Facilitators

Dr. Harold Abraham is the Principal (Grades K - 4) at Norwood Public School.

Mr. Damon Affinito teaches social studies at Northern Valley Demarest.  His primary courses are in the areas of American history and civics.  He has also taught many elective courses, including Sport in History.  Damon earned his Bachelor's degree at the University of Notre Dame and his Master's at Montclair State University.  He has written on many topics involving local sports history.

Ms. Pamela Bagot is the Art Teacher at Haworth Public School for the past 6 years. Ms. Bagot has been an Art Teacher for the past 15 years teaching K-age 21. Her previous career was in TV programming, scheduling and production. She has a Bachelor's from Clarion University and her Art Teaching Certification from Montclair State University. Parsons School of Design: Floral Design Certificate.

Ms. Angela Banta is a Special Education and Language Arts teacher at Tenakill Middle School, where she has taught since 2015.  She has her Master’s degree in Teaching and her Bachelor’s in English.

Ms. Deborah Bajakian has been the Student Assistance Coordinator (SAC) at Demarest HS since September 2006. As the SAC, her responsibilities include confidential counseling, crisis intervention, referral services, and an overall social-emotional focus on student, staff, and family wellbeing. Ms. Bajakian helps run the Wellness Center at NVD and is passionate about wellness.   She is a member of numerous school committees including the district's Crisis Response Team, and the School Safety/School Climate Team. Ms. Bajakian is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master's in Social Work from Rutgers University. In addition to holding a certification as the Student Assistance Coordinator, she also maintains certifications as a school social worker and supervisor.

Ms. Lauren Barbieri is a Reading Specialist at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, in Wyckoff, NJ. She worked within the Northern Valley district for 18 years, in grades K-2. She received her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Florida State University, her Master's Degree in Literacy Instruction from Long Island University, and her Supervisor certificate from Rider University. Additionally, she is a certified Orton Gillingham Dyslexia Specialist.

Ms. Barbara Battaglia is the Director of High School Special Education for Northern Valley Regional High School District.  She is a certified elementary education teacher, Teacher of the Handicapped, Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant, and School Psychologist.  Prior to NVRHS, she served as the Supervisor of Student Services in Alpine and LDT-C in Harrington Park.  Prior to serving special education students she taught elementary school. Ms. Battaglia is passionate about advocating for Special Education students and programs.

Ms. Cara Bayer is the Supervisor of Special Education and Student Support Services.  She is certified as a Teacher of the Handicapped as well as highly qualified in Math.  Prior to NVRHS, she served as a K-12 Supervisor in Jefferson Public Schools and the Director of Special Services for the Hanover Park Regional High School District.  Ms. Bayer really enjoys working with the faculty, staff and students in the Northern Valley Regional High School District.

Ms. Amy Brown serves as the Literacy Specialist for the Old Tappan School District and part-time Staff Developer for the Office of Curriculum and Instruction since 2002. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources Administration, along with her teaching certificate, from Muhlenberg College and her Master's degree in Literacy from Long Island University. Ms. Brown holds Supervisory Certification and Orton Gillingham Teacher Certification. She is also a member of the Northern Valley's first cohort of instructional coaches. Ms. Brown teaches graduate courses through the Regional Training Center for TCNJ and LaSalle University in addition to working with private clients with dyslexia.

Ms. Ashley Buckley has been a certified Orton Gillingham Teacher since 2014 and has taught Multisensory Reading (MSR) in the Closter Public School District for 7 years. She has worked with students, both professionally and privately, in elementary school, middle school, and high school using the OG methodology and has seen how much the program has positively impacted her students' progress and overall confidence as learners. In addition to holding OG certification, Ashley is also a certified elementary general education and special education teacher, with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Northeastern University. She firmly believes that OG can help all struggling students, not just students with special needs.

Before becoming a school administrator, Dr. Courtney Carmichael taught history in middle school and high school. She was nominated for both NJ Council on the Humanities Teacher of the Year and NJ Historical Society Teacher of African-American History Teacher of the Year. She served as a Keizai Koho teaching fellow in Japan and has been a recipient of numerous grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, NJ Council on the Humanities, Amistad Commission, Center for Holocaust & Genocide, Gilder Lehrman Institute, and the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia. She is a 2017 ASCD Emerging Leader.

Ms. Maggie Churchill is a long-time ESL teacher at Tenakill Middle School in Closter, NJ.  She also prepares in-service and pre-service teacher candidates for bilingual/ESL certification.  She is the past-president of NJTESOL/NJBE and a regular presenter at the WIDA National Conference.

