OUR EDUCATORS
CAREY KANE
Director of Students & Academics
Carey Kane holds a BS in Social Psychology from Lehigh University and an MS in Museum Education from Bank Street College. Carey has an elementary teaching certificate and has spent time in the classroom as an enrichment teacher at Bedwell Elementary, as well as an astronomy teacher for the Newark Museum. She helped open the Liberty Science Center in 1993 and managed its public education department. She later worked for the National Inventors Hall of Fame, developing a summer science and creativity camp that is offered throughout the country. Her focus has been creating and managing educational programs that foster science education and creativity development. Carey came to SJNS in 2016 as a teacher assistant. She is a trustee on the Somerset Hills Education Foundation. Carey lives in Bernardsville with her husband, Henry, and their three children, Hunter, Elizabeth, and Abigail. Carey enjoys traveling, volunteering with the local education foundation, and singing with local choirs.
KATHY TOBER
Director of Operations & Administration
Kathy Tober holds a BS degree in Biology from Dickinson College and an MBA in Pharmaceutical Studies from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She spent 24 years in the pharmaceutical industry, working in the area of clinical trial management. Her most recent role was the Global Head of Contracts and Outsourcing at Roche/Genentech, in which she oversaw $2B in outsourced clinical services and managed a large staff across 3 continents. Kathy has lived in Bernardsville since 2013 with her husband, Peter, and their two children, John and Grace (a 2016 SJNS graduate). Kathy is a member of the Church of St. John on the Mountain, where she served as a member of the Vestry. She is also a member of the Somerset Hills Board of Education and a former Co-President of the Home and School Association (HSA) for Bedwell Elementary. In her free time, Kathy enjoys traveling, going to the beach, gardening, volunteering for a local charity supporting foster children (CASA SHaW), and spending time at home with her family.
LAUREN DIEMAR
Head of Curriculum
Lauren Diemar holds a B.A. in Spanish from Gettysburg College and an MEd in Early Childhood Education (Nursery - 2nd grade) from Bank Street College. She was a teacher at The Mandell School and Park Avenue Christian Church Day School in Manhattan. All three of Lauren's children attended SJNS. She has been a board member, class parent, and substitute teacher. She started working for SJNS in 2015 as an assistant teacher. She assumed the role of Head of Curriculum in 2016. Lauren lives in Bernardsville with her husband, Thomas, and three children, Charlotte, Thomas, and Alexander. She is a board member and on the school committee at Preschool Advantage, a local non-profit that provides funds for all children to attend quality preschool. She also volunteers in the church nursery at St. Luke’s church in Gladstone.
KIM DIMINNI
3's Assistant Teacher
Kim Di Minni, a graduate from Katherine Gibbs Business school in Montclair, NJ, worked in the corporate world for many years and eventually knew she wanted a change in careers. She started to volunteer at the Senior Wellness Center in Basking Ridge and was hired as a Senior Center Associate. She soon found that helping and being able to assist with the clients in everyday activities brought her a unique sense of joy to the working environment. She then had the opportunity and decided to stay at home to raise both of her daughters.
After several years at home, Kim decided that she wanted to return to a caregiving environment but with children this time and currently works in the 3s clssroom with Mrs. Penczak.
Kim lives with her husband and two daughters Abigail, and Charlotte. She enjoys being outdoors and at the shore.
JULIE BOSWORTH
4+ Lead Teac her
Julie Bosworth holds a BA degree from Boston College and an MA in Elementary Education from Fairfield University. While attending graduate school, Julie worked as an associate editor in children’s publishing for Editorial Options where she developed, wrote and edited language arts, math, science and social studies curriculum. Julie began her teaching career in Connecticut and moved to New Jersey in 2001. She began teaching first grade at Milton Avenue School in Chatham, NJ. She has an extensive background in early literacy development, as well as therapeutic training that supports children with communication, sensory, motor and socialization difficulties. Julie joined SJNS in 2016 as the 4+ teacher. She lives in Bernardsville with her husband, Pat, and their three children Hailey, Reese, and Patrick (an SJNS alumnus).
