Faculty & Staff
2010-2011
Steven J. Cash
Head of School, Advancement Director
SCash@mizzentop.org
B.A. and M.A. in English, Sonoma State University, California
Mr. Cash began his professional career as an Assistant Instructor at Santa Rosa, California, Junior College. He then moved to Florida, spending 15 years in a variety of progressive positions at the Florida Air Academy. He served three years as an English Teacher and Department Chair, three more years as an Academic Dean, and ultimately nine years as Headmaster of the Academy, as well as 14 years as head boys’ basketball coach. After leaving Florida, Mr. Cash spent the next 10 years as Headmaster of the Le Mans Academy in Rolling Prairie, Indiana. From 2003 to 2007 he served as the Head of School at All Saints’ Episcopal School in Morristown, Tennessee, before coming to Mizzentop. In addition to these positions, Mr. Cash has also served as: Executive Director of the Catholic Boarding Schools Association; a member of more than 27 accreditation visiting teams (13 as team chair); a member of the Evaluation Review Committee for the Independent Schools Association of the Central States; a member of the Air Force JROTC Advisory Committee; member of the Board of Directors of the Chambers of Commerce in La Porte, Indiana, and Morristown, Tennessee; Vice-Chair of the La Porte County Industrial Recruitment Board; a member of the Hamblen County Health Council, member of the Executive Board of the Pawling Chamber of Commerce; President of the Pawling Rotary; and a member of a variety of other boards and committees. Mr. Cash’s wife of 25 years, Debbie, is a health care professional. They have two sons, a 23-year-old senior at East Tennessee State University and a 21-year-old intelligence specialist in the U. S. Navy.
Eliza Goff
Admissions Director &
Director of Student Services
B.A. American Studies, Western CT State Universeity
B.S. Elementary Education, WESTCONN
Mrs. Goff was one of Mizzentop’s founding faculty members. Her teaching responsibilities have included Kindergarten, First Grade and Seventh Grade. She assisted with secondary school placement, and was active in a variety of student activities, including student government. Before coming to MDS in 1998, Mrs. Goff was a tutor at the former Pawling Learning Center and worked previously for ARC with adult clients. She was honored as an adult member of the CT State University Board of Trustees, and was named among Who’s Who in college and university students. Mrs. Goff and her husband, Sean, live in Wassaic, with their cat, Berni.
Wendy MacKenzie
Director of Finance
Wmackenzie@mizzentop.org
Bachelor of Arts, St. Lawrence University
Wendy MacKenzie has been Director of Finance at Mizzentop Day School since 2005. In her role as Director of Finance, she oversees all financial matters for the school as well as facility needs and planning, and coordinates all Human Resources. She serves on the Finance and Financial Aid Committees, and Long Range Planning Committees, and has previously served as Interim Director of Advancement. Mrs. MacKenzie currently serves on the Business Affairs Committee of the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS). Prior to MDS, Mrs. MacKenzie amassed fifteen years of business experience overseeing financial and administrative functions for a regional insurance broker. Before that, she worked in college guidance at Millbrook School and as an admissions counselor for a Washington, D.C. four-year liberal arts college. She has two daughters, one a MDS Graduate, and the other an Eighth Grade student currently enrolled at MDS.
Bernadette Rossetti Shustak
Assistant to the Head of School
BShustak@mizzentop.org
Mrs. Shustak administratively supports the Head of School and all senior administration. In addition, Mrs. Shustak helped to develop and maintains the school’s Website. She created and is the Editor of Mizzen-topics, the school’s bi-weekly newsletter at www.mizzentop.org.
She is a former newspaper editor and journalist. She has written magazine articles on food, medical issues, and family; and her columns on family life made her the recipient of a first place award from the New York Press Association in 1995. Mrs. Shustak is a published children’s author and the recipient of a 2006 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award.
Janet Andrew
Receptionist/Admissions Assistant
JAndrew@mizzentop.org
B.A. Bennington College, Bennington, Vt.
