Our Staff

Dr. Kara A Loftin
Head of School
PhD, Special Education, University of Northern Colorado
MEd, Special Education, Dyslexia Specialist, Fitchburg State University
MBA, University of Maryland, University College
BMus, Vocal Performance, Houghton College
Certifications: Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Certificate, Structured Literacy™ Dyslexia Specialist (C-SLDS), Wilson ® Dyslexia Therapist (WDT)
Started at Craig in 2020
Kloftin@craigschool.org

Jackie Veliky
Chief Financial Officer
MBA, Pace University, Lubin School of Business
BS, Accounting, Rutgers University
Certified Public Accountant
Started at Craig in 2020
JVeliky@craigschool.org

Katie Burke
Director of Development
BA, English, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Member of AFP, CASE, NJAIS
Started at Craig in 2007
KBurke@craigschool.org

Mary Calvano
Executive Assistant to the Head of School
Started at Craig in 2020
MCalvano@craigschool.org

John Chismar
Director of Technology
MA, Educational Technology, New Jersey City University
MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer), Greenville Tech
B.S., Business Administration, West Virginia University
Member of NJAIS Technology Steering Committee
Started at Craig in 2004
JChismar@craigschool.org

Debra Gallo
Director of Marketing
BA in Marketing Communications
Debra Gallo and Associates, Inc – President – created 1989
Started at Craig in 2010
dgallo@craigschool.org

Bruce MacNeal
Plant/Facilities Manager
Fairleigh Dickinson University, Business Administration
N.J., N.G., OCS 2nd Lt.Vice Chair of Boonton Planning Board
Board Secretary of Rockaway Valley Sewerage Authority
Started at Craig in 2013
BMacNeal@craigschool.org

Nicole Moon
Director of Admissions
AA, Communications, Media, Morris County College
Started at Craig in 2014
NMoon@craigschool.org

Colleen Pauwels
Bookkeeper
Started at Craig in 2019
CPauwels@craigschool.org

Johnathan Pieri
Help Desk & Audio Visual Service
A.S. Computer Security, Lehigh Carbon Community College
Started at Craig in 2015
JPieri@craigschool.org

Janet Cozine
Director
MA, Learning Disabilities, Montclair State University
Bachelor of Arts, Special Education, Rowan State University
Member International Dyslexia Association
Member Learning Disabilities Association
Started at Craig in 1980
JCozine@craigschool.org

Niles J. Furlong
Assistant Director
MA, Urban Education, Administration and Supervision, New Jersey City University
MA, Counseling, Guidance, New Jersey City University
BA, Psychology, Montclair State University
Certifications, Principal, Supervisor, School Safety Specialist, Guidance Counselor, Elementary School Teacher, Teacher of the Handicapped and Teacher of Psychology
Started at Craig in 1996
NFurlong@craigschool.org

Mary Calvano
Front Desk Administrator
Started at Craig in 2020
mcalvano@craigschool.org

Blair Butter
Teacher
MA, Teacher of Students with Disabilities, College of Saint Elizabeth
Bachelors, English Writing/Elementary Education, William Paterson University
Started at Craig in 2011
BButter@craigschool.org

Lauren Charniga
Teacher
M.A., Learning Disabilities, Montclair State University
B.A. Special Education, Elementary Education, Kutztown University
LDTC Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant
Started at Craig in 1995
LCharniga@craigschool.org

Justin Cordero
Teacher
B.A., Public Administration, Fairleigh Dickson University
M.A., Elementary Education, Fairleigh Dickson University
Certificate Elementary K-6, Fairleigh Dickson University
Started Craig 2018
jcordero@craigschool.org

Kelly DellaFave
Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant, Kean University
Special Education Math Teacher
MA, Special Education, Kean University
B.A., Special Education, Ramapo College of New Jersey
Certified in Singapore Math, Project Read Report Form and Written Expression, Read Naturally, and MindUp
CPR Certified
Started at Craig in 2011
KDellaFave@craigschool.org ​

