We are excited to enter the 2023-2024 school year with several extremely talented new staff and faculty members. They join Oak Knoll’s already stellar team in paving the way for another wonderful year of teaching and learning in a community dedicated to educating people with purpose.

Lower School

Oyi Daniels
Education: Daniels received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English/Creative Writing and Theater with honors from Carnegie Mellon University. She has two master’s degrees: one in Education from Pace University and her second in Fine Arts from Columbia University.
Prior Experience: She has worked as a children’s librarian, a teacher in the NYC Public School system, with Teach for America, and with Renaissance Leadership Academy in New York.
At Oak Knoll: She returns to Oak Knoll as a permanent member of our Intermediate Team, following her position as a long-term substitute last winter/spring. Ms. Daniels will continue as our Grade 6 Homeroom, Language Arts and Reading, and Religion teacher.

Eileen Dean
Education: Ms. Dean received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater degree from Carnegie Mellon University.
Prior Experience: She comes to Oak Knoll from North Star Academy in Newark.
At Oak Knoll: She joins Oak Knoll as our new PreK-Grade 6 Drama Teacher and Grade 1 Religion Teacher.

Mackenzie Lane
Education: Ms. Lane received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and her Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Furman University.
Prior Experience: She comes to Oak Knoll from the Mary Kay McMillan Early Childhood Center in Berkeley Heights.
At Oak Knoll: She joins Oak Knoll as our new Grade 1 Homeroom, Language Arts and Reading, and Social Studies teacher.

Meredith Molinaro
Education: Molinaro received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, with a minor in Sociology from Elon University, and her master’s degree in Social Work: Clinical Concentration from the Rutgers University Graduate School of Social Work.
Prior Experience: She comes to Oak Knoll from Whiton Elementary School in Branchburg, New Jersey.
At Oak Knoll: She joins Oak Knoll as our new School Counselor. 

Upper School

Claire Bukata
Education: Bukata graduated from Fordham University, earning a Master of Science in Education with a major in special education. She also has a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Prior Experience: She joins us from San Domenico School in California.
At Oak Knoll: She joins the student support team as the Student Services Coordinator.

Suzanne Monkemeier
Education: Monkemeier graduated from Seton Hall University, earning a Master of Educational Leadership. In addition, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Rutgers University.
Prior Experience: She joins us from Madison Public Schools, where she has taught for thirty years.
At Oak Knoll:  She will be joining our Science Department as a science teacher.

Katie Mucci
Education: Mucci graduated from Hunter College, earning a Master of Arts in Secondary Mathematics Education. In addition, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in accounting from Georgetown University.
Prior Experience: Before working as a private tutor while raising her family, Mrs. Mucci taught all levels of middle and high school math in the New York City and Livingston public schools.
At Oak Knoll: Mucci is joining the Math Department as a math teacher.

Liz Rooney
Education: Rooney graduated from the University of Massachusetts, where she earned a Master of Education in secondary education. She is also a graduate of Williams College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English.
Prior Experience: She is joining us from Morristown-Beard School.
At Oak Knoll: She is joining the English Department as an English teacher.

Lillie Ricciardi
Education: Ricciardi graduated from the Actors Studio Drama School, earning a Master of Fine Arts specializing in acting. She has also earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre with a minor in mathematics from NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
Prior Experience: She joins us from Golda Och Academy.
At Oak Knoll: She will be joining our Creative Arts Department as a drama teacher, theater director, and Creative Arts Department Chair. 

Irida Ruci
Education: Ruci graduated from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. She also has an Associate of Science in Computer Science from Union County College.
Prior Experience: She is joining us from C2 Education.
At Oak Knoll: She will be joining our Computer Science Department as a robotics, engineering, and computer science teacher.

Sascha Sternecker
Education: Sternecker graduated from Hollins University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in music.
Prior Experience: Before her role as a theatre teacher at the Holderness School, she was the music and theatre teacher at the Purnell School.
At Oak Knoll: Sternecker will be joining our Creative Arts Department as a music teacher and choral director

Nick Valente
Education: Valente is a graduate of Stony Brook University, earning a Master of Arts with a concentration in mathematics and a Bachelor of Science with a major in mathematics and a minor in computer science.
Prior Experience: He joins us from 2Sigma School and Mathnasium.
At Oak Knoll: He is joining the Math Department as a math teacher.

Staff

Roselyn Adams
Education: Roselyn received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Master of Science in accounting from St. John’s University
Prior Experience: Prior to joining Oak Knoll, Roselyn served as director of development, campaign strategy, and leadership gifts at Fairfield University.
At Oak Knoll: She is joining the Office of Institutional Advancement as a Major Gifts Officer.

Ann Chen
Education: Ann received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Carnegie Mellon University in Information and Decision Systems
Prior Experience: Ann comes to OKS from Verbum Dei Jesuit High School in Los Angeles, where she served as Special Assistant to the President. Before that, she worked at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung in the Main Office and the Office of Institutional Advancement, as well as the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public School District in Data Analysis and Assessment.
At Oak Knoll: She is joining Oak Knoll as the Executive Assistant to the Head of School

Mary de Poortere
Education: Mary graduated from Highpoint University with a degree in Human Relations
Prior Experience: After serving as an admissions counselor at her alma mater, Mary served as associate manager of strategic marketing for Bio Pharm Communications. Mary also has served as the communications administrator and special events coordinator for the Morris County Golf Club.
At Oak Knoll: She is joining the Office of Institutional Advancement as an Advancement Associate and Special Events Coordinator.

Maria Hargens
Education: After graduating from OKS in 2002, Maria went to St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. She later received a dual master’s from NYU in Early Childhood Education and Special Education for Early Childhood.
Prior Experience: Maria previously worked at the Washington Market School in Tribeca for 11 years, where she was a Lead Teacher, Assistant Director of Enrollment, and Site Director. She was also a teacher at the Academy of Saint Joseph in the West Village.
At Oak Knoll: She is joining the Office of Admissions as Director of Lower School Admission.

Brian McGuire recently retired with the rank of Lieutenant from the South Orange Police Department after serving 26 years. He coaches baseball and football in Madison, where he resides with his wife and three boys. He will be working the day shift within the security department. 

Brian Nalducci currently serves the City of Elizabeth as a member of their fire department. His daughter is entering the fifth grade here at Oak Knoll School, and he will be covering all the shifts as a per diem officer.