Dr. Marc Cicchino is the Director of Special Projects and Innovation for Northern Valley Regional High School district. Previously he served as District Supervisor of Humanities for grades 7-12 for Roxbury Township School District. Dr. Cicchino completed his doctoral studies in the Design of Learning Environments at Rutgers University where he currently serves as an adjunct professor in their undergraduate program, helping to grow the next generation of educators using a wealth of cutting-edge instructional strategies.

Mrs. Kristen Delventhal has been the Wellness Coordinator at Northern Valley High School - Demarest since 2020. Mrs. Delventhal is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey. Her responsibilities as the Wellness Coordinator include confidential counseling, crisis intervention, and referral to services for students in grades 9-12. Mrs. Delventhal works collaboratively with the student assistance coordinator in the wellness center as part of the guidance department's comprehensive school counseling program. In addition to being a certified school social worker, Mrs. Delventhal practices clinical social work at a private practice in Bergen County. Her professional affiliations include the NJ Association of School Social Workers and the National Association of Social Workers.

Ms. Jennifer Eisberg is a School Library Media Specialist, Enrichment, and Gifted and Talented teacher for Haworth Public School.  Ms. Eisberg received her Bachelors Degree in Psychology as well as her K-8 Teacher Certification from the Newark College of Arts and Science at Rutgers University.   She also received her Masters Degree in Library and Information Science from Rutgers University’s School of Communication, Information, and Library Science.  Before joining Haworth Public School in 2013, Ms. Eisberg worked as a first and second grade classroom teacher in Newark, NJ for 9 years. 

Ms. Greco currently serves as the Student Assistance Coordinator (SAC) in the NVOT wellness center. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Felician University and holds a Masters Degree in Counseling and Post Masters Certificate in Advanced Counseling from Montclair State University. She is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in New Jersey. Ms. Greco maintains a part time private practice as a psychotherapist in addition to her position at NVOT. Lydia is passionate about issues of wellbeing, mental health, equity and social justice. 

Ms. Hochenberg teaches biology at Northern Valley Demarest. She holds a BA in Biology from Binghamton University. She began her time in the classroom in 2006 as a New York City Teaching Fellow, completing an urban alternative certification program. She has a Masters in Science Education from City College.

Mr. Ives is a Math Teacher and Instructional Coach at Northern Valley Regional HS in Demarest. He received his undergraduate degree from Bloomsburg University where he majored in Mathematics. Mr. Ives also holds a Masters Degree in Math Education from Montclair State University. Mr. Ives currently serves as the Gifted and Talented advisor at NV Demarest, and has coached varsity swimming, track, and soccer.

Ms. Silvia Jost is the K-4 Science Teacher at Hillside School in Closter and previously taught fourth grade in the same school. She received her B.A. in Speech and Theatre with a concentration in Broadcasting, and M.A. in Elementary Education from Montclair State University. She has presented literacy and science/STEM workshops at Northern Valley Curriculum Center, as well as at the Paramus Reading and Writing Institute. Additionally, Ms. Jost has served as a Literacy Coach in the Northern Valley schools.

Ms. Amy Kenny has been teaching in the middle grades for 29 years, 20 of which have been in the Northern Valley.  For the past five years, she has been teaching STEM to students in grades 5-8 at Tenakill Middle School in Closter. Ms. Kenny earned her Bachelor's degree at James Madison University and holds Master's degrees from Ramapo College of NJ and University of Scranton.

Mr. Brandon Klevence teaches Technology and Engineering at Northern Valley Demarest. His background is in Product Design, but he's been working in various fabrication shops and schools the last decade.

Ms. Kong is the French teacher at Demarest and Old Tappan High School.  She received her Bachelor's degree from Villanova University. She also holds a Master's Degree from Rutgers University.  

Mr. Jeffrey Lai has been a physics teacher at Northern Valley Old Tappan High School since the fall of 2015. Most recently he was a Princeton Distinguished Educator nominee finalist for NVOT in 2022. Mr. Lai graduated with his master's degree in physics education from Rutgers University. He attends monthly professional development with an alumni group from the Rutgers Graduate School of Education known as the Etkinists to learn inquiry-based techniques.

Ms. Langan is a Mathematics Teach and Tech Mentor at Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan.  She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.  Ms. Langan also holds a Masters of Arts in Teaching with a Concentration in Mathematics from New Jersey City University.  Ms. Langan currently serves as the Tech Tutors and Ski Club Advisor.

Ms. Leibowitz has been a 7th-grade Language Arts teacher at Tenakill Middle School for the past 4 years. She has her Bachelor’s in English, and is currently working on her Master’s in Teaching Writing. Julia and Angela have collaborated closely together over the past four years, and have fleshed out interactive, engaging units and lessons that have inspired other colleagues in their school. 