Eileen Dolan
Teacher
Master of Arts, Teaching learning disabled/neurologically impaired children, NYU, NY
Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education/Special Education, Brooklyn College, NY
NJ Certificate, Teacher of the Handicapped
Started at Craig in 2020
edolan@craigschool.org

Mrs. Alessandra Edwards 
C-SSWS, C-ACYFSW – Social Clinician
B.A. Social Work, Lehman College CUNY
M.A. Social Work/Psychotherapy, New York University
Started at Craig in 2017
AEdwards@craigschool.org

Jessica Feldmann
Teacher
Master of Science in Education, College of New Rochelle, NY
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Bingham University, NY
NJ Certification, Elementary School Teacher and Teacher of Students with Disabilities
NY State Certification, Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities
Orton-Gillingham Master Trainer
Certified Structed Literacy Instructor
Google Level Two Educator
Started at Craig in 2020
JFeldmann@craigschool.org

Anthony Finn
Teacher
Bachelor of Science, Early and Primary Teacher Education, Montclair State University
NJ Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing, K-6
NJ Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing, Art K-12
Started at Craig in 2020
AFinn@craigschool.org

Laura Given
Teacher and Department Head
B.A., Early Childhood, Montclair State University
Dyslexia Specialist, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Orton Gillingham, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Member International Dyslexia Association
Fairleigh Dickinson University Orton Scholar
Started at Craig in 2013
LGiven@craigschool.org

Jennifer Guthrie
Teacher and Department Head
B.S., Family-Child Development, Virginia Tech
Elementary Education, Teacher of the Handicapped, Centenary College
Started at Craig in 2000
JGuthrie@craigschool.org

Harriet Hughes-Rex
Speech Language Specialist
M.A., Audiology and Communications, Communications and Hearing, Speech Pathology, Kean University
B.A. Speech and Hearing, Kean University
Member New Jersey Speech-Hearing Association
Member Morris County Speech-Hearing Association
Member Bergen County Speech-Hearing Association
Started at Craig in 2003
HRex@craigschool.org

Lynn Imperatore
Teacher and Department Head
Bachelor of Science, Special Education, William Paterson University
Certification, Teacher of the Handicapped, William Paterson University
Started at Craig in 1985
LImperatore@craigschool.org

Cheryl Kaplan
Speech and Language Pathologist
Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP)
Supervisory Certification, Kean University
MA, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Montclair State University
Bachelors, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Teacher of Handicapped, Montclair State University
Member American Speech and Hearing Association
Member New Jersey Speech and Hearing Association
Member Morris County Speech and Hearing Association
Started at Craig in 2002
CKaplan@craigschool.org

Janelle Kenny-Johnson
Teacher
MS Elementary Education- Nova Southeastern University
BS Elementary Education- Nova Southeastern University
ESOL Endorsement
Training Certifications
ISME Comprehensive Orton Gillingham Training
Project Read - Written Expression certified
Started at Craig 2019
JKennyJohnson@craigschool.org

Casey Kirkpatrick
Teacher
BA, Sociology, Communications, Indiana University
Alternate Route Teacher Certification Program, New Jersey City University
Certifications: Elementary School Teacher in Grades K-6, Teacher of Social Studies
Started at Craig in 2012
CKirkpatrick@craigschool.org

Suzanne Kutcher
Teacher
Bachelor of Arts Degree, Flagler College
NJ Certificate Art K-12
NJ Certificate Elementary Education
Started at Craig in 2020
SKutcher@craigschool.org

Kimberly McGroarty
Administrative Assistant
American School of Business-certificate
Started at Craig in 2019

Ellen Meisenbacher
School Nurse
B.S. Nursing Science, Seton Hall University
Certification, School Nurse, Caldwell College
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services-Licensed Registered Nurse
New Jersey State School Nurses Association
Started at Craig in 2000
EMeisenbacher@craigschool.org

