The staff of Elysian Charter School is proud of its commitment to the children and families of our community. Each member of the Elysian team brings a unique background that contributes to the depth and breadth of our instructional program. Many of our teachers have been with us since we opened our doors and several are not only educators, but parents of Elysian students and graduates. Our teachers, administrative assistants, paraprofessionals and lunch/recess/afterschool staff are the heart of the Elysian Charter School and we invite you to get know us.

Marisa Bianchi
Social WorkerMarisa Bianchi
Social Worker
Ashley Choate
First GradeAshley Choate
First GradeAshley Choate is a 1st Grade Teacher. She has been at Elysian since 2003.

Marisa Dolan
Fifth GradeMarisa Dolan
Fifth Grade
Angela Dunckley
KindergartenAngela Dunckley
KindergartenHi, my name is Angela Dunckley and I am one of the kindergarten teachers at Elysian. This is my 12th year at Elysian, but my 17th year teaching kindergarten. I love teaching kindergarten and love reading kids’ books. I have many favorites. The Adventures of Bumblebee Boy, Secret Pizza Party and The Great Lollipop Caper are just a few of the books I love to read with my class!

Johnny Dyer
RecessJohnny Dyer
Recess
Cristina Francisco
Third GradeCristina Francisco
Third Grade
Jennifer Ferreiro
RecessJennifer Ferreiro
Recess
Adam Froimowitz
Physical EducationAdam Froimowitz
Physical EducationAdam Froimowitz has been working at Elysian since 2013 as our Physical Education and Health Education teacher. He is also one of the basketball coaches here at Elysian and is a member of the school climate team. Before coming to Elysian Adam has worked at a school in Queens, NY where he taught Physical Education/Health Education for five years.

Shaquana Ferguson
Recess and Afterschool AideShaquana Ferguson
Recess and Afterschool Aide
Marlene Gay
NurseMarlene Gay
Nurse
Susan Gilbertson
Admin. Assistant Enrollment / Food Srv. DirectorSusan Gilbertson
Admin. Assistant Enrollment / Food Srv. DirectorSusan Gilbertson is the Enrollment Coordinator. She has been at Elysian since 1999.

Pam Gorode
Assistant Business ManagerPam Gorode
Assistant Business Manager
Susan Grierson
DirectorSusan Grierson
DirectorI have spent the last 25 years dedicated to developing student centered learning environments and positive school cultures that support and promote high expectations for every student and staff member. I am NYC born, raised and educated with degrees in education from Brooklyn College and CUNY. The goal of education at Elysian is to unlock each child’s potential so that they can discover the joy and wonder of learning.

Colleen Herlihy
4th GradeColleen Herlihy
4th Grade
Paige Hill
Teacher AidePaige Hill
Teacher Aide
Amanda Johnson
ParaprofessionalAmanda Johnson
ParaprofessionalAmanda Johnson is a Paraprofessional. She has been at Elysian since 2013.

Brenda Johnson
Breakfast and Lunch StaffBrenda Johnson
Breakfast and Lunch Staff
Abra Kessler
Second GradeAbra Kessler
Second GradeAbra Kessler has been a teacher at Elysian since 1998. Currently, she teaches 2nd grade. She has also taught 4th and 5th grades at Elysian. Abra has a bachelor's degree in English from Penn State University and a Master's degree in the Science of Education from The Bank Street College of Education.

Emily Killea
Fourth GradeEmily Killea
Fourth GradeEmily Killea is currently teaching Fourth Grade , and works at the Elysian summer camp program. Before joining Elysian, she spent time teaching Second Grade and Kindergarten. Emily graduated the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education and English Language with a minor in Psychology . She comes from a family of teachers with both of her sisters teaching in New Jersey as well! Go to's I don't want them because of fingers abandoned

Lynn Kluepfel
Special EducationLynn Kluepfel
Special EducationLynn Kluepfel is a Special Education Teacher. She has been at Elysian since 2004.

