Faculty Bio for Mr. Turnamian

Grades He Serves - 5th - 8th

Education Narrative

Peter G. Turnamian, School Director – Greater Newark Charter School
Peter G. Turnamian was born and raised in New Jersey. Upon receiving his B.A. in English from the University of Rochester, he applied to join the newly chartered Teach for America. After being accepted into TFA, Peter relocated to Phoenix, AZ where he taught middle school language arts at the Phoenix Preparatory Academy. In 1997, Peter enrolled in Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education where he earned a Masters degree in Educational Administration. While attending Harvard, he served as an intern and teacher at the Boston Arts Academy during its first year of operation. As a result of this experience and his graduate work, Peter began to investigate opportunities for school reform within the charter school movement. In 2000, Peter returned to NJ and was appointed founding School Director for Greater Newark Charter school. Peter continues to serve in this role today. Since its inception in 2000, Greater Newark Charter School has grown to serve 176 students in grades 5-8. Under his leadership, Greater Newark Charter School has produced some of the greatest academic gains for public middle school students in the city of Newark.

 Notes: Greater Newark Charter School was recently highlighted in the December issue of Educational Leadership for its outstanding student achievement

Education History

Undergraduate Studies

Bachelor of Arts Degree - University of Rochester

English

Graduate Studies

Masters Degree in Education - Harvard University

Educational Administration

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Faculty Bio for Mrs. Ndiaye

Services - Students & Families

Education Narrative

Anne Ndiaye has taught fifth thru eighth grades at Greater Newark Academy Charter School as well as fourth and fifth grade and high school English in Jersey City, NJ. Her background includes creating and operating Sun Goddess Treasures, Inc., a retail business and a second retail operation in a hospital. At AT&T, she was a staff manager for sales support and a sales manager. She also edited sales promotional material for Avon Products, Inc. She holds a B.A. in English from New Jersey City University, an M.B.A. from Columbia University and a M.A. in Urban Education/Administration from New Jersey City University. Her interests include the League of Women Voters, jazz, reading and aromatherapy. She is excited to inspire and learn as part of the Greater Newark Academy Charter School family.

Education History

Undergraduate Studies

Bachelor of Arts Degree - New Jersey City University

English

Graduate Studies

Masters Degree - New Jersey City University

Urban Education/Administration

M.B.A. - Columbia University

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Education Narrative

Robyn Dawson, M.S.W., L.S.W., is a New Jersey licensed social worker and a member of the National Association Of Social Workers (NASW). Ms. Dawson completed her undergraduate education at the University of Pennsylvania and received her Master's degree from Columbia University. A native of New Jersey, Ms. Dawson has worked extensively in the field of mental health in both New Jersey and New York. She has conducted both individual, family and group psychotherapy and has extensive professional background working with emotionally disturbed adolescents, the mentally ill, substance abusers, HIV/AIDS, rape victims and the homeless. She also possesses experience with the biopsychosocial approach, milieu therapy and behavior management. Ms. Dawson's expertise also includes program design and development, reorganization of mental health programs as well as having provided training in the aforementioned areas. As an administrator, clinician, and mentor she has worked closely with families and children and is dedicated to the philosophy that education and communication are key components to teaching children to become socially responsible and socially skilled decision makers. Ms. Dawson believes strongly in the philosophy of Greater Newark Academy Charter School the potential of its students and is looking forward to helping to continue to develop a positive, and healthy school culture and community.

Education History

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Staff Bio for Mrs. Rufolo

Services - Students & Families

Education Narrative

Mrs Rufolo R.N., M.S.N. was born and raised in Staten Island, New York, and moved to New Jersey in 1996. She has received a School Nurse Certificate from Seton Hall University in 1997, a Masters Degree in Nursing from Wagner College, Staten Island, where she worked as an adjunct professor, and a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing, NYC.

She is a member of the National Association of School Nurses.

Mrs. Rufolos’ work experience includes Clinical Nurse Specialist, Staff Development Instructor, and Staff Nurse, in Psychiatric, Critical Care and Medical Surgical Nursing with an Alcohol Detox Unit. Since 1997, Mrs Rufolo has worked as a School Nurse in general education, as well as special education working with students with moderate behavior problems. She enjoys teaching to provide the students with critical skills for a healthy life.

She served almost 5 years as School Nurse Coordinator.

Mrs Rufolo volunteers avidly in professional and civic organizations, including NY Youth at Risk.

