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Faculty

A warm and
nurturing team
of educators

A warm and nurturing team of educators.

At Mustard Seed School, we invest in our teachers. We believe the best educators are the ones who are continually growing and learning themselves. That’s why we commit to providing a variety of means for our educators’ professional development. We even have an endowed chair, The Agnes and Peter Steenland Memorial Chair for Professional Development, that ensures professional development is funded.

Preschool Faculty

Ryan Dominguez

Assistant Teacher, Preschool

Hwa Young Gluckow

Assistant Teacher, Preschool

Kristen Jordan

Teacher, Preschool

Lower School Faculty K-3

Becca Brasser

Teacher, Grade 1

Dorota Chester

Assistant Teacher, Kinderarten

Mallory Curran

Assistant Teacher, Grade 1

Cindy Kuperus

Co-Teacher, Grades 2 & 3

Rebekah Lowe

Co-Teacher, Grades 2 & 3

Bridget O’Dowd

Teacher, Kindergarten

Middle School Faculty 4-8

Sam Choi

Grade 8 Math and Technology Manager

Brent Harris

Grade 7 Homeroom, 7-8 Language Arts

Chloe Ko

Teacher, Grade 5 and STEAM Team member

Melissa McCallihan

Grade 6 Homeroom, 6-8 Science & 6 Language Arts

Sam Martino

Grade 8 Homeroom, 6-8 Social Studies

Kate Streelman

Teacher, Grade 4

Heather Welesko

Assistant Teacher, Grade 4, Literacy Specialist

Academic Specialists

Dana Baker

Learning Specialist

Clara Buckley

Art Teacher and STEAM Team member

Nathan Johnson

Art Teacher, Preschool to Grade 3

Zachary Licato

Teacher, Physical Education and Health; Learning Support (7th Grade)

Joan Isaacs Litman

Artist-in-Residence

Aiko Mauldin

Coleman Fung Chair for Music; Director of Songsters, Choristers, and Music Educator for Grades K-5; Worship Leader

Tania Oro-Hahn

Spanish, Grades 2-8; Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Jessica Smith

Music Teacher, Preschool and Grades 6-8; Worship Coordinator

Administrative Staff

Nancy Aberg

Extended Day Coordinator

Chris Casazza

Director of Development

Sam Choi

Grade 8 Math and Technology Manager

Kelly Eads

Development Associate

Angela Ho

Financial Consultant

Kate Nordling

Admissions Assistant and Grants Coordinator

Maribel Mendez

School Receptionist and Grade 3-6 Extended Day Assistant Teacher

Sebastian Olukun

Director of Business & Operations

Tania Oro-Hahn

Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; Spanish, Grades 2-8

Ashley Sweeney

Admissions Manager

Stacy Sweeney

School Manager & Registrar

Emily Ford Sytsma

Program Director, Preschool-Grade 1 & Extended Day

Shakeh Tashjian

Program Director, Grades 2-8

Nancy Van Epps

Director of Marketing and Communications

Extended Day Staff

Nancy Aberg

Extended Day Coordinator

Maribel Mendez

School Receptionist and Grade 3-6 Extended Day Assistant Teacher

2021-2022 Board of Trustees

A Board of Trustees provides oversight for Mustard Seed School. Composed of 10-15 members, it includes the Head of School. Each member of the Board has been nominated, interviewed, and approved by the Board. The term of office for each is three years and each member may serve for up to five consecutive terms. The board includes people from a variety of professional backgrounds, including finance, real estate, education, fundraising, spiritual
direction and business management. All share a deep commitment to Mustard Seed’s mission.

The daily operations of the educational program are under the purview of the Head of School. The primary responsibilities of The Board include:

  • Hiring, supporting and evaluating the Head of School.
  • Setting the budget and overseeing the school’s financial well-being.
  • Fundraising, networking, and guiding the school to fulfill its mission.

Kelesha Armand (2018)
Hoboken, New Jersey. Occupation: Attorney. Church Affiliation: Episcopal.

Jan Gallagher (2020)
Vice President
Jersey City, New Jersey. Occupation: Writer. Church Affiliation: Lutheran.

Abby Hall Choi (2021) 
Ex-Officio
Jersey City, New Jersey. Occupation: Head of School, Mustard Seed School. Church Affiliation: Lutheran

Cara Hilton (2018)
Hoboken, New Jersey. Occupation: Psychologist. Church Affiliation: Roman Catholic.

Young Lee (2013)
Hoboken, NJ. Occupation: Attorney. Church Affiliation: Presbyterian.

William McGraw (2014)
Hoboken, New Jersey. Occupation: Financial Risk Manager. Church Affiliation: Roman Catholic.

Mark Quiles (2015)
Secretary
Hawthorne, NJ. Occupation: School Administrator. Church Affiliation: Non-denominational.

Scott Rostan (2010)
President
Hoboken, New Jersey. Occupation: Corporate Trainer. Church Affiliation: Episcopal.

Lillian Meyer Taylor ’04 (2018)
Treasurer
Queens, New York. Occupation: Civil Engineer. Church Affiliation: Roman Catholic.

Orlando Velez ’94 (2021)
North Bergen, New Jersey. Occupation: Clinical Social Worker Instructor Church Affiliation: Non-Denominational.

 

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