
Staff Information
Denise Rosenthal - Head of School
drosenthal@christopheracademy.com
908-233-7447
Denise Rosenthal began her teaching career at Christopher Academy in Cranford in 1990. After becoming certified to teach 2.5 to 12 in Ireland she came to America. Denise completed her Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts at Thomas Edison University. She began by teaching in a primary class and also worked alongside Amelia McTamaney in the first Christopher Academy Teacher Training Program. She taught at all levels before moving into administration. In 2013 Denise left to work at a school in a different setting. She returned to her original roots at Christopher Academy in 2020. Denise’s children Leo and Fiona both attended Christopher Academy, they also worked at summer camp and have fond memories of their time at CA. Her son is pursuing a degree in Education, and her daughter is a graduate of University of Wisconsin and currently working in Ashville, NC. Denise’s hobbies include sewing, working out, gardening, walking her dog Berkeley, traveling, knitting and spending time with her husband Craig and her family.
Christy Moyle - Director of Operations
cmoyle@christopheracademy.com
908-233-7447
Christy Moyle comes to Christopher Academy with over 25 years of experience in administrative management working for a large real estate firm in New York City. Following her retirement, Christy’s passion for starting a new career that focused on the next generation brought her to Brunner Elementary School in Scotch Plains. While there, she worked as a classroom aide making positive contributions in optimizing learner engagement and providing customized assistance to children with a variety of special needs. Christy’s core duties at Christopher Academy revolve around supporting others and facilitating the efficient operation of the office and school. A trained dancer, Christy is a native of Staten Island, New York and currently resides in Scotch Plains with her daughter, Sienna.
Amelia McTamaney - Board Chair
amct@christopheracademy.com
908-334-1395
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Nancy Aschmies, Cottage - Lead Teacher
Nancy has been with Christopher Academy for nine years and has been the Lead Teacher in the Cottage Classroom for eight. She has been the Lead Teacher for the Summer Montessori Program in Westfield for the 2018 and 2019 seasons, as well as a lead counselor for the Summer Camp this summer. Nancy is a NJ Certified Early Childhood/Elem. Ed. teacher with past experience as a classroom teacher in public, first grade classroom and as an assistant in the Maple Classroom. She attended Rider University for her undergraduate degree in teaching and has earned post-graduate credits in education from Rutgers University. She received her Montessori training at the Princeton Center for Teacher Education in 2014. Nancy resides in Cranford with her husband and three children who are all Christopher Academy alumni.
Patricia Bubniak, Maple - Lead Teacher
Pat began her affiliation with Christopher Academy in 2000 when her children were enrolled in the school. She began teaching in 2006. Pat has worked in Stepping Stones, the Maple classroom and the Cottage. This fall she will return to the Maple Room. Pat holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Hunter College and has an AMS Certification in Montessori Early Childhood Education which she received in 2007. Her children, Stephen & Christina, are both Christopher Academy alumni. Pat is an avid NY Rangers fan, enjoys gardening, knitting, needlepoint and walking her dogs, Peanut & Betty. She and her husband Andrew reside in Watchung
Poushali Chaudhuri, Maple - Lead Teacher
Poushali’s association with Christopher Academy began when her younger son joined Maple classroom in 2011. She holds an American Montessori Early Childhood credential through the Princeton Center for Teacher Education (PCTE). Poushali has many years of experience in teaching in different Montessori classrooms. She holds a Master’s degree in English and has been trained in ESL teaching in Massachusetts. She loves gardening, reading, painting, traveling and volunteers her time in her son’s school sports and scouting activities. She is excited to return to the Maple room and looking forward to a great year ahead.
Jennifer Hoover, Willow Room - Lead Teacher
Jennifer first came to know Christopher Academy when her daughter began preschool eight years ago, and had the opportunity to fill in as a substitute teacher. She was thrilled to join the teaching team as a full-time teacher in 2017. Jennifer received her AMS training and certification through the West Side Montessori teacher education program, and worked at their Manhattan preschool for five years as an assistant and head teacher. She has also worked as a field consultant helping to mentor new Montessori teachers. She received her BA in Art History from Hope College in Michigan. Jennifer lives in Rahway with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys visiting with family and friends, nature walks and music.