Ms. Wendy Mackey is a Special Educator with 20 years of teaching experience. Ms. Mackey has her Masters of Science degree from Grand Canyon University, specializing in the psychology of organizations. Ms. Mackey currently teaches English in both the collaborative and resource setting. 

Ms. Christine Massaro is a Social Studies Teacher at Northern Valley Old Tappan. She received her Bachelor's Degree in History/American Studies from Rutgers College at Rutgers University. Christine has also earned a Master's in Educational Technology from New Jersey City University. She is a certified Apple Teacher, as well as both Level 1 and Level 2 Google Administrator. Ms. Massaro has taught World Civilizations and Cultures, United States History, American Studies, History of the United States through Film and Media, and Constitutional Law Honors throughout her 17 years at Northern Valley. Ms. Massaro is an assistant basketball coach at OT, where she’s in the Athletic Hall of Fame. She serves as Technology Mentor for the district, as well as advisor for Peer Mentors and Varsity Club. She’s a Youth Minister for her parish, St. Pius X Old Tappan, a member of the Old Tappan Historical Commission, Old Tappan Recreation Commission, and the Mental Health Ministry at St. Pius X Old Tappan. Ms. Massaro believes in giving back to the community that has given so much to her.

Dr. Jennifer Mezzina is Director, Data, Compliance and State Reporting for the Northern Valley Regional High School District.

Ms. Christina Nazarko has been a Special Education Teacher at Northern Valley Demarest for the past 8 years.  Ms. Nazarko has her Masters in Special Education from George Mason University, as well as her B.A. in History from Montclair State University.  Ms. Nazarko also serves as an Instructional Coach in the District.

Mr. Chris Nerkizian is a special education/ STEM/ gifted and talented/broadcast journalism teacher at Luther Lee Emerson and County Road Schools in Demarest, NJ. He received his B.A. in History from West Virginia University and an M.S. in Education from Long Island University. Mr. Nerkezian received his STEM Certification from New Jersey City University and will complete his M.S. in Educational Technology in the spring of 2023. Mr. Nerkizian is a Google Level 1 and 2 Educator, Certified SMART Board instructor, and an Apple Teacher. Mr. Nerkizian enjoys the challenge of effectively incorporating high tech, low tech, and no tech in the classroom and lab.

Ms. Kathleen O'Flynn is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction. She received a Master's Degree in Education from Montclair State University and a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education/American Studies from Douglass College at Rutgers University. Additionally, Ms. O’Flynn holds Supervisory Certification. Before becoming the Supervisor of Professional Learning at the Office of Curriculum and Instruction, Ms. O’Flynn was an NVCC Staff Developer and also taught at the first and second-grade level. Ms. O’Flynn serves as co-chairperson for the Northern Valley Schools Regional Professional Development Board. She is a graduate of the Learning Forward Academy 2014, a two-year national professional development and leadership program. She has presented at both state and national conferences.

Ms. Anne Paolucci is the Supervisor of English (ELA) in Northern Valley Regional High School.

Ms. Meghan Pleus teaches first grade in Closter. Prior to working in Closter, Ms. Pleus was a Teach for America corps member in Newark, New Jersey. Ms. Pleus taught for three years in a high-performing charter school where she wrote curricula for mathematics and literacy. Ms. Pleus received her undergraduate degree from Ramapo College of New Jersey and a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University. She has completed professional coursework in the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. In 2021, Meghan graduated from the FDU Orton Gillingham teacher program. She is passionate about curriculum writing, professional development, and finding the best ways to engage students in the learning process!

Ms. Catherine Ricca has been working as a teacher at Hillside Elementary School in Closter.  Ms. Ricca has experience teaching grades K-3.  Ms. Ricca received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and teacher certification as well as her Master's Degree in Special Education at Ramapo College of New Jersey.  She is passionate about teaching and continues to be a lifelong learner.

Ms. Jennifer Rilli

Ms. Rachel Ring, MPH, is a public health educator and consultant specializing in comprehensive sexuality education. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Women’s Studies from Tufts University and a Master of Public Health from Columbia University with a concentration in human sexuality. She has over 20 years of experience working in schools and community-based organizations, developing age-appropriate, thoughtful, and comprehensive health and wellness programming. She has taught on these topics across the lifespan; her students have ranged from pre-K classes to adults. For the past 12 years, Ms. Ring has worked as an independent consultant, working with schools to develop and implement health and sexuality education programs. Her work generally includes a mix of direct teaching, training and support for educators, and support for parents. She is also a parent of two children who are students in the Northern Valley.

Ms. Jennifer Santa, principal of the Charles DeWolf Middle School, also serves as a curriculum writer for the Warren Cluster District. Prior to joining the Northern Valley, she was an assistant principal in a K-8 school in Cranford, NJ. During her time as a classroom teacher,  she taught at both the elementary and middle school levels. Ms Santa was also a language arts coordinator for a K-6 building. 

