Our Staff

Administrative

Mr. Frank X. Caragher, Acting Principal, is a graduate of Seton Hall University where he graduated as an education major. He subsequently earned a Masters Degree in Special Education at Kean University. Frank started his professional life as a trainer for teachers for the State of New Jersey and ten years later joined The Arc of Hudson County as Executive Director. He was recruited away in 1990 becoming the Executive Director for The Arc of Union County. Under his leadership, The Arc of Union County has thrived in its delivery of services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Frank has overseen a dramatic expansion of education opportunities for children, including the opening of an inclusive preschool, The Arc Bright Beginnings Child Development Center in Cranford and the growth of The Arc Kohler School into a state-of-the-art facility.
Email: fcaragher@arcunion.org

Shannon Bolivar, School Psychologist, received a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology and a Professional Diploma in School Psychology from Kean University. Shannon has worked with children and adults with special needs and their families in Family Support, Residential, and Day Program settings since 1993. She also maintains her role as Director of Family Support of The Arc of Union County.
Email: sbolivar@arcunion.org

Diane Hennessy, Supervisor of Education and Social Services, has her undergraduate degree from Seton Hall, her graduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and her supervisory certificate from Kean University. Diane has worked with children with special needs and their families both in early intervention and a school based setting since 1986.
Email: dhennessy@arckohlerschool.org

Aimee Santos, Therapy Coordinator, is a pediatric physical therapist and a graduate of The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. She has ten years of experience in Pediatric Physical Therapy, treating children birth to twenty-one years old. Areas of special interest include the medically complex child, the child with cerebral palsy, and family support services for children with disabilities.
Email: asantos@arckohlerschool.org

Teachers

Michele Hernandez, a preschool teacher, is a 2006 graduate of Kean University. She has 4 years teaching experience with a Teacher of Individuals with Disabilities Certificate for ages birth through 12. In addition to being highly qualified, Michele holds an Elementary Educator K-5 certificate.
Email: mhernandez@arckohlerschool.org

Leana Malinowsky, a primary school teacher, has five years experience in the field. She received her B.A. from Kean University in Teacher of Students with Disabilities K-12 and English with a Minor in Psychology. She is a highly qualified (NJDOE) certified teacher in Elementary Education K-5 and has a certificate of eligibility in K-12. She currently is attending Nathan Weiss Graduate College at Kean University studying for her M.A in Mastery of Teaching K-5. Leana is a member of a variety of honors societies, and is an executive board member of Delta Rho; Kean’s chapter of Kappa Delta Pi- the International Honors Society of Education. Her areas of interest are in Autsim Spectrum Disorders, psychology, and behavioral studies.
Email: lmalinowsky@arckohlerschool.org

Judy Murphy, a preschool teacher, is a 2002 graduate of Kean University. She has seven years of teaching experience with a N.J Elementary School Teacher certificate, making her eligible to teach preschool through eighth grade. She is also certified as a Teacher of the Handicapped for ages birth through 21. In addition to being a highly qualified teacher, she holds a degree in English.
Email: jmurphy@arckohlerschool.org

Maryann Ryan, a primary school teacher, is a graduate of New Jersey City University. She has twelve years of teaching experience with a New Jersey Elementary School teacher certificate, making her eligible to teach preschool through eighth grade. She is also certified as a Teacher of the Handicapped for ages birth to twenty-one. In addition to being a highly qualified teacher, she holds an associates degree in Business.
Email: mryan@arckohlerschool.org

Peggy Yorkovich, a primary school teacher, is a graduate of the College of New Jersey. She received her Bachelor Degree in the Education of the Deaf. She also holds teaching certificates for Teacher of the Handicapped, Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. She is a highly qualified teacher with 16 years experience. She centers her teaching on behavior management techniques, multisensory lessons and differentiated learning.
Email: pyorkovich@arckohlerschool.org

Therapists

Nichol Frusteri, speech-language pathologist, received her undergraduate degree from Nazareth College of Rochester NY and graduate degree from Montclair University. She has experience working in a pediatric hospital with both outpatients (birth to twenty-one) and inpatients (birth to four) with a focus on feeding and swallowing disorders. She is a certified provider of Vital Stimulation and DPNS. Areas of interest include autism, basic sign language, and PROMPT.
Email: nfrusteri@arckohlerschool.org

Cindy Kratsch, physical therapist, graduated from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She has seven years of pediatric clinical experience in school settings and early intervention.
Email: ckratsch@arckohlerschool.org

