Park Street Academy preschool in Montclair, New Jersey, prides itself on having a professional faculty that facilitates learning using a positive, multi-modal and hands-on approach. Our Team Teachers are NJ State Certified in Early Childhood or maintain a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. All remain current with teaching methodologies by participating in continuing education courses and seminars.
Each teaching team works together to provide an exciting learning experience in all the content areas for our students. While each teacher has his/her own style, the goal is always to develop self-esteem and love of learning.
Directors
Lisa Raphael
Director
Lisa is the Owner and Director of Park Street Academy, founding the school in July 1996. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and is New Jersey State Certified in Special, Elementary & Early Childhood Education, through William Paterson University. Lisa is also a certified Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner. She earned her National Administrator Credential from the National Child Care Association (NCCA) and is a member of the Learning and the Brain Society, the National Autism Association, the Association of Supervision of Curriculum & Development (ASCD) and the American Camp Association. In 2015, Lisa became a member and certified instructor with New Jersey Workforce, a statewide initiative implementing systems to enhance preparation and continuing education of early childhood and afterschool practitioners. She is a recognized Child Development Associate (CDA) instructor and Professional Development Specialist with the National Council for Professional Recognition. Lisa has earned her advanced certification as a Nurtured Heart Approach Certified Trainer. As Lisa’s first love is being in the classroom, she teaches PSA’s Fine Arts and Sign Language classes to our Pre-K and Kindergarten students.
Sandy Weber
Business Director
Sandy joined PSA in 2000 after years in the fields of women’s health administration, small business management, general medical administration, family planning research and community organizing. She has worked as the Coordinator of Outpatient OB/GYN services at Kings County Hospital Center and as the Director of the Community Family Planning Council’s Mobile Clinic program in the boroughs of New York City. Sandy has a Bachelor of Science degree in Social work from Adelphi University and a Master of Public Health degree from Columbia University, where her focus was women’s and children’s health.
Christine O’Gara Mazzacca
Assistant Director / Freshman Team Teacher
Christine earned her BA in Fine Art from Montclair State University and has over 25 years of experience working with young children. After working with us as a freshman teacher from 2006-2010, she then worked at the Newark Museum running programs for children and families. Christine also served as the Assistant Director of a daycare in Florham Park and was Assistant Director of Nemnet Minority Recruitment, a national teacher recruitment agency. Fortunately, Christine rejoined our Freshman team in 2015 and as of 2020, holds a dual role as a teacher and Assistant Director, applying her exceptional administrative and organization skills for the benefit of the school.
Freshman Team Teachers
Alexa Davis
Freshman Team Teacher / Summer Camp Director
Alexa has been a vital member of the PSA staff since 2000 when she became a teacher on our Freshman team. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. She created and taught for more than 20 years, several of our afternoon clubs, including Kids’ Café before passing those torches on to other staff. Now, when not with the Freshmen, Miss Alexa can be found planning, organizing, and directing our spectacular summer camp program. One only has to see her lead camp “spirit days” to know that “we’ve got spirit, yes we do!!”
Brianne Gerne
Freshman Team Teacher / Professional Development Coordinator
The unflappable Miss Brianne joined our Freshman team in 2001 after attending Montclair State University and the Nursing Program at Mountainside Hospital. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Currently, she attends Essex County Community College toward an Associate’s degree in Social Sciences, after which she will pursue her Bachelor’s degree in Education. As our Professional Development Coordinator, Brianne connects our faculty to opportunities to maintain continuing education credits and to stay current on new research and techniques in early education. She also conducts orientation and training for new staff.
Christine O’Gara Mazzacca
Assistant Director / Freshman Team Teacher
See bio in Directors’ section.
Freshman Support Staff
Lenka Schoonfield
Freshman Team Support
Lenka became part of the PSA family in 2020 as an afternoon teacher, before shifting to the Freshman team in 2021. She was an Assistant Teacher at the Early Learning Center in Fairfield, NJ, for 22 years, where she gained a wealth of experience and skills. We are thrilled that she was ready for a change, becoming a full-time, beloved member of our Freshman class. She is now working toward her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, which she will complete in spring 2025. Lenka “speaks Freshman!”
