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Princeton Charter School Faculty and Staff 2005-2006
Head Teacher
- Charles (Chuck) Marsee
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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 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 girl's 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.
- Gabriele Biancasino
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Gabriele Biancasino teaches mathematics and history at Princeton Charter School.A Princeton native, she attended the public schools, andnow enjoys teaching at Princeton newest public school,Students particularly enjoy when she lets them teach for a few minutes while shejoins the class as a student.Ms. Biancasino earned her B.A. insociology at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Massachusetts,and is working on a masters degree at Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
- Jean-Claude Boisnier
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Jean-Claude Boisnier teaches French at Princeton Charter School. He has taught French at Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, and at South River High School in South River, New Jersey. Mr. Boisnier has been a French instructor at Rutgers University, the University of Massachusetts, the University of Vermont, Saint Michaels's College in Vermont, and Mount Ida College in Newton, Massachusetts. In addition, he worked as a French broadcaster for Bloomberg Financial Markets. Mr.Boisnier earned masters degrees at the Sorbonne in Paris, and at the University of Vermont, and is working on a doctorate in French at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
- Norma Jean Byers
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Norma Jean Byers teaches mathematics to grades six through 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 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 to1978. 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
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Kathy Chrzan is the reading teacher for Kindergarten through grade 2 at Princeton Charter School. Previously, as the school's first teacher for grade one, she helped 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 Cente rfor Montessori Teacher Education in Scarsdale, New York.
- Brian Ciuffreda
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Brian Ciuffreda teaches science to students in grades six and seven at Princeton Charter School. He comes to PCS with a varied background of teaching and business experience, including teaching music at McCorristin Catholic High School and St. Anthony's Elementary School, both in Hamilton, New Jersey. His business experience includes working for Caliper Human Strategies, Prudential Individual Financial Services,and CitiStreet. Mr. Ciuffreda earned his B.A. degree in biology and music from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania.
- Sherman English
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Sherman English is an experienced administrator and English teacher. When he is not busy teaching students to enliven their writing with judicious use of vocabulary, he loves to travel and think up puns. According to Mr. English, "I have traveled all over the world, but you have to go to Italy to roam." Before coming to Princeton Charter School, he taught English at The Pingry School in Martinsville, NJ. From 1995 to 2001 he also served as the Director of Admission and Financial Aid at The Pingry School. He has taught English at the Saddle River Day School in Saddle River, NJ, and at the Harbor Day School in Corona del Mar, CA. Mr. English earned a Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Master of Letters at Drew University, a Master of Divinity at Union Theological Seminary, and an Executive Doctorate in Educational Administration at Seton Hall University, In addition to teaching English to the upper grades, he will be an instructional administrator as an Assistant to the Head ofSchool.
- Sova Fisher
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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 earned 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.
- Nancy Giagnacova
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Nancy Giagnacova teaches history and geography to grades five and eight at Princeton Charter School. Prior to joining the PCS faculty, she taught at Gladwyne Elementary School in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania. She has also tutored students from kindergarten through high school. She earned her B.A. in history from Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania.
- Michelle Granville
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Michelle Granville is an accomplished educator of young children. Ms. Granville is an experienced kindergarten teacher having taught at both Chapin School in Princeton and Granville Charter School in Trenton. Ms. Granville earned her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Delaware State University.
- Kelly Hayes
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Kelly Hayes joins the staff as tutor/aide and the after-school coordinator. Ms. Hayes earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Loyola College in Maryland. She has recently completed the coursework for her master's degree in education with a concentration in reading. Previously, she taught at Atholton Elementary School in Columbia, Maryland.
- Shawn Henry
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Shawn Henry is an experienced teacher of English language and literature and of social studies. She teaches students to use their new vocabulary words in everyday conversation. Mrs. Henry taught English at Charlotte Country Day School in Charlotte, North Carolina, and at Berwick Academy in South Berwick, Maine. While teaching, she coached a variety of sports including cross-country running, basketball, and lacrosse. Shealso organized outing clubs. In addition to her experience teaching children, Mrs. Henry taught courses in women's studies, English, and American studies at the University of Wyoming. Mrs. Henry earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Bucknell University, a Masters in Education from Harvard University, and a Masters in American Studies from the University of Wyoming.
- Elisa Hirvonen
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Elisa Hirvonen is the school's art teacher. Ms. Hirvonen is a graduate in art education from the College of New Jersey and is currently working toward her masters of science in supervision and administration in the visual arts from Bank Street College of Education in New York. Most recently, Ms. Hirvonen was the art teacher for the Timberlane Middle School in Pennington. She has also been an art instructor at the Grounds for Sculpture and the Princeton YMCA. She was the director of the summer art camp for the Arts Council of Princeton for nine years.
- Michelle Jacob
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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. Jacob 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.
- Daniel Johnsen
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Daniel Johnsen teaches fith and sixth grade mathematics and physical education, and tutors in the after-school program. He loves working with children, helping them reach their full potential. Last year he was a tutor at PCS after two years as an intern with the Princeton Evangelical Fellowship, teaching, advising, and organizing events for Princeton University students. Mr. Johnsen has experience as a youth-group advisor for grades 6-8, a Sunday-school teacher for grades 1-8, and as a peer leader for high-school freshmen. He is interested in cross-cultural experiences; he spent six years of his life in West Africa, one year in Quebec, Canada, where he attended an all-French school, and one month each in Sevilla Spain, and Haiti. Mr. Johnsen earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Molecular Biology at Princeton University.
