Meet new faculty and staff for 2026-2027!

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: 

ADMINISTRATIVE 

Danica Fisher (Director of the NCGLS) brings a rich depth of experience in leadership development, belonging, and the empowerment of young women to this role. Most recently, she has served as Dean of Inclusion and Belonging at St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, DE, where she sat on the senior administrative team and advises the head of school on strategic initiatives. She designs and teaches leadership curriculum across grade levels, leads school-wide programming centered on student leadership, identity, and community, and collaborates across divisions and administrative offices to strengthen school culture and provide holistic support for student success. Prior to St. Andrew’s, Dr. Fisher served as Graduate School Assistant Dean for Diversity and Title IX Coordinator at Yale University from 2021-2022, where she led efforts to increase the recruitment and retention of students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. She also served as Director of Summer Sessions at the University of California, Davis, from 2017 to 2021, where she oversaw a program enrolling 14,000 students, generating $25 million in revenue, and achieving record enrollment growth under her leadership.

Dr. Fisher holds a Doctor of Philosophy in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies from Emory University, a Master of Arts in English from Temple University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Spelman College. She also holds a certificate in school management and leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education and Harvard Business School. Dr. Fisher’s career reflects a deep commitment to developing the whole student through curriculum, community, and intentional relationships that deepen learning and open doors for the next generation of female leaders. We look forward to her bringing that same spirit to Stuart.

EARLY & LOWER SCHOOL

Fayza Aly (Second Grade Teacher) is a dedicated elementary educator with a deep passion for fostering both academic and emotional growth in young learners. Ms. Aly holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Rutgers University and brings over a decade of teaching experience within private schools. She currently holds a standard New Jersey teaching certificate with a K-6 elementary education. Her classroom is a nurturing sanctuary where every child feels seen, valued, and inspired to learn. Ms. Aly has successfully designed vibrant, foundational curricula that transform complex concepts into engaging, accessible lessons, consistently boosting second-grade students' literacy and critical thinking skills for four years. She is truly excited to bring her supportive approach, instructional expertise, and caring energy to a collaborative new school community.

Annie Gatziolis (Early School Assistant Teacher) is a pediatric speech-language pathologist who is excited to return to the classroom after 20 years, having previously taught kindergarten. She has spent the last 15 years working in a variety of pediatric clinical settings, where she loved finding creative ways to help children reach their communication goals. Ms. Gatziolis is passionate about creating language-rich environments, multisensory learning, and read-alouds. She is thrilled to be working in the Early School alongside Ms. Rosario. Ms. Gatziolis earned a B.A. in English and sociology from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Rush University in Chicago.

Ilyssa Kaplan (Lower School Counselor) joins Stuart as the Lower School counselor after spending the last six years at The Brearley School, an all-girls, K-12 independent school on the Upper East Side of New York City. She holds a Bachelor of Science in biobehavioral health from Penn State University, University Park, as well as a master’s in school psychology and a doctorate in school-clinical psychology from Pace University in Manhattan. Dr. Kaplan has worked with individuals across the lifespan in both inpatient and outpatient hospitals, community mental health clinics, and private and public schools. She also has a private practice where she treats children, teens and young adults with a wide variety of mood and anxiety disorders. Dr. Kaplan is excited to work alongside the team here at Stuart to provide short-term counseling to students, as well as consultations for parents and teachers on social-emotional and behavioral interventions.

Saima Kazmi (Lower School Art Teacher) brings nearly two decades of teaching experience spanning the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and the United States. She returns to Princeton after 11 years as an art instructor at United World College South East Asia in Singapore, where she taught drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, and digital and mixed media. Before that, she was an adjunct professor of communication design at Pratt Institute in New York, where she also completed her M.S. in communications design.

"Every child is an artist," Picasso once said. Saima has built her teaching life around that belief. She believes that the art room is one of the most powerful spaces in a school — a place where every student discovers the courage to begin without knowing where it will end, and to be genuinely surprised by where her ideas can go. She is deeply committed to building a studio community at Stuart where curiosity is celebrated, creativity is inquiry, and every girl is recognized as the artist she already is.

Scott Hubbard (Lower School Physical Education and Upper School Cross Country & Track Coach) joins our Lower School faculty as the physical education teacher and the Upper School athletics program as the cross country and track coach. Mr. Hubbard holds a B.S. in exercise science from Rowan University, where he assisted the research faculty on several studies and presented the team's findings at the national conference of the American College of Sports Medicine. An accomplished athlete as well as a scholar, Mr. Hubbard earned All-Region honors and multiple conference championships at Rowan, and he broke a school record in the mile that had stood for 27 years. He recently completed an internship with Princeton University's track and field program, where he learned the ins and outs of running a high-level team. Mr. Hubbard is excited to build Stuart's cross country and track program into a winning team, share his love of the sport with student-athletes, and model healthy, positive habits for our youngest Lower School students.

MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL

Kate Baker ‘08 (Upper School Dean of Students) returns to Stuart after many years working within the Sacred Heart Network. Most recently, Kate served as the Dean of Students in the Upper School at Convent of the Sacred Heart in New York City, where she also taught English. Prior to living in New York, Ms. Baker worked at Schools of the Sacred Heart, San Francisco, where she was an associate dean and English teacher. She has chosen a career that is built on the Goals and Criteria, and she is excited to continue to dedicate herself to Sacred Heart, all-girls education. In addition to her time in the classroom, Ms. Baker has coached field hockey, basketball, track, cross country, and rowing. She learned to row in college where she competed on the Princeton women’s crew team. She played field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse in her time at Stuart. Ms. Baker holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Princeton University and a master’s degree in education from Cambridge University. 

Holli Chopra (Upper School Math Teacher) joins our Upper School mathematics faculty. Ms. Chopra brings a remarkable depth of mathematical knowledge, holding both an M.A. in mathematics from the University of California, Davis, and an M.S. in mathematics from New York University, as well as a B.A. in astronomy. She has taught AP-level math at Kent Place School, led college-level courses at UC Davis, and spent years working with students one-on-one as a tutor. Her background reflects both her command of high-level mathematics and her deeply personalized approach to teaching. It was her time at Kent Place that showed her firsthand the transformative power of an all-girls education. She is also deeply involved in service, sitting on the board of directors of a local animal rescue organization and spending countless hours engaged in hands-on work with shelter animals. Ms. Chopra brings her expertise in math and her dedication to service to our Stuart community. 

Caty Cooper (Middle and Upper School Music Teacher and Choral Director) joins the Stuart community after nine years at the School of the Holy Child in Rye, New York, where she primarily served as Director of Arts and Upper School Vocal Music Teacher. During her time at Holy Child, she directed choirs, theatrical productions, and liturgical music, developed arts curriculum, served as Director of Diversity Initiatives, and mentored students both in and beyond the classroom as a leader of advisory and peer mentor programming. Prior to her time at Holy Child, Mrs. Cooper spent five years teaching music and theater in Orange County, California, at Mission Basilica School and is a proud product of K-12 Catholic education. Mrs. Cooper holds a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Music in choral conducting from San Diego State University. At Stuart, she teaches Middle and Upper School music, directs choral ensembles, and music directs theatrical productions. She is passionate about creating joyful, inclusive classrooms where students grow in confidence, discover their voices, and experience the joy of making music together in community. Outside of school, Mrs. Cooper enjoys training for triathlons and camping with her husband and their dog, Leila.

Katherine Ham (Upper School English Leave Replacement) joins Stuart’s Upper School English faculty as a maternity leave replacement. New to the area, Katherine has taught high school English at all levels in Vermont and New York. She holds a B.A. in creative writing from Hollins University, an M.A.T. in secondary English education from New York University, and spends her summers at the Middlebury Bread Loaf School of English working towards her M.A. in English. Ms. Ham is a creative and passionate educator whose love of literature and learning is clear in everything she does in and outside of the classroom. Having attended a women’s university for her undergraduate degree, she is especially excited about teaching at an all girls school. 

Kevin Kamp (Upper School Science Teacher) joins our Upper School faculty as a physics teacher. Mr. Kamp comes to us most recently from Lawrence High School and brings experience teaching physics at all levels, including AP Physics C, along with a deep commitment to interdisciplinary STEM education. A natural community builder, Mr. Kamp has served as a school spirit advisor, assistant golf coach, and track and field coach, and comes to us with experience as a robotics mentor. He holds a B.A. in integrated educational studies from Chapman University with minors in physics and leadership studies.

Emily Laura Thompson (Upper School Math Teacher) also joins our Upper School mathematics faculty. Ms. Thompson is an educator whose love of mathematics is matched only by her passion for making it accessible and engaging for every learner. She holds a B.S. in mathematics from The College of New Jersey, where she also self-designed a second major in literature and performing arts, a combination that speaks to the kind of creative, cross-disciplinary thinker she brings to our classrooms. Ms. Thompson has taught at Phillipsburg High School and served as an instructor for Johns Hopkins University's Center for Talented Youth, working with highly gifted students in courses exploring mathematics through a philosophical lens.

