Our Staff
2011-2012
Steven J. Cash
Head of School, Advancement Director
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 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 Le Mans Academy in Rolling Prairie, Indiana, a Catholic boys boarding middle school. 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 27 accreditation visiting teams (12 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; a 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; a member of the Executive Board of the Pawling Chamber of Commerce; President of the Pawling Rotary Club; and a member of a variety of other boards and committees. Mr. Cash’s wife of 26 years, Debbie, is a health care professional. They have two sons, a 24-year-old in the landscaping industry and a 22-year-old intelligence specialist in the U. S. Navy.
Eliza Goff
Director of Student Services and Secondary School Placement
B.A. American Studies, Western CT State University
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 was active in a variety of student activities, including student government and she new helps coordinate or secondary school placements for our graduates. 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 a student 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, Shawn, live in Wassaic, with their cat, Berni and other pets.
Wendy MacKenzie
Director of Finance
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, the Long Range Planning Committee, and has previously served as Interim Director of Advancement. Mrs. MacKenzie currently a member of 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, both MDS Graduates
Janet Schuman-Andrew
Director of Admissions
JAndrew@mizzentop.org
B.A. Bennington College, Bennington, Vt.
Assistant Teacher Certification
This is Janet’s sixth year at Mizzentop. Although she has held and enjoyed various positions during this time, including assistant to the Admissions Director for three years, she is truly looking forward to her new role as Director of Admissions. Janet is the mother of Marlon, a student in the MDS middle school division.
Michael Grannis
Director of Communications, Art Teacher Grades 4-8
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. After spending two years in New Jersey working as Head of Operations of a summer camp he moved back to the Hudson Valley.
Bernadette Rossetti Shustak
Assistant to the Head of School
Mrs. Shustak administratively supports the Head of School and all senior administration. In addition, Mrs. Shustak helped to develop the school’s website and created Mizzen-topics, the school’s bi-weekly newsletter, in addition to her many roles here, she also maintains all student records. 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.
Lisa D'Ottavio
Receptionist
B.A. Econimics, Montclair State University
Lisa worked for nine years as an Implementation Consultant for ADP National Accounts and served as a substitute teacher in the Pawling Central Schools for two years. Most recently, Lisa worked as the Municipal Administrative Assistant for the Town of Pawling for 4 years. Lisa’s son, T.J., is a member of the Mizzentop Day School Class of 2009. Lisa is a resident of Pawling.
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
Junior Pre-Kindergarten
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.
Dianne Choate
Senior Pre-Kindergarten
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
Assistant Teacher Certification
Southern Seminary Jr. College, Buena Vista, VA
Living Values Education Training, Hains Falls, N.Y.
Mrs. Wilson directs the MDS’s After School, Summer Recreation, and Extended Care Programs, utilizing her Living Values training. In addition, she substitutes 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
B. A., History and French, University of Virginia
MEd., Elementary Education, Western Connecticut State University
Laura Olsen rejoined our staff in 2009; prior to that 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 she also has works as a lifeguard in the local community.
Dori Mitzi
Library, Lower School Health
Flagler College, St. Augustine FL
Education for Parenting Leadership Training, Dunwoodie NY
Dori became a stay-at-home mother once her daughter, Elena, was born and began taking 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. She co-led and then subsequently led that program for two years at her local Parish. Her other training includes a focus in Spanish and Deaf Education via Flagler College.
At first volunteering at MDS five years ago, she is now in her fourth year of sharing her ever-loving passion for books running MDS’ Lower School Library and school-wide Birthday Book Programs. This is her third year as our 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. Her daughter, Elena, is excitedly entering fifth grade at Mizzentop!
Dana Mullen
First Grade Teacher
B.S. Elementary Education/English College of New Jersey
Certification in 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
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
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.
Maria I. O’Mahony
Fourth Grade Teacher
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.
Michelle Melchionda
Fourth Grade Co-Teacher
BA in Communications with a minor in English
MA in Elementary Education from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT
Michelle began her educational career teaching 4th Grade at P. S. 105 in the Bronx before coming to Mizzentop, where she taught 3rd, 7th and 8th Grades over a three year period. Three years later, after starting a family, she returned to Mizzentop on a part-time basis to provide academic support services to students in a variety of grades. Outside of the classroom, Michelle produced and directed children’s summer theater productions for seven years and has coached girls’ lacrosse for the Pawling Youth Lacrosse League. She is a resident of Pawling.
