Portledge in the Now.

Human Resources Update

New Faces & Promotions: Faculty

Robbie Beaton will be taking on a new role at Portledge as Computer Science Teacher. Robbie has transitioned out of his Associate Teaching position in the Lower School and has been working closely with our Technology Education & Computer Science Chair, Danny Nelson, over the summer as we prepare to launch our computer science course offerings this Fall. 
 
Lauren Conniff will be joining Portledge in the position of Middle School History Teacher, following Brendan Sullivan’s promotion to Assistant Director of Middle School. Lauren most recently held the position of Long-Term Substitute with the Locust Valley Central School district on Long Island, NY, and brings with her over four years of teaching experience.

Nathalie Coulon will be joining Portledge in the position of Middle School French Teacher in a new position based on the needs of our World Language Department. Nathalie most recently held the position of French and Spanish Teacher at North Shore Middle and Elementary Schools in Sea Cliff, NY, and brings with her over seven years of teaching experience.

Jason Reese will be joining Portledge in the position of Music & Chorus Teacher following Eden White’s transition to Upper School Dean. Jason most recently held the position of Music Teacher at the Vincent Smith School on Long Island, NY, and brings with him over eight years of teaching and private instruction experience.

Len Lavallee will be joining Portledge in the position of Middle School Spanish Teacher following Silvia Arrascue’s departure. Len most recently held the position of Spanish Teacher at Westhill High School in Stamford, CT, and brings with him over seven years of teaching experience.

Hanna Daempfle will be joining Portledge this October in the position of Literacy Specialist - Leave Replacement for Andrea O’Sullivan in the Lower School. Hanna most recently held the position of Special Education Teaching Aide at the Normal Levy Lakeside School in Merrick, NY. Hanna holds several New York State certifications in Childhood Education and Literacy.

Helen Oehrlein will be rejoining us again next year as a long-term Leave Replacement Substitute for Chris Corby while he finishes out his paternity leave from August 29 through October 7. 

Lauren Williams will be joining Portledge in the position of Lower School Physical Education Teacher, following Pat Wingler’s departure. Lauren most recently held the position of Physical Education and Health Teacher in Roosevelt School District and brings over 13 years of teaching experience.

Courtney Balan will be joining Portledge in the position of part-time Musical Theatre Teacher, working closely with Jason Dula. Courtney is a veteran of six Broadway shows and spent the last year starring as Dee Dee Allen in the National Tour of the hit Broadway musical THE PROM. Courtney has a long history of working with our students, leading master classes, and running a Summer Theatre program, and is excited to officially join our faculty community this year.

Rachael Ferruggia will be taking on a new role as Community Service Advisor this school year in addition to her Middle School teaching duties. 

Jen Bernsston will be moving into a new role in the Lower School as an Early Childhood Teaching Assistant this year, reporting directly to the Director of Early Childhood and Assistant Head of Lower School Leigh DeMaria. 

Janella Wiggins-Blackmon will be moving into a new role in the Lower School as a Lower School Teaching Assistant, reporting directly to Lower School Division Director Saralyn Lawn.
 
New Faces & Promotions: Administration

Ramona Owens will be joining Portledge at the beginning of September in the position of Chief Financial Officer, departing from her finance leadership position with The Waldorf School of Garden City. Ramona joins us with over 20 years of senior financial leadership and accounting experience; with nine years of experience leading the finance and administrative departments in an independent school setting. Ramona will report directly to Simon Owen-Williams, Head of School, overseeing the Human Resources, IT, and Finance departments. 
 
Zoe Schwam has taken on an expanded role starting this school year as Director of Operations in addition to her Controller duties. In her new role, Zoe will oversee our Business Office administrative staff, Maintenance, and Security teams, and will manage any contract needs for outside vendors including BOCES and Culinart. Please also note that Zoe will continue to perform interim CFO duties in addition to her Operations responsibilities until our new CFO joins the team. 
 
Ryann Supple joined Portledge at the end of June as our new Director of Communications.  In her leadership role, Ryann will report directly to Head of School, Simon Owen-Williams, and oversee Associate Director of Communications, Neil Rigg. Ryann joins us from Manhattan Country School and brings over ten years of independent school communications experience. 
 
Albert Intreglia has taken on an expanded role this school year as Executive Assistant to the Head of School following Dreia Parker’s departure. In his new role, Albert will support all administrative needs within the Head of School’s office. Albert will also continue in his Administrative Dean role and will retain his Transportation Management duties, and will remain seated at the entrance to the Middle School to welcome our students, faculty, and families.

Amy Mulligan joined Portledge at the beginning of August in the position of Athletic Director, departing from her position as Director of Athletics with The Hewitt School. Amy will oversee all Athletics Department staff and coaches and will report directly to Chris Disimile, Middle & Upper School Division Director. Additionally, Amy will serve as the Athletics representative on our Senior Leadership Team and teach one section of US Physical Education as she gets to know our students.

Isaac Middleton IV joined Portledge in August as Associate Athletic Director for Middle School, departing from his position as Athletic Director with Bedford Stuyvesant New Beginnings Charter School. Isaac will be reporting directly to Amy Mulligan, Athletic Director.  He will partner with our Middle & Upper School Division Director and Assistant Middle School Director to facilitate all Middle School athletic programming, and will also lead several sections of Middle School Physical Education.

Danny Kapps stepped into a new role at the beginning of August as Associate Athletic Director for Upper School, reporting directly to the Athletic Director. Danny will partner with our Middle & Upper School Division Director to facilitate all Upper School athletic programming, and will also lead several sections of Upper School Physical Education.

Taylor Holze '09 joined us this July in a new position as Administrative Student Athletes Coordinator & Hockey Coach, reporting to the Athletic Director. Taylor will serve as a supporting administrator in Athletics, team-teach several sections of Middle & Upper School Physical Education alongside Danny Kapps and Isaac Middleton IV, and serve as Head Coach for our Varsity Girls’ Hockey team. With a personal goal of becoming more involved in the college process for our student-athletes, Taylor will also be working with the College Counseling Office and Athletic Director to enhance the college counseling experience for our student-athletes. 

Stacy Daniels will be joining Portledge as Lower School Nurse through BOCES, reporting directly to Lower School Division Director Saralyn Lawn. As a current Portledge parent and previous Portledge employee, Stacy brings over two years of recent clinical experience and enthusiasm to rejoin our employee community.

Jimel Anthony will be joining Portledge in the position of IT Data Associate, following Rabaya Begum’s departure. Jimel most recently held the position of Technical Support Specialist at Speco Technologies and brings with him over two years of IT and administrative experience. Jimel will report directly to Peter Cox, Director of IT.

Franziska Cohen will be joining Portledge in the position of Lower School Front Desk Assistant, reporting directly to Lower School Division Director Saralyn Lawn. Franziska most recently held the position of Assistant to the Director of St. John’s Little Learners and brings with her over three years of student-facing administrative experience.

Vincent Catapano joined us this July in the position of Alumni Relations Associate, reporting directly to Tara Askeland, Director of Development. Vincent most recently served as the Director of Alumni Relations at St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School and brings with him over ten years of alumni-focused development experience.
 
Shelly Kaye joined us this July in the position of Upper School Dean, reporting directly to Chris Disimile, Upper and Middle School Division Head. Shelly most recently served as Class Dean at The Masters School and brings with her over fourteen years of experience.
 
Gregory Barton joined us this July in the position of Upper School Dean, reporting directly to Chris Disimile, Upper and Middle School Division Head. Gregory most recently served as Director of the Promise Program and Associate Dean of Students at LIU in Brooklyn, New York, and brings with him over three years of experience.
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