MEET OUR STAFF
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Carrie Bryant-Render
DIRECTOR / TRUSTEE
It has been such a blessing to be the School Administrator/ Director here at Holy Cross these past 7 years. Like many of our staff I started as a parent and quickly realized that this was not only a wonderful place to teach my own children, but a remarkable place to work with awesome people. I am a parent of 3 children between the ages of 6 and 13. I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Finance from Mt. St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Upon graduation, I moved to Tampa, Florida where I owned and directed Accent on Dance for five years. Most recently I was Owner/Founder and former Artistic Director of Showtime Dance Company. I am blessed to be a part of this Holy Cross family and truly believe in the importance of teaching children in a fun, loving and Christ centered environment.
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Laura Valvo
OFFICE MANAGER/TRUSTEE
I became involved at Holy Cross first as a parent after working on Wall Street for 15 years. My daughter attended our Level I and II programs. I started as a teacher aide in 2011. I assisted in Level I, Level 2 and Academic Enrichment. A few years ago, I started assisting as part of the administrative staff. I am now the Office Manager. I love working with the children and staff at Holy Cross. I have two children, one currently in High School in the Suffern Central District and the other at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
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Veronica Kellner
HEAD TEACHER / TRUSTEE
Holy Cross has been a part of my life since 2008, first as a parent and then as a staff member. I have taught both the Level 1 and Level 2 classes and have also been in charge of running our lunch bunch program including our Special Themed Wednesdays. My experiences at this school as both a parent and a teacher have been wonderful. I love that our students have fun while learning. They get a great academic base to prepare them for the years of school ahead while also learning about God.
I am thrilled to be the Head Teacher and 5 day Level 2/Pre-K Teacher this year and work with all of our very talented staff here at Holy Cross.
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Hannah Volekas
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR / LEVEL 2 PRE-K TEACHER
I started at Holy Cross in 2014 bringing my daughter to Mommy and Me. I was excited to see how wonderful the staff and school was and knew I would love to work here. I started as a substitute and quickly found my place as an assistant in First Step and Level 2. I have taught Level 2 and Transitional Kindergarten. During the summer, I co-teach summer camp. I am a proud parent of two children, Molly and Joe. I have a teaching certification in preschool–3rd grade and my Master’s in Reading and Literacy K-8.
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Nicole Bello-Kotzsch
LEVEL 1 TEACHER & ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT TEACHER
I am a grateful member of the Holy Cross Staff/ Family since 2011.
My youngest son graduated Level 2 in 2012, and what I most treasure was the spiritual foundation that was built, through bible stories, prayer and worship. Over the years I have had the privilege to work in all levels and programs at Holy Cross, as a substitute, teacher’s assistant, and since 2017 as a Level 1 teacher. In the afternoons, I teach Level 2/Academic Enrichment and have also been the Special Lunch Bunch Coordinator facilitating afternoons of fun crafts and making our own snacks.
I came to the USA with the EurAupair Organization in 1997, and I have been caring and teaching preschool age children ever since. I believe all children are a special gift. They deserve our loving attention, and guidance to help them build a strong foundation, social and emotional skills as well as learning in a fun interactive/ hands on kind of way.
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Sarah Vita
LEVEL 1 TEACHER
I am a graduate of New England College with a degree in Education. I started working as a one on one aide here at Holy Cross. Since then I have worked as teacher assistant in all levels, and am now the co-teacher in Level 1 and Academic Enrichment. I love watching the students succeed and grow during the year. Holy Cross is an amazing place to work! I feel so lucky to be here helping your children succeed and grow during their time at Holy Cross.
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Dominique Chiaradio
TEACHER ASSISTANT / PIANO TEACHER
Like many of our staff I started at Holy Cross as a parent. I have worked as an assistant in all levels and am currently working in Level 2. As a trained musician I also teach group and private piano lessons as part of our extra curricular activities.
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Linda Rose
FIRST STEP TEACHER
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Diane Fornal
FIRST STEP TEACHER
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Jennifer Rohlfs
TEACHER ASSISTANT
Holy Cross is quite literally family for me. My children, my husband and his siblings are all Holy Cross graduates. I’m happy to be using my degree in elementary education from Springfield College as a classroom assistant in Level 1. Holy Cross is such a special school. We have a tight knit bond that I truly cherish.
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Vania Coker
LEVEL 1 TEACHER
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Chrissy Vita
TEACHER ASSISTANT
Hi. I’m Miss Chrissy! I started at Holy Cross as a volunteer and now am a teaching assistant in the nap room as well as a substitute in all classes. I work as a coach in Girls on the Run and have an associates degree in theater from Bergen Community College. I’m so lucky and blessed to help children to learn and grow and to be part of the Holy Cross family.
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Sedona Petrillo
LEVEL 1 AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT TEACHER
Working with children is a passion of mine. I love watching them learn, grow, and have fun experiences. I’ve been a lead teacher in the past, now I am working as co teacher in the Level 1 Pre-K 3 class and I’m also apart of the special Wednesday Lunch Bunch. I’m currently majoring in Child Psychology because I’m interested in the development of a child’s mind. I’m blessed to work at such a nurturing, welcoming environment. Holy Cross truly feels like a family!
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Nina Hall
TEACHER ASSISTANT
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Rubi Kepler
TEACHER ASSISTANT/SPANISH TEACHER