Brielle Miller
Special Education Teacher
M.A., Education, The College of Saint Elizabeth, ​
B.S., Child Development, Mount Ida College
Certification: Special Education, Project Read Report Form and Written Expression, Read Naturally, MindUp, & CPR ​
Started at Craig in 2011
BMiller@craigschool.org

Jamie L. O’Connor
LPC-Social Clinician
M.A. Counseling, Eds, Mental Health Counseling, Seton Hall University
B.A. Psychology, University of Maryland
Started at Craig 2016
joconnor@craigschool.org

Beth Perry
MA, Elementary Reading and Literacy, Walden University
BA, Special Education, William Paterson University, Teacher of the Handicapped certification
Dyslexia Teacher, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Dyslexia Therapist, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Started at Craig 2020
bperry@craigschool.org

Karen Pompilio
Teacher
MA Science EducationWalden University
BA AnthropologyWilliam Paterson University
Certifications
Elementary Education
Elementary Education with Science Specialization 5-8
kpompilio@craigschool.org

Mary Ranieri
Math Department Chair
B.A., Elementary Education, NJ Standard Cert., Kean University
Certificate, Math K-12, William Paterson University
Provisional Teacher of the Handicapped, New Jersey City University, University of Phoenix
Started at Craig in 2003
MRanieri@craigschool.org

Tracy Rosky
Teacher and Department Head
B.A. Elementary Education, William Paterson University, K-5 Certification
Attended The School of Visual Arts
Certifications/Training: Project Read, Story Form, report Form & Written Expression, CPR Certified
Started at Craig in 2012
trosky@craigschool.org

Heather Santiago
Teacher
Bachelor of Arts, Teacher of the Handicapped, Kean University
Certification, Orton Gillingham Teacher Training, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Started at Craig 2020
HSantiago@craigshool.org

Jennifer Schilling
Teacher
Master of Fine Arts, Music, State University of New York, Purchase
Bachelor of Music, Performance, Gordon College
Associate of Fine Arts, Psychology, Bradford College
Started at Craig in 2013
JSchilling@craigschool.org

Terrence Snowdon
Teacher
B.A., University of Delaware, William Paterson University
Certification: Read Naturally, Project Read Report Form, Read Naturally Written Expression
Started at Craig in 2004
TSnowdon@craigschool.org

Jean Stubaus
Teacher
B.S. Math with Physics minor
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Former Systems Engineer, private Math tutor,  and Middle School math teacher at NJAIS member school
Started at Craig in 2016

Linda Wallace
Teacher and Department Head
M.A., Special Education, Rutgers University
B.A., Special Education, Kean College
Orton Gillingham, Fairleigh Dickinson University Member International Dyslexia Association Published: Prefixes, Suffixes, Root Words, Teacher’s Manual
Started at Craig in 2000
LWallace@criagschool.org

Dr. Eric M. Caparulo
Director
Doctorate, Educational Leadership, Nova Southeastern University
MA, Administration, Montclair State University
MA, Teaching, Montclair State University
Certified Principal, Supervisor, Teacher of Psychology, Teacher of Students with Disabilities, Online Instructor Published writer and presenter for NJIDA and NJAIS
Test item writer for ETS: PRAXIS Special Education
Started at Craig in 1992
ECaparulo@craigschool.org

Tiffany Brown
School Psychologist
Ed.S., Educational Specialist in a school and Community Psychology, Seton Hall University MA, Psychological Studies, Seton Hall University
BA, Elementary Education, University of Hartford
Certified School Psychologist, State of NJ Trained Cogmed Facilitator Experienced in Social Thinking Program, leading social skills groups, behavior management, psychological assessments, and referral services
Background counseling with students with learning disabilities, IEP development, and IEP implementation
Started at Craig High in 2011
TBrown@craigschool.org