Lana Furman, physical therapist, received her MS degree in physical therapy from SUNY Downstate Medical Center. She has eight years of clinical experience working in a pediatric school setting and early intervention. She is an authorized provider of the Listening Program Method.
Email: sfurman@arckohlerschool.org

Mary Jane Hart, a physical therapist, holds a Masters Degree from Long Island University and a Bachelors Degree from the University of Scranton. She has been a physical therapist for 12 years with 7 years experience in pediatrics. Mary Jane has a clinical instructor certificate and previously worked in a public school setting and the Rusk Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center.
Email: mjhart@arckohlerschool.org

Tara Giuliano is an occupational therapist who graduated from Thomas Jefferson University. She has five years of pediatric occupational therapy experience.
Email: tgiuliano@arckohlerschool.org

Lisa Preisler, occupational therapist, is a graduate of New York University. She holds Masters in occupational therapy, as well as certifications in sensory integration and the Handwriting Without Tears program.
Email: ljager@arckohlerschool.org

Lynn Severin, speech-language pathologist, M.S, CCC-SLP graduated from Hofstra University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences. She completed her Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Northeastern University in May 2006. In addition to providing speech and language therapy to preschool and school aged children, Lynn provides services to families with children who have or are at risk of developmental delays through early intervention. Her experiences include working with children with a variety of speech and communication challenges such as Autism Spectrum Disorders, hearing impairments, feeding disorders, sensory issues, apraxia, articulation, and expressive and receptive language disorders. Lynn is working towards her PROMPT certification and is currently PROMPT trained.
Email: lseverin@arckohlerschool.org

Kristin Speranza, a speech-language pathologist, received her Bachelor Degree from the College of New Jersey and her Masters Degree from James Madison University. Her areas of interests include autism, AAC, apraxia, and sensory/behavioral feeding.
Email: ksperanza@arckohlerschool.org

Nurses

Shalini Ascalon, graduated with a Bachelors Degree of Science in Nursing (BSN) at New York University. She was on the Dean’s List and earned 18 credits towards Masters Degree of Science in Nursing Education under the Dual Degree Program in Nursing of NYU. As a Registered Nurse (RN) for 12 years now, she has completed The New Jersey City University’s (NJCU) School Nursing Certification Program to become a Certified School Nurse (CSN).
Email: sascalon@arckohlerschool.org


