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The Faculty of the Montclair Cooperative School

Head of School
 
 
SHELLEY BEDIK - Librarian
Shelley has been librarian at the Co-op for the past 6 years. She has a BS in education from UMass at Amherst and a masters in elementary education
from Bank Street College. Before working at the Co-op, Shelley was a staff developer for Bank Street, an editor at Scholastic Inc, and a teacher at various NYC private, progressive schools. I love thinking of activities to bring the books we share to life! "I spend most of my time with my family and enjoy sewing, knitting, and playing with my beloved dog, Bella.
 
BARBARA BENNETT - Nursery Teacher
Barbara studied business at the Dover Business College; she has previous experience working in the medical field. Barbara has worked at the Co-op since 1997. Barbara ran daycare center from her home for 15 years before coming to the coop.  "I enjoy spending my day with the children , nurturing them, and helping them to explore their world. When I am not in school I enjoy singing, crafting, and volunteering at various charitable organizations.
 
JUDY BEREZCKI - 8th grade homeroom and Upper School Theme Studies teacher
Judy has 28 years at the Coop; 2 years in a rural/suburban public high school as Humanities / Art teacher; 10 years in urban public elementary and junior high; 3 summers inner-city high school upward bound enrichment programs; 1 year Montclair HS's alternative Team School. "28 years - I started as a parent, became an assistant to my daughter's teacher, moved on to teach Science, art, 3rd/4th grade: all subjects; and, with the birth of the Upper.......READ MORE
 
Toure Weaver - Physical Education
Toure has taught at the Co-op for 6 years. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Toure is currently the JV soccer coach at Montclair High School.
 
Prita Moti - Administative Assistant
 
MARIE COLLINSON - Science / Grades 5 - 8
This is Marie’s fourth year teaching at the Co-op. She received an MA in English (writing) and an MA  in urban education from Jersey City State College. Before coming to the Co-op, Marie spent 21 years teaching high school and college English and 9 years teaching environmental and zoological education
 
ELAINE DUFFY - Learning Specialist
Elaine has taught at MCS for 23 years. She received a bachelor’s degree
from Caldwell College, undertook graduate studies in education at William Paterson University, and received her masters in communication sciences
and disorders from Montclair State College.from Caldwell College, undertook graduate studies in education at William Paterson University, and received her masters in...
 
PERRY MAIONE - Technology Teacher / Upper School Assistant
 
ROY CRAMER - MATH Teacher / Grades 7th & 8th
 
PATRICIA FOERG-SPITTEL - 3rd Grade
Trish has taught at MCS for 8 years. She received her bachelors from The College of The Holy Cross and her masters from Bank Street College of Education.
 
CINDY FURLONG - 4th Grade
 
HILARY FANDEL - PreKindergarten / Kindergarten Head Teacher
Hilary has taught at MCS for 13 years. Before that she taught for 4 years at the Playhouse Cooperative in West Orange, NJ. Hilary received her bachelors from Skidmore College and her masters from William Paterson University. "I have been teaching since 1991, first at Pleasantdale Elementary School in West Orange (2nd and 3rd grades), and then at the Playhouse Cooperative in West Orange.  I have been a Pre-K, a K, and a Pre-K/K Teacher at the Montclair Cooperative School since 1996.
 
JUDITH GRODNER - Head Tracher PreKindergarden - Kindergarden
Judith has been teaching at the Co-op for the past 4 years. Prior to that, she taught at P. S. 377 in Brooklyn, for 4 years. Judith graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, and is currently completing her Masters of Science in Education at Bank Street College. This is my ninth year teaching.  I taught for four years at P.S. 377 in Brooklyn, NY. This is my fifth year at the Coop. I graduated in 2001 from Sarah Lawrence College with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts.
 
DEBBIE HARNER - Art
This is Debbie’s 6th year teaching at the Co-op. Debbie is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts and a former Art Director of GQ.
 
DEBBIE KRAVITZ - Head Teacher Early Ages
This is Debbies 3rd year teaching at the Co-op. She received her BA and masters in education from Brooklyn College. Before coming to the Co-op,
Debbie taught for eight years at Union Congregational Nursery School. Prior to that, she taught in both public and private schools in Brooklyn. "I love the open endedness of my work with children. I think we're going to study one thing, and the children's interest lead me to a different avenue, a different learning, and I have to adapt and meet them where they are. I love that.
 
AMANDA MARCHESANI - Head Teacher 1st Grade
This is Amanda’s eighteenth year teaching, her sixth year teaching at the Co-op.  She received her bachelors in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from William Paterson University and her masters in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street. Amanda taught 2nd grade for 12 years in Teaneck Public Schools before coming to the Co-op. "Working with my First Graders allows me to experience the uniqueness and beauty of each child, every day through the sharing of ideas during our work and play. 
 
SUZANNE NAKAMURA - Language Arts / Grades 6 - 8
Suzanne has worked at MCS for 26 years. She received her bachelor of arts from Upsala College and her masters of liberal studies from Rutgers University.
 
CHRISTINE POSLUSZNY - 2nd Grade
Chris has worked at the Co-op for 24 years.  She received her bachelors of arts from Goddard College and her master’s degree in education from Bank Street College.
 
LINDA PREDMORE - Language Arts / Math / Grades 5 - 6
Linda has worked at MCS for 15 years.  She received her bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Kent State University.
 
SANDY MORRIS - Assistant teacher third grade
Sandy has been teaching for fiffteen years, forever... Ba Brandeis University (English Major) Teaching poetry to 8 and nine year olds is something that never gets old. I believe that in some respects children of this age are at one of the high points of their expressive lives. They are old enough to have some command of language and still young enough not to hold back on thoughts and feelings.
 
MARA NOVAK
 
LISA VIVINO
 
MARY WADE - Administration
 
ELIZABETH RIVERA - Spanish / Grades 2 - 8
This is Liz’s 5th year teaching at the Co-op.
 
MARISOL SANCHEZ - Spanish / Grades 1 - 2
 
ANN BISMAL
 
CATHERINE SWEENEY - Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
BFA from Syracuse University      Working with parents and being involved in committees.      I am an avid birder and a photographer.      "My children are in their 5th year at the Co-op, I have a son and a daughter attending."
 
DAWNE WEAVER- Art Teacher/ Grades 2 - 8
 
GAIL TESTA
 
HARRY CHAND - Maintenance
 
JENNIFER MAY
 
JANINE COPPOLA
 
KIM CEDENO - Upper School assistant/ Early childhood Spanish teacher
"Attended High Tech High School in North Bergen, NJ  Completed first year of college in Valencia Community College in Kissimmee, FL with a major in Education  Currently a senior Montclair State University with a major in Spanish ( graduating on May '10)"  "I enjoy being a part of both the lower school and the upper school. I have the opportunity to grow from my experiences with both age groups. I also enjoy being a part of the children's social time ( lunch hour, trips, school dances) because it allows me to see the kids in a different light." 
 
KAREN SMITH
 
NERMIN SOLIMAN
 
Michaela Glynn - Music / Grades 1 - 8
This is Michaela's second year as the Co-op's music teacher. Prior to becoming MCS's full-time music teacher, Michaelataught piano and voice in  the Co-op afterschool program. She studied music at Montclair State University.
   
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