Adam Laden
7th GradeAdam Laden
7th Grade
Derrick Ladson
Creative Movement InstructorDerrick Ladson
Creative Movement InstructorDerrick Ladson has been with Elysian since 2002 as a Paraprofessional and now Creative Movement Instructor. Derrick has been teaching dance in Hoboken for several years at Multiple schools such as The Hudson School, Hola Charter School, Hoboken Charter High School, Stevens Coop School and Mile Square Theatre Dance Academy. Derrick has also taught dance for the City Of Hoboken’s Recreation Department.

Francine Ladson
Recess, Afterschool, Early Morning StaffFrancine Ladson
Recess, Afterschool, Early Morning StaffFrancine Ladson is the Supervisor for Early Morning Drop-off, Recess and Aftercare. She has been at Elysian since 2001.

Melissa Landera
Melissa LanderaMelissa Landera
Melissa LanderaMelissa Starrett Landera has been teaching at Elysian since 1997. She has taught kindergarten, first grade and currently teaches second grade. Melissa loves working on special projects with her class and taking them on fun trips. Recently, she's become an afterschool club leader which is lots of fun!

Samantha Leone
Special Education TeacherSamantha Leone
Special Education Teacher
Joshua Levitin
Music TeacherJoshua Levitin
Music Teacher
Josie Miguel
KindergartenJosie Miguel
Kindergarten
Darcy Minsky
Special EducationDarcy Minsky
Special EducationDarcy Minsky is a Special Education Teacher and the ED/CST Chair.

Shareza Mohammed
ParaprofessionalShareza Mohammed
ParaprofessionalShareza Mohammed is a Paraprofessional. She has been at Elysian since 2005.

Rosio Montayo
ParaprofessionalRosio Montayo
Paraprofessional
Diane Murray
Sixth GradeDiane Murray
Sixth GradeDiane Murray has been a teacher at Elysian since 1999. Currently, she teaches 6th grade math and science, directs the school plays, and is a member of the School Climate Team.

Mariana Peralta
Spanish TeacherMariana Peralta
Spanish Teacher
Odalys Pla
ParaprofessionalOdalys Pla
ParaprofessionalOdalys Pla is a Paraprofessional and Aftercare Aide. She has been at Elysian since 2005.

Gail Prusslin
Speech-Language SpecialistGail Prusslin
Speech-Language SpecialistGail Prusslin is the Speech Teacher. She has been at Elysian since 1998.

Monica Richard
7th and 8th Grade MathMonica Richard
7th and 8th Grade Math
Roberto Rosa
Paraprofessional/ Tech CoordinatorRoberto Rosa
Paraprofessional/ Tech CoordinatorRoberto Rosa III is a Paraprofessional and the Technology Coordinator, He has been at Elysian since 2012.

Alyssa Rosen
First GradeAlyssa Rosen
First GradeAlyssa Rosen is a 1st Grade Teacher. She has been at Elysian since 2007.

Deb Rosner
Administrative Assistant & Office ManagerDeb Rosner
Administrative Assistant & Office ManagerDeb Rosner is Elysian's Administrative Assistant since June of 2014. Deb became an Elysian parent when her child was in Kindergarten the first year the school opened. She happily volunteered as a class parent for multiple years. She became the PTSO's first president and then PTSO's treasurer up until her younger child graduated in 2013.

Willy Sanchez
RecessWilly Sanchez
Recess
Eric Schau
Middle School Science TeacherEric Schau
Middle School Science Teacher
Kim Scillia
NurseKim Scillia
Nurse
Jill Schifter
Art TeacherJill Schifter
Art Teacher
Ashley Shirazi
6th GradeAshley Shirazi
6th Grade
Lenore Silver
Special EducationLenore Silver
Special Education
Daisy Tavarez
Recess and AftercareDaisy Tavarez
Recess and Aftercare