Fiona Crawford is our new music teacher for grades 2-5. She has spent the last eleven years at VOICE Charter School where she taught K-5 general music, choir, keyboard, and recorder. VOICE is a music school in Queens, New York that uses a daily music curriculum based on the Kodály Method. The Kodály Method is an experience-based approach to teaching basic musical skills and the reading and writing of music in a logical, sequential manner. She has her certification in the Kodály Method from NYU and also had the opportunity to study the method in Kecskemét Hungary. Prior to studying this method, she received her Master’s degree in music education from Teachers College, Columbia University and her Bachelor’s Degree in vocal performance from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Fiona sings alto with a chamber choir called Ghostlight Chorus, a group which performs in the New York City area. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family in Jersey City. Fiona is passionate about singing and giving students the opportunity to learn how to use their body and their voice to make music. She believes that the confidence to perform in front of others gives students the transferable skills needed to enable success in other areas of life. We welcome Fiona to the Lower School team!
Molly Davis joins the Lower School as a fifth-grade classroom teacher. Molly began her teaching career in St. Louis as a Middle School English and drama teacher. After moving with her family to Florida, she spent several years teaching fourth grade at an independent school. While teaching fourth grade, she observed a student working with an Orton-Gillingham teacher and became fascinated with this method of instruction, which led her to pursue Orton-Gillingham certification – a very rigorous certification program. Upon receiving her certification, Molly began working with students in first through eighth grades to provide literacy instruction and support. While working one-on-one with students brought joy and fulfillment, Molly was excited and ready to return to a classroom setting, “There is nothing like being in a room full of children. The energy and the relationships that you build with your students…the sharing, levity, and laughter are so unique and special being a classroom teacher. There is nothing like it.”
Athena Decker joins the Lower School as a preschool 3 lead teacher. After graduating from college, she worked in publishing and pursued certification in yoga teacher training. There, she met a preschool teacher who said Athena belonged in an early childhood classroom and invited her into her preschool class. Athena loved it and the next fall she began teaching preschool 3 at The Mandell School. After Mandell, she taught kindergarten and first grade at Dalton, while pursuing a graduate degree from Bank Street College of Education. Most recently, she was a preschool 3 lead teacher at Washington Market School in New York City. In her free time, Athena loves to read and often visits her local library to pick out books to share with her students. Her favorite children’s book growing up was A Chair for my Mother by Vera B. Williams, and she now loves Saturday by Oge Mora. She recently started learning how to play tennis with her husband, Henry, and also enjoys spending time with her dog, Bo. We are thrilled to welcome Athena to the Lower School.
Chris Orozco joins the Lower School as a first through fifth grade recess coach. Born in Barranquilla, Columbia and raised in Tenafly, Chris is already familiar with Dwight-Englewood: he currently coaches freshman basketball and led the summer basketball program at D-E 360. Basketball is a love and talent of his – in fact, to this day he holds the record for most points scored at Tenafly High School! Chris graduated with a BA in psychology and is excited to work with students of all ages in his new position. Drawn to the D-E community, he loves being outside and looks forward to sharing his energy and enthusiasm with Lower School students during one of the most important times of the day, recess! Chris has a keen eye and a calm demeanor. Students of all ages are drawn to Chris, and we are so proud and pleased to have him as a member of our Lower School team.
Nicole Taranto joins the Lower School as a lead teacher in preschool 4. This is Nicole’s seventh year teaching early childhood education. Prior to teaching at D-E, she taught preschool 3 and preschool 4 in an international school and other independent schools in NYC. Nicole holds her undergraduate degree in finance and economics, with a minor in education. After working on the business side of different nonprofit organizations abroad while teaching English, she decided to pursue a Master’s degree in early childhood education. She has been a preschool teacher ever since! In her free time, Nicole loves making art, gardening, crafting, and practicing yoga. She also likes to travel. We are so excited to welcome Nicole to our Lower School community and our early childhood team.
New Roles this Year
Jenn Celiberti, who has worked as a fourth grade and fifth grade lead teacher at the Lower School, has transitioned to Director of Lower School Admissions. We look forward to working with her in this new capacity!
Holly Goldberg, our school librarian last year, has returned to the classroom as a fourth-grade teacher. Mrs. Goldberg has previously taught both third and fourth grades at our Lower School, in addition to teaching various grades at previous schools. We are excited to have her return to this role.
Marthe Salomon-Samedy is now our lower school librarian. Previously, she has taught preschool 4, science, and French at the Lower School. We look forward to having her in the Lower School library, where she will teach library class for students in preschool 3 – second grade.
Assistant Teacher Transitions
Each year, assistant teachers may have the opportunity to experience a different grade so that they may build in their capacity for teaching elementary education. We are excited to announce below our assistant teachers that are shifting grade levels.
Mary Cushman has been assistant teaching preschool 3 here at D-E for several years. This year, she will join the preschool 4 teaching team.
Mannie Daughtry, previously a recess coach and fifth grade assistant teacher, will be an assistant teacher in 2nd grade with Ms. Dijkstra
Nick Harrison will be teaching third grade as their assistant teacher and health and wellness teacher. Previously, he has been an assistant teacher in grades four and five, and a recess coach.
Raishada Johnson will be an assistant teacher in preschool 4. She has been part of the D-E community for five years and has been an assistant teacher in preschool 3 and kindergarten.
Jackie Marshall will be working with Ms. Koteles in second grade as an assistant teacher. In previous years, Jackie has worked as a third and fourth grade assistant teacher, third grade health and wellness teacher, and recess coach.
Ryan Vettoso, a second-grade assistant teacher last year, will be working with Ms. Madison in first grade.
