Meet new faculty and staff for 2025-2026!

As we near the first day of school, we are excited to introduce an exceptional cohort of new faculty and staff who bring a wealth and breadth of experience to our community. These are passionate educators who believe in our Sacred Heart mission and bring with them a zeal for educating and empowering young women in an environment designed just for them. Please join us in welcoming these new members of the Stuart community: 

LEADERSHIP 

Chelsea Moran joins Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart as Director of Athletics, bringing more than 15 years of experience coaching high school athletes and building championship-level programs at all-girls Catholic schools. A dynamic leader with a dual focus on athletic excellence and holistic student development, Ms. Moran is deeply committed to the values of Sacred Heart education and the transformational power of sports. Ms. Moran most recently served at Trinity Hall in Tinton Falls, NJ, where she was head coach of cross country and track & field and a STEM teacher. At Trinity Hall, she also served on the executive committee for Shore Track Coaches, organized league meets, helped develop a strength and conditioning program, and supported the recruitment of student-athletes to Division I programs. Prior to her time at Trinity Hall, Ms. Moran was the humanities department chair and head cross country and track coach at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda, MD—Stuart’s sister school and fellow member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools. In addition to overseeing faculty hiring and professional growth, she led Middle and Upper School teams to county and league titles.

A former NCAA national championship qualifier and Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the North Eastern Conference, Ms. Moran was team captain in cross country and track at Quinnipiac University. Her career reflects the best of what Stuart seeks to inspire in its student-athletes: discipline, determination, academic integrity, and leadership. Ms. Moran is known for her ability to build strong relationships, push student-athletes to achieve their full potential, and elevate athletic programs through thoughtful strategy and unwavering support. Her vision for Stuart Athletics includes expanding student participation, enhancing the profile of the program, and ensuring athletics remains a vibrant complement to the school’s academic and mission-driven goals.

Marianne O’Grady brings a global perspective and a deep-rooted commitment to service and equity in education to her role as Head of Early and Lower Schools at Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart. With a distinguished career spanning independent school classrooms, international development, and educational leadership, Marianne is known for her thoughtful, mission-driven approach to building inclusive, student-centered learning communities. Her career began as an elementary school teacher in independent schools, including her role as a founding faculty member at San Francisco Friends School. She later transitioned into international educational leadership, training teachers and principals through Afghanistan’s Ministry of Education and leading global early childhood education programs for humanitarian organizations such as Save the Children and CARE International. Her work focused on increasing access to quality education for girls and young children in fragile and conflict-affected regions—efforts that have earned her recognition as an expert in education in emergencies and policy reform.

Upon returning to the U.S., Ms. O’Grady served as Director of Lower School at Acera School in Winchester, MA, and the role of Vice Principal and Principal of Grades 3–5 at Florida Ruffin Ridley School in Brookline, MA. Ms. O’Grady holds both a Bachelor and Master of Science in Early Childhood Development and maintains multiple teaching and leadership certifications in Massachusetts and California. Her educational philosophy is deeply aligned with Stuart’s Sacred Heart mission—centered on respect for the dignity of each child, collaboration with families, and the belief that every child should be empowered to take an active role in their learning.

LOWER SCHOOL

Terry Hetzel joins us as the Fawns (1s/2s) Lead Teacher. Terry has over 26 years experience in early childhood education. Most recently, Terry taught at The Lawrenceville School Children's Center, where she was the Lead Teacher in the infant room and then the Lead Pre-K teacher and Assistant Director. Prior to Lawrenceville, Terry was an Associate Teacher in kindergarten at the Newtown Friends School in Bucks County PA. Terry is trained in the Reading and Writing Project through The Teachers College at Columbia University, as well as the Wilson Fundations Word Study Program. In addition, she is certified in Singapore Math for Pre-K and Responsive Classroom techniques. Most recently, she was trained in STEAM at World Learning. Terry is a member of NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children). Terry believes "you need to meet the children where they are and create a loving, play-based classroom where children can learn and explore at their own pace." Terry is very excited to be a part of the Stuart community and especially to be a part of the 1 - 2 year old program in Early School for its inaugural year!

