School Leadership - High School

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School Leadership

Administrators

Mr. Peter Varela Principal 732.329.4044x5202	Mr. Peter Varela earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics from the State University of New York, College at Oneonta. In addition, he holds a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Mercy College, New York and a second Master's degree in Secondary Education from the City University of New York, Brooklyn College. Mr. Varela has been an administrator in South Brunswick since February 2003 and has served as Principal, Assistant Principal for Academic Leadership, Grade-level Assistant Principal, and Supervisor. He expects students to reach their full potential through academic rigor and exposure to co-curricular activities that will help them reach and accomplish their many goals. Mr. Varela is passionate about teaching and learning and wants our students to be exposed to master teachers and support staff. When he is not at the high school, Mr. Varela enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two sons.
Mr. Michael Scheese Assistant Principal for Academic Leadership 732.329.4044x5203	Mr. Michael Scheese earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Education from Bloomsburg University. In addition, he holds a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of Scranton. Mr. Scheese has been in the South Brunswick School District since 2004 where he has served as teacher, dean, Assistant Principal in the elementary schools, and Assistant Principal at the high school. Mr. Scheese also serves as the high school's Advanced Placement (AP) Coordinator.
Mrs. Susana Nikitczuk Assistant Principal for the Class of 2022 & Student Services 732.329.4044x5231	Mrs. Susana Nikitczuk earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland. She holds masters degrees in Education, Bilingual Education and Education Administration and Supervision from Governors State University, Illinois and from Rutgers University. Mrs. Nikitczuk is currently the assistant principal for Student Services and for the class of 2022. Before assuming her present position, she was the district World Languages supervisor. Mrs. Nikitczuk was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina.She enjoys traveling, playing the piano, and spending time with her husband, her grandchildren, children, family and friends.
Mr. Emanuel Caravano Assistant Principal for the Class of 2023 732.329.4044x5218	Mr. Emanuel Caravano earned his Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Human Services Counseling from Montclair State University. He then went on to complete his Masters in Educational Leadership from The College of New Jersey. Mr. Caravano obtained his certification in Supervision and Administration through the NJ EXCEL program and has been an administrator in South Brunswick since 2012. During that time he served as an Assistant Principal at both Indian Fields and Brooks Crossing. Mr. Caravano continues to broaden his educational administrative work and experience at the secondary level. He looks forward to supporting the Class of 2023 this year and throughout their educational journey. Mr. Caravano is an avid runner and enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two daughters.
Mr. Brian McManus Assistant Principal for the Class of 2024 732.329.4044x5235	Before being the assistant principal for the class of 2024 at South Brunswick High School, Mr. McManus spent ten years as a high school English teacher, three years as a Pre-K through Grade 12 curriculum coordinator, and two years as a secondary school assistant principal. He started his teaching career working at a high school in Miramar, Florida. After three years, he moved to Beijing, PRC, where he worked at an international school for ten years. Before joining SBHS, he worked as an assistant principal at an international school in Dubai. Mr. McManus earned a Master of Arts in Writing and Literature from Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, and a Master of Education and Post-Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership from The College of New Jersey.
Mrs. Yoshi Donato Assistant Principal for the Class of 2025 & James Kimple Center 732.329.4044 x5240	Mrs. Yoshi Donato earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Maryland-College Park. She has earned a Master's in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College, Detroit as well as a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Additionally, she has completed 60 credit hours in a Doctoral program with Walden University. Before coming to South Brunswick in 2002, she worked as an English teacher in her hometown of Asbury Park. Prior to her appointment as Assistant Principal at SBHS, she worked as an English teacher, Dean of Students, Advisor of Unlimited Few, and a Peer Advisor. Mrs. Donato is also a proud member of the United States Army Reserves and she holds the rank of Master Sergeant. Mrs. Donato has a performed over 19 years of service to our nation and looks forward to retirement from the military this fall. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, children and family.

