New Faculty and Staff

Pingry Welcomes

New Faculty and Staff

KIMBERLY ADY GABRIEL BEHRINGER MARIBEL BLAS-RANGEL MEGAN BULL

Kimberly Ady, Middle and Upper School German Teacher, has taught combinations of languages during her career: French, German, and Yorùbá at Nerinx Hall High School in St. Louis; German at Yorba Linda High School in California; French, Spanish, and ELL at Ramona Convent Secondary School in California; and French and German at Park Ridge High School. She received a B.A. in French from Carleton College, an M.A. in African Studies/Anthropology from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, and an M.A. in French from the University of California Santa Barbara. Ms. Ady also has an A.B.D. in Doctoral Research from the University of Bayreuth, Germany.

Gabriel Behringer, Upper School English Teacher, has taught Upper School English at five different independent schools, most recently at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School. Across these institutions, he has served as advisor, class dean, dorm parent, and faculty advisor to a school newspaper. While teaching at The Salisbury School, he coached soccer, crew, and whitewater kayaking. He received a B.A., cum laude, from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and an M.A. in Liberal Studies from Dartmouth College.

Maribel Blas-Rangel, Assistant Director of DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging), has worked at Cranbrook Schools in Michigan as a French and Spanish teacher and DEI Coordinator for the Upper School. Prior to Cranbrook, Ms. Blas-Rangel worked at the Loomis Chaffee School in Connecticut in a similar capacity. In addition, she has worked for several years with the Cranbrook Horizons-Upward Bound program, which aims to support first-generation and low-income students from the Detroit Metropolitan area in their goal of entering and succeeding in post-secondary education. Ms. Blas-Rangel double majored in Psychology and French at Kalamazoo College and received an M.S.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.

Megan Bull, Middle and Upper School Permanent Substitute Teacher and Head Coach of the Boys’ Varsity Swimming Team, joins Pingry full-time this year after serving as a substitute teacher and swim coach last school year. She has held several positions as a swim coach and lifeguard. Ms. Bull received a B.A. in History, with a minor in Sociology, from the College of William & Mary, where she was an award-winning, record-setting member of the Women’s Varsity Swimming Team.

Breanna Bundschuh, Lower School Nurse, is a Registered Nurse who has served as an Emergency Medical Technician with the Florham Park Memorial First Aid Squad since 2012. She has also worked at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in the Neuro-Surgical/Seizure-Epilepsy and Intensive Care Units, and as Director of Critical Care for the Intensive Care Unit and Coronary Critical Care. Ms. Feith has received The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, as well as the Nurse Leadership Achievement Award. She attended Seton Hall University’s College of Nursing and received a Master’s of Nursing in Nurse Executive Leadership and Healthcare Administration from Grand Canyon University.

Hope Coppinger, Assistant Director of Communications, Internal Strategy, has worked in communications at College of Saint Elizabeth (now Saint Elizabeth University), Stevens Institute of Technology, and Drew University; each role had a

DR. THOMAS L. DIMITRY BREANNA BUNDSCHUH

RYAN DOLAN HOPE COPPINGER

NAOMI FRANÇOIS JOHN DIGIORGIO

KATIE GARDNER

different focus, such as a capital campaign, admissions, and annual fund. She has also worked for the Schiff Natural Lands Trust and done freelance communications for the College of Saint Rose. Ms. Coppinger received a B.A. in English from Skidmore College, an M.A. in Education from Tufts University, and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts.

John DiGiorgio, Big Blue Summer Camp Director, currently works as a Special Education Teacher for the Fair Lawn Public Schools. At Fair Lawn, he was also Principal of the Extended School Year Program (which he helped build from 40 students to over 200), as well as a football and lacrosse coach. He has also been Catering Manager for the Barclays/Northern Trust Golf Tournament. Mr. DiGiorgio received a degree in American History from Ramapo College, a degree in Special Education from William Paterson University, and a Master’s in Administration from Seton Hall University. He is grateful to his colleagues for helping create a smooth transition to the Pingry community.

Dr. Thomas L. Dimitry, School Counselor, previously worked as a School Psychologist for the Hackensack Board of Education; an Outpatient Clinician for Newton Memorial Hospital; Director of an NCAA Division I Sport Psychology Program at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Clinical Supervisor at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Center for Psychological Services; and a Clinical Psychologist in private practice, specializing in work with children and adolescents. Dr. Dimitry received a B.S. in Finance and Marketing from Syracuse University, and an M.A. in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Ryan Dolan, Facilities Technician, worked in warehouse operations and logistics for WorldPAC, a distributor of original equipment automotive parts, and Carrick Harvest, LLC, as well as customer service for Good Chemistry, quality assurance for Digital Precision Imaging, Inc., and distribution for Dish Network. He attended the Lee County Adult Education Center.

