Faculty & Staff Directory

“Being surrounded and supported by such an amazing administrative team and staff has allowed me to grow into the leader I am today. The Knox School Team embraces challenges, chooses truth, and creates solutions, and I am honored every day to lead and learn alongside the people who bring joy into my workspace every day.” 

– Virginia Riccardi, Head of School

M.A., Teaching & Writing – Columbia University, Teachers College
B.A., English Education – Stony Brook University

Enyu Brucato

M.A., TESOL – University of Leicester
B.A., English Literature – Soochow University

Enyu Brucato

English as a New Language Department Chair
English as a New Language Teacher

Michael Canestraro

M.A., Theatre Arts – Long Island University, C.W. Post
B.F.A., Theatre Arts – Hofstra University

Michael Canestraro

Theatre Teacher
Director of Theatre Arts

Christopher Cataldo

B.A., Communication Studies & Media Production – SUNY Cortland

Christopher Cataldo

Content Designer & Social Media Coordinator

Karyn Cernera Bush

D.M., Higher Education, Teaching and Learning – Colorado Technical University
M.F.A., Drawing & Sculpture – Pratt Institute

*Administrator

Karyn Cernera-Bush

Director of Marketing & Communications
Chair of Visual & Performing Arts

Frank Chisena

M.S., School of Engineering & Applied Physics – Columbia University
B.S., School of Engineering & Applied Physics – Columbia University

Frank Chisena

Physics Teacher

Christine Cleary

Executive Administrative Assistant to the Head of School

Patricia Colombraro

M.F.A. Fine Art, Long Island University
B.A., Communication, Photography – Long Island University

Patricia Colombraro

Photography & Media Arts Teacher
Solarium Art Gallery Curator

Amy Denis

Ph.D., English – St. John’s University
M.A., English – St. John’s University
B.A., English – St. Joseph’s University

Amy Denis

English Teacher

Dylan DeLayer

Facilities Staff

Andreika Eikerenkoetter-Horne

M.A., Multi-Media, Fine Art – Adelphi University
B.A., Multi-Media, Fine Art – Adelphi University

Andreika Eikerenkoetter-Horne

Studio Arts Teacher
Ceramics Teacher

Dana Fernandez

ENL Teacher
Science Teacher
Dance Teacher
English Teacher

Matthew Frageau

B.A., Secondary Education – Hartford University

*Dorm Parent

Matthew Frageau

Science Department Chair
Science Teacher

Denise Gehring

B.S., Accounting – St. Joseph’s College

*Administrator

Denise Gehring

Controller
Business Manager

Al Giuliano

 AA.S., Intensive Computer-Aided Design – Briarcliffe College
Hunter Business School – Computer Repair Technology with Networking
A+ Certification

*Administrator

Al Giuliano

Director of Technology

Christina Harney

M.A., Teaching English – Stony Brook University
B.A., English – Manhattan College

Christina Harney

English Teacher

Julia Hughes

B.A., Spanish Language & Teacher Preparation – Stony Brook University
NYS 7-12 Teaching Certification for Spanish, NYS FLES K-6 Extension

Julia Hughes

Spanish Teacher

Stephanie Kilgannon, LMHC, CASAC-T, CAMS-II

M.S., School Counseling – New York Institute of Technology
M.S., Mental Health Counseling – Alfred University

Stephanie Kilgannon

Mental Health Counselor
College Counselor
AP Psychology Teacher
Crew Coach

Nicole Lagis

B.A., Multidisciplinary Studies – Stony Brook University

Nicole Lagis

Assistant Director of Equine Sciences
Equestrian Trainer

Kelly Mandia

M.A., History – Long Island University
B.A., History, Minor, Social Studies Secondary Education – Stony Brook University

Kelly Mandia

History Department Chair
History Teacher

Angelo Mauro

M.S., Education in Mathematics – St. Joseph’s College
B.A., Mathematics – St. Joseph’s College

*Dorm Parent

Angelo Mauro

STEM & Mathematics Teacher
STEM Coordinator

Debbie Mazzant

B.S., Mathematics – Pennsylvania State University
B.A., Spanish – Pennsylvania State University

Debbie Mazzant

Mathematics Department Chair
Mathematics Teacher

Patrick McCormick

MA., Adolescence Special Education – St. Joseph’s College
B.A, History in Secondary Education – St. Joseph’s College

Patrick McCormick

History Teacher
Assistant Girls Basketball Coach
Assistant Soccer Coach

Kathy Miller

B.S., Accounting – Binghamton University
Certified Public Accountant

Kathy Miller

Accounting Manager

Barbara Missirlian

*Administrator

Barbara Missirlian

Director of Student Care and Compliance

James North

Director of Equine Science

Elvin Nunez

Facilities Staff

Jennifer Orlowski

M.S. Ed., Special Education – Dowling College
M.S. Ed., Literacy – Dowling College
B.A., Fine Arts – St. Lawrence University
Schools Attuned Certification – Bank Street College of Education

Jennifer Orlowski

Resource Room Teacher / BOOST

Joshua Pelkey

Joshua Pelkey

Senior Associate Director of Admissions

Miguel Perez

Barn Manager

Donna Pergola

M.A., Creative Writing & Non-Fiction – Southern New Hampshire University
B.S., Secondary Education – Grand Canyon University
AP English Language and Composition Exam Reader
*Administrator

Donna Pergola

Dean of Academics
English Department Chair & Teacher
Boys and Girls Volleyball Coach

Jacqueline Pfaltz

M.A., Mathematics Education – St. Joseph’s College
B.A., Mathematics – SUNY Geneseo
NYS Teaching Certification- Adolescent Education

Jacqueline Pfaltz

Mathematics Teacher

Amelia Poole

Amelia Poole

Resident Life Director
History Teacher

Gail Roach

M.A., Mathematics – Stony Brook University
B.S., Mathematics Secondary Education – SUNY Oneonta

Gail Roach

Mathematics Teacher
Service Learning Coordinator

Michael Ryan

*Administrator

Michael Ryan

Dean of Students
Director of Athletics
Knox Faculty and Staff

Emma Sharkey Frageau

BOOST Coordinator & Teacher

Cindy Simkus

B.S., Mathematics – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Cindy Simkus

Director of Enrollment Management

Zhiyin (Cecilia) Wang

B.A., International Tourism & Leisure Management – NHL Stenden University of Applied Science, The Netherlands

Zhiyin (Cecilia) Wang

Chinese Teacher
Marketing & Admissions Associate

Photos are courtesy of Long Island Photography & Patricia Colombraro