As Oak Knoll turns the page onto the first chapter of its second century of promise and purpose, we are delighted to introduce a tremendous group of new faculty and staff – including three alumnae – who stand ready to help the school continue to fulfill its mission of ensuring each student, created by God for a unique purpose, is empowered to make a significant, positive impact on the world.

New to Oak Knoll this year are:

Elizabeth Adelhelm ’19

• At Oak Knoll: Elizabeth is joining our Lower School as the new grade 3 homeroom teacher and grade 3 and 4 mathematics teacher.
• Education: Elizabeth earned a bachelor’s in elementary education from Loyola University and holds teaching certificates in Maryland and New Jersey.
• Prior to Oak Knoll: A member of the Class of 2019, Elizabeth recently taught grade 2 at Briarwood Elementary School in Florham Park. She has also tutored at the Learning Garden in Naples, Florida.

Juanita Borrero

• At Oak Knoll: Juanita joins our Upper School World Languages Department as a Spanish teacher.
• Education: Juanita holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in economics from Universidad de Los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, as well as a master’s in business administration and international management from the University of Exeter in England.
• Prior to Oak Knoll: Juanita previously taught Spanish at Christopher Academy and at Holy Trinity School in Westfield.

Christine Senft Callahan ’90

• At Oak Knoll: Christine is joining the Office of Institutional Advancement as Associate Director of Alumnae/i.
  Education: Christine earned a bachelor’s in medical anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s in human nutrition from Columbia University.
  Prior to Oak Knoll: Christine has enjoyed an impressive career in marketing and communications, most recently serving as vice president of marketing for Union County Savings Bank.
   

Erin Egan ’93

• At Oak Knoll: Erin joins our Lower School as a grade 4 teacher.
• Education: Erin is a graduate of Georgetown University and St. Elizabeth University’s Advanced Certification for Teaching Program.
• Prior to Oak Knoll: A graduate of both the Lower and Upper Schools at Oak Knoll and mother of Annie Egan ’25, Erin most recently taught fourth grade in the Diocese of Paterson.

Joe Elefante

• At Oak Knoll: Joe joins the Upper School Creative Arts Department as a music teacher.
• Education: Joe earned a bachelor’s in jazz studies from New Jersey City University, holds a master’s in educational leadership from Montclair State University, and is completing his doctorate in educational leadership policy from Texas Tech.
• Prior to Oak Knoll: Joe brings more than a decade of classroom and administrative experience as a composer, music and theatre director, and arts leader.

Kate Gammon

• At Oak Knoll: Kate joins the Oak Knoll school community as a school nurse.
• Education: In addition to a degree in journalism and mass communications from the University of South Carolina, Kate holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing from Phillips Beth Israel School of Nursing, a bachelor’s in nursing from the University of Texas-Arlington, and is currently pursuing a master’s in nursing from Rutgers University.
• Prior to Oak Knoll: Kate is already familiar to the Oak Knoll community as the mother of third grader William and Pre-K student Johanna Grace, and for serving as a substitute nurse. Before nursing, Kate served as a media relations consultant.

Colleen Haapaoja

• At Oak Knoll: Colleen has joined Oak Knoll’s Office of Institutional Advancement as development database manager and campaign coordinator.
• Education: Colleen holds an associate degree in fine arts from Raritan Valley Community College, a bachelor’s degree in studio concentration from Montclair State University, and a master’s in administrative science from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
• Prior to Oak Knoll: Colleen worked as a group programs and studio art coordinator at the Morris Museum, as well as coordinator for the School of Arts at her alma mater, Fairleigh Dickinson University. She recently worked at the Newark Museum of Art as an associate of philanthropy and grant management.

Karen Jimenez

• At Oak Knoll: Karen has joined our facilities and maintenance team as a bus driver and maintenance assistant.
• Prior to Oak Knoll: Karen joins us from the National Express Bus Company, where she worked as a school bus driver.

Lynn Livingston

• At Oak Knoll: Lynn has joined Oak Knoll as an administrative assistant for enrollment.
• Education: Lynn earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in business/technical writing from the University of Delaware.
• Prior to Oak Knoll: Lynn has served as a clerk, substitute teacher, and administrative assistant for several school districts in New Jersey, most recently in the Montville Township School District.

Regina McDonald

• At Oak Knoll: Regina is joining our Upper School mathematics department.
• Education: Regina holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematical studies and music from University College Dublin and a postgraduate diploma in education from Trinity College Dublin.
• Prior to Oak Knoll: Regina joins Oak Knoll with over 14 years of experience, most recently as a mathematics teacher, department head, and assistant principal at the Holy Child School Killiney in Ireland.

Taylor Grace Murphy

• At Oak Knoll: Taylor Grace joins our Lower School as a grade 6 teacher.
• Education: Taylor Grace holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of South Florida and a Florida teaching license for social science in grades 6–12.
• Prior to Oak Knoll: Taylor Grace most recently taught social studies at the Lutz Preparatory School in Florida.

Morgan Smith

• At Oak Knoll: Morgan joins our Marketing and Communications Department as a digital media specialist.
• Education: Morgan holds a bachelor’s in journalism and media studies from Rutgers University.
• Prior to Oak Knoll: Morgan brings a dynamic background in journalism, marketing, and multimedia production, having worked with NBCUniversal, Sony Music Entertainment, Audible, and Madison Square Garden.

Caren Stephenson

• At Oak Knoll: Caren joins the Upper School English department.
• Education: Caren earned a bachelor’s in English from Rutgers University and certifications in secondary English, elementary education, and special education from Kean University.
• Prior to Oak Knoll: Caren served at Piscataway High School, where she was awarded Piscataway Township Teacher of the Year. She most recently taught at the Deron School.

Darrin Stout

• At Oak Knoll: Darrin joined our facilities and maintenance department.
• Prior to Oak Knoll: Darrin previously worked as a maintenance technician and technology team leader at Topgolf in Edison.

Baylee Witter

• At Oak Knoll: Baylee joins the Upper School Creative Arts Department as a leave replacement.
• Education: Baylee holds a bachelor’s degree in arts from Drew University with minors in arts administration and applied performance. She is also pursuing a master’s in theatre education at Adelphi University.
• Prior to Oak Knoll: Baylee has taught and assistant-directed a broad range of student theatre programs.

Please join us in welcoming these fresh faces to the Oak Knoll School community!