Damon Affinito
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.
Melanie Arnold
Melanie is the Regional Behavior Consultant for the Northern Valley Regional High School District. Ms. Arnold received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Rutgers College at Rutgers University and her Master's Degree in Education from the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University. Ms. Arnold has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2003. Before becoming the Behavior Consultant for the Region in 2013, Ms. Arnold was a classroom teacher of students from preschool through high school for thirteen years, the last eleven of which were with the Valley Program.
Lauren Barbieri
Lauren Barbieri has been a primary educator within the Northern Valley for eighteen years, and is currently a Kindergarten Teacher in the Closter District. She has taught grades K-2. She has a Master's Degree in Literacy Instruction, is a certified Reading Specialist, a certified Orton-Gillingham Dyslexia Specialist, a certified Northern Valley Instructional Coach, and pending May 2020, a certified Teacher Leader and certified Supervisor.
Amy Brown
Amy 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.
Heather J. Buchanan
Heather J. Buchanan, PhD, conducts the 170-voice Chorale, 60-voice University Singers, and 24-voice Vocal Accord at Montclair State University. Choirs under her direction have won critical acclaim for their “vibrant sound,” “eloquence”, and for singing with the “crispness and dexterity of a professional choir.” Her choirs have collaborated with many international artists including Meredith Monk, Mícheál ÓSúílleabháin, Tarik O’Regan, Joseph Flummerfelt, Sarah Hopkins, Chen Yi, members of the Vienna Philharmonic strings, Richard Alston Dance Company, and conductors Neeme Järvi, Jacques LaCombe, John Maucceri, and Susie Benchail Seiter with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Buchanan holds degrees from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music (Australia), Westminster Choir College of Rider University (U.S.), and the University of New England (Australia). A licensed Andover Educator, she teaches Body Mapping and somatic pedagogy for musicians. Her publications include co-editing and compiling Teaching Music through Performance in Choir (GIA), a chapter in Teaching Singing in the 21st Century (Springer), a DVD Evoking Sound: Body Mapping & Gesture Fundamentals (GIA), and choral octavos in the Evoking Sound Choral Series (GIA). A vibrant teacher, dynamic performer and passionate musicians’ health advocate, Dr. Buchanan is in demand as a guest conductor, somatic educator and choral clinician in the U.S. and abroad.
Nicole Chamberlain
Nicole is a teacher at Haworth Public School. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Vermont and her Master's Degree in Curriculum & Instruction with a focus on Reading & Writing from Teachers College, Columbia University. She presented her Master's research at the International Conference of Teacher Research, Chicago (2007) and New York (2008) and was a 2014 Governor's Teacher Recognition Nominee. Before joining the teaching staff at Haworth, Ms. Chamberlain worked with children with autism in Applied Behavioral Analysis programs in New Jersey. Ms. Chamberlain is trained through the Teachers College Reading and Writing project and continues to advance her professional practice in math, literacy, curriculum development, technology, classroom management, and teacher peer coaching.
Marc Cicchino
Marc 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. Marc 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.
Katie Doherty
Katie Doherty is a special education teacher NVOT for the past 11 years. Katie graduated from Scranton with a B.A. in Students with Handicap. Additionally, Katie went on to acquire her Master's in Curriculum in Instruction. Katie was NVOT's nominee for New Jersey's Governor of the Teacher of the year. Katie has also developed her mindfulness approach outside the classroom by becoming a Reiki instructor, and is a valuable addition to mindfulness both inside and outside the classroom.
Kristen Doramajian
Ms. Doramajian taught 6th grade Math and Science in Northvale for nine years and is in her second year as the STEM program developer and teacher at Woodcliff Lake Middle School. She received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Math/Science/Technology (concentrating in mathematics) from The College of New Jersey and a Masters degree in Curriculum & Teaching at Teachers College, Columbia University. While in Northvale Kristen participated in the Northern Valley Regional 3-year Academy Program which helped her develop relationships within the Valley, explore her teaching principles, and expand her instructional skills. She took part in the Next Generation Science Standards curriculum re-write, served as mentor to several new teachers, and chaired the Middle School’s Math Committee among many others. Kristen is very committed to the world of education, particularly math education. She continues to participate in the Bergen County Math Coaches Committee and is looking forward to returning to share ideas in another workshop with the dedicated educators of the Valley.
