Faculty and Staff

Although I was born in Queens, New York, my family moved to Sayreville before I was a year old.  My mom still lives in the house we moved to when I was 5, in the Parlin section of Sayreville.  I have family in South Amboy as well.  They and my mom all belong to St. Mary’s parish in South Amboy.

I have two younger sisters – Natalie and Christine – both of whom are married with grown (or almost grown) children.  Since one lives in Hillsborough and the other in Rumson, it’s easy for us to get together frequently.  My family is very close, and big gatherings with aunts and uncles and cousins are the norm.  After God, my family is the biggest source of strength and stability in my life.

Most of my education happened in the Sayreville public school system, following a couple of years in Catholic school.  I got a degree in history from Montclair State College (before it became a university) and completed my seminary studies at Mount Saint Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Maryland.  I was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Edward Hughes on May 30th, 1987 and offered my first Holy Mass in St. Mary’s Church in South Amboy the following day.

My first priestly assignment was right down the road at St. Mary’s in Alpha, followed by terms as an assistant at Our Lady of Mt. Virgin in Middlesex and St. Matthias in Somerset.  I then served as pastor of St. Magdalen’s Church in Flemington for several years, and in St. Jude’s Church in Blairstown for a couple of months.  After serving three years as associate pastor of St. Bernard’s Church in Bridgewater, I became pastor of both Most Holy Rosary and Holy Spirit Churches in Perth Amboy.  I enjoyed four wonderful years in that assignment before coming to St. Philip and St. James in Phillipsburg, NJ.  I have been pastor of Ss. Philip and James since June 2009, and it has become my favorite assignment.

Believing that teaching the Faith is one of my most important priestly duties, I have taught school and CCD classes in all of my priestly assignments.  While studying history in Montclair State College, I took almost all of the teacher certification classes since I thought they might come in handy someday.  In Phillipsburg, I teach both 8th and 4th grade religion in our school every week, as well as 5th grade CCD.  I find great joy in this work, and am convinced of the importance of our Catholic Schools.

My hobbies include trains – in which I have been interested my whole life.  This hobby has led me to places like Altoona, PA and North Platte, NE – places with heavy freight train traffic that I love to watch and photograph.  I also enjoy working on my own model railroad, which I built several years ago.  I love going to the movies – and eating more pop – corn then I should.  The sports is the first – and sometimes the only –section of the paper I read.  Almost my whole family has a love affair with baseball, and we often get together to enjoy the games.  While a Yankee fan, I have come to enjoy minor league baseball a great deal in recent years and regularly frequent Trenton Thunder and Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs games.

The priesthood, of course, is the greatest gift God has ever given me.  There are so many parts of being a priest that I enjoy – especially celebrating the sacraments and getting to know and serve different people.  I try to say a prayerful Mass that moves along with a short, ‘to the point’ homily.

I believe that my most important job as a priest is to help my people get to Heaven – while being sure to get there myself.  I ask my parishioners to help me in this regard by praying for me every day.  Specifically, I ask each of them to kindly pray one Hail Mary for me daily.  Pray that I will be the kind of priest God wants me to be for this parish – and be assured of my daily prayers for each of you.

• 20 Years Teaching Experience
• 20 Years at SSPJ

Qualifications/Certifications

B.A. in Psychology from Stockton College. M.A. in Educational Leadership from Centenary College. NJ Certification in Elementary Education (K-8).

What I Love About Teaching

I feel honored and blessed to be the principal of Saints Philip and James School. Together, with our faculty, we can educate our students to their highest potential, and lead them to Christ, in all that they learn and in all that they do.

• 27 Years Teaching Experience
• 14 Years at SSPJ

Qualifications/Certifications

B.A. in Education (K-8) from College of Staten Island. B.A. in Communications from Seton Hall University.

What I Love About Teaching

There are many reasons I love being a teacher. First, there is the feeling of accomplishment seeing students grow in knowledge, confidence, and social skills. I enjoy the collaboration with my peers and the creativity of teaching lessons. I “teach to reach” students by supporting, preparing, nurturing and encouraging them to be the best they can be.

• 23 Years Teaching Experience
• 17 Years at SSPJ

Qualifications/Certifications

B.S. in Health Physical Education (K-12) from West Chester University.Behavioral Assistant Certification with NJ Childrens’ System of Care from Rutgers University.

What I Love About Teaching

I love teaching PK through 8th grade at Saints Philip & James School! It gives me the opportunity to promote the development of active, healthy lifestyles for my students. I especially enjoy watching the students realize their talents when choreographing events and co-directing and producing plays. For me, it’s the kids. It’s all about the kids.

• 27 Years Teaching Experience
• 14 Years at SSPJ

Qualifications/Certifications

B.A. in Education (K-8) from College of Staten Island. B.A. in Communications from Seton Hall University.

What I Love About Teaching

There are many reasons I love being a teacher. First, there is the feeling of accomplishment seeing students grow in knowledge, confidence, and social skills. I enjoy the collaboration with my peers and the creativity of teaching lessons. I “teach to reach” students by supporting, preparing, nurturing and encouraging them to be the best they can be.

Teaching since 2010
Teaching at SSPJ since 2020

Qualifications/Certifications

BA in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Holy Family University
MA Education, Cabrini University
NJ Certified Teacher K-5
PA Certified Teacher Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School English

What I Love About Teaching

I love being able to watch students read something they enjoy; as well as building learning relationships with the students. I learn just as much from them as they do from me!

• 4 years teaching
• First year at SSPJ

Qualifications/Certifications

Bachelors Degree in History with a background in education
Associates Degree in Education

What I Love About Teaching

My favorite part about teaching are my students! I love that each day is a new day in my classroom.