- Lisbeth Ashman-Kelley
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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 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.
- Sabina Khachatryan
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Sabina Khachatryan teaches mathematics and computer science to upper-school students at Princeton Charter School. She applies her deep mathematical knowledge to help students develop a clear understanding of algebraic and geometric concepts. Her students love the quiet smile that rewards them for their hard work. Before joining the PCS staff, she taught mathematics at The Doris Eaton School in Walnut Creek, California, and at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Chicago, Illinois. She also taught mathematics and computer science in Yerevan, Armenia for nine years. Ms. Khachatryan earned her M.S. and undergraduate degree at Polytechnic University in Yerevan, Armenia.
- Sergey Kudrin
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Sergey Kudrin is the chessmaster at PCS, teaching chess to all grades,and coaching chess teams. Mr. Kudrin is a chess grandmaster, and has played in chess tournaments all over the world, including the World Championship in 1999. For the past five years he has taught chess inthe Boston area; three of his students made it to the top 10 lists inthe USA. Mr. Kudrin also has experience in finance, and worked with the Russian government establishing modern capital markets. Mr. Kudrin earned his B.A. in computer science with a minor in statistics at Columbia College in New York City, and his M.B.A. in finance at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
- Susan Jo Lee
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Susan Jo Lee, who teaches mathematics, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics Education from Bryn Mawr College, Pennsylvania, and is currently a master's degree in education candidate at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia. She most recently has been a middle school mathematics teacher at the Episcopal Academy in Merion, Pennsylvania, where she was also an active member of their admissions, peer-coordination and athletics committees.
- Carrie Meersman
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Carrie Meersman teaches first grade. Ms. Meersman earned her Bachelor of Arts from Western Michigan University. She is currently working on her master's degree at Goucher College in Towson, Maryland. She recently taught kindergarten at the McDonogh School in Ownings Mills, Maryland.
- David Myers
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David Myers brings extensive experience teaching English to Princeton Charter School. He was an Instructor of English Literature and of Composition for Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. He worked for the Institute for Central American Studies and the International Language Institute in San Jose, Costa Rica. Mr. Myers earned his Bachelor of Arts from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, and his Master of Arts in English from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He is working on a doctorate from Rutgers University.
- Jeanne Nahan
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Jeanne Nahan teaches music to all students twice a week and directs concerts and other performances 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 accompanies 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 while attending Boston University.
- Mark Papp
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Mark Papp teaches physical and health education to all grade levels at Princeton Charter School. He feels that his job, working with students in class and on athletic teams, is the most exciting job he could ever have desired. He is known for his `shimmy shakes' and `high fives.' Previously he taught at Trenton Community Charter School, where he developed the curriculum for students in Kindergarten through grade six,and at Abrams Hebrew Academy in Yardley, Pennsylvania, where he expanded the number of interscholastic athletic teams from three to eight, and coached basketball, soccer, cross-country, and tennis. Mr. Papp earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Health Education from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and his Master's degree in Educational Administration from Gwynedd-Mercy College in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania.
- Mark Schlawin
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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. He also holds an administrative position in charge of professional development at PCS. A former Wall Street quantitative analyst, he returned 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
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Carter Serxner teaches history and geography courses 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 to1998 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.
- Jennifer Speloker
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Jennifer Speloker teacher teaches Spanish to grades five through eight at Princeton Charter School. She taught Spanish in Mundelein, Illlinois, and has taught English as a second language in Princeton. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Education from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and her English as a Second Language Endorsement from National Louis University in Chicago, Illinois.
- Karuna Taneja
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Karuna Taneja teaches mathematics and computer science. Ms. Taneja earned her master's degree in Computer Science from Devi Ahilya University, India. After graduation, she was a lecturer in computer science at Delhi University as well as a mathematics tutor for middle and high school student. She worked as a IT software professional where she designed and implemented lessons for programming languages and data structures.
- Martha Toma
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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 taught 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.
- Shawna Valentine
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Shawna Valentine is a tutor at Princeton Charter School. As a Princeton native, she knows exactly how to urge students to achieve their best, academically and in sports. Prior to joining the staff, Ms. Valentine worked for the Summer Institute for the Gifted in Parsippany, New Jersey as a teaching assistant. She also enjoys coaching cheerleaders for Princeton Youth Football. She earned her B.A. degree in secondary education from American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts.
- Diane Potorski
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Diane Potorski is the new Business Manager at Princeton Charter School. She manages all financial transactions, provides technical assistance for budgets, oversees all purchases and contracts, and generally provides for the efficient and effective operation of the non-academic aspects of the school.
- Lenore Denchak
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Lenore Denchak is an Administrative Assistant to the Head of School. She runs the office in the 5-8 buidling.
- Kelly Schwing
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Kelly Schwing is an Administrative Assistant to the Head of School, and runs the office in the K-4 building. She is also the school's admissions coordinator.
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