Faculty & Staff Directory

“Being surrounded and supported by such an amazing administrative team and staff has allowed me to grow into the leader I am today. The Knox School Team embraces challenges, chooses truth, and creates solutions, and I am honored every day to lead and learn alongside the people who bring joy into my workspace every day.” 

– Virginia Riccardi, Head of School

M.A., Teaching & Writing – Columbia University, Teachers College
B.A., English Education – Stony Brook University

Enyu Brucato

M.A., TESOL – University of Leicester
B.A., English Literature – Soochow University

Enyu Brucato

English as a New Language Department Chair
English as a New Language Teacher

Michael Canestraro

M.A., Theatre Arts – Long Island University, C.W. Post
B.F.A., Theatre Arts – Hofstra University

Michael Canestraro

Theatre Teacher
Director of Theatre Arts

Karyn Cernera Bush

D.M., Higher Education, Teaching and Learning – Colorado Technical University
M.F.A., Drawing & Sculpture – Pratt Institute

*Administrator

Karyn Cernera-Bush

Director of Marketing & Communications
Chair of Visual & Performing Arts

Frank Chisena

M.S., School of Engineering & Applied Physics – Columbia University
B.S., School of Engineering & Applied Physics – Columbia University

Frank Chisena

Physics Teacher

Christine Cleary

Executive Administrative Assistant to the Head of School

Patricia Colombraro

M.F.A. Fine Art, Long Island University
B.A., Communication, Photography – Long Island University

Patricia Colombraro

Photography & Media Arts Teacher
Solarium Art Gallery Curator

Amy Denis

Ph.D., English – St. John’s University
M.A., English – St. John’s University
B.A., English – St. Joseph’s University

Amy Denis

English Teacher

Andreika Eikerenkoetter-Horne

M.A., Multi-Media, Fine Art – Adelphi University
B.A., Multi-Media, Fine Art – Adelphi University

Andreika Eikerenkoetter-Horne

Studio Arts Teacher
Ceramics Teacher

Dana Fernandez

ENL Teacher
Science Teacher
Dance Teacher
English Teacher

Elyse Flader

Registered Nurse

Elyse Flader

School Nurse

Matthew Frageau

B.A., Secondary Education – Hartford University

*Dorm Parent

Matthew Frageau

Science Department Chair
Science Teacher

Denise Gehring

B.S., Accounting – St. Joseph’s College

*Administrator

Denise Gehring

Controller
Business Manager

Jared Grasso

Director of Athletic Advancement
Head Basketball Coach – Varsity & PG

Jared Grasso

Director of Athletic Advancement
Head Basketball Coach

Christina Harney

M.A., Teaching English – Stony Brook University
B.A., English – Manhattan College

Christina Harney

English Teacher

Julia Hughes

B.A., Spanish Language & Teacher Preparation – Stony Brook University
NYS 7-12 Teaching Certification for Spanish, NYS FLES K-6 Extension

Julia Hughes

Spanish Teacher

Stephanie Kilgannon, LMHC, CASAC-T, CAMS-II

M.S., School Counseling – New York Institute of Technology
M.S., Mental Health Counseling – Alfred University

Stephanie Kilgannon

Mental Health Counselor
College Counselor
AP Psychology Teacher
Crew Coach

Kelly Mandia

M.A., History – Long Island University
B.A., History, Minor, Social Studies Secondary Education – Stony Brook University

Kelly Mandia

History Department Chair
History Teacher

Angelo Mauro

M.S., Education in Mathematics – St. Joseph’s College
B.A., Mathematics – St. Joseph’s College

*Dorm Parent

Angelo Mauro

STEM & Mathematics Teacher
STEM Coordinator

Debbie Mazzant

B.S., Mathematics – Pennsylvania State University
B.A., Spanish – Pennsylvania State University

Debbie Mazzant

Mathematics Department Chair
Mathematics Teacher

Patrick McCormick

MA., Adolescence Special Education – St. Joseph’s College
B.A, History in Secondary Education – St. Joseph’s College

Patrick McCormick

History Teacher

Barbara Missirlian

*Administrator

Barbara Missirlian

Director of Student Care and Compliance

Masako Niwa

Equestrian Director
Head Trainer

Masako Niwa

Equestrian Director
Head Trainer

Elvin Nunez

Facilities Staff

Jennifer Orlowski

M.S. Ed., Special Education – Dowling College
M.S. Ed., Literacy – Dowling College
B.A., Fine Arts – St. Lawrence University
Schools Attuned Certification – Bank Street College of Education

Jennifer Orlowski

Resource Room Teacher / BOOST

Joshua Pelkey

Joshua Pelkey

Senior Associate Director of Admissions

Donna Pergola

M.A., Creative Writing & Non-Fiction – Southern New Hampshire University
B.S., Secondary Education – Grand Canyon University
AP English Language and Composition Exam Reader
*Administrator

Donna Pergola

Dean of Academics
English Department Chair & Teacher
Boys and Girls Volleyball Coach

Jacqueline Pfaltz

M.A., Mathematics Education – St. Joseph’s College
B.A., Mathematics – SUNY Geneseo
NYS Teaching Certification- Adolescent Education

Jacqueline Pfaltz

Mathematics Teacher

Gail Roach

M.A., Mathematics – Stony Brook University
B.S., Mathematics Secondary Education – SUNY Oneonta

Gail Roach

Mathematics Teacher
Service Learning Coordinator

Michael Ryan

*Administrator

Michael Ryan

Dean of Students
Athletic Director

Emma Sharkey Frageau

BOOST Coordinator & Teacher

Cindy Simkus

B.S., Mathematics – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Cindy Simkus

Director of Enrollment Management

Zhiyin (Cecilia) Wang

B.A., International Tourism & Leisure Management – NHL Stenden University of Applied Science, The Netherlands

Zhiyin (Cecilia) Wang

Chinese Teacher
Marketing & Admissions Associate