Jamie Eischeid, Assistant Teacher for the Bunnies (3s) and Butterflies (JK) classrooms. Jamie comes to Stuart from a long career in Early Childhood Education, most recently from the Lawrenceville Presbyterian Preschool, Princeton YWCA Child Development Center, and the Princeton YWCA English Readiness Program at Valley Road School. She has a bachelor’s in human services and is trained in Handwriting Without Tears and The Creative Curriculum. Jamie is delighted to be at Stuart and its enchanting campus. She is looking forward to leading with love and working closely with Juana Rosario and Madhuri Khemka. She is taking some time to be an assistant after a career as lead teacher, so she can spend more time cheering on her growing athletic sons. Mrs. Eischeid loves being in nature, cooking and playing with her dog, Shiloh, more time with her growing sons and attend their games before they head off to university.

Mahi Pitchaiah is Stuart’s new assistant in the Fawns classroom working alongside Ms. Hetzel.  She joins Stuart from Greatstart Early Learning in South Plainfield where she also served as an assistant teacher for 8 yrs. She holds a B.A. in education from Delhi University and an M.A. in literature from Madras University in India.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Jonathan Hove joins Stuart as our new fifth and sixth grade English teacher after spending the last four years at St. Mary Academy in Manahawkin where he served as English teacher, computer science teacher, and technology specialist. Previous to St. Mary’s, Mr. Hove worked in the Stafford school district. Mr. Hove holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies from Stockton University. He is excited to bring his knowledge and passion for literature and writing to Stuart.

Luz Rodriguez is joining us to teach Spanish for grades 7, 8 and 9. Luz holds a bachelor's degree from the Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey in her native Mexico and a master's degree in communication and marketing from ESERP Business and Law School in Barcelona, Spain, where she lived and studied while pursuing her degree. Her professional background includes a role with the Ministry of the Economy of Mexico, which allowed her to travel extensively throughout her home country, as well as a visit to Asia. She also worked as an entrepreneur, helping clients improve their external communications and public relations strategies. Luz is a vocal advocate against animal abuse and is passionate about the arts. Luz serves on the Board of the Ponce Project Music Foundation, advancing Latin American classical music worldwide. She is excited to bring her love for her native language and Latin culture to Stuart, and to teach Spanish in a practical and enjoyable way to these young citizens of the world.

UPPER SCHOOL

Deonne Carter will serve as the Middle and Upper School counselor while Ms. Ezra is on maternity leave during the first trimester. Ms. Carter holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from East Carolina University and a Master of Arts in counseling psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Prior to Stuart, Ms. Carter has been a mental health therapist with Lava Counseling.  She will be a familiar face for many Stuart students as she has supported our counseling department in the past and looks forward to her joining us this fall. 

Elizabeth McDonald will serve as our Upper School biology teacher after relocating from Pittsburgh this summer.  Ms. McDonald had been teaching STEM at Shady Side Academy there and had previously taught at Upper School Science at Moravia Central School in New York.  She holds her Bachelor of Science in biological sciences from Cornell University and her Master of Science in biology and science education from Syracuse University. As a trained marine biologist, she is looking forward to being closer to the ocean, and she is excited to share her knowledge with her students.

Kathia Monard-Weissman is joining Stuart Country Day School as a Spanish language and culture teacher. She holds a Ph.D. in international and development education from the University of Pittsburgh. Supported by a Fulbright Scholarship, she pursued a Master of Education at the University of Pittsburgh. In Ecuador, her country of origin, Kathia taught Spanish to international students studying a semester abroad. She has conducted research on ways educational programs that center on service can foster students' active citizenship. Prior to coming to Stuart, Kathia was a peace educator at the Peace Center in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. In that role, she facilitated programs focusing on bullying prevention, social and emotional intelligence and diversity, equity and inclusion in K-12 schools. She is thrilled to be back in the classroom to teach Spanish and to empower girls as caring global citizens.