Miguel I–iguez
Miguel I–iguez teaches the in-school and
after-school chess classes at Princeton Charter School.
He engages students in the game, first teaching them to love playing chess, then leading them to problem solving.
Everywhere Mr. I–iguez teaches, the interest in chess playing increases.
He has been a chess instructor for elementary-school students in New York City and in Princeton for many years. He has directed summer chess camps, instructed chess teachers, and coached winning chess teams.
Daniel Johnsen
Daniel Johnsen teaches mathematics, science, and physical education at Princeton Charter School.
He loves working with children, helping them reach their full potential.
Mr. Johnsen joined the PCS staff in 2001 as a tutor, and became a teacher in 2003.
Before he came to PCS, he worked for 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
Lisbeth Ashman-Kelley teaches English language and literature 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
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.
Canice Leary
Canice Leary is a supplementary teacher at Princeton Charter School.
Her love of learning and firm belief that all children can and will learn, empowers her to change the lives of children one day at a time.
Ms. Leary has taught first grade as a long-term-leave substitute at Clara Barton Elementary School in Cherry Hill, NJ, and nursery school at Chesterbrook Academy in Wayne, PA. She has also worked as a teacher, manager, and director at the Huntington Learning Center in Turnersville, NJ.
She is also an experienced soccer and swimming coach, and snowboard instructor.
Ms. Leary earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a minor in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University, took graduate courses in Elementary Education at Rutgers University, and graduated from the New Pathways to Teaching program at Jersey City University.
Susan Jo Lee
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 in Philadelphia.
Prior to joining the staff, she was 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.
David Milewski
David Milewski teaches history at Princeton Charter School.
In his classes he emphasizes intellectual curiosity, encourages academic achievement, and fosters character development.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
David Myers
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
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
Mark Papp teaches physical and health education to all grade levels at Princeton Charter School. He is also the school's athletic director.
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.
Larry Patton
Larry Patton is an Assistant Head of School and teaches English at Princeton Charter School.
From 1999-2008 he was the Head of the Middle School at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, New York. While there, he taught seventh grade, ninth grade, Junior/Senior English, became a middle-school Dean, and coached varsity lacrosse.
Before he became a teacher, he worked for two years for a commercial bank in New York City.
Mr. Patton earned his Bachelor of Arts in English at Dartmouth College, pursued graduate studies in literature and writing at Wesleyan University, and earned a Masters Degree in Education from Harvard University.
Suzanne Ritter
Suzanne Ritter teaches science and other subjects at Princeton Charter School.
Within her classroom she creates a caring but challenging atmosphere where students are encouraged to express their ideas creatively and to take risks in their inquiries.
Previously she was a substitute teacher for local schools including the Triangle School in Hillsborough, NJ where she did her student teaching.
Before becoming a teacher, she worked at Princeton University in the Office of Development Information Systems.
Ms. Ritter earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology/Geology from the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY, and completed the Graduate-Level Teacher Certification Program at Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ
Linda Rubens
Linda Rubens teaches English language and literature and is a supplementary teacher at Princeton Charter School.
She instills her students with her own enthusiasm for literature and poetry. In mathematics she helps her students gain confidence in their skills.
For the eleven years prior to joining the PCS faculty, Ms. Rubens
taught at Wilmington Friends School in Wilmington, Delaware.
She also has ten years of experience as a pre-school teacher, and has taught courses in adolescent issues.
Ms. Rubens earned her Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science from Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, her Masters degree in Social Work from George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, and her Master of Education at Smith College in Northhampton, Massacusetts.
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.
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
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 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.
Christie Shore
Christie Shore is a supplementary teacher at Princeton Charter School.
Ms. Shore earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology/Elementary Education from The College of New Jersey, in Ewing, New Jersey.
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 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
Shawna Valentine is a teacher of English language and literature at Princeton Charter School.
As a Princeton native, she knows exactly how to urge students to achieve their best, academically and in sports.
She joined the PCS staff in 2003 as an academic tutor.
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.
Alma Welch
Alma Welch is a supplementary teacher at Princeton Charter School.
Every day she applies her energy and enthusiasm to helping students understand
and work on their homework before they leave the school.
Ms. Welch is a teacher who believes every child deserves the opportunity to be affirmed and celebrated as an individual.
She loves the moment when a child's eyes light up the first time they
successfully read a full sentence to her.
She came to PCS from the Princeton YMCA, where she directed the child development center.
Ms. Welch earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and her post-Baccalaureate certification in Elementary Education from Kean University in Union New Jersey.
Ralitsa Zaharieva
Ralitsa Zaharieva teaches French language and literature at Princeton Charter School.
She previously taught French at the Princeton Adult School, was a private tutor for individuals and groups, and was an adjunct professor of French in
various local colleges.
Her experience includes a number of years working for the Bulgarian Ministry of Sport and Bulgarian Olympic Committee as a translator in Bulgaria and abroad.
Ms. Zaharavia earned her Master of Arts in French language and letters from the University of Sofia, both in Sofia, Bulgaria.
She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the
European Institute of International Management in Paris, France.
