CHAZ FREEMAN
Teacher and Adjunct Professor
Chaz Freeman has been working in Education for over 15 Years as an educator, tutor, and coach. Originally from Ohio, he has taught in public schools in Western Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and Central New Jersey regions. He is also an adjunct professor at Mercer County Community College. He has a Master's in English and Creative Writing (SNHU). Specializing in writing and literature, Chaz Freeman looks to provide educational opportunities for parents and students who desire to improve their skill as a writer.
LINDA HELLER
Elementary and Special Education Teacher
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Linda has been educating students for over 25 years with experience in the high school assisting special education students in their general education classes. Linda demonstrates empathy when tailoring her lessons to individual learning styles. She has also written a study skills curriculum to help students with organizational skills, test taking strategies, and time management skills with a focus on academic skills needed for college.
STUART WEXLER
Masters in Political Science from Rutgers University on fellowship.
Stuart Wexler is a 15 year, award-winning veteran social studies teacher who has taught every grade level, and every type of student, in subjects ranging from Intro to World Religion to Intro to Philosophy to Advanced Placement Government and Politics. He specializes in modern American history and government, and has written four books, that are presently, in aggregate, available in over 2000 libraries across the globe including at Oxford and at Harvard. His teaching won him the prestigious James Madison Memorial Fellowship, representing New Jersey in 2010. Under his guidance, Hightstown High School's Advanced Placement Government and Politics students from 2015-2020 drafted a bill, the Civil Rights Cold Case Records and Collection Act-- that was signed into federal law. For his efforts, the class was recognized on the floor of the United States Senate, by the New Jersey state legislature, on the front page of the Washington Post, and a feature on the class even won an Emmy!
Wexler believes deeply in developing skills, including writing, and not just an understanding of content. His own historical research and writing have been featured in The Washington Post, Newsweek, Haaretz and the Daily Beast. His books have earned prestigious starred reviews from Publisher's Weekly. He has also mentored students in critical thinking, research and oral communication as the 14-year head coach of the Hightstown High School Forensic Debate team, winning a championship as recently as 2018.
INESSA VACCARO
School, Mental Health, and College and Career Counselor
Masters in Counseling, Certified in Student Assistance Counseling, Nationally Certified Counselor, Licensed Practicing Counselor, Certified Holistic Health Coach.
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Inessa has worked as a counselor in outpatient, in-home, residential, and school settings with a diverse group of people ranging in ages 12- 99. Areas of expertise involve mental health counseling (with a variety of diagnoses), LGBT, pregnancy and postpartum, adolescents, at-risk populations, college and career planning, family issues, and groups.
PATRICIA TAITT
Teacher and Mentor
Masters in English Language Arts Education (K-12)
Certified in English as a Second Language and TEFL
Public Speaking Instructor and College & Career Coach
A former historian and digital archivist, Patricia Taitt has worked as a teacher, professor, and mentor for six years in secondary and higher education. She is passionate about teaching students how to strengthen their speaking and writing skills for every sphere: college, corporate, and creative. Patricia also cares deeply about empowering students of color with conversations about self-advocacy, leadership, and community.
ERIK PETRUSHUN
English Teacher, Public Speaking Instructor, and Drama Coach
Baccalaureate in English Education; Certified to teach Secondary English Education, General Elementary Education, and High School Theatre Arts.
For over two decades, Erik Petrushun has held leadership and training roles both within the public school setting and within the global corporate environment.
Incorporating into his educator approach a full-range of humanities-minded concepts, Erik's particular areas of educational expertise include analytical process writing, data-heavy report construction, storytelling (both written and verbal), thesis crafting, textual analysis (fictional and technical), and creating meaningful & engaging presentations.
EFRAIN MONTERROSO
Board Member of Community Outreach and Fundraising
Ed.M. in Education Policy and Analysis
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Currently he works at the National Education Association (NEA) as a Campaign and Elections Specialist. Prior to his current role he was a high school Spanish teacher, Co-chair of the Mercer County Education Association Legislative Action Team, NEA Chair of the Congressional Contact Committee, NEA Member of Color Organizer, Education International Research, Policy, and Advocacy Intern, Director of the Rise Summer Academic Enrichment Program amongst other roles.
His work in the non-profit sector focused on the summer learning gap, program development, fundraising and grant management.
As an active NEA member/intern/employee, his work has focused on engaging educators in the work of the association to empower them to use their voice to improve the quality and experience of those within the education system through policy and elections.
His research at the Harvard Graduate School of Education focuses on issues affecting the teacher workforce with an emphasis on the teacher shortage crisis, ICT implementation, and ESP.
https://sites.google.com/view/efrain-m-monterroso/my-philosophy
KAYLA MCLAUGHLIN
Social-Emotional Learning Consultant and English Teacher
Masters Degree in Secondary Education (English), Certified in Social-Emotional Learning and Character Development, Certified Yoga Teacher
Kayla has worked in education for over 10 years as a teacher, professor, and mentor. She takes a critical consciousness approach to teaching and works with students and their families to develop individual plans based on students academic and social-emotional needs. She seeks to empower students to be the best version of themselves and reach their version of success.
