 |
Princeton Charter School Faculty and Staff 2000-2001
Head Teacher
- Charles (Chuck) Marsee
-
Mr. Marsee is the Head of School and teaches science courses at
Princeton Charter School.
He is an educator with over 30 years of experience in public and
private schools as a teacher and as an administrator. Mr. Marsee
is a science teacher who has taught chemistry, biology, and physics.
He has also been a science department chair. Before coming to Princeton
Charter School as the founding Head of School, he spent
sixteen years as the Headmaster of the Andrews School, a 7-12 girls'
day/boarding school in Willoughby, Ohio. He revitalized the program
at that school, converting it from a vocational school to a college
preparatory school with a 100% college acceptance rate.
A native of Tennessee, Mr. Marsee earned his B.S. in Science
Education at the University of Tennessee/Knoxville and his M.S. in
Educational Administration at Florida State University.
- Lisbeth Ashman-Kelley
-
Lisbeth Ashman-Kelley teaches English language and literature
to grades three through five at Princeton Charter School.
She is an English teacher who insists students
analyze what they have written and work to improve and to polish their
prose. Her students learn to recognize that a paragraph should be an
organized, focused sequence of sentences, meant to interest and inform
the reader. Ms. Kelley has taught all ages and subjects in her ten
years of teaching. Before joining the faculty at Princeton Charter
School, she taught business English at The Cittone Institute in
Princeton. Previously she taught in both public and private
schools. While she was studying for her college degree, Ms. Kelley
worked in the business sector where she developed a wide variety of
computer and business skills. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in
English from Glassboro State College.
- Norma Byers
-
Norma Byers teaches mathematics to grades seven and eight at
Princeton Charter School, and works on
instructional administration as Assistant to the Head of School.
She is a mathematics teacher who loves to challenge and to motivate
her students with "problems of the day."
She believes in building a strong foundation in mathematics
on which further learning may depend.
A middle school mathematics and science teacher at
Stuart Country Day School from 1979-1997, Ms. Byers was head of the
mathematics department there from 1982-1997. She also taught the fifth and
sixth grades at a public elementary school in Madison, Wisconsin from 1969 to
1978. Ms. Byers completed a Master's degree in Educational
Leadership at the College of New Jersey, and holds a Bachelor of Science in
Education with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh.
Besides numerous
special project assignments at Stuart over the years, Ms. Byers has also
recently taught math and science to inner city students and undertook the
tutoring of a homebound Princeton student.
- Kathy Chrzan
-
Kathy Chrzan teaches first grade at Princeton Charter School.
Since this is the first year the school has offered grade one,
she is helping to develop a classroom program that promotes successful
academic achievement for all students. Ms. Chrzan believes that her
years of experience as a teacher at Princeton Montessori School gave
her an exceptional understanding of children and the many ways to help
them grow as individuals. She encourages independence, concentration,
self-control, and self-motivation, as well as academics. In addition
to her experience teaching children at Princeton Montessori School,
she taught adults at the Princeton Center for Teacher Education.
Ms. Chrzan earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education at the University
of Scranton, and her Montessori Teaching Certification at the Center
for Montessori Teacher Education in Scarsdale, New York.
- Heather DeDominicis
-
Heather DeDominicis works with students in grades one and two to help
them develop fluent reading skills. She also assists Mr. Marsee teach
the fifth-grade science course.
Ms. DeDominicis feels it
is important for students to learn to communicate effectively, and
works to create an environment that meets the needs of individual
students, while providing them opportunities to gain the skills and
ideas they will need for future success and learning. Ms. DeDominicis
spent a year as an Americorps language arts and community service
volunteer, and a year as an America Reads tutor. She has a Master of
Science in Education with a major in Reading/Writing/Literacy from the
University of Pennsylvania, and as Bachelor of Arts in Biology from
the University of Connecticut.
- Sova Fisher
-
Sova Fisher teaches French language and literature courses to grades
six through eight at Princeton Charter School.
She has taught all levels of French from preschool through
college levels. She believes that language instruction should be an
integral part of elementary education, and has studied a variety of
pedagogical methods from which she has derived her own style of
teaching. Ms. Fisher started teaching French while still an
undergraduate at Dartmouth College. She has taught courses in French
literature and French language at Princeton University, and taught
French at Allentown High School. Before returning to
teaching in 1986, she worked as a reporter and publicist in New York
City. Ms. Fisher received her Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth
College where she majored in French literature. She received a
Master of Arts in French literature from Princeton University where
she is currently pursuing a doctorate in French Literature.
- Stephan Gerzadowicz
-
Stephan Gerzadowicz is the chessmaster at Princeton Charter School.
His enthusiastic promotion of chess is apparent to all who come
into contact with him.
There is weekly chess instruction
for students attending PCS, and after-school chess lessons
open to all students in the community. In addition "Mr. G" runs
United States Chess Federation-rated chess tournaments on a
Saturday or Sunday once a month at the school.
Mr. Gerzadowicz is a correspondence chess master and author of
five books on the game including "Thinker's Chess," and
"Journal of a Chess Original."