Mrs Rufolo compassionately works with the students and their families, knowing that with the highest possible level of physical, emotional and spiritual health, the student will have the best opportunity to learn and succeed in life.

Education History

Undergraduate Studies

Bachelors of Science - Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing Nursing

Graduate Studies

Masters Degree in Nursing

Wagner College

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Faculty Bio for Ms. Harvey

Education Narrative

Nashima Harvey was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and is a certified Teacher of the Handicapped. Ms. Harvey earned her BA in Psychology from Rutgers University, Newark, NJ.

While attending Rutgers University, Ms. Harvey volunteered at various youth organizations such as “Hudson Cradle a Home for Infants” Jersey City, NJ and “Renaissance House Therapeutic Nursery”, Newark, NJ. She also was a Youth Advocate for preteen and teen girls for the “Hudson County Youth Advocate Program”, Union City, NJ.

Ms. Harvey has been working as a Special Education Teacher for the past three years at a private school in North Bergen, NJ. Her experiences as a teacher have led her to enjoy all the creative challenges that teaching has brought forth.

Currently Ms. Harvey is working on her Masters in Literacy and her Certification as a Reading Specialist at New Jersey City University in Jersey City, NJ. She welcomes her new experiences and challenges with the Greater Newark Academy Charter School Community.

Faculty Bio for Ms. Meah

Subject She Teaches - Math

Grades She Teaches - 6th, 7th

Education Narrative

Sabrina Meah was born and raised in New Jersey. Upon receiving her B.A. in political science from Barnard College, Columbia University, Ms. Meah decided to join Teach For America and teach sixth/seventh grade at Bragaw Avenue School here in Newark, NJ. As a classroom teacher, Ms. Meah emphasized inquiry-based learning and hands-on approach in all curricula through the development of innovative, standards-based lessons. In addition, she assumed such leadership roles as Lead Science Teacher and coach for the implementation of the Whole School Reform Model, the Accelerated Schools Project. After three years in the classroom and desiring additional knowledge in the field of school leadership, Ms. Meah returned to school to receive her Masters of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Sabrina Meah is thrilled to join such a dedicated and motivated staff and teach students who want to work as hard as her.

Education History

Undergraduate Studies

Bachelor of Arts Degree - Barnard College, Columbia University

Political Science

Graduate Studies

Masters Degree in Education - Harvard University

Educational Administration

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Faculty Bio for Ms. Mooney

Education Narrative

Ms. Christine Mooney grew up in Washington Township, New Jersey, about fifteen minutes outside of Philadelphia.  At a very young age, she was inspired by her teachers and family members to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher.  She attended Ramapo College of New Jersey in Mahwah for four years and graduated in May 2004 with a bachelors degree in Psychology and an Elementary Education Certification.  She has always enjoyed working with children and has previously been employed at several child development centers as well as a summer camp in southern New Jersey.  Outside of school Ms. Mooney enjoys photography, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family.  Her goals for this year are to help each of her fifth grade students achieve their goals, visit her family in Naples, Italy, learn how to play the guitar, and take tap dance classes again.  Ms. Mooney has recently joined the GNCS team and looks forward to working with the dedicated GNCS staff this year

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Faculty Bio for Ms. Daley

Subject She Teaches - Social Studies

Grades She Teaches - 6th, 7th

Education Narrative

Keisha Daley was born on the island of Jamaica and she immigrated to the United States at the age of nine. Ms. Daley spent most of her years living in the city of Newark, NJ and she attended high school in South Orange, NJ. Upon graduating in 1999 from the University of Rochester, Ms. Daley earned her BA in History as well as teaching certification in secondary Social Studies in the state of New York. Ms. Daley moved back to NJ after graduation and continued to pursue professional enrichment and development in the field of education. She obtained her certification to teach secondary Social Studies in NJ in 2001 and earned a Masters degree in Education at Seton Hall University in 2003. Ms. Daley has three years of experience teaching middle school students at St. Anthony R.C. School in Paterson, NJ. Ms. Daley enjoyed every bit of her experience and she is excited to continue her career here at the Greater Newark Academy Charter School (GNACS). Ms. Daley is dedicated to the idea that as a teacher she is responsible for encouraging and preparing students to become emotionally stable, intellectually stimulated and morally strong individuals. She expects to effectively participate in achieving the goals of GNACS and to learn from the wealth of knowledge, culture and experience that is available here. Together, we can, reach the unreachable, believe the inconceivable and realize our wildest imaginations!