Leadership Team

Ms. Anna Alfieri Supervisor of Mathematics & Science [email protected] 732.329.4044x3241	Ms. Alfieri has been a math teacher at South Brunswick High School since September 1992 and a supervisor since September 2001. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from Rutgers University and a Master of Science in Mathematics Education from the University of New Hampshire. Ms. Alfieri believes that the most important aspect of math and science teaching is to communicate the beauty, relevance, and simplicity of the content while meeting the individual needs of the students.
Ms. Crystal Burnett Chairperson of Science [email protected] 732.329.4044x3201
Mr. Thomas Decker Supervisor of World Language [email protected] 732.329.4044x5201	Mr. Decker started in South Brunswick school district in September of 2006 in the role of K-12 Supervisor of World Language. In 2010, Mr. Decker was assigned the additional role of Supervisor of ELL. He has worked with both departments since 2010. In 2014 Mr. Decker was appointed the Head of School for the South Brunswick Summer Institute, a position he held for the past 7 years. Mr. Decker earned his B.A. from Rutgers University and his M.A. in Administration and Supervision from Georgian Court University. Mr. Decker believes in high expectations and outcomes and the focus and persistence to achieve them- all students have the capacity to achieve.
Ms. Kathleen Derillo Supervisor of Special Education, Grades 9-12 [email protected] 732.329.4044x5227	Ms. Derillo began as a special education teacher at SBHS in 2005. She then transitioned to the role of supervisor of special education in 2013. Ms. Derillo earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, with a minor in Latin American Studies from Ramapo College of NJ. Additionally, she holds a Masters of Arts degree in Special Education from Kean University, a supervisor’s certificate from Caldwell University and completed the post-masters sequence in Applied Behavior Analysis thorough Western Connecticut State University, and the NJEXCEL program in educational administration. Ms. Derillo is committed to inclusionary practices for students with disabilities and serving all learners in the least restrictive environment.
Ms. Amy Finkelstein Student Assistance & Wellness Supervisor [email protected] 732.329.4044x5220	Mrs. Finkelstein joined the staff of South Brunswick School District in 2002. She has served as a counselor in the James Kimple Center for Alternative Education, a Child Study Team Social Worker at Indian Fields/Dayton, a School Counselor at Constable, and now as Supervisor of Student Assistance and Wellness for the district. She holds a BA in Psychology and Spanish from the University of Michigan, a Masters in Social Work from the University of Chicago, and certificates in Clinical Supervision from Rutgers University. Mrs. Finkelstein believes that mental and physical wellness are key to academic and future success.
Ms. Patrice Gorman Social Studies Department Chair [email protected] 732-329-4044x3288
Mr. John Harding Health and PE Supervisor [email protected] 732-329-4044x3208	Mr. Harding has been an educator in South Brunswick Schools since September of 1993. He has served as a health and physical education teacher and department chairperson before taking his current role as a K-12 Supervisor. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Montclair State College in Health and Physical Education and a Masters of Education at The College of New Jersey. His supervisor’s certificate was obtained through Rutgers University. Mr. Harding spent 18 years as the Head boy’s and girl’s swim coach at the High School, a program that he started from scratch. He also worked for many years in the Peer Leadership Program where he spent time as a Program Coordinator and Peer Teacher. Mr. Harding believes in educating the whole student; physically, mentally and emotionally.
Mr. Douglas Hunt Dean of Classes 2021 & 2022 [email protected] 732-329-4044 x5204
Ms. Theresa Jennings Supervisor of English & Social Studies [email protected] 732.329.4044x5230
Ms. Kristin Laskin Supervisor of 9-12 Business, Family and Consumer Science, Art and 6-12 Technology Kristin [email protected] 732.329.4044x3229
Mr. Justin McCuen James Kimple Center Chair [email protected] 732.329.4044x2205
Ms. Elaine McGrath Athletic Director Elai[email protected] 732.329.4044x5233
Ms. Lauren Morris Activities Coordinator [email protected] 732.329.4044x3316
Ms. Nancy Ducko-Sweeney Dean of Classes 2023 & 2024 [email protected] 732.329.4044x5209
Mr. Robert Sears Supervisor of K-12 Music [email protected] 732.329.4633x3846
Mrs. Emily Wright Supervisor of Special Education [email protected] 732.329.4044x3222	Emily Wright earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from The College of New Jersey in 2012. In addition, she holds a dual Master's in the Art of Teaching (Special Education K-12 and Elementary Education). Ms. Wright also obtained her Masters in Educational Leadership from The College of New Jersey in 2017. Ms. Wright previously served as the Transition Coordinator and Extended School Year Coordinator in the South Brunswick School District, at which time she also co-advised the Interact Club and Viking Closet Club. Ms. Wright served as a K-12 Supervisor of Special Education in Holmdel Township before returning home to South Brunswick as a 6-12 Supervisor of Special Education. She looks forward to working with families to support young adults in our community.