New School Year, New Faces in District

As Fort Lee public school students return to their classrooms for a new school year Tuesday, they are being greeted by a number of new faces, along with many familiar ones.

The school district was forced to make budget cuts in the spring, but also to get creative in filling vacancies, restructuring classroom aide positions and creating new positions to meet the needs of students as things like IEPs and changing enrollment dictated.

On May 4, there was a “reduction in force,” but many of those people were called back in late June—some as full-timers and others in a part-time capacity.

Below is a list of “new faces” in the district for the 2011-2012 school year—including names, positions and schools, backgrounds in brief and whether or not they are new hires—provided to Patch by the school district.

“The Fort Lee Public School District is excited and pleased to welcome the following new faculty and staff to the district in 2011-2012,” school officials said.

Cheryl Kovalick

• Role: Occupational Therapy Assistant
• School: District-wide
• New Position? No

Alyssa Bozzetti

• Role: Classroom Aide           
• School: Fort Lee Early Elementary Childhood Center
• New Position?: Yes, based on IEP need

Brianne Baker           

• Role: Teacher of Special Education/English/Social Studies
• School: Fort Lee High School
• Bio: Graduated from the CUNY with two Bachelor of Arts degrees: World Literature and History; Completing a Masters in Teaching Special Education from New Jersey City University (expected graduation December 2011); 11-12 will be her fifth year teaching special education and her fourth year as a high school special educator.   
• New Position?: Yes, based on IEP need

Kristen Baldofsky           

• Role: Teacher of Special Education /English
• School: Fort Lee High School
• Bio: Graduated from Felician College with a Bachelor of Arts degree: Special Education/Psychology; Previously taught in Elmwood Park as a Special Education teacher
• New Position?: No

April Coniglio           

• Role: Teacher of Social Studies/Special Education
• School: Fort Lee High School
• Bio: Graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts in History Education; Earned Certification to teach Special Education from New Jersey City University; and holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University. Prior to coming to Fort Lee, Ms. Coniglio taught Social Studies at Westwood High School, and she is very excited to begin her new position in Fort Lee.
• New Position?: No

Stephen Dominguez

• Role: Teacher of Special Education/English
• School: Fort Lee High School
• Bio: Graduated from Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Spanish; Currently attending CUNY- Brooklyn College for a MA in English and New Jersey City University for a MAT in Education (Special Education). Mr. Dominguez had the opportunity of joining Fort Lee High School at the end of the 2010-2011 as a replacement Spanish teacher, and he cites “the energy, the spirit, the passion for teaching, and most importantly, the students” as what led him to the conclusion that FLHS was the school he wanted to be a  part of.
• New Position?: No

Suzanne Elkhecken

• Role: Teacher of Spanish
• School: Fort Lee High School
• Bio: Graduated from SUNY at Buffalo with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Spanish and minor in French; Currently working towards finishing a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Administration. Mrs. Elkhecken has been teaching Spanish for the past 20 years and states that she is “looking forward to globally enhancing our students by instilling in them an appreciation of World Languages and to develop in her students the awareness and understanding our diverse society.
• New Position?: No

Angela Johnson

• Role: Teacher of Mathematics
• School: Fort Lee High School
• Bio: Graduated from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania BSED Mathematics; taught previously in Burlington City High School
• New Position?: No

Kristin Kim

• Role: Guidance Counselor
• School: Fort Lee High School
• Bio: Ms. Kim is replacing Mrs. Lauren Glynn at Fort Lee High School as the new 11th/12th grade guidance counselor. She holds a BA in Psychology from Colgate University and an Ed.M in School Counseling from Rutgers University. Ms. Kim is also a member of the School Counseling Advisory Board at the Graduate School of Education, Rutgers University. No stranger to the district, she has previously worked at Lewis F. Cole Middle School and at the high school and is very excited to continue serving the Fort Lee community in this capacity.
• New Position?: No

