Eileen Gefell
Director, AM Head Teacher

Eileen joined our staff in 2004.  She has a B.A. in Journalism from New York University and a Masters in Education from Seton Hall University.  She has NJ State Certification in Elementary Education.  Eileen has worked as a teacher in Maplewood/South Orange.  Eileen grew up in Rochester, New York.  She lives in Maplewood with her two children.  Eileen also spends her summers working as a group leader in a local day camp. Prior to working with children, Eileen worked as a Trainer in Management Development at Goldman Sachs. She enjoys tennis, walking, writing, coaching soccer and spending quality time with her family.

Adrienne Topping
Director, PM Head Teacher

Adrienne joined our staff in September 2003.  She has a B.S. in Finance with a minor in Education from Siena College and a Masters in Special Education from Fordham University.  She has NJ State Certification in both Special Education and Elementary Education.  Adrienne has worked as an elementary school classroom teacher in Washington, D.C. and in New York City at the City & Country School.  Adrienne grew up in Hunter, New York. Adrienne lives in Millburn with her husband and three children.  All of her children attended the Co-op.  Adrienne enjoys, traveling, cooking, skiing, hiking, gardening and spending time with her family. 

Kristen Chamorro
AM Assistant Teacher 

Sharon Cicenia
PM Assistant Teacher

Sharon Cicenia is a graduate of Seton Hall University and earned an MS from CUNY, John Jay College of Criminal Justice.  Sharon has volunteered in the community serving as a Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout Leader and school volunteer.  She is currently serving her second year as Co-Vice President of Fundraising for the South Mountain School PTO.  Sharon was also very involved with the Hoboken Family Alliance as a volunteer for various events, and served two years on their executive board as Finance Director.  She was very active in the co-operative pre-school that her children attended in Hoboken.  Prior to having children, Sharon was employed by Banc of America Securities, LLC in their Securities Lending Division.  She lives in Millburn with her two children.  In her spare time, Sharon enjoys traveling, hiking, reading and gardening. 

Ronnie Stern
Staff Consultant

Ronnie is a former Co-op Director and teacher (from 1979 to 1999) who shaped much of what the current Co-op philosophy and curriculum is today.  Ronnie is in private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Maplewood, NJ and is an Adjunct Professor in Child Development at Montclair State University.