Aimee Edwards
Aimee is a 4th and 5th-grade special education teacher for the Therapeutic Intervention Program (TIP), which services students with emotional and behavioral challenges. Ms. Edwards currently teaches 4th-grade reading and 4th and 5th-grade science and social studies. Prior to this year, Ms. Edwards has taught Kindergarten through 5th grade and a variety of curricular subjects. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Ramapo College of New Jersey, as well as, attending a graduate program at William Paterson University to receive both Elementary and Special Education teaching certifications.
Kim Faustini
Kim is a School Psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She received her master's degree and certification as a school psychologist from Fairleigh Dickinson University and her BCBA Certification from Florida Institute of Technology. Ms. Fasutini has worked in the NVRHS district since 2001 and has performed and facilitated various roles and duties, including behavior consultant for the Valley Program, conducting functional behavior assessments for all Region III school districts, presenting workshops, staff training, and her most recent role, working as a psychologist and consultant for Region III's Special Education Program: The Therapeutic Intervention Program (TIP), which is designed to meet the needs of students with emotional and behavioral challenges from 1st through 8th grade. Kim is now the Supervisor of Special Education for Northvale Public Schools.
Katie Gallagher
Katie Gallagher is a special education teacher at Old Tappan high school for the past six years. She has a B.S. in English and her M.A. in special education from TCNJ. Katie has been dedicated to student-centered learning and mindfulness and uses strategies in her classroom to engage students and provide them with mindfulness check-ins.
Deanna Hallberg
Deanna is a Special Education Teacher at Northern Valley Regional High School – Old Tappan.
Jonathan Harris
Jonathan Harris began his teaching career in 1999 and was the Director of Instrumental Music at Northern Valley Regional HS at Demarest from 2003 to 2014. Under his direction, Northern Valley continuously received top honors at concert festivals and competitions along the east coast. Additionally, the “Marching Norsemen” were selected to perform at the 2012 NFL Season Kickoff Game and also as a halftime performer at Super Bowl XLVIII, both at MetLife Stadium. Mr. Harris was nominated for a 2014-2015 Grammy Music Educator Award and he was honored to serve as the conductor of the 2009 Bergen County Band and the 2013 North Jersey Junior Region Band. In July 2014, he was appointed the Supervisor of Related Arts for the Northern Valley Regional HS District. He has served on the executive boards of NJSMA, MEBCI and is currently on the Board of Directors of NJMAA. He holds a B.M. in Music Education from William Paterson University, an M.M. in Music Education from the University of Connecticut, and a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati.
Nicole Hill
Nicole is a Grade 5 Math teacher at Norwood Public School.
Mike Ives
Mike Ives is a Math Teacher and Instructional Coach at Northern Valley Regional HS in Demarest. He received his Bachelors 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.
Joanne Iyo
Joanne is the Technology Coordinator & STEM teacher at Hillside Elementary School in Closter, NJ. She was a first, second & third-grade classroom teacher before assuming her current position. She received her B.A. from Colby College and her M.A. and Ed.M. in Curriculum Development & Instruction from Teachers College, Columbia University. She has presented workshops on Lego Robotics, iMovie, animation and educational websites & apps.
Catherine Kong
Catherine is a French Teacher at Northern Valley Regional High Schools.
Steven Korner
Dr. Korner earned his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and has been appointed to the following positions: director of the child and family unit of the Benjamin Rush Center in Philadelphia; director of psychology and assistant professor of psychiatry, New York Medical College-Metropolitan Hospital Center; and associate professor (tenured) in the doctoral program in child clinical psychology and director of the school psychology program at Seton Hall University prior to working as a psychologist at Harrington Park School. He has been appointed to chair the continuing education and media committees of the New Jersey Psychological Association, was elected president of the Bergen County Association of Licensed Psychologists, and currently is on the Advisory board of the Learning Disability Association of New Jersey. Dr. Korner has either published or presented over 50 papers and was an editorial consultant for the journals Private Practice in Psychotherapy and Psychotherapy in Independent Practice.
Arpi Lajinian
Arpi teaches mathematics and is an instructional coach at Northern Valley Regional HS at Old Tappan. She strives to make mathematics meaningful and accessible to students and shares with them her passion for the beauty and richness of the subject. She is the author and coordinator of the AMTNJ annual High School Mathematics Contest, and a Core Advocate. Arpi holds a Masters of Science in Mathematics from the American University of Beirut and a Doctorate in Mathematics Pedagogy from Montclair State University. She remains focused on why students need to learn what they study, and how they learn. Arpi continues to take advantage of regional and national conferences and learning opportunities that allow her to reflect on her practice, share and grow professionally.