Christina Miltner
Freshman Team Support
Christina is a student at Rutgers University where she majors in Criminal Justice. She will graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in 2025. She joined our afternoon team in September 2020 and quickly became an integral member of our support staff. She is found with the Freshman class almost every afternoon. The skills she gained as a former coach in the North Arlington Recreational Cheer program have been put to good use as is the assistant teacher in our afternoon Gymnastics enrichment classes!
Grace Acheson
Freshman Team Support
A native of Billings, Montana, Grace is a Senior at Montclair State University where she is a psychology major, minoring in Family Science and Human Development. Therefore, she is a natural fit to teach Wiz Kids, our Wednesday afternoon science club. When she’s not teaching our children to make lava lamps or leading them in static electricity experiments, Grace can be found assisting the Freshman class. As a true jack-of-all-trades, she also assists Miss Sabrina in prepping and leading the Friday afternoon Kids Café club!
Morgan Lee
Freshman Team Support
What could be better than having a preschool alumni return to work at PSA?! A Montclair Kimberly Academy graduate, Morgan Is spending a semester with us before entering college at New York University where she plans to major in Media, Culture, & Communications. Morgan has worked as a babysitter for a local family and tutored elementary school children in reading and math at Kumon in Bloomfield, NJ. We are thrilled to have her here!
Emilio Calle
Freshman Team Support
A Freshman at Bergen County Community College, Emilio is majoring in finance and expects to continue his education at a four-year college. Prior to joining us in October 2024, he worked as an assistant soccer coach and ref at Just One Soccer in Newark for children under 6 years. Working around their college schedules, Emilio and Diego, below, split their afternoon position in the Freshman class. The kids love their energy and enjoy climbing on them like playground equipment!
Diego Merced
Freshman Team Support
Joining us in the fall of 2024, Diego is a Freshman at Fairleigh Dickinson University studying accounting. He has experience as an afterschool and summer camp counselor at Boys Town, in Kearny, NJ, where he assisted Kindergarteners with homework and recreational activities. He shares his afternoon position with Emilio, above. They are both Freshman favorites!
Sophomore West Team Teachers
Amanda Rooney
Sophomore West Team Teacher
Originally joining PSA as a Senior South Team Teacher in early 2021, Amanda joined the Sophomore West team in July 2023. She has been an early childhood educator since 2005, teaching special education, Kindergarten, and 1st and 2nd grades, in several private schools and public-school districts. In addition, Amanda was the Center Director at Kiddie Academy in Florham Park for over three years. She holds a BA in Spanish with a Business minor from the College of Saint Elizabeth and has a K-8 Teaching Certification from Caldwell University. Amanda has the perfect touch for this young 3s class, rounding out a fantastic team!
Jessica Juhrden
Sophomore West Team Teacher / Social Media Manager
Joining us in summer 2021, Miss Jess realized her love of teaching while participating in a Future Educators of America program in high school, through which she led sports, science, art, and literacy activities for elementary school children. She holds an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Passaic County Community College and a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Jess has worked with disabled children at the Roberto Clemente School in Passaic and was a Lead Teacher at Lightbridge Academy in Millburn. In addition to team teaching in Sophomore West, Jess teaches Make & Take, our weekly arts & crafts club, and she is responsible for creating our adorable and often hilarious social media posts on Instagram and Facebook. Check them out at Park Street Academy Montclair!
Rebecca (Becky) Bastien
Sophomore West Team Teacher
Becky joined PSA in 2022, immediately becoming a critical member of the Sophomore West team. She has worked with young children since she was 16, including positions as a Lead Teacher at the Goddard School in West Orange and The Learning Experience in South Orange. Previously she was an Assistant Teacher in the preschool at the Maplewood YMCA for ten years. She will complete her BA in Early Childhood Education Administration at Purdue University (online) in 2025. Becky loves and excels at teaching art to her students!
Sophomore West Support Staff
Naomi Gilmore
Sophomore West Team Support
It’s always joyful when a PSA alum grows up and joins the PSA staff, so when Naomi Gilmore asked to work here in the afternoons, we couldn’t have been happier! Not only did Naomi attend PSA, but she also did her middle school community service internship here several years ago. Now a Senior at Montclair High School, Naomi is a natural in our Sophomore West class. She said that being with the kids “brightens her day!” and she definitely brightens PSA.