Education History

Undergraduate Studies

Bachelor of Arts Degree - University of Rochester

History, Education and Psychology

Graduate Studies

Masters Arts Degree - Seton Hall University

Education

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Faculty Bio for Ms. Jackson

Subject She Teaches - Science, Literacy

Grades She Teaches - 7th, 8th

Education Narrative

Carolann Jackson is a native of New Jersey and is a certified elementary education teacher. Ms. Jackson completed her undergraduate degree at Holy Cross College located in Worcester, MA and holds a BA in Sociology. She earned her teaching certification via the Alternate Route program and has worked as a self-contained classroom teacher, a computer teacher, and a tutor for the Princeton Review. Ms. Jackson also works as a counselor at a group home for girls in Morris County.

Education History

Undergraduate Studies

Bachelor of Arts Degree - Holy Cross College
Sociology

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Faculty Bio for Ms. Wischow

Subject She Teaches - History

Grades She Teaches - 5th

Education Narrative

Katy Wischow grew up in Virginia and received her B.A. in political science from Duke University. After graduating, she moved to New Jersey and began teaching. Prior to this move, she taught drama and improvisation to students as young as 4 and as old as 18. Outside of teaching, Ms. Wischow enjoys theater, politics, and traveling. She truly appreciates her adopted state of New Jersey and is excited to join the Greater Newark Academy community

Education History

Undergraduate Studies

Bachelor of Arts Degree - Duke University

Political Science

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Faculty Bio for Ms. McQueen

History

I was born in Newark, NJ and raised nearby in East Orange and Plainfield. I graduated from Rutgers College in 1989 with a B.A. in Communications. After many years in corporate America, I realized my true passion was to help children and pursued a career in teaching. I taught elementary education for 5 years in Rahway, NJ, where I currently live. I am looking forward to teaching 5th and 6th grade science here at GNC. We have a very exciting year ahead. There are many hands-on activities and experiments that will occur in my class, so be prepared to have a little fun.

Faculty Bio for Mr. Ahler

History

I am very happy to be joining the faculty here at GNCS, after spending the past year teaching in Savannah, Georgia, as a member of the Alliance for Catholic Education, a program run by one of my alma-maters, the University of Notre Dame. In Savannah, I taught 5th grade math and science, and 6th grade math, science, social studies, and literature. Prior to that, I taught at St. Rose of Lima school in Freehold, NJ (his hometown). There, I taught 4th-8th grade accelerated math and 7th grade language arts. I received my bachelors degree from Rutgers University, and my masters degree from the University of Notre Dame. In my spare time, I enjoy playing and watching sports (particularly baseball and hockey), reading, writing, and traveling. My favorite place to visit is Disney World, where I go several times each year. I also enjoy spending time at the beach, and attending Broadway shows. I am proud and thrilled to be working with such talented teachers at GNCS. I look forward to meeting with and working with all of the students and helping them achieve their goals!

Faculty Bio for Mr. Davis

History

Michael Davis has worked the past five years in subject remediation and admissions. Mr. Davis was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. After completing his BA in English at Seton Hall University, Mr. Davis worked as an English Teacher for Upward Bound for four years and simultaneously as an Educational Coordinator for Talent Search for two years. As an educator and mentor he has worked closely with children and families of Newark and its surrounding communities toward helping students become servant leaders.

Faculty Bio for Mrs. Diamond

Subject She Teaches - Language Arts and Math

Grades She Teaches - 6th

Education Narrative

Eve Diamond is a 6th grade Language Arts and Math Teacher. She was born and raised in Bronx, NY. While attending New York University for her Master’s Degree in Education, Mrs. Diamond had the opportunity to study abroad at Oxford University. Mrs. Diamond has taught both in NY and NJ and always tries to incorporate her undergraduate study in theater into her classroom. She brings great creativity and diverse knowledge to every lesson. She has been involved in curriculum development, is always involved in extracurricular activities and was honored with a nomination in 2007 for the Governor’s Teacher Recognition Award. Eve Diamond is very enthusiastic to join such a diverse, dedicated team of professionals and looks forward to meeting her students.

Education History

Undergraduate StudiesBachelor of Arts - Hunter College , Theater

Masters of Arts in Early Childhood and Elementary Education - New York

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