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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Joy Lee
Kindergarten
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About Joy Lee

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Katharine Meyers
Kindergarten
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About Katharine Meyers

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Kimberly Ramm
Kindergarten
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About Kimberly Ramm

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Megan Weis
Kindergarten
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About Megan Weis

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Kaitlyn Yu
Kindergarten
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About Kaitlyn Yu

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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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Donna Koniuch
First Grade
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About Donna Koniuch

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Meghan Pleus
First Grade
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About Meghan Pleus

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Gabriela Sloezen
First Grade
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About Gabriela Sloezen

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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
Resources
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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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Lauren Finan
Third Grade
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About Lauren Finan

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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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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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Joanne Iyo
STEM/Technology Coordinator
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About Joanne Iyo

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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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Ashley Buckley
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About Ashley Buckley

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Lisa Calinda
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About Lisa Calinda

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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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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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Sandra Hernandez
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About Sandra Hernandez

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Michelle Kuryllo
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About Michelle Kuryllo

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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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Lori Scalera
MSR
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About Lori Scalera

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Andrea Watkins
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About Andrea Watkins

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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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Maci DeCarlo
Psychologist
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About Maci DeCarlo

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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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Travis Jackson
COTA
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About Travis Jackson

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Eileen Kennedy
LDTC
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About Eileen Kennedy

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Cara Kupersmith
Speech
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About Cara Kupersmith

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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

Kathy Lee
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Cassandra San-Emeterio
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Margaret Tahtabrounian
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Health Office

Kristen Haenelt
School Nurse
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School Counselors

Dara Weiss
PK, K, and 4
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Suzanne Lang
Grades 1–3
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Technology

Joanne Iyo
Technology Coordinator/STEM
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Vincent Salvati
Network Engineer
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