TRESSA BAIRD
2's Assistant Teacher
Tressa Baird Tressa holds a BS degree in English and Education from St. Joseph's University. She started her career in the Marketing/Special Events department of an educational toy company, and after having a family, transitioned to working as a finance specialist for Heartworks Foundation. Tressa lives with her husband Chip in Bernardsville along with their three children, all who are SJNS alumni. Her roles as an SJNS board member and a parishioner at SJOTM have strengthened her commitment to this vibrant community. Her passions include downhill skiing with her family, hiking in the Adirondacks with her dog Winnie, and building epic train track layouts with her SJNS students.
TARA PENCZAK
3’s Lead Teacher
Tara Penczak attended the University of Delaware in Newark, DE and earned her BA degree in Early Childhood Education and Young Exceptional Children. Following graduation, she began teaching kindergarten at Woods Road Elementary School in Hillsborough, NJ. Tara resigned from teaching full time when her first child was born and began teaching the two-year-old’s part time at Weintal Preschool in Basking Ridge, NJ. After 12 years there, she chose to work closer to home and began teaching preschool at The Nursery School at St. Dunstan’s in Succasunna, NJ where all three of her children attended preschool.
Tara lives in Mount Olive with her husband, Dan, and their three children Owen, Jillian and Colin. She loves hiking and walking, especially with her dog, Penny. Tara’s house is home to many pets, a bunny, two guinea pigs, a hamster, anoles (lizards), hermit crabs and a fish! She and her daughter have been members of the Morris County 4-H Club since 2014 and have enjoyed many years volunteering, especially in the summer when the 4-H Fair takes place in Chester, NJ. In her free time, Tara loves to read, make crafts and spend time with her family.
Michelle Burke
4+ Assistant Teacher
JENNIFER SENIOR
4+ Assistant Teacher
Jen Senior holds a BA in English and Psychology from Rutgers University. She held positions as a Sales Representative, a Paralegal and Customer Service Manager prior to starting her family. She then decided to focus her time on her own young children and gradually assumed many volunteer roles including fundraising and marketing responsibilities, social committee chair and student teacher for the Mendham Co-op Nursery School. As her children got older Jen become involved in other local causes such as Heartworks and Moms on a Mission. She also volunteered as a paraprofessional at Bedwell Elementary School prior to joining SJNS.
Jen lives in Bernardsville with her husband and 2 sons. She is very involved with fundraising for the BHS Boys Soccer program.
PATRICIA PORTER
4's Lead Teacher
Patricia Porter holds a BA in Business Communications from St. Mary's College, and received her degree in Elementary Education from the College of St. Elizabeth's. Prior to starting her teaching career, Tricia was a Human Resources manager for AT&T. She started her educational career in 2001, working as the 2 year old teacher, 4 year old teacher, Transitional Kindergarten teacher and Curriculum Head at St. Mark's Preschool in Mendham, where she stayed until 2014. She spent the last 5 years at the Mendham Township Elementary school, working in 3rd grade, 4th grade, Special Education Preschool and most recently, Kindergarten. She also spent 2 years working with autistic students in Mendham Township, specializing in ABA therapy. Tricia lives in Mendham with her husband Jim, and her special needs rescue dogs Willy and Daisy. Her daughter, Nicole, is currently pursuing her doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Tufts University outside of Boston. When not at St. John's, you can usually find Tricia volunteering at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison, or teaching Jazzercise.
HEATHER KOEHLER
2's Lead Teacher
Heather Koehler joins SJNS as an Assistant Teacher after 10 years working at home raising her children. During that time, she served on the HSA Board at Bedwell Elementary and the SJNS Board of Trustees. Previously, she worked at architectural firms in Boulder, CO, and Summit, NJ. Heather has extensive experience with in-home childcare as well as daycare center settings. She attended Plymouth State College, focusing on elementary education. She volunteers her time at Bedwell Elementary School. Heather lives in Bernardsville with her husband Todd, and her children, Matthew and Kate (both SJNS graduates). Heather loves working in her garden and spending time at the beach.