Assistant Teacher Certification
After a year of assistant teaching PK4 at The Kiwi School in Mahopac, substituting at MDS and other local schools, Mrs. Andrew will be entering her second year as the first point of contact at Mizzentop.
Both an accomplished dancer and choreographer, she has performed in NYC and throughout the United States. Although no longer performing professionally, she continues to teach movement/art classes throughout the area. If you are lucky, you might catch an impromptu performance by Janet and her daughter, Marlon, who is a Fourth Grade student at MDS.
Liza Cabrera
Marketing Assistant
LCabrera@mizzentop.org
BA Communications/Women's Studies, Boston College
Miss Cabrera assists the Head of School with various aspects of marketing and promotion of the school. Her previous work experiences have been as a Logistics coordinator and in customer/vendor relations. She served as an intern at MetLife in their Marketing Intern Program. Liza has taken courses in Communication Law, Business Law, Public Speaking, Public Relations, Advertising, and Broadcast Writing.
Jennifer Castello, RN
School Nurse
JCastello@mizzentop.org
AAS Nursing, Dutchess County Community College, Poughkeepsie
BA Psychology, Western CT State University, Danbury, CT
Mrs. Castello comes to MDS from the Carmel Central School District, where she was recently a School Nurse Substitute. She has been a Staff Nurse/Diabetes Educator, a Nursing lab Student Aide, and has clinical experience from Vassar Brothers, ST. Francis Hospital, Putnam Hospital, and Wingate at Dutchess. She also has certifications in Infection Control, Child Abuse Identification & Reporting, and a BLS Certification for the Healthcare Provider. Mrs. Castello is also certified by the American Heart Association.
Elizabeth Vorolieff
Teacher - Junior Pre-Kindergarten
EVorolieff@mizzentop.org
B.A. Creative Writing and English Literature, Ohio University
In addition to leading our 3-year-old Pre-Kindergarten program, Mrs. Vorolieff has served as editor for our “School Culture” self-study committee. Mrs. Vorolieff joined Mizzentop in 2003 as an assistant in our Pre-School Program.
Before joining Mizzentop, she was an assistant teacher in the nursery school at Chapel School in Bronxville, NY, and worked as a substitute teacher. Her background also includes 13 years in the book publishing industry where she was a literary agent representing authors of both fiction and non-fiction work.
Barbara Foley
Assistant - Junior Pre-Kindergarten
BFoley@mizzentop.org
In her eighth year at MDS, Mrs. Foley continues to give steady and valuable assistance in the Pre-kindergarten program. She has volunteered in the library, Parents' Association events, and has also worked at MDS as Assistant to the Head of Nutrition, and as a classroom substitute. Before joining the Mizzentop Staff, Mrs. Foley attended State University of New York at Brockport. After pursuing a career in banking and insurance, she assisted her husband in building his own business by handling many of the clerical responsibilities. Both of Mrs. Foley's sons attended Mizzentop, Christopher graduating in 2007.
Dianne Choate
Teacher - Senior Pre-Kindergarten
DChoate@mizzentop.org
M.S. Education, University of Bridgeport
B.S. Education, CW Post, Long Island
Before teaching the Pre-Kindergarten Program, Mrs. Choate taught our Kindergarten Program. She has also taught for 10 years in Brookfield, CT in a transitional format, and substituted in other districts in Grades K-3 for 10 years. Mrs. Choate specializes in Reading, Early Intervention, and assisting children with learning difficulties.
Wendy Wilson
After School Coordinator /Assistant Senior Pre-Kindergarten
WWilson@mizzentop.org
Assistant Teacher Certification
Southern Seminary Jr. College, Buena Vista, VA
Living Values Education Training, Hains Falls, N.Y.
Mrs. Wilson is happy to bring her playfulness and dedicated spirit back to MDS for the seventh year. She has enjoyed being an assistant in Kindergarten and in the pre-kindergarten. Mrs. Wilson directs the MDS’s After Care, Summer Recreation, and Extended Care Programs, utilizing her Living Values training. In addition, Mrs. Wilson is a substitute at Mizzentop and The Astor School.
