Faculty & Staff Directory

Virginia Riccardi Head of School

“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.” 

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

Courtney Athenas

MA. Elementary Education- LIU POST
BA. Health and Physical education- LIU POST

Courtney Athenas

P.E Teacher
Assistant Athletics Director

Enyu Brucato 

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

Enyu Brucato

ENL/Language Arts

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

Bowei Chen

Bowei Chen

Music & Choir Teacher
Chair of Performing Arts

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
Chair of Visual Arts

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

Charles Fortmann

PhD & M.S. Material Science & Engineering, Stanford University
B.S. Physics, University of Maryland

Charles Fortmann

Physics Teacher

Matthew Frageau

B.A., Secondary Education – Hartford University

*Dorm Parent

Matthew Frageau

Science Department Chair
Science Teacher

Al Giuliano

Al Giuliano

Director of Technology

Jared Grasso

B.A Mass Communications – Quinnipiac University

Director of Athletic Advancement
Head Basketball Coach – Varsity & PG

Jared Grasso

Director of Athletic Advancement
Head Basketball Coach

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

Deborah Mazzant

Mathematics Teacher
Mathematics Department Chair

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
Director of Facilities

Masako Niwa

B.S., Animal Science-University of Massachusetts

Equestrian Director
Head Trainer

Masako Niwa

Equestrian Director
Head Trainer

Elvin Nunez

Facilities Staff

Joshua Pelkey

Joshua Pelkey

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
Malik Rhem

Malik Rhem

Assistant Coach – PG Basketball team
Player Development
Dorm Parent

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

Justin Zelenka

M.A., International Relations- New York University
B.A., History and Political Science- Rutgers University

Justin Zelenka

History Teacher
Dorm Parent