STAFF

Tia Clark (Administrative Coordinator to the Office of Mission & Ministry) joins Stuart after five years as learning support teacher and DEIB coordinator at EF Academy International Boarding High School in Westchester, New York. In these roles, she has advocated for students with diverse learning needs while helping foster a school culture where students feel seen, supported, respected, and empowered to succeed. As a proud Bronx, New York native, Ms. Clark brings a diverse professional background and a wealth of experiences to her work in education. Before discovering where her passion truly aligned, she explored several fields, including serving as an analyst with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, working as an executive assistant to the CEO and general counsel of a leading New York City carpet and furniture company, and working as a mosaic art curator. Each experience contributed to the perspective, adaptability, and people-centered approach she brings to her work today. Ms. Clark earned her Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice with a minor in psychology and later completed her master’s degree in sociology. Her academic journey includes studies at Lincoln University (Oxford, PA), John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and Lehman College. Her journey into education reflects more than a career change—it represents the discovery of a calling. Through every professional chapter, Ms. Clark found herself drawn closer to work centered on people, connection, advocacy, and opportunity.

Courtney da Silva (Athletic Trainer) joins Stuart Athletics as a certified and licensed athletic trainer who also holds an Orthopedic Physician Extender Certification. She was previously working as an injury prevention specialist for Delta Airlines at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, NY. Prior to that, Ms. da Silva was the athletic trainer for Notre Dame High School in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. She holds a Bachelor of Science in athletic training along with a Master of Science in athletic training-advanced clinical practice from East Stroudsburg University. She also holds a Master of Science in sports management from Long Island University, where she competed on their Division I acrobatics and tumbling team. Ms. da Silva is excited to work with female athletes and give them the support they need to be the healthiest athletes they can be. 

Colleen Fallon (Director of Campus Auxiliary Services) joined Stuart in August 2026 after eight years with ESF Camps & Experiences, where she most recently served as Regional Director. In that role, she oversaw the recruitment, onboarding, and professional development of more than 200 seasonal staff annually while leading all aspects of site operations, including budgeting, transportation, safety compliance, community engagement, and program logistics. Before joining ESF, Ms. Fallon lived in South Korea, where she taught elementary school. Upon returning, she taught first and third grade in the Bronx. Ms. Fallon earned both her Bachelor of Science in childhood education and her Master of Science in students with disabilities from Manhattan University.

Alicia Fruscione ‘98 (Advancement Services Coordinator) returns to the Advancement Office at Stuart where she previously worked for almost a decade. Alicia most recently served the Sacred Heart mission at Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart, where she held roles of religion educator, Coordinator of Spiritual Life, Director of Secondary School Placement, and Director of Enrollment during her four-year tenure. Ms. Fruscione was a lifer at Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart before attending Princeton University where she received her degree in religion. She went on to receive master’s degrees from Boston College in pastoral ministry and counseling psychology, and completed graduate coursework in both educational administration and early childhood education. During Ms. Fruscione’s previous 15 years at Stuart, she served in many capacities both within the classroom and in administration. In her 20th year as a Sacred Heart educator, Ms. Fruscione is happy to return “home” to Stuart where she will continue to advance both the school’s and the Society’s missions.

Not Pictured

Hilary Gehman (Chief of Staff) joins Stuart as chief of staff, coming to Stuart most recently from Share My Meals, where she served as regional operations associate, managing daily operations for the Mercer County Meal Recovery Program. A two-time U.S. Olympian in rowing who competed at the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Games, Ms. Gehman spent nine years with the Princeton National Rowing Association, first as events manager directing full logistics for major regattas at Mercer Lake, including the NCAA and IRA National Championships, and later as director of Mercer Rowing Programs, where she oversaw more than 180 junior athletes and led hiring for the coaching staff. She also served seven years as Cornell University's Staley Head Coach of Women's Rowing, guiding the program to an Ivy League silver medal in 2012, its best result since 1990, and its first-ever NCAA Championship invitation. Since 2014, Ms. Gehman has also worked as a college counseling associate with Sparks Consulting, guiding student-athletes and their families through the college recruiting process. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and classical civilization from Colby College.

Ariel Jenkins (Marketing Assistant) returns to Stuart as a marketing assistant. She comes to Stuart from Georgetown University, where she earned her degree in Women and Gender Studies and closed out her basketball career with All-Big East Honorable Mention honors, ranking first in the Big East and top 10 nationally in rebounding. She continued her playing career professionally with the Kilsyth Cobras in Australia's NBL1, where she also built brand and media experience through partnerships, and live radio interviews. She's excited to be back at Stuart, bringing her love of the school to her work on the marketing team.