GLORIA LEE
Teacher and Mentor
Gloria holds a Master's Degree in Education from Rutgers GSE. She has worked with mostly teens and believes that each student deserves personalized support to reach their dreams. She's highly experienced in SAT tutoring, and she can create a passion for learning in even the most apathetic learner!
WILLIAM KAMPS
History/Social Studies Teacher
Masters in History (Certified in 7-12 Social Studies)
William has been educating students in public, private, and virtual institutions for over 15 years. He has developed and instituted a variety of Social Studies curricula and courses in that time, seeking to develop material and approaches that meet students on their interest level, while promoting active community engagement and student passion for the wider world. William has also spearheaded peer leadership and education opportunities over the last several years through the Center for Supportive Schools, and seeks to help students recognize their individual potential and capabilities while developing interpersonal and communication skills that serve to benefit themselves and those around them.
CATHY JOHNSON
National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Registered Nurse, Certified Diabetes Educator
Cathy is committed to creating partnerships focused on concerns relating to lasting health and wellness. Together, she and her client will maintain a positive and non-judgmental focus on goals to increase overall health and wellness. Cathy will encourage self-directed learning while providing support to both student and family.
ALLISON HOEFENER
English and English as a Second Language Teacher
Bachelor's Degree in English Secondary Education. Minor in Linguistics. Certified in English as a Second Language and TEFL.
Allison's work in education spans ten years as a high school teacher, summer program counselor and administrator, and coach. Her background in linguistics and Spanish along with her love of travel and cultural exchange led her to volunteer with WorldTeach, teaching English in Ecuador. She has a passion for making written work clear, concise, and creative.
CASANDRA FOX
English teacher and Mentor
Casandra has worked for 16 years as a high school English teacher, club advisor, and mentor. Her skills include motivation and strategic goal setting, creating and maintaining a personalized organizational system, and writing instruction. Casandra can provide individualized writing coaching for claim/thesis composition, persuasive writing, college application essays, and AP test prep.
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Casandra uses a relationship centered approach to help students find and reach their full potential.
KELSEY COLLINS
Teacher and Mentor
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Kelsey has a Bachelor of Arts in English Secondary Education from The College of New Jersey. She has been a high school English teacher and club advisor for the last three years. She also has experiencing working with both teenagers and young children as the coordinator of the teen volunteer and children's reading programs at a public library for two years.
Kelsey believes that all students deserve personalized support to help them realize their goals. She wants to empower students by helping them find their voice and explore their interests. She is not only passionate about helping students with their reading and writing skills, but also their communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
MATT DURSTEWITZ
Mathematics Teacher and Coach
Matt has been teaching high school mathematics for over 10 years including Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Precalculus and Calculus. Matt has also taught English Language Learners in Algebra 1 and Algebra 2.
During his time in education, Matt spent 12 years coaching the Boys Basketball team and 9 years coaching the Boys Track team.
While he no longer works as a coach, allowing him to spend more time with his family, Matt instills the qualities needed for successful athletes such as personal accountability, hard work, and resilience on his students. Matt believes that each student has the ability to be successful if they work hard and seek assistance when needed.
LILLIAN FIORE
Elementary and Basic Skills Teacher
Certification in Elementary Education, Bachelor in Business Administration
Lillian is a dedicated and enthusiastic educator who has worked in the educational environment for the past 13 years, specializing in elementary education. Her practice puts a strong emphasis on reaching the whole child, academically, emotionally, behaviorally, and socially. She is passionate about working with children and supporting them as they strive to reach their full potential. With her business background, Lillian is highly skilled in areas of time management, organization and communication.
MARION FRIEDMAN
Teacher and Adjunct Professor
Masters Degrees in Teaching & Educational Leadership, Certified in Social-Emotional Learning and Character Development. Certified Yoga Instructor
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Areas of expertise include: College writing, goal-setting, communication skills, interpersonal skills, valid and reliable research practices, critical thinking, time management, organizational skills, group dynamics and collaboration, education and career path planning.
ELLEN SCHUPAK
Mathematics Teacher
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Ellen has been teaching math at Hightstown High School for 15 years. Prior to this, she taught for 8 years in Ukraine. Ellen teachers: Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry. She has also taught those courses to English Language Learners.
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She is fluent in Russian and Ukrainian. She is passionate about teaching students how to strengthen their math knowledge.
MEET OUR TEAM
Experts in the Field
MELISSA BELGIRA
Teacher and Mentor
Melissa has worked in education for almost a decade as an English teacher, summer communications teacher, tutor, and mentor in a variety of settings. Her expertise includes crafting sustainable organizational strategies to help others in their personal and academic lives, strengthening interpersonal skills, and teaching others to express themselves thoughtfully and deliberately in both speaking and writing. She aims to collaborate with students to create individualized plans that foster motivation through their interests, build self-regulation skills, and offer opportunities for creative and meaningful endeavors.
TYLER ZANDOMENEGO
Science Teacher
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biological Sciences, Certified in Biological Sciences 6-12
Tyler is a high school Biology and Anatomy & Physiology teacher. He has taught many science classes at the high school level, including Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Marine Biology. Throughout his experience as an educator, he has worked with students from a multitude of diverse backgrounds and is extremely passionate about teamwork and acceptance.