Peter Martin

• Role: Classroom Aide
• School: Fort Lee High School
• New Position?: No

Brian McCarthy

• Role: Teacher of Business Education (AOF)
• School: Fort Lee High School
• Bio: Holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Seton Hall University and an M.B.A Finance  from Rutgers University; Possesses the following credentials: FINRA 7,63,65 Licenses; NJ, NY Health & Life Insurance Licenses; Has over 20 years of experience in the institutional and retail financial services industry and will be teaching Accounting 1, Accounting 2, AOF Financial Institutions, Intro. to Business / Personal Finance.
• New Position?: No

Kristy McGoldrick

• Role: Teacher of Mathematics/Special Education
• School: Fort Lee High School
• Bio: Holds a BS in Mathematics Education and an MS in Special Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College; Prior to coming to Fort Lee High School, Ms. McGoldrick worked at Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes.
• New Position?: No

Alan Miller

• Role: Teacher of Chemistry
• School: Fort Lee High School
• Bio: Graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan and from the University of Alberta with a Master of Science degree; Worked as a chemist for 24 years with Schering-Plough Research Institute/Merck.
• New Position?: No

Natalie Parkerson

• Role: Classroom Aide
• School: Fort Lee High School
• New Position?: No

Mateusz (Matt) Pokoj

• Role: Teacher of Social Studies
• School: Fort Lee High School
• Bio: Obtained BA from Rutgers University in New Brunswick with a major in Economics and a minor in Political Science, and an M.A.T. from Rutgers Graduate School in Newark with a major in History. Prior to accepting a position at Fort Lee High School. Mr. Pokoj taught various Social Studies courses (U.S. History I & II, Latin American Studies, Constitutional Law, Introduction to Law) at East Side High School in Newark, first as a student teacher and eventually as a permanent substitute.
• New Position?: No

Manuel Rivera

• Role: Classroom Aide
• School: Fort Lee High School
• New Position?: Yes, due to enrollment

Olga Sagalchik

• Role: Teacher of Mathematics
• School: Fort Lee High School
• Bio: Ms. Sagalchik holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and is currently working for a Masters in Learning and Technology; she has worked in the Fort Lee schools for five years in various positions as a substitute.
• New Position?: No. Leave Replacement.

Charles Salame

• Role: Teacher of English (3/5)
• School: Fort Lee High School
• Bio: Graduated from Ramapo College of New Jersey with a BA degree in Literature with a specialization in teaching  English; Mr. SaIame states that he is very excited to start the year at Fort Lee High School.
• New Position?: No.

Stephen Wolowitz

• Role: Teacher of Social Studies
• School: Fort Lee High School
• Bio: Earned an Associate of Arts degree in History from Bergen Community College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from New Jersey City University; Prior to coming to Fort Lee, Mr. Woowitz taught 8th grade Social Studies in North Arlington Middle School and World History at William Dickinson High School in Jersey City. He states that he, “ (is) really looking forward to working in Fort Lee and (is) really excited to be a part of the Freshman Academy!”
• New Position?: No.

Kenneth Knyfd

• Role: Teacher of Science
• School: Lewis F. Cole Middle School
• Bio: After spending most of his career working as a chemical engineer in industry and consulting, Mr. Knyfd spent three years teaching high school chemistry. He holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from NJIT, an MS in Environmental Management from the University of Houston at Clear Lake, and a BS in Economics from MIT.
• New Position?: No. Leave Replacement.