Naomi François, Upper School English Teacher, has developed a reputation for using storytelling to illuminate concepts that might seem mundane or confusing. Prior to Pingry, she was a High School Faculty Fellow at Wesleyan School in Georgia, planning lessons to foster a love of reading and comprehension of literary concepts. She has held other positions that involved SAT coaching, creating lesson plans for SAT tutors, and training SAT tutors. Ms. François received a B.A. in Religion and Africana Studies from Williams College and an M.A. in Religion from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.

Katie Gardner, Individual Philanthropic Advisor, spent five years with the Institutional Advancement team at Cardozo School of Law (the law school of Yeshiva University), with roles including Administrative Assistant, Leadership Gifts Officer, and Associate Director of Alumni Affairs. Mrs. Gardner is a “proud graduate” of Fairfield University and recently served as President of the university’s New York City Chapter, one of several regional chapters for alumni engagement. She and her husband, Nick, are now residents of Morristown, NJ and are excited to be part of the Pingry community.

SANDHYA GHANTA MEGAN HILLIARD DR. LISA IEVERS MARITZA IRIZARRY

KEITH KARSEN JONATHAN KELLY

Sandhya Ghanta, Lower School Math Specialist, joins Pingry after serving for three years as a math specialist and coach at the Inspired Teaching Demonstration School in Washington, D.C. Previously, she spent five years teaching Grade 4 both at Inspired Teaching Demonstration School and at Democracy Prep Congress Heights also in Washington, D.C. Miss Ghanta received a B.A. in Mathematics Statistics, with minors in Secondary Education and Sociology, from Wake Forest University. She later earned a Dual Masters of Education in Elementary Education and Special Education from Lesley University. In between her degrees, Miss Ghanta worked with City Year Greater Philadelphia (an Americorps organization) before joining Urban Teachers, a teacher residency program in Washington, D.C.

Megan Hilliard, Upper School English Teacher, joins Pingry from the Bentley School in California, where she taught high school English and served as Assistant Dean of Student Life, Faculty Advisor to Student Government and the yearbook, School Photographer, and 10th Grade English curriculum Team Lead. Prior to Bentley, Ms. Hilliard was a Volunteer Tutor at President Kennedy School in the U.K. and taught Summer School at her elementary school. Ms. Hilliard earned a B.F.A. in Photography, with honors, at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, but decided to pursue being an educator, and she later received a master’s degree in English Literature, with Merit, from the University of Warwick.

Dr. Lisa Ievers, Upper School Math Teacher, has taught high school math (algebra, geometry, trigonometry) in addition to a variety of philosophy courses as a college professor. She comes to Pingry from Morristown Beard School, where she taught Upper School math for four years. Previously, Dr. Ievers taught in the Department of Philosophy at Georgetown University and Auburn University. She received a B.A. in Mathematics and a B.A. in Philosophy, magna cum laude, from Bucknell University, and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Johns Hopkins University.

Maritza Irizarry, Assistant Director of Data Services for Advancement Services, comes to Pingry with experience that bridges both finance and education. At Pingry, she has expanded her commitment to the community as Assistant Coach for Middle School Robotics and Co-Advisor for the Multi-Racial Affinity Group - students. Prior to her role as Assistant Vice President at Bank of America Merrill, she served as Administrative Assistant to the Principal at Regis High School; Assistant to the Admissions & Advancement Directors for All Saints Episcopal Day School; Ex-Officio Board Member & Webmaster for the Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School Parents Association; Ex-Officio Board Member for Música de Camara; and Council Member & Chairperson of After School Activities at the Parents League of New York. Ms. Irizarry graduated with Honors from Saint John’s University, receiving a B.S. and an M.B.A. in Finance.

Keith Karsen, Assistant Director of Middle School Athletics and an Upper School Financial Literacy Teacher, joins Pingry full-time this year after working in Operations and serving as wrestling coach for three years. He previously worked as a P.E. Teacher and baseball coach for 20 years and head wrestling coach for 12 years at DePaul Catholic High School. He also owned and operated Wrestling Plus for nearly 20 years. Mr. Karsen received a B.A. in Sociology from Duke University and a Master of Exercise Science and Physical Education, with a concentration in Athletic Administration and Coaching, from Montclair State University.

