News & Information

HCSD Welcomes New Teachers

New members of the Harrison Central School District faculty joined our learning community as we began a new school year. The Superintendent and District administrators led new teacher orientation over two days before the school year official started to provide a foundation for new teachers as they begin teaching in Harrison by introducing District core values and reviewing instructional philosophy and practices. We are excited to welcome new teachers to our learning community. Get to know our new teachers: 

HARRISON HIGH SCHOOL

William Austin Alexander                Italian

Mr. Alexander graduated on the Dean's List, with a bachelor's degree from Nazareth College and continued his education at the Maxwell School of Public Affairs, earning a master's degree in early modern European history. He was awarded Student of the Summer from Middlebury College Languages School, where he earned his master's degree in Italian studies. His prior teaching experience includes serving as an Italian teacher for the Fox Lane Middle School and Eastchester High School and as an Italian Professor for Bronx Community College.

Joshua Davis                         Special Education

Mr. Davis holds bachelor's degrees in both communication and information technology/administrative management from Eastern Connecticut State University and Central Washington University, respectively, and a master's in urban education from Mercy College. Since 2007, Mr. Davis has worked as a special education teacher in co-taught classrooms throughout the Bronx and most recently at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School in Astoria, NY.

Melville Francis, Psy.D.                    Psychology

Dr. Francis will serve as school psychologist at Harrison High School.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hunter College and a master’s degree and doctorate in school psychology from St. John's University.  She completed her postdoctoral fellowship with Cognitive Behavioral Consultants of White Plains and continued there as a Staff Psychologist.

 Rocio Guerrero                     Foreign Language

Ms. Guerrero earned a bachelor's degree in international relations from the Universidad Anahuac del Sur and her master's degree in intercultural relations from Lesley University. Her teaching experience includes long term leave replacements in both North Rockland and Putnam Valley School Districts.  Ms. Guerrero will serve in a long term substitute role teaching Spanish at Harrison High School.

Emily Hart                              Science 

Ms. Hart graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in chemistry and a minor in psychology from the University of Rochester. She continued her education at the Relay Graduate School of Education, earning her master's degree in teaching with distinction and an ETS Recognition of Excellence for Chemistry. Ms. Hart's prior experience includes serving in multiple roles at KIPP NYC College Preparatory School in the Bronx and as a Chemistry Regents Item Writer in Albany.

Rachel Levey             School Psychologist

Dr. Levey graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Colgate University.  She later earned her doctorate in school psychology and an award for academic excellence from Rutgers University.  She served as a doctoral intern at the Bronxville School for three years and a school psychologist with the Lang School in Manhattan.

Marissa Parisi                        Speech Pathology

Ms. Parisi accepted a long-term leave assignment at the Harrison High School.  She graduated from Herbert H. Lehman College with a master’s degree in speech-language pathology.  For the past four years, Ms. Parisi has worked as a speech pathologist at the Elizabeth Seton Children's School.  She has also served as a per diem substitute for the New Rochelle City School District and as a clinical fellow for Westchester Speech and Language Services.  

Amanda Rosenhagen           Foreign Language 

As a member of the Alpha Mu Gamma Honor Society, Ms. Rosenhagen earned a bachelor's degree in adolescent science education with a specialization in Italian from Iona College.  She went on to earn her master's degree in teaching foreign language from Manhattanville College and completed graduate coursework in educational leadership from Liberty University. She received tenure as a teacher of World Languages from the Arlington Central School District and previously taught both Italian and Spanish.

Sophy Tejada                        Special Education

Ms. Tejada has most recently served as teaching assistant in Harrison’s FASE program at Parsons Memorial Elementary School and as a special education teacher in Harrison’s summer program.  She will now serve in a long term substitute role teaching special education in the FASE program at Harrison High School. Ms. Tejada earned her bachelor's degree in health promotion studies with a concentration in community health and a minor in psychology from Western Connecticut State University.  She received her master's in childhood education and special education grades 1-6 from Manhattanville College.

Johanna Weidenhamer                    Science 

Ms. Weidenhamer served as a long-term substitute teacher last year and will continue in a tenure-track position this year. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in science from the State University of New York at Oneonta. At Oneonta, Ms. Weidenhamer was the recipient of the Academic Achievement Award in Biology and Adolescence Education.

 

 

LOUIS M KLEIN MIDDLE SCHOOL

Anna Marie Berardi                           Italian

Ms. Berardi is joining the Harrison Community to serve as a long-term substitute Italian teacher at the Louis M. Klein Middle School. She graduated on the Dean's List from Molloy College with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She also holds a master’s degree in literacy from Touro College.  Over the last eight years she has taught both Italian and Spanish for the Trinity Regional School and the Hicksville High School in New York.

Rebecca Cacciato                 Special Education

Ms. Cacciato graduated Cum Laude with bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and human development and a master's degree in education from Boston College. Finding her community had a need for educational and family support, Ms Cacciato started Thrive By Becky, a program to help students struggling academically reach their goals. Ms. Cacciato also served as an ICT special education teacher in both New York City and Mamaroneck.