Stefanie Beretin

• Role: Teacher of Mathematics (Part-time)
• School: Lewis F. Cole Middle School
• Bio: Graduated from Montclair State University with a BS in Mathematics; worked previously in a maternity leave position teaching seventh grade mathematics at Lindbergh Elementary in Palisades Park. 
• New Position?: Yes, based on enrollment

Kenneth Quazza

• Role: Teacher of Social Studies (Part-time)
• School: Lewis F. Cole Middle School
• Bio: Graduated from Wilkes University with a Bachelor’s degree in History and Secondary Education; Prior to joining the Fort Lee staff, Mr. Quazza worked for the Gramon Family of Schools in the New Beginnings of Fairfield building as a one-on-one aide to several autistic students.
• New Position?: Yes, based on enrollment

Ivan Stipanov

• Role: Teacher of Science (Part-time)
• School: Lewis F. Cole Middle School
• Bio: Graduated with a BA in Sport Management with a minor in Business Administration from the Honor's College at Towson University; Holds certification as: K-5 Elementary Education; Science Specialization, Grades 5-8. Mr. Stipanov has worked for the past two years as a Teacher's aide in the Fort Lee Public Schools.
• New Position?: Yes, based on enrollment

Janue Vargas

• Role: Teacher of Vocal/Choral Music and Hand bells (Part-time)
• School: Lewis F. Cole Middle School
• Bio: Holds a Bachelors of Music with a focus in Piano Performance from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama and a Masters in Vocal Coaching and Accompanying from Manhattan School of Music. Ms. Vargas has been teaching chorus, hand bells and general music in private and public schools for 11 years. 
• New Position?: No.

Michele Bilali

• Role: Classroom Aide
• School: School No. 1
• New Position?: Yes, due to enrollment

Gary Dimick

• Role: PE Aide
• School: School No. 1
• New Position?: No.

Maureen Finizio

• Role: Grade K Inclusion Aide
• School: School No. 1
• New Position?: No.

Magda Heller

• Role: 1:1 Aide
• School: School No. 1
• New Position?: Yes, based on IEP need

Michele Hernandez

• Role: Teacher of Special Education/ Self-Contained
• School: School No. 1
• Bio: Ms. Hernandez graduated with honors from Ramapo College of New Jersey with a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and International Business and a minor in Italian, and she obtained her Elementary K-5 and Teacher of Students with Disabilities teaching credentials through the post baccalaureate Teacher Education Program, also at Ramapo College of New Jersey. She is presently enrolled in the  Master’s in Teaching Special Education program at New Jersey City University. Ms. Hernandez has been employed as a teacher assistant (2:1 Aide) in School No. 1 for the past two school years, and she states that, “I'm very proud to be a part of the Fort Lee Public School District and extremely excited to return to School No.1 ‘Where learning is fun’.”
• New Position?: No.

Doris Hobeika

• Role: 1:1 Aide
• School: School No. 1
• New Position?: Yes, based on IEP need

Elizabeth Janson

• Role: Teacher of Special Ed/Grade1 Inclusion
• School: School No. 1
• Bio: Graduated from Montclair State University with Master's Degrees in teaching grades K - 5 and Teacher of Students with Disabilities.  Prior to that, Ms. Janson received a Master's Degree in social psychology with a concentration in gerontology from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX and a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. Ms. Janson’s previous professional experience includes five years teaching in a Montessori preschool  in Ridgewood and five years working as a paraprofessional at all grade levels at Travell School in Ridgewood.  Ms. Janson three children.
• New Position?: No.

Jodi Krakower-Shimizu

• Role: 2:1 Aide
• School: School No. 1
• New Position?: Yes, based on IEP need

Anne Regina

• Role: Classroom Aide
• School: School No. 1
• New Position?: Yes, due to enrollment

Cassandra Ross

• Role: 1:1 Aide
• School: School No. 1
• New Position?: No.

