The Peck School Welcomes New Faculty and Staff for the 2024-25 School Year

Lower School Faculty:
We are excited that Camryn (Bindra) Salamone will become our new Kindergarten Homeroom Teacher. Throughout the interview process, which included several external candidates, our discussions kept returning to Camryn and the numerous intangibles she possesses that made her an exceptional candidate. She is a dedicated member of the K, makes remarkable connections with students, and is a caring and talented teacher. Camryn's love for Peck is unquestioned. I do not doubt that Camryn will thrive as a lead homeroom teacher, and I congratulate her on the new position.

A graduate of Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Science in Education, Lynn Tecza, positively impacted the Peck community last year while working in 4C with Chelsey Carr. Before arriving at Peck, Lynn worked with students in grades K-7 and spent time traveling the country as a Senior Educational Leadership Consultant for the Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity, promoting health and wellness initiatives. Lynn’s dedication to the craft of teaching, and her flexible, well-prepared, and creative nature quickly endeared her to students and faculty alike. The fourth-grade homeroom role was a natural next step for Lynn and we are excited to see her with students in 4T! 

Upper School Faculty:
We are thrilled that JT McMillen will join the Upper School as a science teacher. JT proved himself last year as an Associate Teacher working alongside Katie Bruno in 3B. Prior to arriving at Peck in 2023, he worked for several years at his alma mater Rutgers Preparatory School. JT earned his BS in Exercise Science from Springfield College where he ran track and cross country. He brings his knowledge and experience to the classroom and to the athletic department where he plans to coach cross country, wrestling, and track. JT’s discipline and innate curiosity motivate him to create the best experience for his students. 

Caroline Sugg will remain an Upper School math teacher at Peck. Caroline was fantastic this past year as Laura Rose’s maternity leave replacement. Her transition was seamless, and it didn’t take long for students and colleagues to let me and others know how great Caroline is.  Nonetheless, it’s with excitement that Caroline will remain at Peck as an Upper School math teacher, where she will continue to inspire students. Caroline holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Colgate University and a master’s in elementary education from Rhode Island College. She most recently worked at The Stephen Gaynor School in New York. 

We are excited to welcome the following teachers to our Lower School Associate Program:

Anne (Annie) Brummer returns to Peck after a hiatus, and we are excited to welcome her back into the classroom. Annie is a past parent and former fourth-grade Peck Teacher. She holds a BA in English and French from Colgate University and an MA in Teaching Social Studies from Teachers College at Columbia University. Annie took time off to raise her children and, in recent years, returned to the classroom as a substitute teacher at The Chatham Day School. 

Katie Flood is a recent graduate of Assumption University, where she played women’s ice hockey. This year, she got to know some of our Upper School students through her work as an Assistant Coach for both the Peck ice hockey and lacrosse teams. Katie looks forward to shifting her coaching perspective to the classroom while working with Peck’s Lower School students. 

Cailey Ievolella will step onto Peck’s campus after teaching kindergarten for a year at Central Jersey College Prep Charter School. She holds a BS in Elementary Education from Ramapo College of New Jersey where she was on the Dean’s List and in the Honor Society. Cailey’s colleagues describe her as collaborative and adept at creating connections with students.

Rachel Rosenberg joins Peck after several years as a teacher at Apple Montessori in Towaco where she worked with children ages 2 to 6 years of age. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts from Ramapo College and seeks to make visual connections within her lessons. Rachel’s references raved about her professionalism, kindness, and student-focused approach. 

Savarrah Sojda graduated from Hartwick College last May with a dual degree in elementary education and sociology. While there, she was a dedicated member of the indoor and outdoor track and field team. In recognition of her achievements in the classroom, Savarrah was awarded the Phillip S. Wilder Jr. Award for Academic Distinction, and we have no doubt that she will share her love of learning with her students.

Sarah Zullo joins us after spending time at Irene E. Feldkirchnir Elementary School in Green Brook, where she taught first grade this past school year. Sarah holds a BA in Elementary Education and an MA in Educational Leadership from High Point University. We look forward to building upon Sarah’s skills and experiences and are excited about what she will add to the Lower School this year.