Teaching since 2015
Teaching at SSPJ since 2019

Qualifications/Certifications

MA in Liberal Studies at Thomas Edison State University
Graduate Certificate in Online Learning and Teaching
BA in English at Thomas Edison State University with a literary award and publication

What I Love About Teaching

I love supporting students while they attain their educational goals and build confidence in themselves while doing it. I look forward to the opportunity to encourage students to be excited about their education and become lifelong learners. I hope to inspire my students to stay curious and not be afraid to try new things – they will learn about themselves in the process! We are going to have a fun, educational, and overall fantastic year at SPSJ.

• 27 Years Teaching Experience
• 26 Years at SSPJ

Qualifications/Certifications

B.A. in Elementary Education (K-8) from Georgian Court College. Certificate in Early Childhood Education.

What I Love About Teaching

I love teaching at SSPJ because I am able to provide a traditional, faith-based Catholic education for my students. As a first grade teacher, I have the challenging responsibility of teaching the basic skills in reading and math needed for future successes. I am truly rewarded each year as I watch my first grade students become readers, mathematicians, adventurers, scientists, and stewards of their faith. My students and I get to do this each and every day where God can visibly be our guide!

Teaching since: 2010
Teaching at SSPJ since: 2019

Qualifications/Certificates

BA: English/ Education
MS: Special Education (Cross-Categorical) K-12
Certificates: Teacher of Students with Disabilities, Elementary Education K-5

What I love about Teaching

Teaching is a rewarding profession. Teaching gives me the opportunity to observe my students as they mature academically.

• 26 Years Teaching Experience
• 25 Years at SSPJ

Qualifications/Certifications

B.A. in Elementary Education (PreK-8) from St. Leo College.

What I Love About Teaching

Teaching is about showing a child you love and care about them as a whole person, and encouraging them to achieve their goals. Watching a student and finding that sparkle in their eyes when they reach success is truly an overwhelming experience as a teacher

Teaching since 1989
Teaching at SSPJ since 2007

Qualifications/Certifications

B.A. in History from Dickinson College
M.A. in American History from New York University
Ph.D. in American History from New York University
Grant awardee from "Facing History and Ourselves", May 2019

What I Love About Teaching

I love teaching middle school social studies because it helps kids make sense of their world. If our students know why the world is the way it is, they can be more effective in creating a better world for tomorrow. I take great joy in helping to shape our future.

• Teaching since 1998
• Teaching at SSPJ since 2020

Education/Certification

Bachelor of Science, Thomas Edison State University
Master of Education, Rutgers Graduate School of Education
Doctor of Education, Rutgers Graduate School of Education
Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership and Supervision, Rider University

NJ Teaching Certifications: Elementary Teaching K-8, Reading Specialist K-12, Business K-12

Additional Training and Qualifications

Highly Qualified Middle School English Language Arts
IMSE Comprehensive Orton-Gillingham Training
Wilson Language Training Fundations 1

Teaching

I love teaching and being able to encourage students in their lifetime enjoyment of learning. I want to help students to achieve their academic, social, emotional, and spiritual goals each school day.

Teaching since 2015
Teaching at SSPJ since 2018

Qualifications/Certifications

B.A in Early Childhood Education (PK-4) from Bloomsburg University
Minor in Mathematics
Certification in ESL

What I Love About Teaching

Teaching is such a rewarding career. You get to spend your days with little minds that are constantly growing and learning. I love to share the excitement of learning something new with my students. My goal as a teacher is to help them become life long learners and respectful and participating members of society.

Teaching since 2010
Teaching at SSPJ since 2014

Qualifications/Certifications

B.S. in Elementary Education from Cedar Crest College
Masters in Curriculum Instruction from Concordia University
Trained in Lindamood-Bell approach to reading and spelling ("Seeing Stars" program)

What I Love About Teaching

Everyday is a blessing watching the students gain confidence as they work their way through academic hurdles, gaining knowledge and strategies to become life long learners.

• Teaching since 2017
  Teaching at SSPJ since 2018

Qualifications/Certifications

• *Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art with a Specialization in Graphic Design / Computer Graphics
• *Bachelor of Arts in Art with a Concentration in Photography
• *Master of Arts in Liberal Arts with a focus in Art, History and Art History
• State of New Jersey Teacher of Art and Teacher of Students with Disabilities Certificates of Eligibility
• State of New Jersey Elementary School Teacher (in Grades K - 6) and Preschool through Grade 3 Certificates of Eligibility

*from Monmouth University

Currently working towards a Master of Education from Monmouth University

What I Love About Teaching

I am truly blessed to be able to teach at a Catholic school.  In the SSPJ Kindergarten classroom, we fill our days with exciting learning opportunities.  Students will develop confidence and build necessary skills, all in a nurturing, Christ-centered environment. As their teacher, I get a front row seat to watch them as they explore, discover and build a foundation for a lifetime love of learning. It's great to be a Saint!

Teaching since 2003
Teaching at SSPJ since 2014

Qualifications/Certifications

B.S in Business Administration and M.S. in Elementary Education from Saint Joseph's University.
N.J. Certification in Elementary Education (K-8)

What I Love About Teaching

To provide a challenging academic environment, which will enable my students to think critically, examine thoughtfully, and recognize their self-worth as well as the worth of others. To provide for a developmentally appropriate learning experience for my students. To guide and empower my students to become independent, life-long learners who are socially conscious, enriched by diversity, and contributing members of society.

• Teaching Early Childhood since 1997
• Teaching at SSPJ since 2020

Qualifications/Certifications

I have my BA in History from Kean University
State of NJ Certificate of Eligibility P-3

What I Love About Teaching

I believe learning should be fun and hands on. I love when the children smile as they learn something new.