Paige Bank
English
MA School Leadership, Montclair State University, MA Reading, Montclair State University, BA Secondary English Education, University of Hartford
Previous Courses taught include Academic Writing, Creative Writing, Journalism, Speech, Poetry, Test Preparation, and all High School Literature Courses
Certified as: Teacher of English, Reading Specialist, Supervisor, Principal, Superintendent, Google Educator Level 1 & Level 2, CPR/AED/ First Aid
Started at Craig in 2015
Pbank@craigschool.org

Monal Bhakta
Science
Bachelor of Science, Biology, Rutgers University
Bachelor of Science, Environmental Policy, Institutions, and Behavior, Rutgers University Certified Teacher of Biology Teacher of Students with Disabilities
Genomic Research published in National Library of Medicine
Started at Craig in 2007
MBhakta@craigschool.org

Karen Blount
Reading Specialist
Bachelors, Education & Special Education, Lesley University
Certified Teacher of Orton Gillingham and Teacher of the Handicapped
Previous positions in public schools and Orton Gillingham Instructor
Started at Craig 2011
KBlount@craigschool.org

Jodi Crum
Math
BA in Mathematics from College of St. Elizabeth’s
Teacher of HS Mathematics, Finance and Business
Extensive experience with various math techs including graphing calculator, geometer sketchpad, Khan Academy
Craig High School Cross Country Coach
Started at Craig in 2007
JChitticks@craigschool.org

Susan Gallagher
English
Masters of Education from The College of New Jersey
Bachelor of Arts, Secondary Education Specialization in English, Caldwell University Certified Teacher of English and Certified Teacher of Students with Disabilities Member of several Honor Societies including: Alpha Chi, Sigma Tau Delta, Kappa Delta Epsilon
Experience Teaching Grades 8 through 12
Educated and former Licensed Practical Nurse
Started at Craig in 2016
SGallagher@craigschool.org

Jeffrey Jacobs
History
MA, Education and Special Education, Montclair State University
MA, Teaching, Montclair State University
Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Arts Communications, Carnegie Mellon U.
Certified Teacher of Social Studies and Teacher of Students with Disabilities
Craig High Yearbook Advisor
Business Specialist, Mentor & Training Facilitator, Apple Store Short Hills
Started at Craig in 2006
JJacobs@craigschool.org

Daniel Marchioni
Spanish
Bachelor of Arts, William Patterson University
Certified Teacher of Spanish
Teacher of Italian
Teacher of Students with Disabilities
Started at Craig in 2002
DMarchioni@craigschool.org

Sean Norton
Physical Education and Health
BA from Fairleigh Dickinson University
Certified Teacher of Students with Disabilities
Previous School Teaching Experience includes the Gramon School and Montville High School Assistant Football Coach, Boonton High School
Started at Craig High in 2017
SNorton@craigschool.org

James Caldwell Simpson
Science
MA, Special Education, Montclair State University
BS in Physics and Chemistry, Univ. of Stellenbosch, South Africa
Post Graduate Studies in Education, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
Certified Teacher of Physics, Chemistry, Physical Science, Earth Science, Teacher of Students with Learning Disabilities, MSUNJ Highly Qualified Status in Physics, Chemistry, Physical Science
Started at Craig in 2000
JSimpson@craigschool.org

Kate Tartaglia
Visual and Performing Arts
BA in Art Education from Kean UniversityLambda Alpha Sigma (Academic Honors)
Certified NJ Teacher of Art, Prior HS Courses taught include Studio Art, Drawing, Ceramics, 3-D Design, and Digital Photography
Started at Craig in 2016
KTartaglia@craigschool.org

Dawn DeSimone
Director of College Counseling and Placement
President of LD Resource Group, LLC
Marymount Manhattan College, Communications Major
Founder of the Extra Supports Parent Network for West Morris Regional High School District
Started at Craig in 2002
DDeSimone@craigschool.org

Deborah Maas 
Administrative Assistant
Indian River Community College
Executive Secretary, Floresta Elementary School, Florida
Guidance Clerk, Ft. Pierce Central High School, Florida
Started at Craig in 2004
DMaas@craigschool.org