Before joining the Mizzentop Staff, Mrs. Wilson managed a stable in North Salem for 16 years.
Laura Olsen
Kindergarten Teacher
LOlsen@mizzentop.org
B. A., History and French, University of Virginia
MEd., Elementary Education, Western Connecticut State University
Laura Olsen rejoining our staff in 2009; she taught at Mizzentop for seven years and served as Lower School Division Head before moving out of the area. An avid hiker and camper, during the summer months since 1997 Mrs. Olsen has worked as a lifeguard.
Dori Mitzi
Library, Lower School Health
DMitzi@mizzentop.org
Flagler College, St. Augustine FL
Education for Parenting Leadership Training, Dunwoodie NY
Formerly in the customer service and credit analyst professions, Dori became a stay-at-home mother once her daughter, Elena, was born. Looking for more, she began training for leadership in an Education for Parenting program created to implement the results of groundbreaking research in infant and child development by Dr. Stella Chess in 1956. She co-led and then taught that program for two years at her parish. Her other training includes a focus in Spanish and Deaf Education at Flagler College.
Dori began volunteering at MDS four years ago when her daughter matriculated (and is excitedly entering 4th Grade) and is now in her third year of sharing her ever-loving passion for books running MDS’ Lower School Library and school-wide Birthday Book programs. This is her second year as lower school health teacher where she strives to integrate the Mizzentop Living Values program with a focus towards life choices for physical, mental, and social health. She is also the MDS C.F.O. (Chief Fish Officer) organizing the school fish tank feeding schedule for our Pre-K and Lower School students.
Michelle Melchionda
Student Support Services
MMelchionda@mizzentop.org
BA in Communications with a minor in English; MA in Elementary Education from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT.
Over the years, Michelle has taught in various school settings. She began her teaching career in the Bronx, where she taught 4th Grade. She then went on to teach 7th and 8th Grade Writing and Language Arts and 3rd Grade at Mizzentop Day School from 2004-2007. While at Mizzentop, Michelle coached the girls’ lacrosse team.
Last year Michelle began Mizzen-tots, a two year old Mommy and Me class, when she was looking for a curriculum enhanced program that would fit the needs of two-year old children in the local area. During the summer months Michelle directs and produces the children's theater at Quaker Hill Country Club. Since leaving teaching full time, Michelle works as a tutor and as a Literacy Educational Consultant. Michelle holds teaching certifications in both New York in Pre-K - 6th Grade and Connecticut in K-6th Grade. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, ages 3 and 1.
Dana Mullen
First Grade Teacher
DMullen@mizzentop.org
B.S. Elementary Education/English
College of New Jersey
Certification: Elementary Education, New Jersey
Mrs. Mullen will be in her fourth year in the Lower School team teaching First Grade this year. Previously, Mrs. Mullen taught First and Second Grades in New Jersey Public and Charter Schools where she was trained in Responsive Classroom, and was responsible for teaching Guided Reading, Writer's Workshops, Everyday Math, and inquiry-based Science units. Mrs. Mullen also coached a primary Odyssey of the Mind team and was involved in several extra-curricular activities including Science Night, The Literary Festival, and a Professional Book Group studying Units of Study for Primary Writing: A Yearlong Curriculum. We are fortunate to receive the benefits of Mrs. Mullen's excellent training and experience. She is also the Division Head for MDS’s Lower School. Mrs. Mullen lives at the Millbrook School with her husband, Dave.
Kathleen Green
Second Grade Teacher
KGreen@mizzentop.org
M.S. Special Education, Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY
B.S. Elementary Education/Philosophy, SUNY, Geneseo
Certification: Elementary Education Pre-K-6; Special Education Pre-K -6.