Karen Simone

• Role: Teacher of Kindergarten
• School: School No. 1
• Bio: Holds a BA in English with a minor in communications from Caldwell College and earned her teaching certificate in K – 5 education from St. Peter’s college, having completed her student teaching in third grade at School No. 4 with mentor, Rosa Sgro. Ms. Simone is a product of the Fort Lee Public Schools, having attended School No. 4, the Fort Lee Lewis F. Cole Middle School, and Fort Lee High School. She began working in Fort Lee as a substitute teacher in 2007, and she has since completed several maternity and medical leave replacements in Schools No. 1, 3, and 4. Ms. Simone is extremely excited to work for the Fort Lee Public Schools and at School # 1, and she is looking forward to creating a wonderful experience for all of her students.
• New Position?: Yes, due to enrollment

Matthew Addeo

• Role: Teacher of Special Education/ Self Contained
• School: School No. 2
• Bio: Holds a BA in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University and earned teaching certification in K-5 Elementary Education and Teacher of Students with Disabilities from Bloomfield College; worked as 1:1 aide for 4th grade Autistic student at Fort Lee School No. 2  in 2010-2011.
• New Position?: No.

Robert Azzolino

• Role: 2:1 Aide
• School: School No. 2
• New Position?: Yes, based on IEP need

Samantha Goldstein

• Role: Teacher of Kindergarten
• School: School No. 2
• Bio: Earned a Bachelor of Arts from Montclair State University with a major in Family and Child Studies along with elementary teaching certification (K-5); has been a substitute in Fort Lee for two years and completed a maternity leave position at School No. 1 last year. Ms. Goldstein states that, "(She) is proud to be a member of the fantastic Fort Lee team!"
• New Position?: No. Leave Replacement.

Danielle Keller

• Role: Classroom Aide
• School: School No. 2
• New Position?: Yes, based on IEP need

Michelle McInerney

• Role: Classroom Aide
• School: School No. 2
• New Position?: Yes, based on IEP need

Diane Robertazza

• Role: Teacher of 5th grade
• School: School No. 2
• Bio: None available
• New Position?: No.

Jorge DiCostanzo

• Role: Custodian
• School: School No. 3
• New Position?: No.

Elizabeth Bartel

• Role: Teacher of Art
• School: School No. 4
• Bio: Ms. Bartel is beginning her first full year teaching elementary art at School No. 4. She obtained her BA in painting and teacher certification from Ramapo College of NJ. Ms. Bartel came to Fort Lee after a year of artist residency at the Figge Museum in Davenport, IA, and she looks forward to continuing to participate in the High School's drama set design.
• New Position?: Yes, based on IEP need and enrollment

Carmen Brinn

• Role: Classroom Aide
• School: School No. 4
• New Position?: Yes, based on IEP need and enrollment

Michael Duzich

• Role: Teacher of Special Education/Inclusion
• School: School No. 4
• Bio: Graduated from Saint Peters College with a Masters in Elementary Education and holds  BS from New Jersey City University with a major in Marketing; Previously held a position as a School Aide in Fort Lee Public Schools. Mr. Duzich states that, “My goal is to keep your children in a safe, academic and motivating environment at all times. I hope to make this academic year not only educationally meaningful, but also fun-filled for the students.”
• New Position?: Yes, based on IEP need and enrollment

Carmela Kern

• Role: Classroom Aide
• School: School No. 4
• New Position?: Yes, based on IEP need and enrollment

Dominique Kondreck

• Role: School Nurse
• School: School No. 4
• Bio: Holds a BS in Nursing from Seton Hall University and also obtained School Nurse Certification  from the university. Prior to coming to Fort Lee, Ms. Kondreck worked as a surgical nurse and she is continuing her my duties as a Forensic Nurse. Nurse Kondreck states that she is “very excited to embark on this amazing career.”
• New Position?: No.

Tara Trovato

• Role: Teacher of Health and Physical Education
• School: School No. 1 and School No. 2
• Bio: Ms. Trovato graduated from East Stroudsburg University with a Bachelor of Science, Health & Physical Education K-12. She is entering her seventh year of teaching physical education, with her prior six years of experience working in the West Orange School District. Ms. Trovato States that, “I am looking forward to implementing an educational, safe, and fun physical education program to the Fort Lee Public Schools,” and she reminds everyone President John F. Kennedy’s quote:      "Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity."
• New Position?: No.