- Michelle Jacob
-
Michelle Jacob teaches mathematics and science to the third and fourth grades
at Princeton Charter School.
She is an enthusiastic teacher who
plans lessons that involve discovery and experimentation to illuminate
the basic ideas of science and mathematics.
From 1994 to 1998, Ms. Jacon taught earth, life, and physical science
courses and courses in language arts and literature at St. Paul's School
in Princeton. Prior to that she spent a year as a language arts and geography
teacher at Monroe Pinckney Middle School in Swansea, South Carolina. She has
also directed school plays, advised a student newspaper staff, and presented
Family Science courses. Ms. Jacob graduated from Elizabethtown College in
Elizabethtown PA with a degree in Elementary Education. While
working toward her degree she directed a summer day camp in Connecticut.
- Elizabeth Jaust
-
Elizabeth Jaust teaches English language and literature to grades six
through eight at Princeton Charter School.
She is an energetic, motivated, and positive individual with a strong
educational background in English literature. Ms. Jaust has
experience working with children as a tutor, where she assisted
students with writing skills. She worked with a children's summer
theater, where traditional literature characters and stories were used
to teach literature themes while having fun. While an undergraduate,
Ms. Jaust mentored freshmen students who needed assistance with their
studies and writing skills. Last year Ms. Jaust honed her own
writing, speaking, and interpersonal skills working as an assistant
account executive for the public relations division of Princeton
Partners. Ms. Jaust earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English at
the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
- Kathleen Johannessen
-
Kathleen Johannessen teaches second grade at Princeton Charter School.
She is an experienced classroom teacher who
emphasizes child-centered, hands-on experiences to lead children to
successful learning. For example, in science activities she uses
children's natural curiosity to teach them to ask questions and to
seek answers. From 1996-1999 Ms. Johannessen was a second-grade
teacher at Rutgers Preparatory School. She also has experience as a
substitute teacher for Kindergarten through grade six. She did her
student teaching in grade five at Peter Muschal School in Bordentown,
and earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the
College of New Jersey.
- Jeff Lisciandrello
-
Jeff Lisciandrello is a tutor and instructional aide at Princeton Charter
School. He works with individual or small groups of students to
help them improve their English language arts or mathematics skills.
Mr. Lisciandrello began working with students as a summer camp
counselor while in high school. He enjoys outdoor activities and sports,
and continued to work as a camp counselor during his undergraduate years.
He gained expertise with computers through his job as a student computer
consultant, helping Williams College students with general problems,
and working on network problems and hardware configurations.
Mr. Lisciandrello earned his Bachelor of Arts in English at
Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
- Christian Lynch
-
Christian Lynch teaches history and mathematics and coaches sports
team at Princeton Charter School. In his role as Athletic Coordinator
he oversees all the after-school sports teams.
Mr. Lynch is a teacher whose enthusiasm in a subject sparks the
interest of his students. He has a passion for impressing values and
knowledge upon children. In 1998-1999 he taught second grade at the
Trenton Community Charter School where he also coordinated the science
curriculum. The previous year he was an intern and coach at
Princeton Country Day School. Mr. Lynch, an avid runner who enjoys
competitive meets, was on the varsity teams in cross country and in
track and field while an undergraduate at Princeton University. He
is also interested in psychology and did his senior research thesis on
stereotype threat, the condition of being at risk of confirming a
negative stereotype about oneself as a participant in a specific
target group. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from
Princeton University.
- Jeanne Nahan
-
Jeanne Nahan teaches music to all students twice a week and directs
concerts and other performancs at the school.
She brings music to life through her teaching, her piano playing,
and her soprano singing. She has taught music and piano classes, directed
choral programs, and instructed students at her private studio. Currently,
she sings with Voices Chorale of Pennington and accompany and performs
locally. From 1994-1996 , Ms. Nahan was the vocal director at the Mercer
County Performing Arts High School. From 1987-1993 that she taught private
piano lessons during the after-school program at Princeton Montessori School.
Before moving to Princeton, Ms. Nahan was a choral director and general music
teacher in public schools in Florida. She enjoyed directing "The Fantasticks,"
"Hello Dolly," and "The Shrew." Ms. Nahan earned her Bachelor of
Music/Applied Piano from the Boston Conservatory of Music, and her
Teaching Certificate from Boston University.
- Derek Neve
-
Derek Neve teachers English language and literature to grades six
through eight at Princeton Charter School.
He inspires the students he teaches in all subjects with his
own passion for learning. Mr. Neve has taught in public schools and
church schools, and has worked with students of all ages. Before moving
to Princeton, he taught at a public elementary school in Dallas,
Texas while taking graduate courses in reading education and early
childhood education. Mr. Neve earned his Bachelor of Arts degree
from Oklahoma Christian University, his Masters from Abilene Christian
University, and his Master of Divinity from Perkins College of Theology at
Southern Methodist University.
- Allyson Owen
-
Allyson Owen teaches art twice a week to all students and has other
assignments to support the school's program.