Administration and Staff:

We are also excited to welcome Scott Dobbs to Peck as our new Director of Athletics. Scott comes to Peck after a three-year stint at Village Community School in New York City, where he taught math and served as the athletic director.  Before VCS, Scott taught math at the Collegiate School in New York City and coached basketball, cross country, and track. Before moving to the New York area, Scott was the Varsity Boys' Basketball coach at Royal Palm Beach High School in Florida.  During his career, Scott has served as a faculty representative to VCS’ board of trustees; he was awarded math teacher of the year at Boca Raton High School and Royal Palm Beach High School and basketball coach of the year for Palm Beach County.  Scott has a BA in Kinesiology from Indiana University and resides in Byram, NJ, with his wife and two young children.

Familiar Faces in New Places

I’m thrilled to share a few updates about next year's staffing, including new opportunities for current team members.

Chelsey Carr began her tenure as Peck’s next Director of Curriculum and Faculty Development on  July 1, 2024.  Chelsey has worn many hats during her 13 years at Peck, making her uniquely qualified for this K-8 position.  Her teaching spans both divisions, and she has served on multiple committees and held various leadership positions.  In addition to serving as English department chair and co-chairing our recent NJAIS re-accreditation process, Chelsey has served on too many committees and task forces to list, and her involvement spans academic, character, and faculty initiatives.  Chelsey has said “yes” to all opportunities presented to her, and she has grown from each experience, learning more about the school and herself throughout the journey.  

Chelsey is a fantastic community member, a trusted colleague, and a real doer. Undoubtedly, she will apply her tireless work ethic, drive for learning, curiosity, eagerness to grow, and love for Peck and her colleagues to her work as our next DCFD.  

In addition to continuing her work as Science Department Chair and our K-4 science teacher, Kathy Kennedy will become Peck’s first K-8 Instructional Coach. Everyone who has worked with Kathy will attest to her remarkable ability to work with teachers, foster development, and help think through new ways to deliver lessons and assess learning.  Kathy’s new role will allow for an expanded reach. The Instructional Coach will be a school-wide position that works collaboratively with teachers and instructional leaders to build teacher expertise and understanding of instructional practices to improve student performance and well-being. Kathy will work closely with new teachers, yet she will be a resource for all.

I’m excited to share that Jen Garvey will take on a new leadership challenge next year.  In addition to continuing her teaching and tech integration work in the Lower School, she will become Peck’s first K-8 STEAM Coordinator.  We formally launched our STEAM program in 2015, and since then, we have made great progress with student programs and opportunities.  However, we know there are significant opportunities for growth and thoughtful collaboration to further our programming.  In the new position, Jen will assess, further design, and amplify our K-8 STEAM curriculum, working closely with the DCFD and department chairs to identify crossover of skills and topics and spearhead interdisciplinary projects/collaboration. The possibilities for growth are endless and exciting.

I couldn’t be happier to share that, after deciding to leave the classroom, Laura Rose will remain at Peck and assume a newly created position in the Upper School as Dean of Students and Director of Auxiliary Programs. In this role, Laura will oversee much of student life, including clubs and activities, special programming, some discipline, student council, and more. Laura will be a fantastic support for Virginia, the entire Upper School team, and the students. She will also oversee our PEP and Summer Camp program, working collaboratively with Lower and Upper School teachers to continue Christina Dietz’s excellent work by offering students fantastic after-school and summer opportunities. 

Adriana Sykora will become Peck’s next Aftercare Director while continuing her amazing work teaching Lower School Spanish and serving as our World Language Department Chair. Also, Caileigh Finnegan will serve as Assistant Director of Aftercare and continue her work as a LS Associate teacher. Adriana and Caileigh will continue Christina and Tracy’s great work by creating a welcoming, thoughtful, productive, and joy-filled aftercare experience for students.  I’m very thankful to have such a wonderful team take over the program!

We congratulate Cathy Lopez and Sue Longenecker as they step into the roles of Lower School Service Learning Coordinator and Upper School Service Learning Coordinator, respectively. These roles – their genesis found within our Strategic Plan – are integral as we maintain our vision for service learning, continue to integrate it into the classroom, and connect with our community partner organizations. 

Finally, as we launch a 2026 eighth-grade trip to Costa Rica, which requires extensive planning, communication, and preparation, Señora Sykora and David Marshall will share the role of Eighth-grade Trip Coordinator. They’ve already been on a Costa Rica scouting trip and are on their way to creating an amazing experience for the graduating Class of 2026.