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
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 ’11
Director of Crisis Management and Facilities; Technology Department
Kelly Reilly McCarthy ’11
Director of Marketing; Assistant Director of Admissions
B.F.A., Parsons School of Design
Spencer Vining
Director of Technology
M.S. Technology Management, Columbia University; B.A. Psychology, University of Virginia
Ximena Brittan Gunusen
Dr. Jennifer Zinman
Director of Inclusivity
M.A.T. Montclair State University; Ph.D. Mt. Sinai School Of Medicine; B.A. Columbia University
Mark Beck
Registrar
M.A.T. Montclair State University; B.A. Finance, Elmhurst College
LeeAnn Easterlin, CPA
Director of Financial Operations and Human Resources
B.S., Business Administration, Accounting, California State University Sacramento
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
Mona Gerdes
Chair, Arts Department
Mary Ryan Thornton
Lower School Co-Chair
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
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
Monika Rains
Kindergarten Aide
Ginny M. Mielke
Third Grade Teacher
Christine Zichelli
Lower School, Kindergarten Aide
Certified K-12 Substitute; A.S. In Business
Kate Bielitz
Lower School; Second Grade Teacher
Margaret Melore
Lower School Co-Chair
First Grade Teacher
B.A. Caldwell College
Alicia Chadha
Lower School, Second Grade
Tawana Clarrett
Fourth Grade Teacher
M.S. Teachers College, Columbia University, Organizational Leadership; M.S. Chestnut Hill College, Technology in Education; B.S. Temple University, Early Childhood & Elementary Education
Nicolette Fiorentino
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
Leigh Kesseler
Second Grade Teacher
B.S., Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Bloomsburg University
Pre K-6 Certification
Alexandra Giorgio
Arts Department; Creative Dramatics
Montclair State University, B.F.A in Theatre, Minor in Musical Theatre
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
Jessica Shoemaker
Athletic Director; Physical Education Department
History Teacher
Theresa Walsh Giarrusso
Interim Chair, English Department
English Teacher
NJ Teacher Certification K-12 in English Language Arts
Brittany McFarlane, OPA
English Department; Religion Department
B.A. English, Caldwell University; NJ Teacher Certification K-12 English
Sean Orso
Math Teacher
B.A., Mathematics, William Paterson University with a completion of the Social Sciences Track from the University Honors College
NJ Teacher Certification K-12 Mathematics.
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
Joseph Lombardo
English Teacher
B.A., Political Science, Providence College
M.A., Teaching, Rhode Island College
NJ Teacher Certification K-12 English and Social Studies
Victoria Roncero
English Teacher
Delaney Lima
Art Teacher, Arts Department
B.F.A. Illustration, School of Visual Arts
Susan Goldstein
Science Department
M.A., Secondary Education, Seton Hall University
B.A., Botany, with honors, Drew University
Certification NJ Teacher of Science K-12
Supervisor’s Certification, Montclair State University
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
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
Andrea Birnbaum
Photography Teacher; Art Department
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 Fiorentino
Mathematics Department
B.S. Mathematics, The College Of New Jersey
Elizabeth Genzale ’17
Physical Education Teacher
Volleyball Coach
B.A. Psychology, Caldwell University
Tracey Reed
B.A., Religious Studies, Felician 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
Axa Abreu
Barbara Landrevie
World Languages Department, French
Master in History, Paris IV Sorbonne
First Degree in Architecture, École Des Beaux-Arts De Paris
Megan Griffin
School Nurse
Registered Nurse
Renee Reso
Advancement Associate
Christine Del Pozzo
Executive Assistant to the Head Of School; Administrative Assistant To Upper School
Fiona Lake
Administrative Assistant for Middle and Lower Schools
Alex Smolar
Academy Custodian, Plant Manager
Patricia Feola
Academy Custodian