Angela Ignomirello, Dogwood - Lead Teacher
Angela is approaching her sixth year working at Christopher Academy. Angela has previously worked in the Maple classroom, was program director for the summer programs, co-coordinated activities for the PM Extended Care program and will be in the Dogwood room for the upcoming school year. Angela graduated from Kean University with a BA in Psychology. She also received her AMS Certification in Montessori Early Childhood Education from the Princeton Center for Teacher Education in 2021. Along with being in the classroom, Angela has taught art virtually. She is passionate about art and enjoys painting and drawing in her spare time. Her other interests include: reading, learning about marine conservation and biology, and traveling. Angela is a resident of Scotch Plains, NJ.
Poornima Sriram, Dogwood - Lead Teacher
Poornima starts her fifth year with our Christopher Academy family as a Lead Teacher in the Maple classroom. Through both of her children, she had first-hand experience of the positive impacts of a Montessori education on a child and was inspired to enter the world of Montessori education. She received her certification in Early Childhood Montessori education from West Side Montessori School, New York. Poornima holds a Master's Degree in Computer Applications and Bachelor's Degree in Physics. She has a certification in Positive Discipline. On a personal note, Poornima enjoys traveling, reading, exploring new recipes and spending time with her family. She lives in East Brunswick with her husband and two children ages 17 and 12.
Eri Parker, Willow - Associate Teacher
Eri is from Japan, but has lived more than half of her life outside of Japan. Eri graduated with a BA from Kansai Gaidai University in Japan, then worked in the Early Childhood field. When she had her first child she learned about Montessori, which led her to teaching at a Montessori school. Her husband's profession allowed them to live all over the world, but now they are settled in Scotch Plains with their four children ages 15, 11, 8 and 5. All four children attend school in the SPF district, her youngest is a CA alumni. Eri received her AMS Certification in Montessori Early Childhood Education from The Montessori Center for Teacher Development in 2021. She is excited to return to CA for her fourth year. Eri loves to cook, try new cuisine, garden and crochet. Going camping, spending time outdoors and playing board games are some of her favorite things to do with her family.
Skylar Morgan, Cottage - Associate Teacher AM
Skylar Morgan is very excited to be the associate teacher in the kindergarten and first grade class. She graduated in December from Saint Joseph’s University with a degree in sports marketing. After taking care of her two nieces and coaching flag rugby throughout the summer, Skylar discovered that her real passion in life is to work with children. She is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the staff at Christopher Academy as she begins her journey towards getting her teaching certification.
Allison Rudow, Dogwood - Associate Teacher AM
Allison is happily returning to Christopher Academy for her third year as an Associate Teacher. She spent the past summer as the Lead Teacher for the Summer Montessori Program. Allison earned her Bachelor’s Degree from St. Peter’s College. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Special Education at New Jersey City University. Upon obtaining her Teacher Certification she worked for the Jersey City Public School system for nine years before taking a pause to raise her four children. Allison resides in Westfield with her husband and children, one of which attends Westfield High School. Allison’s eldest is entering her Senior year at Tulane University. Her second eldest is returning as a Sophomore to Indiana University. Her third is starting as a Freshman at Highpoint University. In her spare time Allison enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, interior design and shopping.
Teresa Nolan, Maple - Associate Teacher AM
In September, Teresa will be starting her seventh year as an Associate Teacher at Christopher Academy. She graduated from Pace University before moving to Fanwood with her husband and three children. In her spare time, Teresa is a Girl Scout Leader and enjoys spending time with her family. She teaches a cooking class to children in Kindergarten through Second Grade and is excited to be sharing her special skills with the Maple Classroom and doing what she enjoys most; working with children.
Magda Magierski, Maple - Associate Teacher PM
Magda joined CA in 2020 working as an Associate Teacher in the Maple PM Class, and worked as a camp counselor this summer. She loves working in the classroom with Montessori materials and began pursuing her Montessori certification at the Princeton Center Teacher Education program this summer. Magda holds a BS in Architecture from Tulane University. She enjoys teaching and learning about art, traveling and learning different languages, and gardening.
Sally Unchester, Dogwood - Associate Teacher PM
Sally earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Beacon College and has been on our faculty since 2006. She completed her AMS Teacher Training in 2010. In her time away from classroom responsibilities, she is a confirmed Yankees fan and enjoys volunteering at Overlook Hospital and with Family Promise. Her happy place is the beach. Sally resides in Westfield.