  Case Western Reserve University BA; Rutgers University Ed. M.

Susan Sodtalbers

Year of Appointment:  2003

Department and Courses:  Lower School:  1st  grade

Collegiate Affiliation and Degree:  BS, Centenary College

Susan grew up on a small family farm in Warren County, NJ.  She was a two sport college athlete; soccer and an All-American basketball player.  She is an avid runner and has completed 3 marathons, 6 half marathons, and dozens of smaller races.  She is currently registered for the 2010 Goofy's Race & Half Challenge in Disney World (a back to back half and full marathon).

Mariana Stevenson

Years of Appointment: 1999

Departments and Courses: World Languages, Director of After School Programs, and Gym Care Coordinator:  Lower and Middle School Spanish

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees: Universidad Del Salvador, Buenos Aires – Argentina, B.A.;
NYU Translation Certification

I am a native of Argentina.  I love studying and teaching different cultures.  I enjoy reading and listening to music of  diverse styles.  I love learning in general.

Patria Leroy Sullivan

Year of Appointment:  1986

Department:  Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid

College Affiliations and Degrees:  Carleton College BA/Philosophy; Lesley College M.Ed. Computer Education

Over 23 years I have developed a sincere love and appreciation for Rutgers Prep.   During the past 7 years, however, my passion for the School has only grown stronger as I continue my experience as a parent of three Rutgers Prep students.

Mary K. Szeles

Year of Appointment: 1986

Department and Courses:   Music Department Head and Director of the Independent Music Teachers Program.  Upper School Men’s Choir, Doo Wop/Barbershop, Madrigal Singers, 7th and 8th Grade Choir, Lower School Choir.

Mrs. Szeles is a graduate of Rutgers Preparatory School.  She studied piano with Olga Von Till and voice with both George Woodhead and Flore Wend at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, MD.   She is a member of the American Choral Directors Association and the Music Educators  National Conference. She is a New Jersey Certified Teacher of Music.

Robert Szeles

Year of Appointment:    1991

College Affiliation and Degree:  The Johns Hopkins University, BA History

Department and Courses:  Middle School History:  8th grade, "The United States in the World"

Bob also is the Head Coach of the Boys Varsity Soccer Team.  He enjoys singing, reading, and days spent at the beach.

Sean Thorne

Year of Appointment: 1996

Department and Courses:  Middle School English Department Head:  English, history, and drama to 5th graders and Physical Education to 7th and 8th.  Also, monitors the Weight Training room after school for Upper School varsity athletes.

College Affiliations and Degrees:  The College of New Jersey, BA in History;  Bank Street College,  Master of Science in Education/ Early Adolescence.

Sean Thorne began teaching right after college.  After teaching 7 years at The Hudson School, Hoboken, NJ he joined the faculty at Rutgers Preparatory School.  His research on how children use imagination with play in the writing process has been published in an anthology and online (http://www.electronicbookreview.com/thread/firstperson/edutaining).  This research is ongoing in conjunction with a research partner from the National Institute of Health.

Cora Turlish

Year of Appointment:  1994

Department and Courses:  Drama Department Head:  Drama 7; Drama 8; Upper School Acting and Advanced Acting:  Scene Study

College Affiliation and Degree:  A.B. Princeton University

Directs two Upper School drama productions each year;  past shows include “The Laramie Project,” “The Five Hysterical Girls Theorem,” and works by Shakespeare and Moliere.

Mark E. Tyree

Year of Appointment:  1991

Department and Courses:  Physical Education and Health:  Physical Education; Health; Middle School Coach (Basketball, Soccer, Lacrosse)

Collegiate Affiliation and Degree:  BS Sociology; Rutgers University

Erin Varga

Year of Appointment: 2002

Departments and Courses: Lower School Technology Teacher, Special Events Coordinator and Asst. Varsity Cross Country Coach

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees: New York School of Interior Design and Kean University

I not only work at Rutgers Prep, but I am also the parent of two Rutgers Prep students; my daughter Kiera is now in the 5th grade, and my son Daniel is in the 3rd grade. I love running and spending as much time as possible outdoors. I have run numerous races, and I am the race director of the Jimmy D Memorial 5K in New Brunswick, NJ. My true passion is running my non-profit, The James D'heron Memorial Foundation, Inc. and raising funds and awareness for burn survivors and the fire services.

"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." Sir Winston Churchill

Colleen Vinchur

Year of Appointment: 2007

Department and Courses:  Lower School:  2nd grade

Collegiate Affiliation and Degree: Rutgers University

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family.  I'm Patrick and A.J.'s number one fan at football, basketball, hockey, and baseball

Lyssandra Walsh

Year of Appointment:  2011

Department and Courses:  Music Department, String Orchestras 

College Affiliations and Degrees:  Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam, BM in Music Education; University of Wisconsin-Madison, MM in Music Performance

Lyssandra Walsh completed her undergraduate degree with a dual concentration in voice and violin.  She has studied violin with Ioan Harea, and voice with Dr. Michael Koon and Paul Rowe.  She has participated in masterclasses with Frederica Von Stade and Greg Buchalter from the MET.  She is a member of NAfME (The National Association for Music Education), and American String Teachers Association. 

Wendy Winograd

Year of Appointment:  2001

Department and Courses:  Upper School Student Counseling:  Interpersonal Communication and Student Leadership Development/PL Lab

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  Brown University: BA in English and American Literature;
University of Pennsylvania: MA in English and American Literature; New York University: MSW (Master of Social Work)

Wendy Winograd maintains a private practice in Chatham, New Jersey working with adolescents, adults and couples.  She earned her MSW from New York University and is currently an Advanced Candidate at the New Jersey Institute for Training in Psychoanalysis. One of her favorite activities at RPS is running the annual Blood Drive.

David Wise

Year of Appointment:  2000

Departments and Courses:  Upper School Assistant Principal and Upper School Mathematics Department Head:  Upper School Statistics / AP Statistics

Collegiate Affiliations and Degrees:  St. Andrews Presbyterian College, BS; University of Georgia, MEd,

Samantha Withum

Year of Appointment: 2005

Department and Courses: Lower School 2nd grade

Collegiate Affiliation and Degree: Douglass College, Rutgers University,BA

Mother of 3 boys, enjoys cheering for Rutgers and the NY Mets, and of course, her sons' teams, loves sharing stories and laughing with her students, and spending time with her family and friends.

Scot J. Wittman_

Year of Appointment:  1996

Department and Courses:  Visual Arts Department Head:  Upper School Photography 1, 2/3, 4/5

College Affiliations and Degrees:  MFA: Cranbrook Academy; BFA: Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University; BA: Rutgers University

Scot J. Wittman exhibits his work internationally, enjoying representation in galleries on both coasts of USA as well as Rome, Reykjavik and other European cities.  Documentation of his work is found on his site www.mapographer.com.  Another passion, also on an international scale, he competes professionally in the world of Frisbee.

Carole Glantzow Zboray

Year of Appointment: 1980

Department and Courses:  Middle School Science: 8th grade Science; Middle School Girls Lacrosse Coach; Varsity Girls Head Lacrosse Coach; 8th Grade Level Coordinator; Director of Summer School

College Affiliation and Degree:  College: Cook College/Rutgers University  BS

Carole spent her formative years in Philadelphia and thus her “phillie accent” can still be heard. She is a member of the US Lacrosse Assoc., National Science Teachers Assoc. and NJ Science Teachers Assoc. Carole played Varsity Lacrosse at Rutgers University. She and her registered therapy dog, Boo, visit assisted living homes in the area.