After spending a year supporting our Reading and Writing programs in First through Fifth Grades, Teaching Library and Research Skills, and coordinating all student services and tutoring at MDS, Mrs. Green taught First Grade at MDS. She then moved up to Second Grade where she will be teaching again this year. She comes to us from Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich, CT where she taught in the early childhood program. Previously, she was the Assistant Director of Education at the Huntington Learning Center in Yorktown.
Rachel M. Kellogg
Third Grade Teacher
RKellogg@mizzentop.org
B.A. Elementary Education/Minor in History, Canisius College
Mrs. Kellogg has taught 5th Grade and coached varsity basketball at Mizzentop since she joined the faculty in 2001. Before teaching Fifth Grade at Mizzentop, she taught our combined Fifth/Sixth Grade. She has coached our varsity soccer team as well. Mrs. Kellogg is currently leading the expansion of the MDS Community Service Program and coordinates community outreach efforts at the school. This year, Mrs. Kellogg is teaching Third Grade for the third year, coaching basketball, and continues to lead our Knitting Club.
Before coming to Mizzentop, Mrs. Kellogg taught Seventh and Eighth Grade History and ESL at Trinity-Pawling School from 1995-2000. She also coached at Trinity-Pawling and Pawling Middle and High Schools. Mrs. Kellogg played four years of Division I College Basketball.
Elena M. Arroyo
Third Grade Teacher
MPS Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and Special Education (1-6), Manhattanville College
Mrs. Arroyo, of Brewster, will teach the second section of 3rd Grade this year, teaming up with long-time MDS teacher Rachel Kellogg. Mrs. Arroyo was a permanent substitute teacher at Increase Miller Elementary School in Golden’s Bridge, NY and then a Third Grade leave replacement teacher. She student taught as a Learning Specialist at Bedford Hills and West Patent Elementary Schools in Bedford, NY in 2nd and 3rd Grades. She has been trained and has used the exact lower grade programs that are used by our teachers in the math and language arts areas. In addition, she was an instructor for an after-school Math Olympiads Program at West Patent Elementary School in Bedford.
Mrs. Arroyo holds a Masters Degree from Manhattanville College. She also has a good deal of experience in educational technology.
Maria I. O’Mahony
Fourth Grade Teacher
MOmahony@mizzentop.org
B.A. English, Marymount College
Currently working towards her M.A. Education
Mrs. O’Mahony assumed the position of Fourth Grade teacher in Sept. 2006. Mrs. O’Mahony joined Mizzentop’s faculty in Sept. 2003, where until June 2006 she developed and taught MDS’s Science Program for Grades 5-8 in our newly constructed Science Lab. During this time, Mrs. O’Mahony also taught Writing to the Fifth & Eighth Grades, held weekly Science Labs for the Fourth Grade, and served as a Middle School Advisor.
Before joining Mizzentop Day School, Mrs. O’Mahony worked for Brewster Central Schools as a substitute teacher in Grades K-5 in the areas of General and Special Education. During her last year with Brewster, she taught exclusively in a self-contained Fourth and Fifth Grade classroom, where she modified core curriculum for students with disabilities. Mrs. O’Mahony’s son, Andrew, is a 2007 Mizzentop graduate.
Marie King
Middle School English Teacher
MKing@mizzentop.org
M.A. Education, New York University
B.S. Education, New York University
Permanent Certificate, NYS Board of Education; Teacher License, NYC Board of Education; Teacher Certificate, NJ State Education Department
In addition to teaching middle school literature at Mizzentop, Ms. King also teaches grammar and vocabulary to grades five through eight.
Before coming to Mizzentop, Ms. King taught for 30 years in both private and public schools in New York and New Jersey. She has taught at the Walden, New Lincoln and Dalton Schools in NYC, as well as at the Albany Academy in Albany. She served as the Gifted and Talented Consultant to the Pine Plains School District, and taught at Dutchess Day School in Millbrook. Ms. King has edited and published The Voyage of the Hougoumont, Life at Fremantle: The Life of an Irish Rebel and John Devoy’s Catalpa Expedition.
