Administrative Staff

MICHAEL COURTNEY, Principal

Dr. Michael Courtney is a seasoned educational administrator with more than 35 years’ experience in four states as principal of an elementary and a high school as well as a central office administrator. He has earned three graduate degrees from Columbia University, Teachers College and is an adjunct associate professor at Hunter College/CUNY, where he teaches courses in leadership, curriculum and instruction, organizational change and data-driven decision-making. Dr. Courtney says he’s thrilled to have the opportunity to serve the children of Staten Island Community Charter School.  mcourtney@si-ccs.org

MARK A. ENSELMAN, Business Manager

Mark Enselman earned his Bachelor of Science Degree, with honors, from the University of Illinois; his J.D,. from Southern Illinois University; and was admitted to practice by the Illinois and Wisconsin supreme courts and the U.S. Tax Court.

Bringing nearly 20 years of experience in not-for-profit organizational management to his new post as our school’s Business Manager, Mr. Enselman’s responsibilities include financial management, payroll, development, marketing, human resources, legal compliance, technology, and purchasing and logistics.

“I’m delighted to be joining Staten Island Community Charter School,” said Enselman, who lives with his family on Sunset Hill. “The school’s community-based origins and its goal of success for every child make it an organization I can be proud to be affiliated with.” menselman@si-ccs.org

Teaching Staff

KATHLEEN ADAMS, First Grade Teacher, 1-201

A resident of Staten Island’s North Shore, Kathy Adams earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and a dual Master of Science degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Bank Street College of Education. She holds New York State certifications in both areas.

Though she was a successful Head of Human Resources for an investment firm for many years, with a professional degree in Human Resource Management from New York University, Ms. Adams always dreamed about being a teacher. Eventually she made the switch and is pleased that she followed her passion.

What Kathy Adams likes most about SICCS is working closely with colleagues who are committed to their students’ academic and professional success.  kadams@si-ccs.org

THERESA CARBONARA, First Grade Teacher, 1-200

Staten Island native Theresa Carbonara has always wanted to teach and prepared for a teaching career at St. John’s University, where she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Childhood Education. Prior to joining SICCS, Ms. Carbonara taught at a number of Staten Island public schools.

Ms. Carbonara says she’s always loved working with children and wants to make a difference in the lives of her students by contributing to their social and academic development. She feels she has a lot to offer her students but adds that she also expects to learn a lot from the supportive group of colleagues she works with at SICCS every day.  tcarbonara@si-ccs.org

ROBYN CHERNACK, Special Education Teacher, 2-104

A Stapleton Heights resident, Robyn Chernack holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education. Her teaching certifications include a New York State Professional Certificate in Early Childhood Education and a New York State Initial Certificate in Early Childhood Special Education. To enhance her ability to serve students with developmental disabilities, Mrs. Chernack is pursuing an Applied Behavioral Analysis Certificate at Hunter College, CUNY.

“What makes working at SICCS such a fantastic experience,” she says, “is the feeling of being part of a close-knit school with a dedicated staff and a special group of students.” In her spare time, Mrs. Chernack enjoys volunteering, attending workshops, exploring New York City with friends and spending time with her family.  rchernack@si-ccs.org

ASHLEY K. COX, Art Teacher

Mrs. Cox, a native and a resident of Brooklyn, received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Art History from Pratt Institute; her Master’s in Art Education from Brooklyn College; and the encouragement to develop her creative skills from LaGuardia High School. Mrs. Cox has shared her enthusiasm and imagination with children at summer camps and in youth programs and student-taught at Brooklyn Friends School and Bay Academy/I.S. 98, both in Brooklyn.

Ashley Cox loves the close-knit atmosphere at SICCS and enjoys working on Staten Island. She also teaches at after-school programs and enjoys working on art projects and going to movies, concerts and restaurants with friends and family. She looks forward to extending that circle of friends as she becomes more a part of the Staten Island community.  acox@si-ccs.org

KRISTEN DALTO, Special Education Teacher, 1-202

Kristen Dalto is dually certified in General and Special Education, with a Master’s Degree in Literacy. In the school’s inaugural year — 2010-11 — Ms. Dalto worked as a General Education teacher in the first grade. This year, she says she’s excited to be working at her new post as first grade Special Education teacher.