Nashya Lane-Reese
Sophomore West Team Support
Joining us in October 2024, Nashaya is a student at Union County College where she is studying Health Science with plans to become a Respiratory Therapist. She worked at the Geyer and Park Street YMCAs, as a counselor in their after-school and summer camp programs. She also worked at Charles H. Bullock School in their aftercare program. Nashaya has an infectious smile and personality to match!
Sophomore East Team Teachers
Lisa Howard (aka “the other Miss Lisa”)
Sophomore East Team Teacher
Originally joining the PSA family as a parent, Lisa holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Pace University and had twenty years of experience working in finance and managing computer information systems prior to making a career change. Fortunately for us, it became clear that her heart and passion were in early childhood education. Lisa earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and joined our faculty in 2005.
Sabrina Hodgson
Sophomore East Team Teacher
Sabrina attended County College of Morris and Montclair State University, majoring in Early Childhood Development. She was a head teacher at Executive Kids in Cedar Grove for three years and holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. After working in our summer program, we drafted Sabrina into our permanent staff as a Sophomore Team Teacher in 2016. Sabrina is responsible for planning and teaching Kids’ Café, our super popular cooking club on Friday afternoons.
Daniela Wahlers
Sophomore East Team Teacher
Daniela joined our afternoon team in 2020 and has been a member of the Sophomore East Team since September 2022. She has an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education & Family Studies from the County College of Morris, as well as a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Prior to PSA, Daniela was a teaching assistant at First Mountain Preschool in West Orange and a camp counselor in the West Orange Summer Recreation Program. We are grateful Daniela brings her spirit and energy to PSA.
Sophomore East Support Staff
Ayanna Brantley
Sophomore East Support
Ayanna originally joined us as part of her Senior Option internship through Montclair High School in the spring of 2022. She was so terrific, we hired her as a full-time summer camp counselor. She now attends Montclair State University where she is majoring in Exercise Science. You can find her helping in the Sophomore East class most afternoons. She loves fitness and basketball and is a natural to assist in our afternoon Martial Arts and Super Sports enrichment classes!
Abigail Maldondo
Sophomore East Support
The second oldest of nine children, Abigail came to us in early 2024 with home-grown management skills! She is a student at Montclair State University, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She has experience as a Behavioral Technician for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and has worked as a substitute teacher for children Pre-K to second grade in Essex County schools. Abigail is proficient in Spanish and Serbian. Although listed here as a member of the Sophomore East Support team, Abigail spends time in both Sophomore West and the Freshman class. She also teaches weekly Spanish classes to our Senior classes.
Catalina Pisciotta
Sophomore East Support
A senior at Montclair State University, Miss Cat is majoring in psychology with a minor in education. She coached Youth 5 and 6 Cheerleading for four years and worked as a counselor in multiple summer camps. Cat is a volunteer at Brain Builders, providing behavioral therapy support to kids with autism spectrum disorder. She is an important member of the Sophomore East support staff, and also helps out in the Senior South class, when needed.
Senior South Team Teachers
Carmel Mansfield
Senior South Team Teacher
Carmel was born in Southern Ireland, County Tipperary, and moved to the United States as a teenager. Employed as a nanny for a Montclair family for twenty years, she later attended Dover Business College and received her Patient Care Technician certification for nursing. Fortunately for us, Carmel redirected her career to early childhood education and earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential before bringing her Irish wit and wisdom, and incredible creativity, to the Senior South team in 2017.
Maya Roberts
Senior South Team Teacher
A Montclair native, Maya joined our afternoon staff in September 2021. After attending Teachers College of New Jersey (TCNJ), studying Early Childhood Education and English, she transferred to Montclair State University where she is a part-time student pursuing a Bachelors in Family Science and Human Development. She will earn her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential in the fall of 2024. With her experience as a substitute teacher in each of our classes, and as the teacher for Book Crew, our afternoon literature club, Maya has earned her place as a Team Teacher in Senior South. Her easy-going nature is loved by students and staff alike.