Jonathan Kelly, Upper School English Teacher, thrives on “working with students to foster a deeper appreciation for language and the power that it can provide us as individuals and as a society.” Prior to Pingry, he was a teacher, the Library Director, and an Admissions Officer at Delbarton School, and helped design and develop the new library building, St. Benedict Hall. Mr. Kelly received a bachelor’s degree from

MICHAEL KENNEDY JOE KINNEY P ’15, ’18 SUE KINNEY P ’15, ’18 DR. STERLING KOURI

Fairleigh Dickinson University, and master’s degrees in Library Science and English, from Rutgers University and Arizona State University, respectively. He is pursuing of a Doctor of Letters in Creative Writing at Drew University.

Michael Kennedy, Operations Officer, joins Pingry full-time after serving as a lacrosse coach since 2019. He is a freelance digital and graphic designer, and photographer, who has held other positions as an art director and coach. Mr. Kennedy received a B.F.A. in Visual Communications from Kean University.

Joe Kinney P ’15, ’18, Middle and Upper School Permanent Substitute Teacher and Coach, has spent most of his career coaching baseball, first as Assistant Coach at the U.S. Naval Academy for seven years and then as Head Coach at Lafayette College for 21 years. Most recently, he worked as Program Coordinator and Facility Manager for 3STEP Sports, the largest youth sport event and club operator in the country. He is married to Sue Kinney, who returned to Pingry as Co-Director of College Counseling after previously serving as a College Counselor, and their daughters Annelise and Alexis graduated from Pingry in 2015 and 2018, respectively. Mr. Kinney received a B.A. in Economics and an M.A. in Secondary Education and Teaching from Lehigh University. Dr. Sterling Kouri, Middle and Upper School French Teacher, served as a French Lecturer for four years at the University of Pennsylvania, a French teacher for three years at Loomis Chaffee School, and a Middle and Upper School French Teacher at The Brearley School. He received a B.A. from Johns Hopkins University and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in French and Francophone Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.

Christopher Kulesza, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach, comes to Pingry from Saint Joseph’s High School, where he served as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach from 2017–2020. Prior to that, he worked for Monmouth University’s Strength and Conditioning Program. He describes his biggest career achievement as “returning to my alma mater high school to create the strength and conditioning program for all students and athletes . . . I went there with a dream and made it a reality for three years.” Mr. Kulesza received a B.S. in Exercise Science from Sacred Heart University.

Josh Lyons, Middle School Math Teacher, has been teaching for over 20 years and previously taught middle school math and served as Curricular Chair at The Willow School. His additional background in middle school math includes Princeton Day School, Punahou School in Hawaii, and an International Baccalaureate World School, Le Jardin Academy, in Hawaii. Before teaching middle school, Mr. Lyons was a secondary math teacher at the Assets School in Honolulu, and at Winston Preparatory School and M413 School of the Future, both in New York City. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bryant College (now University) and a Master of Arts from NYU’s Steinhardt School of Education.

Sue Kinney P ’15, ’18 has returned to Pingry as Co-Director of College Counseling after previously serving as a Pingry college counselor for 12 years (2007–2019)—most recently as Associate Director of College Counseling. She spent the past three years as an Associate Director of College Counseling at Phillips Academy Andover. Mrs. Kinney is married to Joe Kinney, who joined Pingry as a Permanent Substitute Teacher and Coach, and their daughters, Annelise and Alexis, graduated from Pingry in 2015 and 2018, respectively. She received a B.A. in Psychology and Business from The Pennsylvania State University and an M.A. in Teaching from Montclair State University.

CHRISTOPHER KULESZA JOSH LYONS

COLEEN MARTIN

ROBERT MELENDEZ

AHMAD NICHOLSON KELLY MAUGER

AMRITA MINHAS

EDWIN NÚÑEZ Coleen Martin, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, joins Pingry after nine years as Director of Communications and a social studies teacher at Oratory Prep in Summit. Prior to her time at Oratory Prep, she taught social studies and coached volleyball and softball at DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne; she is proud to have twice been named “Coach of the Year” in Passaic County for volleyball. Mrs. Martin received a B.A. in History from St. Elizabeth University and an M.Ed. from the University of Phoenix.

Kelly Mauger, Upper School Math Teacher, worked for 12 years at Morristown Beard School (MBS), where she taught courses that ranged from Algebra 1 through AP Calculus AB, helped develop the integrated math curriculum, and co-led the mentoring program for new teachers. She also co-authored, with another member of the MBS Math Department, the internal Integrated Math 3 textbook. Prior to MBS, Ms. Mauger was a founding teacher at a public school in New York City and taught there for three years. She received a B.A. in Mathematics from Drew University and an M.A. in Mathematics Education from NYU.

