Teachers & Staff

We are fortunate at Hillside Elementary to employ teachers and staff who are not only highly qualified professionals, but who have a passion for providing top quality education in a caring environment. We encourage you to take the time to get to know our wonderful staff members.

Administration and Office Staff

Dianne Smith
Principal
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Kristen Zanin
Assistant Principal
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Cheryl Boehm
Secretary
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Elaine Schiffman
Office Assistant
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Margaret Markgraf
Office Assistant
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Teachers

Preschool 

Josephine Hunt
Preschool
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About Josephine Hunt

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Brielle Tacconi
Preschool
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About Brielle Tacconi

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Alison Wong
Preschool
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About Alison Wong

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Kindergarten

Wendy Bajakian
Kindergarten
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About Wendy Bajakian

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Katharine Meyers
Kindergarten
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About Katharine Meyers

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Rosemarie Muñoz
Kindergarten
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About Rosemarie Muñoz

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Kimberly Ramm
Kindergarten
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About Kimberly Ramm

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Kaitlyn Yu
Kindergarten
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About Kaitlyn Yu

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Devin Zukofsky
Kindergarten
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About Devin Zukofsky

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First Grade

Jennifer Barbato
First Grade
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About Jennifer Barbato

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Susan Carpenter
First Grade
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About Susan Carpenter

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Kerra Corio
First Grade
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About Kerra Corio

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Meghan Pleus
First Grade
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About Meghan Pleus

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Katrina Vastano
First Grade
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About Katrina Vastano

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Second Grade

Allison Bachmann
Second Grade
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About Allison Bachmann

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Jennifer Kennedy
Second Grade
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About Jennifer Kennedy

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Alyssa Levy
Second Grade
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About Alyssa Levy

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Grace Park
Second Grade
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About Grace Park

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Catharine Ricca
Second Grade
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About Catharine Ricca

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Third Grade

Jodi Belnick
Third Grade
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About Jodi Belnick

Our Classroom
Welcome to third grade! I am excited to get to know each of you, and I am looking forward to a happy and productive school year. Remember to check Schoology for homework and reminders. Peace, Love, & Happiness - Mrs. Belnick
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A - Gym, B - Science Lab & Spanish, C - Library, D - Gym, E - Music, F - Art
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Allison Esposito
Third Grade
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About Allison Esposito

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Charlene Gerbig
Third Grade
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About Charlene Gerbig

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Katelyn Lee
Third Grade
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About Katelyn Lee

Our Classroom
Welcome to third grade! I am delighted to meet all of my students this year! Our classroom will foster a community of learners who are not afraid to make mistakes. We believe that with strong will and effort, anything is possible! In third grade, we will explore students' curiosities and make learning fun, exciting, and productive. I look forward to making fabulous memories this year!
Resources
HOMEWORK/ANNOUNCEMENTS: - Read 20 min. and log - Math worksheet
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SCHEDULE OF SPECIALS A DAY Music (10:50-11:30) B DAY Art (10:50-11:30) C DAY Phys. Ed. (2:25-3:05) D DAY Library (9:30-10:10) E DAY Spanish (8:50-9:30) Science Lab (10:10-10:50) F DAY Phys. Ed. (9:30-10:10)
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Jennifer Smith
Third Grade
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About Jennifer Smith

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Kerry Vogel
Third Grade
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About Kerry Vogel

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Fourth Grade

Elizabeth Brown
Fourth Grade
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About Elizabeth Brown

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Leah Cohen
Fourth Grade
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About Leah Cohen

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Tara Eddy
Fourth Grade
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About Tara Eddy

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Scott Greene
Fourth Grade
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About Scott Greene

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Kerry Sidrow
Fourth Grade
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About Kerry Sidrow

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Kristin Talty
Fourth Grade
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About Kristin Talty

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Special Areas

Sofia Capparelli
PE/Health
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About Sofia Capparelli

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Silvia Jost
Science
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About Silvia Jost

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Elizabeth Klink
Librarian/G&T
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About Elizabeth Klink

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MaryJo Martino
Spanish
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About MaryJo Martino

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Sarah Menchise
Art
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About Sarah Menchise

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Claire Pidi
Music
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About Claire Pidi

Our Classroom
Music is a fundamental and powerful component of an arts education. It helps to enrich students' understanding of the human experience across cultural lines and historical eras. An education in music strengthens creativity and helps students develop aesthetic potential. Furthermore, music education increases students' appreciation of music and contributes to a balanced educational career. Studies reveal that music education can help students develop a stronger self image and self discipline. Ultimately our goal is that every student gain an appreciation of music and the arts as well as experience the life long joy that only music can give.
Resources
The following are music instrument rental dealerships that have served the students of Closter for many years and are recommended for 4th grade instrument rental: O'DiBella Music (Bergenfield, NJ) Music and Arts (Route 17, Paramus NJ) Beau Monde Guitars (Northvale, NJ)
Highlights
Our comprehensive program includes Pre K through Grade 4 General Music featuring our Kindergarten Songfest, First Grade Thanksgiving Show, Second Grade Flag Day Show, Third Grade Recorder Concert and Carnegie Hall Link Up program and trip, Fourth Grade Winter Choral Concert. Our instrumental program features a third and fourth grade String Orchestra as well as our instrument music instruction and band program for fourth grade students.
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William Potkulski
PE/Health
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About William Potkulski

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Basic Skills and Special Education

Patricia Brett
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About Patricia Brett

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Noelle Carter
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About Noelle Carter

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Kari Corcoran-McPartland
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About Kari Corcoran-McPartland

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Kate DeRosa
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About Kate DeRosa

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Rebecca Dippolito
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About Rebecca Dippolito

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Bianca DiQuattro
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About Bianca DiQuattro

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Lauren Engle
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About Lauren Engle

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Julianna Kadian
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About Julianna Kadian

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Jamie Morgan
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About Jamie Morgan

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Lisa Pantaleo
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About Lisa Pantaleo

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Regina Pesce
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About Regina Pesce

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Lori Scalera
MSR
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About Lori Scalera

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Child Study Team

Liz Apollo
Behaviorist
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About Liz Apollo

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Leeann Cameron
Social Worker
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About Leeann Cameron

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Lynne Dubert
CST Secretary
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About Lynne Dubert

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Patricia Eichenlaub
Director of Special Service
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About Patricia Eichenlaub

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Carly Feduska
Speech
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About Carly Feduska

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Margaret Johnston
COTA
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About Margaret Johnston

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Eileen Kennedy
LDTC
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About Eileen Kennedy

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Kayce Perkins
Psychologist
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About Kayce Perkins

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Gila Rachlin
Speech
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About Gila Rachlin

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Nancy Saccoccio
OT
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About Nancy Saccoccio

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Leanne Schettino
Speech
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About Leanne Schettino

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Katarina Sorman
CST Office Assistant
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About Katarina Sorman

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Brittany Steindl
PT
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About Brittany Steindl

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English Language Learners

Sarah Kang
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Soojung Kwak
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Kathy Lee
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Health Office

Kristen Haenelt
School Nurse
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School Counselors

Suzanne Lang
K–2
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Dara Weiss
3–4
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Technology

Joanne Iyo
Technology Coordinator/STEM
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Vincent Salvati
Network Engineer
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