Michelle and Mrs. O’Mahony have worked together in various capacities over several years, so we feel confident that they will make an excellent teaching team.
Katie Thompson
Student Services Teacher
BA in Elementary Education from Marist
MA in Elementary Education from Adelphi University
Katie Thompson was born and raised in Long Island as the youngest of six siblings. Katie graduated from Kellenberg Memorial High School and went on to attend Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Marist College in 1998. Katie then took a position as the third grade teacher at St. Anthony’s of Padua in South Ozone Park, New York. During this time, she also furthered her education by achieving her Masters of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from Adelphi University in 2003.
Katie has resided with her husband and two children in Pawling since 2004. She held the fourth grade teaching position at Mizzentop Day School from 2004 through 2006. Since leaving teaching full time, Katie has continued to tutor part time through Confident Kids in Pawling as she truly enjoys working with young students to further their education. She is also a chairperson for Crew’s Voice based in Pawling, a not for profit organization which raises awareness and support for local families with special need children.
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
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.
Terry Ballard
Middle School Social Studies, 5th Grade Humanities and Middle School Health
B.A. Secondary Social Studies, SUNY Oneonta
M.A. Social Studies, SUNY New Paltz
Terry Ballard joins us this year teaching 5th Grade Humanities (Social Studies and English), 7th and 8th grade Social Studies, and Middle School Health.. Terry earned a BA degree in Secondary Social Studies from SUNY Oneonta and a Masters in Social Studies from SUNY New Paltz. For 3 years he taught middle school social studies in the Webutuck School District and for the past 3 has worked with special needs students at Poughkeepsie High School. He comes with glowing recommendations.
Natasha Panzer
Middle School English and 6th Grade Humanities Teacher
B.F.A. Dramatic Writing, NYU
M.A. English, WestCONN
Natasha Panzer joins us this year to teach 6th Grade Humanities (English and History) and 7th and 8th Grade English. Natasha has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dramatic Writing, Magna Cum Laude, from New York University, Tisch School of Arts, and a Master’s Degree in English from Western Connecticut State University. Her studies included work at Oxford University in England and the Writing Institute in Florence, Italy. Natasha taught 9th Grade English at Arlington High School for 5 years. Prior to her teaching career, she worked as a production associate for NBC’s Today Show for two years. She is a monthly contributor to Pawling Public Radio as the creator of “Time In: Inspiring Ideas for Creative Parenting.” She is also the author of a book entitled Spontaneous Joyful Natural Birth, which will be published by Hale Publishing Company this coming winter. She is a resident of Pawling, is married, and has a 2-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter who will be in Mrs. Choate’s class this year.
Clare Knapp
Middle School Writing Lab Teacher
CKnapp@mizzentop.org
B.S. Business Administration/Marketing, Marist College
Ms. Knapp facilitates the Middle School Writing Lab, which includes 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
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
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.
Jessica H. Smith
Music and Drama Teacher
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.
Julie Spagnolo
K-3rd Grade Art Teacher
B.S. Commercial Art & Graphic Design
Julie Spagnolo will be rejoining our staff teaching Art to students in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade. Julie has served as a teaching assistant in our Pre-Kindergarten program in the past. Educated in Minnesota, Julie majored in Commercial Art and Graphic Design. Her extensive studies have included Traditional and Japanese Bookmaking at the Center for Bookarts in New York City, and Pottery on the Wheel at Brookfield Craft Center. For 18 years Julie worked as a Senior Art Director for Target Corporation in Minneapolis, and later became a self-employed freelance artist. A resident of Sherman, Connecticut, she is married to David (a graphic artist and the chief cook at our annual pasta dinner) and has a son, Sam.
Mary Lee Shanahan
Spanish Teacher
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
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
Mrs. Dapolito comes to Mizzentop as an experienced caterer. She is self-employed and has catered for Mt. Kisco Seafood and other area caterers. 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.