She is an innovative art instructor with a strong background in
diverse environments, including elementary and secondary level education in
both public and private schools. She is dedicated to multiple artistic fields
including drawing, photography, print making, quilt making, painting, and
sculpture. She has taught at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and at Central
Fairmont School, both in Cincinnati Ohio. Ms. Owen studied art at Pratt
Institute in Brooklyn, New York, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts
in Art History. She received her Master of Education in Art Education from
Pennsylvania State University in State College Pennsylvania, and her Teacher's
Certification from the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Magnolia Perez-Garrida
-
Magnolis Perez-Garrida teaches Spanish language, literature, and
culture courses to grades six through eight at Princeton Charter School.
She tries to bring her ex-college students back to school to discuss
Spanish and college education with young students. In 1999-2000 she
taught Spanish at Trenton Community Charter School, and has been
teaching college-level Spanish courses at Rider University since 1998.
She also has experience as an English as a Second Language (ESL)
teacher, and freelance translator. Ms. Perez earned her Bachelor of
Arts degree at The College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State
College).
- Mark Schlawin
-
Mark Schlawin puts his ability to hold an audience to work as a mathematics
and science teacher at Princeton Charter School.
He brings mathematical and scientific experience to the classroom
to provide an exciting learning experience to students of all mathematical
abilities. A former Wall Street quantitative analyst, he is returning to
teaching to put his analytical, creative, and communications skills to use
in the classroom. Mr. Schlawin is a story teller and a member of the Garden
State Story League. Prior to his years as an algorithm developer and
financial analyst , he taught mathematics to students from
fifth grade through high school at St. Ann's School in Brooklyn, New York.
He initiated courses in probability and computer programming and developed
a course entitled "Constructive Skepticism." Mr. Schlawin received a
Bachelor of Arts degree in Physics from Oberlin College, and a Master of
Science in Operations Research from Union College.
- Carter Serxner
-
Carter Serxner teaches history and is the Dean of Students at Princeton
Charter School. She is a versatile teacher with experience teaching history,
mathematics, and physical education. She is also an Outdoor Education
instructor and an athlete who runs marathons. From 1996 to 1998 she taught
mathematics and history at the Sewickley Academy in Sewickley, Pennsylvania.
Prior to that she taught at the Foote School in New Haven, Connecticut.
She has also coached soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, softball, and basketball.
Ms.Serxner received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Connecticut College
in New London, Connecticut and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies with
a concentration in History from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut.
- Taylor Thompson
-
Taylor Thompson teachs mathematics courses for grades seven and eight,
and history for grade three at Princeton Charter School.
His enthusiasm and interest in helping students goes beyond the classroom;
he works with students to help them develop personal strategies that
help them achieve their potential. Last year Mr. Thompson taught
mathematics and science for sixth-grade classes at Peter Muschal
Elementary School in Bordentown, and was a teacher in a "New Me"
program to provide homework help and guidance for students. He also
has experience as a funding manager for a mortgage lending firm where
he gained a wide variety of computer skills. Mr. Thompson earned his
Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and Philosophy from
Rider University.
- Martha Toma
-
Martha Toma's French language and literature classes immerse students in
the French language and culture. She encourages students to increase and
to practice their vocabulary daily. Her student's work on French grammar
strengthens their English grammar skills. Ms. Toma has taught French
language and literature to children of all ages.
She has researched foreign language capabilities
in children and has been teaching a course in French language and culture
designed for children from ages four to twelve.
Ms. Toma holds an M.A. in French Language and Literature from the
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, a Bachelor of Arts in French
Language and Literature from New York University,
and a General Studies Diploma from the University of Paris - Sorbonne.
- Asha Yancy
-
Asha Yancy runs the Princeton Charter School after-school program,
coordinate other after-school activities, and assist teachers during
science experiments and computer laboratory time. She is spending the
year at Princeton Charter School as a Princeton Project 55 Fellow from
Princeton University before attending medical school. She has
experience as a computer instructor for children and adults, and as a
tutor for students of all ages. Ms. Yancy has always been interested
in public service, and entered the Project 55 Fellow program to work
for an organization that is positively contributing to social
change. Ms. Yancy's undergraduate volunteer activities included
serving as the head coordinator of a volunteer project on campus
called the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Project. In addition to being a
volunteer herself, she managed volunteers, publicity, and fund raising
for her project, and interacted with children, parents, and personnel
at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. She also
mentored students making the transition from high school to college.
Ms. Yancy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Molecular Biology from
Princeton University.
- Linda Gleason
-
Linda Gleason is the business manager at Princeton Charter School.
- Marybeth Roach
-
Marybeth Roach is the new administrative assistant to the Head of School at
Princeton Charter School. She brings order and sense to the sometimes
hectic office of the school. From 1993 to 1999, she worked at Stuart
Country Day School as an administrative assistant and coordinator of
middle-school activities. Prior to that she worked in research and
marketing in New York City. Ms. Roach earned her Bachelor of
Science in marketing from St. John's University. At Princeton Charter
School, Ms. Roach runs the office, coordinating all the paperwork
and activities of the school.
|
|
| |