	Our Staff Administrative Mr. Frank X. Caragher, Acting Principal, is a graduate of Seton Hall University where he graduated as an education major. He subsequently earned a Masters Degree in Special Education at Kean University. Frank started his professional life as a trainer for teachers for the State of New Jersey and ten years later joined The Arc of Hudson County as Executive Director. He was recruited away in 1990 becoming the Executive Director for The Arc of Union County. Under his leadership, The Arc of Union County has thrived in its delivery of services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Frank has overseen a dramatic expansion of education opportunities for children, including the opening of an inclusive preschool, The Arc Bright Beginnings Child Development Center in Cranford and the growth of The Arc Kohler School into a state-of-the-art facility. Email: fcaragher@arcunion.org Shannon Bolivar, School Psychologist, received a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology and a Professional Diploma in School Psychology from Kean University. Shannon has worked with children and adults with special needs and their families in Family Support, Residential, and Day Program settings since 1993. She also maintains her role as Director of Family Support of The Arc of Union County. Email: sbolivar@arcunion.org Diane Hennessy, Supervisor of Education and Social Services, has her undergraduate degree from Seton Hall, her graduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and her supervisory certificate from Kean University. Diane has worked with children with special needs and their families both in early intervention and a school based setting since 1986. Email: dhennessy@arckohlerschool.org Aimee Santos, Therapy Coordinator, is a pediatric physical therapist and a graduate of The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. She has ten years of experience in Pediatric Physical Therapy, treating children birth to twenty-one years old. Areas of special interest include the medically complex child, the child with cerebral palsy, and family support services for children with disabilities. Email: asantos@arckohlerschool.org Teachers Michele Hernandez, a preschool teacher, is a 2006 graduate of Kean University. She has 4 years teaching experience with a Teacher of Individuals with Disabilities Certificate for ages birth through 12. In addition to being highly qualified, Michele holds an Elementary Educator K-5 certificate. Email: mhernandez@arckohlerschool.org Leana Malinowsky, a primary school teacher, has five years experience in the field. She received her B.A. from Kean University in Teacher of Students with Disabilities K-12 and English with a Minor in Psychology. She is a highly qualified (NJDOE) certified teacher in Elementary Education K-5 and has a certificate of eligibility in K-12. She currently is attending Nathan Weiss Graduate College at Kean University studying for her M.A in Mastery of Teaching K-5. Leana is a member of a variety of honors societies, and is an executive board member of Delta Rho; Kean’s chapter of Kappa Delta Pi- the International Honors Society of Education. Her areas of interest are in Autsim Spectrum Disorders, psychology, and behavioral studies. Email: lmalinowsky@arckohlerschool.org Judy Murphy, a preschool teacher, is a 2002 graduate of Kean University. She has seven years of teaching experience with a N.J Elementary School Teacher certificate, making her eligible to teach preschool through eighth grade. She is also certified as a Teacher of the Handicapped for ages birth through 21. In addition to being a highly qualified teacher, she holds a degree in English. Email: jmurphy@arckohlerschool.org Maryann Ryan, a primary school teacher, is a graduate of New Jersey City University. She has twelve years of teaching experience with a New Jersey Elementary School teacher certificate, making her eligible to teach preschool through eighth grade. She is also certified as a Teacher of the Handicapped for ages birth to twenty-one. In addition to being a highly qualified teacher, she holds an associates degree in Business. Email: mryan@arckohlerschool.org Peggy Yorkovich, a primary school teacher, is a graduate of the College of New Jersey. She received her Bachelor Degree in the Education of the Deaf. She also holds teaching certificates for Teacher of the Handicapped, Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. She is a highly qualified teacher with 16 years experience. She centers her teaching on behavior management techniques, multisensory lessons and differentiated learning. Email: pyorkovich@arckohlerschool.org Therapists Nichol Frusteri, speech-language pathologist, received her undergraduate degree from Nazareth College of Rochester NY and graduate degree from Montclair University. She has experience working in a pediatric hospital with both outpatients (birth to twenty-one) and inpatients (birth to four) with a focus on feeding and swallowing disorders. She is a certified provider of Vital Stimulation and DPNS. Areas of interest include autism, basic sign language, and PROMPT. Email: nfrusteri@arckohlerschool.org Cindy Kratsch, physical therapist, graduated from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She has seven years of pediatric clinical experience in school settings and early intervention. Email: ckratsch@arckohlerschool.org Lana Furman, physical therapist, received her MS degree in physical therapy from SUNY Downstate Medical Center. She has eight years of clinical experience working in a pediatric school setting and early intervention. She is an authorized provider of the Listening Program Method. Email: sfurman@arckohlerschool.org Mary Jane Hart, a physical therapist, holds a Masters Degree from Long Island University and a Bachelors Degree from the University of Scranton. She has been a physical therapist for 12 years with 7 years experience in pediatrics. Mary Jane has a clinical instructor certificate and previously worked in a public school setting and the Rusk Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center. Email: mjhart@arckohlerschool.org Tara Giuliano is an occupational therapist who graduated from Thomas Jefferson University. She has five years of pediatric occupational therapy experience. Email: tgiuliano@arckohlerschool.org Lisa Preisler, occupational therapist, is a graduate of New York University. She holds Masters in occupational therapy, as well as certifications in sensory integration and the Handwriting Without Tears program. Email: ljager@arckohlerschool.org Lynn Severin, speech-language pathologist, M.S, CCC-SLP graduated from Hofstra University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences. She completed her Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Northeastern University in May 2006. In addition to providing speech and language therapy to preschool and school aged children, Lynn provides services to families with children who have or are at risk of developmental delays through early intervention. Her experiences include working with children with a variety of speech and communication challenges such as Autism Spectrum Disorders, hearing impairments, feeding disorders, sensory issues, apraxia, articulation, and expressive and receptive language disorders. Lynn is working towards her PROMPT certification and is currently PROMPT trained. Email: lseverin@arckohlerschool.org Kristin Speranza, a speech-language pathologist, received her Bachelor Degree from the College of New Jersey and her Masters Degree from James Madison University. Her areas of interests include autism, AAC, apraxia, and sensory/behavioral feeding. Email: ksperanza@arckohlerschool.org Nurses Shalini Ascalon, graduated with a Bachelors Degree of Science in Nursing (BSN) at New York University. She was on the Dean’s List and earned 18 credits towards Masters Degree of Science in Nursing Education under the Dual Degree Program in Nursing of NYU. As a Registered Nurse (RN) for 12 years now, she has completed The New Jersey City University’s (NJCU) School Nursing Certification Program to become a Certified School Nurse (CSN). Email: sascalon@arckohlerschool.org