Christine Massaro
Christine 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, and History of the United States through Film and Media throughout her 12 years at Northern Valley. Christine 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 and serves on the Board of Directors for Aurora Nonprofit Solutions. Ms. Massaro believes in giving back to the community that has given so much to her.
Nadine McGrath
Nadine McGrath is the Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction for Northvale Public Schools. She received a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Elementary and Special Education with middle school certification in Math from Seton Hall University. Mrs. McGrath also received a Master's Degree in Reading from William Paterson University. After receiving her Master’s degree, she was awarded a scholarship for certification as an Orton Gillingham Teacher through Fairleigh Dickinson University. She earned her Supervision Certification from William Paterson University. Since joining the Northvale Public School Staff in 2008, Mrs. McGrath has taught special education, Basic Skills, and Orton Gillingham.
Jennifer Mezzina
Dr. Jennifer Mezzina is the Assistant Principal at Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan. Previously she worked as a Spanish teacher and Technology Mentor at NVOT and also served as an Instructional Coach for the K-8 districts. Jennifer also served as chair of the Local Professional Development Committee, an Administrative Intern, member of the Regional Professional Development Committee, and Varsity Debate Coach. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education and Spanish from The College of New Jersey and her M.S. in Educational Technology from Ramapo College and her doctorate in Educational Leadership, Management, and Policy at Seton Hall University.
Chris Nerkizian
Chris Nerkizian is a Special Education/STEM/Gifted and Talented Teacher at Luther Lee Emerson School in Demarest, NJ. He is a Level 2 Google Certified Educator. In his time in Demarest, he has developed the elementary STEM and Broadcasting program. He has been a facilitator for various technology-based workshops at the curriculum center for ten years.
Danielle Nix
Danielle is a Mathematics teacher at Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest. Ms. Nix received her undergraduate degree in Mathematics from The College of New Jersey. She has also earned an MS in the Natural Sciences from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and, an M. Ed. in Educational Leadership from Bank Street College of Education. Additionally, Ms. Nix holds Supervisory Certification.
Kathleen O'Flynn
Kathleen 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, Mrs. O’Flynn holds Supervisory Certification. Before becoming the Supervisor of Professional Learning at the Office of Curriculum and Instruction, Mrs. O’Flynn was an NVCC Staff Developer and also taught at the first and second-grade level. Mrs. O’Flynn serves as co-chairperson for the Northern Valley Schools Regional Professional Development Board. Kathleen 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.
Angela Panagiotopoulos
Angela Panagiotopoulos is an English teacher at NVD. She received her BA in English Secondary Education from The College of New Jersey and her Masters in Literature from the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College. Angela's favorite parts about teaching are interacting with her students and collaborating with her amazing colleagues.
Helen Park
Helen is a 5th grade Language Arts teacher at Charles DeWolf Middle School in Old Tappan. She received her BA in English and Education from Barnard College, MA in Literacy through the Reading & Writing Workshop at Columbia Teachers College, and a certificate in supervision at Montclair State University. Over her years in Old Tappan, Helen has taught students ranging from 3rd to 7th grade.
Meghan Pleus
Meghan Pleus teaches first grade in Closter. Prior to working in Closter, Meghan was a Teach for America corps member in Newark, New Jersey. Meghan taught for three years in a high-performing charter school where she wrote curricula for mathematics and literacy. Meghan received her undergraduate degree from Ramapo College of New Jersey and a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University. She has completed professional coursework in the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. She is passionate about curriculum writing, professional development, and finding the best ways to engage students in the learning process!
Jennifer Rilli
Jennifer has been a math teacher at the Demarest Middle School for the past 17 years. She received her Bachelors Degree from Caldwell University. She also received a Masters in Educational Administration/Supervision from New Jersey City University. Jennifer has also served on the Northern Valley Regional Professional Development Committee for 12 years, 8 of which have been as a Co-chair. She also was part of the first graduating class from the Northern Valley Coaching Academy and has served as a peer coach for teachers in the Valley ever since. She continues to take advantage of regional and local conferences/workshops and learning opportunities that allow her to grow both as an individual and as a professional. Jennifer knows and feels that creating enthusiasm in the field of mathematics will enable our students to not only be successful but to also feel confident as they prepare for life in the “real-world”.
Rachel Ring
Rachel, 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 15 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 five 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 Old Tappan public schools.
