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.

• 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.

Teaching since 2017
Teaching at SSPJ since 2018

Qualifications/Certifications

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art with a Specialization in Graphic Design/Computer Graphics and Bachelor of Arts in Art with a Concentration in Photography from Monmouth University
• Master of Arts in Liberal Arts with a focus in Art, History and Art History from Monmouth University
• Currently in the process of completing Master of Education from Monmouth University
• State of New Jersey Teacher of Art CE, Teacher of Students with Disabilities CE and Elementary School Teacher (K-6) CE
• State of New Jersey Standard Teaching Certificate Preschool through Grade 3

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!

• 10 Years Teaching Experience
• First Year at SSPJ

Qualifications/Certifications

B.S. Elementary Education/Early Childhood - Cabrini University
M.E.D. Elementary Education- Cabrini University
Certified in the states of Pennsylvania & New Jersey

What I Love About Teaching

There are many reasons why I love to teach. I think the 2 most important reasons why I love being a teacher are that I can positively influence a child’s way of thinking or doing and that I can make a difference for the ones that I do teach.

• 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 1996
Teaching at SSPJ 2009 - 2013 and presently

Qualifications / Certifications

BS in Elementary Education from The University of Connecticut
Masters of Arts in Education from The University of Connecticut
ESL Studies at St. Peter’s University
Trained in Wilson Reading
Behavioral Therapy Trained
Police Chaplain Program State of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, 2019 - current
New Jersey Disaster Resource Crisis Counselor (NJDRCC)

What I love about Teaching

What I love most about teaching is the ability to foster curiosity, build bridges among all subject areas, and direct students so that they find their success. Utilizing a combination of proven teaching techniques alongside project or research based learning through inquiry, a student realizes their potential by taking a deeper dive into a space their curiosity and interest leads them. Allowing for this introspective learning approach, students become more aware of their talents and can more fully realize their potential and forge forward, growing and learning with confidence.

Teaching at SSPJ since 2021
Teaching since 2007
Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications, Montclair State University (NJ)
Master of Science in Education, University of New Haven (CT)
Behavioral Therapy Trained
NJ Certificates:
Elementary Education K-5 and Teacher of Students with Disabilities
Why I love teaching: I love teaching because I enjoy nurturing, challenging and inspiring
lifelong learners. I am blessed to be a part of SSPJ and look forward to helping students grow
academically, social-emotionally and spiritually.

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 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
• 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!

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 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 since 2008
Teaching at SSPJ since 2019

Qualifications/Certifications

B.S. in Marketing from Penn State University
B.S. in French and Francophone Studies from Penn State University
Minor in International Studies from Penn State University
Post-Baccalaureate New Jersey Teaching Certification from Rider University
K-6 and Middle Years Mathematics

What I Love About Teaching

I enjoy teaching middle school math because the students learn so many life skills in the course. Students build confidence as they overcome obstacles, simultaneously gaining both content knowledge and problem solving skills. I'm happy to be at SSPJ where students learn to grow both academically in character. We're going to have a great year!

• 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 2005
• Teaching at SSPJ since 2021

Qualifications/Certifications

NJ Art K-8 teaching certificate and Experience working both in the classroom, summer camp and online.

What I Love About Teaching

I'm looking forward to making art with all of you and to have this opportunity to inspire students to have a love for their surroundings and how art is all around us. The most important thing I want to teach my students is the fundamentals of art and that anyone can create and see art.

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.