Jacquelyn Fossati                Social Studies

Ms. Fossati earned a bachelor’s degree in adolescent education with a concentration in social studies and a master’s degree in special education from the College of Saint Rose. Ms. Fossati's previous employment includes teaching social studies at the Bethlehem Middle School and working in the 12th Grade Resource Room of the Colonie Central High School in Albany, New York.

Peter Van Galen                    Special Education

Mr. Van Galen holds a bachelor’s degree in English and music from the College of the Holy Cross and a master’s degree in secondary English and special education from Manhattanville College.  He completed his student teaching at Fox Lane High School and continued at the Middle School, teaching English and math to students performing below grade level. Most recently Mr. Van Galen worked as a special education teacher for the Lab Middle School in NY.

 

HARRISON AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Jessica Benvenuto               Elementary

Ms. Benvenuto served as a long-term substitute teacher during both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 school years and will continue in this role for 2020-21.  She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Marist College and a master’s degree in elementary education from Teachers College at Columbia University.  Her prior experience includes teaching second and third grade at Leihoku Elementary School in Waianae, Hawaii. 

Matthew Crozier                    Music

As one of the most accomplished musicians to graduate from Harrison High School, Mr. Crozier earned a bachelor’s degree in music with a minor in music education and later a master's degree in music education from Indiana University.  He has served as the Band Director for the Paoli Community School Corporation, where he planned and implemented all music instruction to every grade level.

PARSONS MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Sophia Conte                        Speech Pathology

Ms. Conte earned her  bachelor's degree in communication disorders from the University of New York, New Paltz ,and her master's in speech-language pathology from Lehman College. She continued to serve as a Graduate Student Clinician for Lehman College and went on to do the same at the Westchester Institute of Human Development and the Institute of Applied Human Dynamics.  Most recently she completed an assignment as a speech-language pathologist for High Quality Home Therapy.

Danielle DeLuca                    Special Education

Ms. DeLuca graduated Magna Cum Laude earning a bachelor's degree in mathematics with childhood education certification from Dominican College. She continued her education to graduate with honors, receiving her master's degree in students with disabilities.  Ms. DeLuca recently served as an elementary special education teacher in the Bronx and previously completed an elementary leave replacement at the Frank G. Lindsey School in Montrose, NY.

Anne Josephson                   Psychology

Dr. Josephson graduated with her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin and holds master's degrees in both Education and School Psychology from St. John's University.  She continued her stay at St. John's to earn her doctorate in psychology. Dr. Josephson completed her postdoctoral fellowship with Cognitive & Behavioral Consultants of Westchester & Manhattan.

Sophone Trecker                  Elementary

Ms. Trecker will serve as a long-term substitute third grade teacher this year at Parsons Memorial Elementary School.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree in education from Teaches College at Columbia University.  Ms. Trecker taught for six years and earned tenure at School PS 116 in New York City and taught kindergarten for three years at PS 321 in Brooklyn.  She also has extensive experience as a consultant providing professional development and curriculum support to classroom teachers.

 

SAMUEL J. PRESTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Julia Alberico                        Special Education

Ms. Aberico graduated with a bachelor’s degree in childhood education with a concentration in English and her master's degree in education from Pace University. She completed her student teaching for Grades 3 and 5 at the Columbus Elementary School in New Rochelle, and a teacher residency at the Bronxville Elementary School.

Louise Ehrmann                    Elementary

Ms. Ehrmann served as a long-term substitute at Samuel J. Preston Elementary School in 2019-20  and will continue in the same role this year.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in American civilization with a minor in African American studies from the University of Pennsylvania.  She also earned her master’s degree in childhood education from the City College of New York, School of Education.  

PURCHASE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Jenna Grossman                  Special Education

Ms. Grossman earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with dual certification in childhood and special education from Marist College.  She continued her education at Marist College, earning her master’s degree in educational psychology.  Ms. Grossman's previous experience includes teaching special education at the elementary level in both the Success Academy Charter School in Harlem and Public School 44 in the Bronx, and a long term substitute role at Glenham Elementary in Beacon, NY.

Jennifer Street                       Special Education

Ms. Street graduated from Brock University in Ontario, Canada, with a bachelor's degree in education and later earned her master's degree in education with a special education distinction from the University of Michigan. Ms. Street has extensive experience serving in both roles as a special education teacher and a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst and most recently completed a long-term leave replacement assignment for the Rye City School District.

Rachel Weltman                    Special Education

Ms. Weltman  holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and early childhood education from Tulane University,  She earned her master’s degree in childhood education and special education from New York University where she serves as a Project Manager and Co-Coach for their Teach @ Home program. Ms. Weltman has worked as a substitute teacher for the Blind Brook School District and most recently completed a long-term leave replacement role for Battery Park City School.

Krysten Yee                           Elementary

Ms. Yee served as an intern and long-term substitute teacher in both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 school years, and she will continue as a long-term substitute teacher this year.  Ms. Yee graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from James Madison University, and she is pursuing a master’s degree in childhood education and special education at Pace University.  Her prior experience also includes serving as a teaching assistant with Eden Autism Services in Princeton, New Jersey.