Meet new faculty and staff for 2021-2022

As we prepare for the new year, we are excited to announce several new members to the Stuart community:

EC & LOWER SCHOOL

Elizabeth Collins, Lower School STEM Specialist: We are excited to welcome Elizabeth back into the Stuart community in a new role.  Last year, Elizabeth served as a second grade teacher at Princeton Charter School after working as Heidi Echternacht’s co-teacher at Stuart in the 2019-20 academic year. Prior to coming to Stuart, Elizabeth was an assistant teacher at the Peck School for two years and was director of their after school program. Elizabeth has also taught internationally in China at the Shanghai World Language IB School. She holds a B.A. in English literature from Boston University. 

D’Anne Lewis, Lower School Counselor/School Psychologist: D’Anne comes to Stuart after serving as the counselor at Grace Church School in New York City for three years. She also served as a consultant and behavior specialist for Oliver Scholars for three years. She has a B.A. in sociology from SUNY Albany, an M.S. in education from CUNY Brooklyn, and an advanced certificate in school psychology from CUNY Brooklyn. She holds a national certification in school psychology. She will also teach a section of AP Psychology in the Upper School and work closely with Nikema Missouri on meeting the social-emotional needs of our girls. 

Amanda Rivenburgh, Lower School Learning Specialist: Amanda joins Stuart from Moorestown Friends School, where she has been serving as the Lower School Reading Specialist for the last two years. A graduate of MFS, Amanda also has been a second and fourth grade teacher at the school. She has had training in Wilson Reading, Reading and Writing Workshop, and the Responsive Classroom, among other P.D. experiences. Amanda has a B.A. in English from Franklin and Marshall, an M.A. in teaching from Sarah Lawrence, and a reading specialist certification from the University of Pennsylvania.

Juana Rosario, EC Lead Teacher: We’re pleased to welcome Juana back to our EC program after teaching here from 2018-2020. She has a master’s in early childhood and is a familiar, cherished face to our Stuart community. Her passion for educating our youngest members at Stuart next year will be exciting.

Jacqueline Silva, Part-Time Lower School Drama: Jacqueline is bubbling with enthusiasm to bring creative and dramatic expression to your students. She comes to us from the Hun School of Princeton and has been a theater teacher in youth centers and camps. She has a degree from Elon University in acting and a minor in teaching and learning.

 

MIDDLE AND UPPER SCHOOL

Dr. Brian Drury, Middle/Upper School Math Teacher: Brian is joining Stuart’s Mathematics Department after a successful 20-year career at Cherry Hill West High School. Prior to that, Brian taught for five years at Irvington High School and served as an adjunct professor of mathematics at Rowan University. Brian holds a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, an M.B.A. from Rutgers University, and an Ed.D. from Walden University. Aside from his successful teaching career, Brian was a member of his district’s Curriculum Writing Committee and Cultural Proficiency Committee.

Meghan Kocar, Upper School History Teacher: Meghan joins Stuart’s History Department from the Peddie School, where she has taught Sophomore Modern Global Studies and U.S. history for the last 11 years.  At Peddie, Meghan also served as a dorm parent. Prior to working at Peddie, Meghan served in the Peace Corps in Morocco. Meghan holds a B.A. in political science and economics from Loyola University in Maryland and an M.A. in international studies from the University of Washington.

Julie Ray, Middle School English: Julie will join the Middle School English faculty after taking time away to raise her family.  Previously, Julie was a Middle School English Teacher, Head of the English Curriculum Development Committee, and Team Leader at Bellingham Memorial Junior High School in Massachusetts. Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and secondary education from Bates College, a master's in special education from Columbia University, Teachers College, and has completed coursework at Harvard University for a Master's of Liberal Arts in English and American literature and language.  

Thomas Verni, Middle/Upper School Theology Teacher, Middle School Spanish, Liturgy Coordinator: Thomas joins us after teaching for 22 years at St. Basil’s Academy, an all-girls Catholic college preparatory high school in the Philadelphia region.  During his tenure in private secondary education, Tom has served in many roles, including department chair of the World Languages Department, Middle States Accreditation Chair, and teacher of theology, Latin, Spanish, Italian and philosophy. Tom has also been an adjunct professor of religious studies, philosophy and English at Manor College in Pennsylvania, where he has also served as Campus Ministry Coordinator. Tom holds a B.A. in the humanities and an M.A. in theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Connecticut.

Natalia Voicu, Upper School Chemistry: Natalia previously taught at St. Andrew Ukrainian School, Manhattan Business Academy, and Williamsburg Charter High School over the last 11 years. Natalia holds a Bachelor of Science from St. John's University and Masters in Data Analyses and Applied Social Research.  

STAFF

Diane Gigliotti, Assistant Director of Advancement Services and Executive Assistant: In her role, Diane will oversee Stuart's advancement and admissions databases, and provide administrative support to the Head of School and the Board of Trustees. Diane is joining us most recently from Princeton Day School where she served as the Upper School Administrative Assistant. Prior to her time at PDS, she worked in admissions at the University School of Nashville and in several roles at the Trinity School in New York City.  She is a graduate of The Hun School of Princeton and Muhlenberg College.

Deborah Koehler, Director of Library Services: Deborah joins Stuart after serving as the Library Media Specialist at Grey Nun Academy for four years. She also worked at Princeton Day School as their Lower School librarian and this past year served as the long-term substitute librarian in the Pennsbury School District in Pennsylvania.  Prior to her work in school libraries, Deborah has served as Human Resources Coordinator at the Lewis-Sigler Institute at Princeton University and as Administrative Officer for the School of Social Science at the Institute for Advanced Study. She holds a master’s in library sciences from Clarion University and a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from West Chester University.

Cynthia Michalak, Director of College Counseling: Cindy joins Stuart after spending the last seven years as Associate Director of College Counseling at Princeton Day School.  Prior to PDS, Cindy worked in the Princeton University Admission Office as an Admission Officer before being promoted to Assistant Director of Admission. Cindy holds a B.A. in art and archaeology from Princeton University and an M.S.Ed. in higher education from the University of Pennsylvania where her research interests included college athletic recruiting practices and college affordability. 

Miss Harmon Snow ‘97, Assistant Director of the Stuart Fund and Alumnae Engagement: Miss Harmon Snow '97 will be returning to Stuart as the Assistant Director of the Stuart Fund and Alumnae Engagement, where she will play a critical role in building our philanthropic and engagement opportunities. Ms. Snow joins Stuart from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, where she has served as a Program Associate since 2008. A passionate advocate for Stuart, Ms. Snow has served on the Stuart Alumnae Board since 2019, where she launched and currently serves as co-chair of the Black Affinity Group. She holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Rider University and an M.B.A. from Rutgers University. 

Ashley Chiarello Stewart, Associate Director of Leadership Giving: Ms. Ashley Chiarello Stewart joins the Stuart community as the Associate Director of Leadership Giving, where she will lead our leadership giving and stewardship program. Ms. Stewart joins us having served in a variety of development and engagement roles, including the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America and American Cancer Society, where she partnered with donors and volunteers to drive philanthropic giving, developed innovative engagement programs, and led strategic events. Ms. Stewart holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Villanova University and a professional certificate in event management from George Washington University.