Daniel Thomes-Klug
Middle School Social Studies Teacher
DThomesklug@mizzentop.org
B.S. Anthropology, Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
New York Sate Teacher Certification
Connecticut State Teacher Certification (K-6)
MS is Education from WCSU
Mr. Thomes-Klug, now in his fourth year at MDS, will continue to teach middle school Social Studies this year. Previously, he taught Fifth Grade in the Arlington Central School District, Kindergarten at Grand Concourse Academy Charter School in New York City, and was a Special Education Tutor at Sarah Noble Intermediate School in New Milford, CT. He has been a social and educational mentor to 18-21 year old students with disabilities at WCSU, and has been a one-to-one tutor for a student with autism using Applied Behavior Analysis. Mr. Thomes-Klug has also organized and coached intramural sports for 4th & 5th Graders, directed a number of musical ensembles, and participated in the Philadelphia Marathon.
Jane Justo
Middle School Science Teacher
JJusto@mizzentop.org
B.S., Psychology/Biology, Western Connecticut State University
M.S. (in progress), Pace University
Jane Justo will teach Middle School Science to our Fifth through Eighth Grades for the third year. In addition to previous teaching experience in an independent school, Mrs. Justo has worked as a certified arborist and in the business world. She also serves as a Cub Master in the Boy Scouts of America.
Karin Shultz
Middle School Math Teacher
KShultz@mizzentop.org
BA, Hofstra University
Joint Degree: Elementary Education, Pre K-6 and Mathematics Master of Arts in Education, Western Connecticut State University
45+ Continuing Education Graduate Credits
New York State Permanent Teaching Certification in Elementary Education
Mrs. Shultz begins her fifth year at Mizzentop teaching middle school mathematics. Before coming to MDS, Mrs. Shultz taught at Ardsley Middle School in Westchester for eight years. Working her way through a compacted, advanced curriculum, Mrs. Shultz taught students of all ability levels in Grades Five through Eight. In addition to her teaching duties, Mrs. Shultz was the yearbook advisor for eight straight years, and continued in that role even when she was on childcare leave. She also developed a summer program for struggling students, was a member of the Principal’s Planning and Leadership Team, worked with her department to align the math curriculum with the NYS Math, Science and Technology Standards, and served on the Ardsley Interview Committee.
Clare Knapp
Middle School Writing Lab Teacher
CKnapp@mizzentop.org
B.S. Business Administration/Marketing, Marist College
Ms. Knapp will be facilitating the Middle School Writing Lab, which included the integration of other subject areas.
Ms. Knapp has been at MDS since 2003, and spent three years teaching 8th Grade History and English at MDS before moving into a supporting role in the Kindergarten and Middle School. She has been the Varsity Soccer Coach and Student Government Faculty Advisor. In her early years at MDS, Ms. Knapp assisted in the First and Fifth Grade classrooms teaching Writing and History.
Prior to joining Mizzentop, she taught creative and expository writing to high school students through the University of Colorado at Boulder. She also taught at various summer programs including the Vassar College Summer Strings Program, Brendon Montessori School and her family’s farm, Crosswinds Equestrian Center. She continues to direct Crosswinds’ summer program and teaches riding lessons to people of all ages and abilities, along with coaching the Marist College Equestrian Team.
Paula Boeglin
Computer Teacher and Technology Coordinator
PBoeglin@mizzentop.org
B.S. Computer Information Systems and Marketing, Manhattan College
Mrs. Boeglin has been teaching Computer and Information technology skills at Mizzentop since 2003. She is responsible for the coordination of the school’s Website, Intranet, and school-wide technology, and acts as yearbook advisor and coordinator. Before running the computer lab, Mrs. Boeglin worked as an assistant in our Pre-School, Kindergarten, and First Grade classrooms. She also served as a one-on-one tutor with a variety of grade levels.