Dhara Vaishnav
Senior South Team Teacher
Dhara joined us in the fall of 2024, after working at MMO preschool in Montclair, first as an assistant teacher, and for two years as a Lead Teacher. Dhara has a Bachelor’s degree from Montclair State University, where she majored in Justice Studies with a concentration in Justice and Families. She also has a Paralegal Certificate from Ramapo College. Lucky for us, her career path took a turn to early childhood education. Dhara will begin work on her CDA credential in the spring of 2025. Fun facts: In her spare time, Dhara is a wedding coordinator with a specialty in planning South Asian weddings, and studies semi-classical Bollywood dance! We are thrilled to have her on the Senior South team!
Senior South Support Staff
Karenna Azcona
Senior South Support
Karenna joined our support staff in the spring of 2024. She has completed her first two years of college at Montclair State University after graduating from Cicely Tyson Performing & Fine Arts High School, She has had administrative experience in two small businesses, and has proven to be a natural working with young children!
Guadalupe Coahuilas
Senior South Support
A student at Essex County Community College, Guadalupe is in the nursing program studying to be an LPN. She joined our support staff in the fall of 2024. She worked as an Activity Assistant at St. Joseph’s Senior Home in Woodbridge, where she planned, organized, and led activities for senior residents. She Is a wonderful addition to our afternoon team.
Senior North Team Teachers
Rose Marie Petrucelli
Senior North Team Teacher
“Miss Ro” graduated from Kean University with a BA in Early Childhood Education and has been a preschool educator since 1980. Prior to joining PSA’s Senior North Team in 2011, she was a teacher and director at Suburban Hills School, a teacher and director at the Essex County Child Care Center, and a preschool teacher in the Totowa and Caldwell public school systems. Miss Ro has expertise in teaching, management and curriculum development. She also has boundless energy and a creative spirit!
Kathy Elker
Senior North Team Teacher
Kathy joined PSA in 2007 as a Senior North Team Teacher and maintains a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked in the medical field for 30 years at St. Barnabas Medical Center as well as for several private physicians. She graduated from Lyons Institute of Technology with a certification as a medical assistant. Kathy is our in-house “go to” for all things medical!
Inuka Ivaska
Senior North Team Teacher
Inuka Ivaska became a Team Teacher in the Senior North team in September 2023, having joined us the year prior as a support team member and substitute teacher. A graduate of Duquesne University, she has a Bachelor of Arts in journalism. Inuka combined her passion for theatre with her love of children, working with numerous regional and off-Broadway theater companies, performing all over the world. Her work with Dance.Laugh.Learn. gave her the opportunity to bring yoga, music, and dance to children in New York City schools, so naturally, we enlisted her to teach our Thursday afternoon Performing Arts club! Inuka’s teaching experience includes working as an Assistant and Lead Teacher in several early childhood programs including Lightbridge Academy and Mighty Sprouts Montessori. She has her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and has taken numerous classes toward a Master’s in Early Childhood Education. We are delighted that Inuka has brough her many talents to PSA!
Senior North Support Staff:
Farahnaz Gerayeli
Senior North Team Support
An accomplished dentist in Iran and Germany, Farahnaz worked with children and adults, including providing school-based dental care to disabled children through the German public health service. Following her grown children to the U.S. where she is a permanent resident, Farahnaz moved to Montclair in 2021. Fortunately for us, she loves young kids, so we were thrilled to welcome her to our Senior North afternoon team in 2022.
Kaila Holmes
Senior North Team Support
Kaila joined our support team in September 2024. A graduate of Cicely Tyson School of Performing Arts, she completed her junior year at Rutgers University, where she majored in Social Work with a Social Justice minor. Kaila worked in retail and has been teaching dance to 5–6-year-olds at the Rising Stars Summer Camp in Newark, NJ, since 2018. She is a great addition to our Senior North staff.
Jezely Yanes
Senior North Team Support
New to PSA, Jezely joined our support team in November 2024. She is a student at Hudson County Community College where she’s studying Early Childhood Education. She has extensive experience as an in-home caretaker for young children.
And last but not least…
Maria Pena Batista
Custodian
Being responsible for the cleaning and sanitizing of a preschool is no small task anytime, let alone when she joined us at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. A native of the Dominican Republic, Miss Maria worked for several years as a Home Health Aide. She joined us in July 2020 and ensures that our facility and its contents are clean and safe. She knows all the children and loves to lend a hand to the Seniors during Fine Arts classes. Maria does an exceptional job, and we are grateful to have her in the PSA family!
