Meet Our Staff

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.

Lauren Barker — Lauren Barker
Fifth Grade Teacher

Lauren Barker recently moved to Hoboken from Connecticut where she has taught third and fourth grade. She is excited to be working with fifth graders at Elysian.

Ashley Choate
First Grade

Ashley Choate is a 1st Grade Teacher. She has been at Elysian since 2003.

Diane DeSombre
School Nurse

Diane DeSombre, RN is our School Nurse. She has been at Elysian since 2002.

Marisa Dolan
Fifth Grade

Tara Dublanica
Social Worker

Angela — Angela Dunckley
Kindergarten

Hi, 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
Recess

Cristina Francisco
Third Grade

Adam Froimowitz
Physical Education

Adam 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 Aide

Susan Gilbertson
Admin. Assistant Enrollment / Food Srv. Director

Susan Gilbertson is the Enrollment Coordinator. She has been at Elysian since 1999.

Pam Gorode
Assistant Business Manager

Susan Grierson
Director

I 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 Grade

Paige Hill
Teacher Aide

Diane Jackson
Lunch Staff

Amanda Johnson
Paraprofessional

Amanda Johnson is a Paraprofessional. She has been at Elysian since 2013.

Brenda Johnson
Breakfast and Lunch Staff

Abra Kessler
Second Grade

Abra 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 — Emily Killea
Fourth Grade

Emily 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 Education

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

Adam Laden
7th Grade

Derrick Ladson
Creative Movement Instructor

Derrick 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 Staff

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

Melissa Landera
Melissa Landera

Melissa 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 Teacher

Joshua Levitin
Music Teacher

Robert Maltese
Maintenance

Robert Maltese is the Facilities Manager. He has been at Elysian since 2015.

Josie Miguel
Kindergarten

Darcy Minsky
Special Education

Darcy Minsky is a Special Education Teacher and the ED/CST Chair.

Shareza Mohammed
Paraprofessional

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

Rosio Montayo
Paraprofessional

Diane Murray
Sixth Grade

Diane 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.

Jessica Nieves
6th Grade Leave Replacement

Mariana Peralta
Spanish Teacher

Bernadette Pinto
Business Manager

Odalys Pla
Paraprofessional

Odalys Pla is a Paraprofessional and Aftercare Aide. She has been at Elysian since 2005.

Gail Prusslin
Speech-Language Specialist

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

Monica Richard
7th and 8th Grade Math

rosa — Roberto Rosa
Paraprofessional/ Tech Coordinator

Roberto Rosa III is a Paraprofessional and the Technology Coordinator, He has been at Elysian since 2012.

Alyssa Rosen
First Grade

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

Deb Rosner
Administrative Assistant & Office Manager

Deb 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
Recess

Eric Schau
Middle School Science Teacher

Jill Schifter
Art Teacher

Ashley Shirazi
6th Grade

Lenore Silver
Special Education

Daisy Tavarez
Recess and Aftercare

Lakeisha Thomas
Teacher Aide

Alexander Tedesco
8th Grade