Prior to joining Mizzentop Day School, Mrs. Boeglin was an Assistant Vice President with a benefits consulting firm. She also assisted in teaching English as a Second Language in the public schools.
Donna Hanson
Athletic Director, Physical Education, and Health Teacher
DHanson@mizzentop.org
B.S. SUNY Cortland, Recreation Education
Mrs. Hanson has been teaching Physical Education and Health, and directing the Mizzentop Athletic Program since 2000. In addition to her many teaching and organizational responsibilities, she coaches the Girls Field Hockey team.
Before joining the Mizzentop faculty, Mrs. Hanson developed and taught Pre-school Music and Movement programs at the YMCA, directed a summer day camp, and worked in the health care field as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Outside of Mizzentop, Mrs. Hanson competes in local races for charities, plays softball, and enjoys outdoor activities.
Michael Grannis
Art Teacher, K-8
MGrannis@mizzentop.org
BS, Art Education, SUNY-New Paltz
In his role as Art Teacher, Mr. Grannis brings a wealth of new and creative ideas to our Art Department. He is proficient in drawing, painting, ceramics, and wood working. He has taught in the Arlington School District as well as in Poughkeepsie and Newburgh. Mike did his field internship at Temple Hill Academy preparing and hosting their after school programming and guest artists. He is also a volunteer with Big Brother/Big Sister of New Paltz and Habitat for Humanity.
Jessica H. Smith
Music and Drama Teacher
JSmith@mizzentop.org
B.M. Vocal Performance/Opera concentrate, The Boston Conservatory
A graduate of The Boston Conservatory with a degree in vocal performance, Ms. Smith has spent 10 years teaching private voice lessons and classes, musical theater classes and after school clubs, as well as improv and acting classes. Ms. Smith has also spent several of those years directing and music directing a variety of musicals and plays, for many age groups and levels. As a professional singer, Ms. Smith is a classical soloist, jazz singer and voiceover artist, and enjoys performing locally for various community theaters. Ms. Smith is thrilled to be joining the faculty this year, and is looking forward to continuing to build what is already a thriving arts experience for the students at Mizzentop.
Mary Lee Shanahan
Spanish Teacher
MShanahan@mizzentop.org
B.A. Spanish, SUNY New Paltz
A.A. Arts and Sciences, Suffolk Community College
Mrs. Shanahan has been teaching Middle School Spanish at Mizzentop since 2004, and Lower School Spanish since 2006. She spends most of her summers visiting Hispanic countries to study the cultures and to practice the language. In 2003 she spent one month in Spain, exploring many regions and taking classes through the New Paltz study abroad program. During the summer of 2008 she spent two weeks in Cuernavaca, Mexico studying at the Cemanouac Institute of Spanish Language. In the summer of 2009 she spent a month in Costa Rica studying at the Forester Institute of Spanish Language in the capital city of San José. Mrs. Shanahan has been trained in the methodology of TPRS. Recently she spent two weeks in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico attending workshops and conferences and traveling the area.
Prior to joining Mizzentop, Mrs. Shanahan substituted for Grades K-6 in the Webutuck Central School District and provided homebound tutoring. She also presented a five week Spanish program to Grades K-6 at Webutuck and worked as a long term substitute in the Resource Room. She has served as a volunteer English as a Second Language tutor and literacy trainer for the Northeast-Millerton Library.
Christine Buckley
French Teacher
CBuckley@mizzentop.org
B.A. French Education
M.A. Guidance & Counseling
Ms. Buckley has over 30 years of experience teaching French at the high school level as well as the middle school and elementary levels. She has also taught in Waldorf School in New Hampshire.
Robin Dapolito
Director of Food Services
RDapolito@mizzentop.org
Mrs. Dapolito comes to Mizzentop as an experienced caterer. She is self-employed and has catered for Mt. Kisco Seafood. She has worked as a manager and waitress in a variety of restaurants throughout the area. Prior to entering the restaurant and catering industry, Mrs. Dapolito worked at several banks in Connecticut and Texas.