Robert Melendez, Groundskeeper, has worked as a General Construction Laborer for Lima Contracting and received a diploma from David Brearley High School.

Amrita Minhas, Individual Philanthropic Advisor, has worked for JBWS (formerly Jersey Battered Women’s Services), the Greater Somerset County YMCA, Catholic Charities of Baltimore, and Amnesty International USA. She has served as a board member on the Somerset Hills YMCA Togetherhood Social Responsibility Committee and currently sits on Amnesty International USA’s Board Nominating Committee. Ms. Minhas received a B.A. in Psychology, with concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience, from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an M.A. in Global Affairs and Human Security from the University of Baltimore.

Ahmad Nicholson, Assistant Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Success, brings to Pingry a background in education, sports, and project management, as well as advanced training in NCAA Division I Compliance, Sports Leadership, and Restorative Practices. He previously worked as Student Athlete Services/Compliance Coordinator at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Dean of Students at Universal Companies/YouthBuild Philadelphia, and Project Manager for the State of Delaware, Wilmington. Ahmad has also been a college advisor and coached boys and men’s basketball. He received a B.S. from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and an M.B.A. with honors from Wilmington University.

Edwin Núñez, Director of Enrollment Management, has a record of managing significant enrollment growth, developing strategic programs, and identifying new enrollment sources. He previously worked at Hebron Academy, an independent, coeducational day and boarding school for Grades 6–12 in Maine, where he has worked twice. Most recently, he served as Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management. Previously at Hebron, Mr. Núñez was Director of Admissions

and Financial Aid—achieving a record number of new students and revamping the admissions strategy—and Director of International Relations and Recruitment. Prior to his work at Hebron, he was Assistant Director of Admissions at Thornton Academy, and first worked at Hebron as Associate Director of International Admissions. Mr. Núñez received an International Baccalaureate Diploma from Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong, was a CET Academic Program Scholar (C.V. Starr-Middlebury Language School in China) at Zhejiang University of Technology, and double majored in Economics and Chinese Language and Literature at Middlebury College.

Tatiana Oliveira ’15, whose teaching philosophy is centered on equity and justice, returned to Pingry to become a Grade 4 Social Studies Teacher. Most recently, she was a research assistant at the University of Virginia, analyzing higher education institutions across the country to understand how they educate different audiences about issues of democracy, civics, citizen rights and responsibilities, and more. Prior to that experience, Miss Oliveira taught Grade 4 in South Carolina and worked as a research fellow at Furman University, studying how teachers use technology to support English learners. While teaching virtually in 2021, she received the “Miracle Worker Award” from her school district for walking a student through a 911 call when her mother was unresponsive. Miss Oliveira received a B.A. in Elementary Education from Furman University and an M.Ed. in Social Foundations from the University of Virginia.

Taylor Pennell, Assistant Director of Development, Alumni Engagement, has been Interim Head Lacrosse Coach at Columbia University, and Assistant Lacrosse Coach at both College of the Holy Cross and Bucknell University. She is proudest of establishing a partnership between the Columbia University Women’s Lacrosse program and Team IMPACT, which connects children facing serious and chronic illnesses with a college athletics team. Ms. Pennell received a B.S. in Exercise Science and Sports Studies, with a concentration in Sport Management, from Rutgers University.

Akeem Pridgen, Assistant Director of Communications, Multimedia, joins Pingry after working as the Assistant Director of Memberships and Promotions at American University and as a Marketing Specialist at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. He is a graduate of Delaware State University with a degree in Mass Communications and a concentration in Television Production.

Maddy Randall, School-Wide Initiatives Coordinator, began her career with the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and, after moving to New Jersey, joined the President’s Office at Drew University. In 2020, she helped create a new department, University Events, where she was able to build relationships with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and board members. Ms. Randall graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from Kansas State University.

TATIANA OLIVEIRA ’15

AKEEM PRIDGEN TAYLOR PENNELL

MADDY RANDALL

STEPHANIE SA

LILY SIEGEL MARY ANNE SACCO

DEANNA SMITH GIOVANNI SCOLARO

MICHAEL SNOCK

Stephanie Sa, Experiential Educator, has taught math and science at the middle and high school levels at urban schools in New York City and Boston, and she enjoyed creating an opendoor classroom community. Ms. Sa received a B.A. in Psychology and Education from Dartmouth College, and an M.Ed. from the Sposato Graduate School of Education.