Ms. Danielle Scheuring teaches 7th grade language arts at Demarest Middle School. She is certified as a teacher of English for grades K-12, and is further certified in middle school math for grades 6-8. In addition, she holds a Students with Special Needs certification. Ms. Scheuring has a master's degree in special education and a master's degree in educational leadership from Ramapo College of New Jersey.  Ms. Scheuring is also an instructional coach in the Northern Valley, and is a trained mentor. She strives to create innovative, engaging, and original lessons daily for her students, and hopes to instill a passion for reading and writing that they'll enjoy beyond the classroom setting. 

Ms. Ginny Senande is the Supervisor of Professional Learning at the Office of Curriculum and Instruction. Ms. Senande received her Bachelor's Degree in Spanish and Political Science as well as her Translation Certificate from Rutgers College at Rutgers University and her Master's Degree in Education: Administration and Supervision from St. Peter’s College. Additionally, Ms. Senande holds Supervisor and Principal Certification. Before joining the Northern Valley Curriculum Center, Ms. Senande taught high school Spanish and served as an Administrative Intern, Tech Mentor, and Acting Assistant Principal. Ms. Senande was most recently the Learning Systems Technology Integrator for the Northern Valley High Schools. Ms. Senande has also served on the Local and Regional Professional Development Committees and the Regional Professional Development Board, and as an Instructional Coach and Consultant to the Northern Valley Curriculum Center. 

Ms. Debbie Shapiro was a Northern Valley Regional High School English teacher for 20 years and holds an M. Ed. from the Rutgers Graduate School of Education and a Certification in Positive Psychology from the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health where she studied Positive Psychology with Tal Ben-Shahar.

Ms. Erica Sposa is currently an English and AP Capstone teacher at NVOT. She has been teaching since 2003, and has experience at both the middle and high school levels. She holds a Master’s Degree from St. Peter’s University. 

Ms. Brittany Steele has been employed by the Closter School District since September 2016. She has worked with grades 5, 7, & 8 as a special education teacher. She is currently working on her master's degree in literacy.

Ms. Kelly Stevens is the Supervisor of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for the Demarest Public Schools. In addition, she has taught second grade, as well as a second through fourth-grade language and learning disabilities class. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Rhode Island and a Master's of Professional Studies in Elementary and Special Education from Manhattanville College. She has also completed coursework in the area of Educational Technology. In addition to classroom teaching, Ms. Stevens is also an instructional coach in the Northern Valley, as well as a trained mentor. 

This is Mr. Tom Villa’s 5th year as a chemistry teacher at NVOT and 13th year teaching. Tom was previously a tech mentor prior to joining NVOT.  Tom has helped run Canvas Camp during the summer 22 and has led workshops on Canvas during various PD throughout the school year.  

Wellcore is an educational consulting company that is a leader in writing and securing funding opportunities from a variety of sources to improve the quality of prevention, education, health, and wellness throughout our schools and communities.

Ms. Amy Wilcox is the Director of Instrumental Music at Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan where she directs the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble and Orchestra.  In addition to the curricular ensembles, Ms. Wilcox is the director of the NVOT Marching Band, the NVOT Jazz Ensemble and serves as Producer and Conductor for the All School Musical Program. During her tenure at NVOT, the ensembles have received consistent Gold ratings at the North Jersey Region Band Festival as well as various competitions throughout the tri-state area. In 2021, the Marching Band became the New Jersey Group IIA State Champions for the first time in history. In addition, the Wind Ensemble was invited to perform at the prestigious State Concert Band Gala, one of only four North Jersey bands that qualified. In addition to the performance ensembles, Ms. Wilcox has helped to co-found the first ever Northern Valley Winter Guard which serves both Northern Valley Demarest and Old Tappan, as well as the NVOT Percussion Ensemble. Prior to NVOT, Ms. Wilcox was the Director of Instrumental Music at Tenakill Middle School in Closter, New Jersey for five years.

Ms. Wilcox has been actively involved in county and region organizations throughout her teaching career. She currently serves as the audition chair for the Music Educators of Bergen County High School County Honors Band, has served as the audition chair for NJSMA’s Junior Region Band, and was the 2011 Bergen County Middle School Band Conductor and 2019 Bergen County High School Band Conductor. Ms. Wilcox also currently serves as co-chair for the North Jersey Region Concert Band Festival and on the NJ All State Band Procedures Committee. Ms. Wilcox received her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from The College of New Jersey and her Master of Arts in Conducting from Montclair State University under the direction of Dr. Thomas McCauley. When she is not teaching, Ms. Wilcox enjoys training for long distance triathlons and running events and spending time with her family and cat Milo.