Ron Romano
Ron was the District Supervisor of Social Studies for the Northern Valley Regional High School District since 1997. Prior to that, he taught Social Studies classes at NVOT beginning in 1982. He received his BA in History from Muhlenberg College and his MA in Administration and Supervision from Seton Hall University. Mr. Romano is a frequent attendee at historical conferences and workshops. He was selected to attend the Teacher's Institute at George Washington's Mt. Vernon and the Teacher's Institute at Colonial Williamsburg where he further developed his love for the American Revolution. Ron has developed workshops to ensure that teachers and their students will have a well developed background in the role New Jersey has played in our history and culture.
Justin Saxon
Justin is 6 through 8th-grade special education Language Arts & History teacher. He received a Bachelors Degree from the University of Delaware in English Literature. Mr. Saxon continued his education at Felician College attaining teaching certificates in General Education, Special Education and received specializations in both History and Language Arts subject areas. He worked as a Behavior Consultant for the Region II school districts and has presented at the Cosac National Conference that focused on inclusion and social skills for high functioning Autism. Mr. Saxon began his teaching career for NVRHS Region III Special Education teaching in The Valley Program and is currently teaching as a 6th through 8th-grade special education teacher in Region III's Therapeutic Intervention Program (TIP) that is designed to meet the needs of students with emotional and behavioral challenges from 1st through 8th grade.
Peter Scanlan
After graduating from the School of Visual Arts in 1986 Peter spent the next eighteen years as a freelance illustrator creating artworks for clients such as Universal Studios, Nintendo, Marvel Comics, The New York Times, and many others before becoming an art teacher for Northern Valley Regional High School in 2004. Since then Mr. Scanlan has shared his knowledge of traditional and experimental art-making techniques with students and fellow teachers in the classroom and in workshop settings.
Virginia Senande
Ginny is the Supervisor of Professional Learning at the Office of Curriculum and Instruction. Mrs. 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, Mrs. Senande holds Supervisor and Principal Certification. Before joining the Northern Valley Curriculum Center, Mrs. Senande taught high school Spanish and served as an Administrative Intern, Tech Mentor, and Acting Assistant Principal. Mrs. Senande was most recently the Learning Systems Technology Integrator for the Northern Valley High Schools. Mrs. 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.
Debbie Shapiro
Debbie 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.
Erica Sposa
Erica Sposa is an English teacher at Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan and has been in the classroom since 2003 at both the middle and high school levels. She holds a Master's Degree from St. Peter's University.
Karen Sterinsky
Karen is a Kindergarten Teacher at Charles DeWolf Public School in Old Tappan.
Kelly Stevens
Kelly 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. She has also served on curriculum writing committees for both Language Arts and Science.
Laura Sullivan
Dr. Sullivan is the Supervisor of Instruction for Curriculum and Educational Technology in Old Tappan. Prior to that, she had been teaching in Closter for over 25 years as the computer teacher/coordinator and, more recently, the Seventh Grade Mathematics Teacher. She received her B.A. and teaching certificates in Elementary Education and Mathematics from William Paterson University. Additionally, she earned both her M.S. in Mathematics, Concentration in Mathematics Education and Ed.D. in Mathematics Pedagogy from Montclair State University. Throughout her career, she has served in many leadership capacities: seventh-grade team leader, mathematics department chairperson, district and regional mentor and instructional coach, and has served as a consultant at Northern Valley Regional Curriculum Center. Her strength and passion is the implementation of technology in the classroom.
Derick Talty
Derick Talty is currently a sixth-grade social studies teacher and Director of Educational Technology at Haworth Public School. He is currently pursuing a master's in Educational Technology. Derick has taught for over 16 years and enjoys assisting teachers with infusing technology into their classrooms.
Joanne Werner
Joanne is a Science Teacher at Demarest Middle School.
Amy Wilcox
Amy Wilcox is the Director of Instrumental Music at Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan where she directs the Concert Band, Wind Symphony and Orchestra. In addition to the curricular ensembles, Ms. Wilcox is the director of the Golden Knights Marching Band, the NVOT Jazz Band 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 in the tri-state area. 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. 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. 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. At Montclair State, she performed on both Eb and Bb clarinet in the Wind Symphony. She had distinct honor of conducting both the Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony in concerts at Montclair State as well as performances that included the NJMEA Convention in East Brunswick. Ms. Wilcox currently plays clarinet with the Westchester Symphonic Winds, located in Tarrytown, NY. In addition to playing with the ensemble, she has had the privilege of being both a guest conductor and apprentice conductor. 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.
Laura Wiseman
Laura is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) for Region III special services. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Towson University and received her Master's in Social Work at The University of Maryland. She has over 11 years of experience in counseling, assessment, crisis intervention, behavior management, and teaching social skills. Additionally, she has extensive experience in facilitating therapeutic, supportive and educational groups.