Mary Anne Sacco, Grade 2 Teacher, comes to Pingry with over 20 years of experience in education as a classroom teacher, coach, and administrator in public, charter, and independent schools. Ms. Sacco spent four years at The Hewitt School, an independent all-girls K–12 school in New York City, as Literacy Specialist for three years and Interim Head of the Lower School for one year. She also spent many years at the Manhattan New School (P.S. 290). Outside the classroom, Ms. Sacco co-authored Significant Studies for Second Grade: Reading and Writing Investigations for Children (Heinemann, 2004). She received a B.A. from Gettysburg College and an MS Ed. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Bank Street College of Education, and completed an Aspiring Leaders Program at Baruch College School of Public Affairs for New York State administration certification.

Giovanni Scolaro, Mechanical Maintenance Technician, previously worked for the UPS, and prior to that he worked as a Head Physical Therapy Aide at SportsMed Physical Therapy, LLC. Lily Siegel, Upper School History Teacher, received a B.A. in History, with a minor in English, summa cum laude, from Tufts University, where she received a departmental award for Excellence in European History. While at Tufts, she did a significant amount of work with DREAM, a non-profit mentoring organization for underprivileged students in the New England area. Ms. Siegel led the programming for a group of students from nearby public housing and personally mentored a seventh-grade student.

Deanna Smith, Assistant Director of Auxiliary, Signature Programs and Registrar, spent 12 years in nonprofit work before joining Pingry, most recently as Childcare Director at the YMCA, overseeing a preschool program, before and aftercare, along with a summer camp in Middlesex County. Ms. Smith received a bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in Community Mental Health from Ramapo College of New Jersey.

Michael Snock, Facilities Technician, is a versatile carpenter-handyman with over 30 years of experience in various phases of remodeling and construction. He spent two decades as a carpenter with Mike’s Hammer and, prior to that position, 13 years as a carpenter with Sinkiewicz Construction. He attended the Ocean County Vocational-Technical School, specializing in Building Trades.

ERIN STRONG

CRISTINE WILSON CHRISTY WELBORNE

DR. MARYANN WOODS-MURPHY

Erin Strong, Lower School Performing Arts Teacher, is a devoted arts and wellness educator who believes strongly in the power of the arts to ignite and build community. She previously served as Director of Dance at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center School of the Arts, where she designed and taught classes for all ages in dance genres such as jazz, musical theater, creative movement, movement for actors, and contemporary; she also co-taught interdisciplinary classes in theater, music, and dance for Grades K–5. Ms. Strong also spent 16 years at Phillips Academy as Instructor in Theatre and Dance and Department Chair of Theatre and Dance. She received a B.S. in Dance, with a minor in Business, magna cum laude, from Skidmore College and an M.A. in Dance Education from NYU’s Steinhardt School of Education.

Christy Welborne, Assistant Director of Enrollment Management, is an education administrator with years of experience in K–12 schools and at Fortune 500 corporations. Prior to Pingry, she spent seven years at the Chapin School in Princeton, first as Associate Director of Admission and then Director of Enrollment Management, transforming their approach to admissions. Prior to Chapin, she spent four years as Associate Director of Admissions at Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg. Earlier in her career, Mrs. Welborne worked as an accountant for Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and held positions with Target Corporation and Digital River, Inc., a global e-commerce, payments, and marketing services firm. Passionate about education, equity, and inclusion, she received a B.A. in Economics from The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and an M.A. in Education Leadership from Seton Hall University. Cristine Wilson, Operations Officer, previously worked as Director of Operations for the women’s soccer team Sky Blue FC (now known as Gotham FC), where she also introduced and hosted the organization’s first Pride Night and continued to grow the night year after year. Mrs. Wilson received a B.A. in Sport Promotion & Media, with a Minor in Communications, from the University of Connecticut.

Dr. Maryann Woods-Murphy, Upper School Spanish Teacher, has served as World Language Coordinator and a founding educator at Bergen County Academies in Hackensack; Spanish Teacher at Northern Highlands Regional High School; and Co-Director of Teens Talk about Racism. In 2009–10, a panel of education experts at the state level and the New Jersey Commissioner of Education named her “New Jersey State Teacher of the Year.” Dr. Woods-Murphy received an undergraduate degree in Philosophy and Humanities from Montclair State University, summa cum laude; an M.A. in Spanish Literature from Montclair State University, and Diploma de Estudios Hispánicos (M.A. Equivalent) from Universidad de Salamanca; and an Ed.D. in Teacher Leadership from Walden University.