Jen Tondo
4's Assistant Teacher
ALISA RYAN
3's Lead Teacher
Alisa Ryan will be joining Tricia Porter in the 4s classroom. Alisa comes to SJNS from Community Nursery School in Metuchen where she was an Assistant Teacher Pre-K 3s & Art Enrichment for 2 years. She was also a Lunch and Recess Aide at Campbell Elementary School in Metuchen. Alisa holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Jewelry/CAD/CAM from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, PA. She worked for several years after graduating at David Yurman in New York City as a Senior CAD/CAM model maker. Alisa’s love of sewing and creating dolls for her children led her to start a doll making business, Made with Luck. Her dolls were featured in The New York Times newspaper and sold in their store. Alisa lives in Basking Ridge with her husband Todd, son Caleb, daughter Neko and their French bulldog TaterTot.
JOANNE MARCUS
2's Lead Teacher
Joanne Marcus is excited to be returning to SJNS in her new role as Lead Teacher for the 2s class. She was previously at the school for five years as the Teacher Assistant of the 4s/4+ classes. More recently, she was a substitute teacher and worked at the SJNS summer camp. During her time as a stay-at-home mom raising her four children, she held a variety of roles within the Gill St. Bernard’s Parents Association, where she chaired fundraising events and was a room parent head, working closely with the school directors and room parents from each grade. Joanne also served on the Ridge High School PTO board as VP of volunteers 2017-2019, and enjoyed chairing the holiday and teacher appreciation luncheons each year.
Joanne attended Lycoming College, studying music education and voice, and enjoys sharing her love of singing and reading with students. She completed a mindfulness for educators program and believes in the benefits of mindfulness - an inner sense of calmness, improved attention, focus and kindness - which are important for children to be introduced to at a young age. She lives in Basking Ridge with her husband David, sons Jarred and Justin, daughter Ryleigh and one spoiled cat, Melby. She is looking forward to her daughter Kendall’s upcoming wedding in 2023.
DIANE ERNST
2's Assistant Teacher
Diane Ernst will be assisting Heather Koehler in the 2s class this year. Diane started at St John’s as a substitute Assistant Teacher in the fall of 2020 and in 2021 she seamlessly transitioned into the role of Assistant Teacher in the 2’s and 3’s classrooms. Diane is also a certified yoga instructor, manages a small residential real estate company and volunteers in the community. She lives in Bernardsville with her family and spends summers at their family lake house. Diane values family time with her husband, 3 kids and extended family. She also loves yoga, boating, hiking, biking and being in nature.
MICHELLE CONOVER
3's & 2's Assistant Teacher
Michelle Conover holds a BS degree in Journalism from Boston University. She received her Elementary (K-8) teaching certificate from the College of New Jersey and worked for 32 years in the Bound Brook School District, teaching grades 1-5. She also obtained her MEd from Seton Hall University. Her favorite subjects to teach were language arts and social studies. While teaching, she organized district-wide food drives to benefit the Somerset County Food Bank and helped to publish student newspapers. At SJNS, Michelle works with Mrs. Ryan in the 3s class on and Mrs. Marcus in the 2s class.
Michelle lives in Bernardsville with her husband Jan, daughter Summer, their three cats and one dog. She also loves spending time with her older daughter Cheyenne, her husband Stephen, and her granddaughters, Madison and Dakota. Michelle enjoys volunteering in town, especially with the annual Raritan Headwaters River Clean Up. She also loves reading, gardening, hiking and going to the beach with her family.
All teachers are CPR/First Aid Certified
and are required to complete a minimum of 12 hours of Professional Development annually. They attend bi-weekly staff meetings in addition to seminars with an Educational Consultant who provides updates on best practices and current based curriculum. Our administration has relationships with local public and private school teachers to ensure school readiness for Kindergarten entry.