SPARK's faculty and staff encourage enthusiasm and creativity with their passion for teaching. They hail from different backgrounds and bring their own flair for instruction. They are middle and high school teachers, college students, graduate students and professional educators. SPARK carefully selects a diverse team of members who are exceptionally talented, enthusiastic and creative.
We look for faculty and staff whose qualifications as mentors match you and your child's expectations - dedication, spirit, responsibility, creativity and an open mind. We consider every moment at SPARK an opportunity to teach and learn. For this reason, we hire individuals who share these ideals.
FACULTY:
Peter Behrens, currently teaching in the Nutley Public School district, received his BA in Art, Masters in the Art of Teaching from Montclair and two years experience as a art educator.
Kenneth Betros, currently pursuing his Master's in Educational Technology at NJCU. BS in Marine Engineering from the US Merchant Marine Academy. Serves as Webmaster at Rahway Middle School and the Union County Education Association. Is presently employed by the Rahway Public school as a 7th grade mathematics instructor.
Kelly Bosworth, received her BS in Elementary Education from the University of Delaware. This will mark Kelly's 3rd year with SPARK, serving as a teaching assistant/camp counselor, office assistant and instructor.
Anthony DellaRosa, over 8 years experience teaching computers to middle, high schoolers as well as adult students. Certified in Adobe. Anthony earned his BS in Business Management at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Brad Edwards, in August 2006 received the Science Channel's $250,000 Dream Science Classroom. With an MS in Educational Leadership from Walden University and his BS in Biology from Davidson College, Brad is currently an instructor in the Rahway School District.
Carlo Estonactoc, received his associates degree in physical education from Middlesex County College, is presently pursuing his bachelor's at Kean University. Carlo has been instrumental not only as our physical education instructor but as one of our camp counselors. This will be Carlo's third year with the program.
Donna Falk, background in microbiology and 2.5 years experience teaching CSI in Manalapan-Englishtown Middle School. Certifications in K-5 elementary and middle school sciences. Donna earned her MBA from Rutgers Graduate School of Management and her BS in Microbiology from Rutgers-New Brunswick Cook College.
Louis DeLauro, An instructor with the Dunnellen school district since 2003, Lou won The College of New Jersey's Oustanding Educators Award in 2006 and in 1998 was awarded the New Jersey Governor's Teacher Recognition Award. In addition, he has been coaching Chess for over 15 years and teaches circus arts to children with cancer and kids at risk each summer. 
Jillian Nardiello-Zarr, Masters in English Education from Rutgers GSE. Teaches English to ninth and tenth graders (including short story units) for three years, and has been teaching creative writing specifically for one year.
Rose Pennyfeather, K-8 Art teacher at Perth Amboy Catholic School for 9 years. She was won over 90 National State, County, Diocesse and local contests. Has been Teacher of the Year, Nominated for Disney Teacher of Year and is in Who's Who in American Women as a Painter. Rose studied at the University of Florence, Italy.
Anne Percoco, a recent graduate of Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts MFA program, just completed a fellowship with the Asian Cultural Council. For this fellowship, she spent seven months in India, where she completed three public art projects and had one solo show. She is glad to be back and looking forward to a summer at SPARK!
Melyssa Saldino, certified English teacher earning her BA in English/Spanish from The College of New Jersey. currently pursuing her Masters in Technology Education.
Barbara Zabel, presently teaches middle school biology, chemistry and astronomy. Has extensive science background, worked in the pharmaceutical industry for Merck for seven years. Barbara earned her Master's in Secondary Education at Jersey City University. Barbara received the 2009 Outstanding Middle School/Junior High Science Teacher of the Year for Middlesex and Somerset Counties for Sigma XI the Scientific Research Society, Rutgers Chapter.
TEACHING ASSISTANTS/CAMP COUNSELORS:
Giuseppe Cespedes, is currently a Rutgers student pursuing his degree in Spanish with a minor in Economics. Giuseppe comes to our program with a wealth of experience in child development, he currently is employed at the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center as will be volunteering this summer at the San Juan de Dios Children's Clinic in Peru.
Kelly Christian, has several years experience as a camp counselor. She is presently pursing her undergraduate degree at Rutgers in Sociology with a minor in Labor Studies. She received her A.S. in Business Administration from Middlesex County College.
Veraya Chuaypradit, comes to SPARK with an abundance of clinical experience. She is a NJ state certified EMT with training in First Aid and CPR. She took part at the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School Mini-Medical School in 2007 and in 2008 attended the RWJUH Shadowing Program.
Jeffrey Dinger, is currently a student at Rutgers-New Brunswick, pursuing his bachelor's in Jazz Studies. Jeff has many years of experience in teaching children in music, sports and traditional academic study. This will mark Jeff's second year with SPARK as a teaching assistant/camp counselor.
Melanie Erwinski, has volunteered several years with the YMCA as a camp counselor and is presently working at the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center. As an undergraduate student, Melanie is pursuing her degree in Elementary Education/Early Childhood Development with a minor in Psychology.
Annamarie Greey, has volunteered for past 5 years as a camp counselor/mentor to girls grades 4-9. Between 2006 and 2007 served as Director of the Arts Program for girls in grades 1-7. She is currently pursuing her B.A. in Philosophy and History
Lisa Greey, completing her BA in English and History at Rutgers-New Brunswick, Lisa bring with her several years experiencee as a volunteer camp counselor and has been active in the Catholic Student Association. This is Lisa's second year with SPARK.
Tracy Hamm, brings experience working in the Boy & Girls Club of Harlem as a camp counselor. More recently, she served a child supervisor assisting with child management at a local community center. Tracy is currently pursing her undergraduate degree at Rutgers with a double major in Criminal Justice and Social Work.
Ariel Nagi, has dedicated the past couple years to working and assisting in various children's programs such as Tutoring Plus: Lincoln Elementary School & CLASP (Community Leadership Action Service Project). She also worked with a photography program in Newark teaching children ranging from ages 9-14, on how to work with the most early forms of media. Ariel is currently a Rutgers undergraduate student pursuing her BA degree in Journalism and Media Studies with a minor in Sociology.
Zebia Weh, worked several years at the Holy Trinity Luther Summer Camp and is currently pursuing her bachelor's in Journalism and Mass Studies with a minor in Africana Studies. This will mark Zebia's second year with SPARK.