Ms. Dalto says she truly enjoys “the fun and educational experiences” she has with her students and colleagues at SICCS. She looks forward, she adds, to working with students, families and colleagues to make their educational experiences memorable ones.  kdalto@si-ccs.org

REGINA DeFELICE, Second Grade Teacher, 2-104

A lifelong Staten Island resident, Regina DeFelice has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Childhood Education and her New York State certification in Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities.

Her teaching post at SICCS follows four years of teaching on Staten Island and in Manhattan. Describing what she particularly likes about SICCS, Mrs. DeFelice says, “It’s a very supportive learning environment with a staff who want to maximize the students’ academic, social and emotional growth.”

In her free time, Regina DeFelice enjoys reading best sellers and baking goodies for her friends and family.  rdefelice@si-ccs.org

HEATHER GARR, Second Grade Teacher, 2-103

Lifelong Staten Islander Heather Garr attained her highest level of professional training at the City University of New York, College of Staten Island, where she received a Master’s Degree in Childhood Education.

Ms. Garr joined SICCS as a kindergarten teacher during our inaugural year and returned this year to take on the new assignment of second grade teacher. Before joining SICCS, she worked as a NYC Department of Education elementary school teacher in various districts throughout the city. Ms. Garr says that she’s extremely happy to be part of SICCS, seeing it as an exciting continuation of her career. She’s especially grateful to be able to work with a supportive, high-caliber staff and wonderful students.  hgarr@si-ccs.org

MICHAEL GRIPPO, Guidance Counselor

A Staten Island resident, Michael Grippo received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Boston College and a Master of Science in Education Degree in Counseling and Personnel Services from Fordham University. His previous experience in the field of education includes working at the NYU Child Study Center’s Summer Program for Kids with ADHD, and as a Family Case Planner with Heartshare Human Services of New York.

Mr. Grippo loves working with the children and families of SICCS on a daily basis. His goal is to provide social-emotional support for every child so that students can grow up feeling great about themselves, their learning experiences and the future.  mgrippo@si-ccs.org

CHRISTINE MANGANARO, Instructional Coach, Reading Specialist

Christine Manganaro holds a Master’s Degree in Reading and offers our students the benefit of her 11 years as a kindergarten, first-, second- and fourth-grade classroom teacher and reading specialist.

Ms. Manganaro feels fortunate to be a part of the SICCS experience, which has allowed her to gain a new perspective on her career. She welcomes the opportunity to share her knowledge and experience with SICCS teachers while absorbing innovative ideas that contribute to her own professional growth.  cmanganaro@si-ccs.org

KELLY MONAHAN, Teaching Assistant

Kelly Monahan received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from the College of Staten Island.

A Staten Island native, Ms. Monahan worked as a substitute teacher in various Staten Island public elementary schools before joining SICCS. She says that she’s excited to have joined the SICCS “family” and that she loves her colleagues’ energy and respects their dedication to helping students achieve.  kmonahan@si-ccs.org

EILEEN MULROY, First Grade Teacher, 1-202

Eileen Mulroy is a New York State-certified elementary school teacher. She began her career as a preschool teacher on Staten Island but feels SICCS is where she belongs as a teaching professional. She taught kindergarten last year and is excited to have moved up to first grade this year.

Ms,. Mulroy is proud to be contributing to the success of Staten Island’s first K-8 charter school — success that comes from the school’s dynamic approach to education. She is looking forward to continuing to grow with students, families, teachers and staff.  emulroy@si-ccs.org

VANESSA ROSSI, Kindergarten Teacher, K-101

Vanessa Rossi received her education at Wagner College, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree, and has certifications in General/Special Elementary Education and General/Special Early Childhood Education.

As a teaching assistant in an early childhood center, Ms. Rossi worked with pre-schoolers, using her training in psychology to assist in the developmental testing of at-risk children. Substitute teaching provided her additional experience in a variety of elementary-level classrooms.

Ms. Rossi feels she has grown as a professional by working with the families at SICCS and meeting the challenges that she encounters each day. During her free time she plays clarinet in a concert band and takes part in her community’s hand bell choir. Ms. Rossi loves to share her music with her students, too!  vrossi@si-ccs.org

Support Staff

LAUREN PICCIRILLO, School Aide

Lauren Piccirillo is a certified New York State school bus attendant trained and certified in CPR and First Aid and is a certified laser technician as well. In her spare time Lauren enjoys dancing and reading and is a volunteer for the “Look Good, Feel Better” public service program for women with cancer.  lpiccirillo@si-ccs.org