Our diverse faculty and staff represent the highest standards in their respective fields and share a passion for educating young people. Representing half a dozen doctoral programs and over 20 different advanced degree programs, our faculty model exhibits the academic excellence we instill in our students. Educators at Lacordaire are also committed to a lifetime of their own learning, as staff members are constantly undergoing further professional development. All faculty members share in the extracurricular community of the Academy, either through coaching a sports team or advising a student organization. Lacordaire’s small class sizes also offer faculty the opportunity to mentor students, both individually and in a group setting, adding to the feeling of community that Lacordaire prides itself on.
Megan Mannato
Head of School; Head of Upper School
M.A. New York University; B.A. Syracuse University
Suzanne Bilicska, M.Ed.
Associate Head of School; Head of Lower School; Head of Middle School
M.A. Curriculum And Instruction, Caldwell University; B.S. Education, B.A. History, University Of Tampa
Kaitlyn Tashjian, OPA
Director of Campus Ministry; Director of Guidance; Chair, Religion Department
M.A. School Counseling, Saint Peter’s University; B.A. Secondary Education And Social Studies, Caldwell University
Marissa P. Klapwald
Director of Advancement
J.D. New York University School of Law; M.A. English Literature, Drew University; B.A. English Literature, Seton Hall University
Saydi Callahan Keefe
Director of Admissions; Major Gifts Associate
M.F.A. Montclair State University; B.F.A. University Of Florida
Chris McGowan
Director of Technology; All-Academy Computers Teacher
B.S. Finance, Rider Univeristy
Nick DeToustain
Director of Development; World Language Department
M.A. International Relations, MBA, Boston University; B.A. Mathematics And French, University Of Colorado
Elizabeth Owen, OPA
Director of Crisis Management and Facilities; Technology Department
Suzanne Bilicska, M.Ed.
Associate Head Of School; Head Of Lower School; Head Of Middle School
M.A. Curriculum And Instruction, Caldwell University; B.S. Education, B.A. History, University Of Tampa
Ordel Goldson
Athletic Director; Physical Education Department
B.A. Child Advocacy And Policy, Montclair State University
Mona Gerdes
Chair, Arts Department
Mary Ryan Thornton
Lower School, Pre-Kindergarten
M.A.T. Dual Certification: K-5/Special Education, Montclair University; M.A. New York University; B.A. Fordham University
Marianne Cavallaro
Lower School, Pre-K Aide
B.S. Montclair State University
Linda Marinzulich
Lower School, Kindergarten
B.A. Ashford University
Liz Hughes
Lower School, Kindergarten Aide
Erin Iozzia
Lower School, Kindergarten
B.S. Roger Williams University; Post Bac. Caldwell University , Masters In Progress
Christine Zichelli
Lower School, Kindergarten Aide
Certified K-12 Substitute; A.S. In Business
Kate Bielitz
Lower School; First Grade Teacher
Caldwell University, BA In English; Caldwell University Post-Baccalaureate Teaching Certificate And Masters In Curriculum In Progress.
Margaret Melore
Lower School, First Grade
B.A. Caldwell College
Samantha Gargiulo
Lower School, Second Grade
B.S. General and Special Education, Towson University
Sarah Morley
Third Grade
B.A Caldwell University
Tawana Clarrett
Fourth Grade Teacher
M.S. Chestnut Hill College, Technology in Education;
M.S. Teachers College, Columbia University, Organizational Leadership; B.S. Temple University, Early Childhood & Elementary Education
Nicolette Colella
Mathematics Department
B.S. Mathematics, The College Of New Jersey
Nick DeToustain
World Language Department Chair; French Teacher
MBA and M.A. in International Relations, Boston University, B.A. French and Math, University of Colorado
F. John Wilkes
World Languages Department
B.A. French, University of South Carolina
Alexandra Giorgio
Arts Department; Creative Dramatics
B.F.A. Theatre with a concentration in Musical Theatre, Montclair State University
Megan Mannato
Head of School; Head of Upper School
M.A. New York University; B.A. Syracuse University
Suzanne Bilicska, M.Ed.
Associate Head of School; Head of Lower School; Head of Middle School
M.A. Curriculum And Instruction, Caldwell University; B.S. Education, B.A. History, University Of Tampa
Kaitlyn Tashjian, OPA
Director of Campus Ministry; Director of Guidance; Chair, Religion Department
M.A. School Counseling, Saint Peter’s University; B.A. Secondary Education And Social Studies, Caldwell University
Nathan Houston
Religion Department; Campus Ministry
B.A. History and Theology with a concentration in Peace and Justice, University of Scranton
Ordel Goldson
Athletic Director; Physical Education Department
B.A. Child Advocacy And Policy, Montclair State University
Beverly Cardino
Chair, English Department; World Languages Department
M.A. Wesleyan; B.A. Caldwell College; NJ Teacher Certification K-12 In English
Brittany McFarlane, OPA
English Department; Religion Department
B.A. English, Caldwell University; NJ Teacher Certification K-12 English
AlainaMarie Pfaff
English Department
B.A. English Literature, Macaulay Honors College, CUNY
Mona Gerdes
Chair, Arts Department
Mary Kate Coleman
English Department; Arts Department
M.A. Theater, Montclair State University; B.A. English & Theater, Mount Saint Mary’s University
Delaney Lima
Art Teacher, Arts Department
B.F.A. Illustration, School of Visual Arts
Lisa Rosen
Art Department
M.A. New York University/International Center Of Photography; B.A. Bowdoin College
Heather Ballantyne
Arts Department
John Eichmann
Chair, History Department
M.A. Social Sciences; M.A.T. Social Studies; B.S. History And Business Administration, Montclair State University
Ben Sinclair
Humanities Department
B.A. History, Montclair State University; New Jersey Teacher Certificate, Ramapo College
Dr. Jennifer Zinman
Dean of Students; Inclusion Coordinator; Chair, Science and Math Departments
M.A.T. Montclair State University; Ph.D. Mt. Sinai School Of Medicine; B.A. Columbia University
Kelly Ang
Coordinator for Professional Development; Science and Mathematics Departments
B.A. Portland University
Spencer Wight
Science Department
M.S. Education, Bank Street College of Education; B.A. Biology, Oberlin College
Egbert Chester
Science Department
B.S. Chemistry, London Metropolitan University
Nicolette Colella
Mathematics Department
B.S. Mathematics, The College Of New Jersey
Sean Orso
Mathematics Department
B.A. Mathematics, William Paterson University
Sister Patricia Stringer, OP
Mathematics Department
M.S. Telecommunications, Barry University; M.A. Mathematics and Industrial Education, Ball State University; B.A. Mathematics and Religious Studies, Caldwell University
Mark Beck
Mathematics Department; Registrar
M.A.T. Montclair State University; B.A. Finance, Elmhurst College
Nick DeToustain
French Teacher; World Language Department Chair
M.A. International Relations, MBA, Boston University; B.A. Mathematics And French, University Of Colorado
Damaris Herrera
World Languages Department
F. John Wilkes
World Languages Department
B.A. French, University of South Carolina
Megan Griffin
School Nurse
Registered Nurse
Diane Martin
Business Office Manager
Christine Del Pozzo
Executive Assistant to the Head Of School; Administrative Assistant To Upper School
Fiona Lake
Administrative Assistant for Middle and Lower Schools
Elizabeth Owen, OPA
Director of Crisis Management and Facilities; Technology Department
Kelly Reilly
Assistant Director of Admissions and Advancement
B.F.A. Art, Design and Technology, Parsons School of Design, The New School
Alex Smolar
Academy Custodian, Plant Manager
Patricia Feola
Academy Custodian