Mr. Nicholas Norcia

District Director of Special Services

973-664-2305

Mr. Nicholas Norcia
District Director Of Special Services
973-664-2305

Mr. Nicholas Nocia began his career in special education while working part time as an aide in a private special education school during college. Realizing his love for education, he decided to change his major. After graduating from New Jersey City University he began teaching special education at Nutley High School. Mr. Norcia went on to earn a master's degree in Educational Leadership from New Jersey City University. Upon completion of this degree he pursued additional post graduate work for his certification in L.D.T.C. and special education at William Paterson University. Mr. Nocia served as a L.D.T.C. for Nutley Public Schools. Before coming to Morris Hills Regional he was Director of Special Services for Cedar Grove Public Schools. Mr. Norcia is also an adjunct professor at William Paterson University where he teaches special education and regular education majors.

Mrs. Barbara Lehmann
Social Worker

Mrs. Lehmann was born and grew up in Canada. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a Masters Degree in Social Work. She has been a practicing Social Worker for more than 25 years. Mrs. Lehmann has been working at Morris Hills since 1986. Although she primarily works with Special Education students she is also available to any student in the school. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her cats.

Ms. Darlene Newberry
Special Ed. Teacher Consultant/LDT-C
973-664-2480

Ms. Newberry attended Keene State College
in New Hampshire where she earned a dual degree in Elementary Education, and Special
Education. Ms. Newberry also attended Montclair State University where she earned her MA as a certified LDT-C. Her role at Morris Hills is an Academic Support Teacher. Ms. Newberry
works with all students and teachers. She supplies assistive technology, academic support,
and instruction for any "at-risk" student who has difficulty in school. Ms. Newberry loves
her job becasue she is able to help students and teachers solve learning challenges. Ms.
Newberry has been at Morris Hills Regional since 1998, bringing with her the knowledge
from her past experiances which include teaching 4th grade, resource center, and self
contained programs. Ms. Newberry has performed the duties of a CST Coordinator.She has worked in Kinnelon, Hopatcong and Boonton School Districts. Additionally, she works as an Academic Coach with Strength for change. For fun, Ms. Newberry plays the drums, writes fiction, poetry, lyrics and sings Kareoke on occasion! For fun, Ms. Newberry plays the drums, writes fiction, poetry,
lyrics and sings Kareoke on occasion!

Mrs. Alyson Dougherty
School Psychologist
973-664-2321

Mrs. Dougherty graduated from Northeastern University in 2007 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She graduated from Fordham University in 2010 with a Master's Degree in Educational Evaluation and Intervention and a Professional Diploma in School Psychology. She is a certified School Psychologist in New Jersey, as well as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. She lives with her husband and puggle, Baxter, and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. In her spare time she enjoys watching the NY Giants and Boston Red Sox, working out, traveling, reading, and cooking.

Ms. Nicole McMahon
School Theropist

Ms. McMahon received her Bachelor's degree in Speech and Language Disabilities from
Elmira College in Elmira, NY, and her Master's degree in Communication
Sciences and Disorders from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY.
She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American
Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA).
She provides speech-language services at both Hills and Knolls.

Susan Jones
School Psychologist
973-664-2330

Mrs. Jones is a graduate of Gettysburg College (B.A. in Psychology), the Pennsylvania State University (A.S. in Clinical Health Services), and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (M.S.E. in School Psychology). She worked as a K-12 school psychologist in Toledo, Ohio for 14 years prior to her family’s relocation to New Jersey in late 2007. She joined the staff at Morris Hills for the 08-09 school year, having worked at Morris Knolls HS for part of 07-08 as a maternity leave replacement. Her hobbies include traveling, reading, cooking, volunteer tutoring, and spending time with her husband and two sons.

Ms. Theresa Wisolmerski
L.D.T.C
973-664-2322

Ms. Wisolmerski received her BS from The College of Saint Elizabeth, her MA from Kean University, and her LDT-C from Kean University. She is a member of the child study team here at Morris Hills as the Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant. She has previously worked as a LDT-C and supervisor at a private school for special education students. Ms. Wisolmerski has been at Morris Hills since 2001. In her free time she enjoys reading and doingart activities including photography and watercolors.

Mrs. Susan Young
Counselor
973-664-2317

Mrs. Young earned her Bachelor's and Master's degree from Hofstra University. She joined the Morris Hills staff in 2000 and she has previously taught Special Ed. in Wharton for 4 years. Her counseling responsibilities include working with classified students and their IEP's. She provides after high school planning such as college programs and work programs. During her free time she enjoys reading and spending time with her husband and 3 kids.

Resource Center Teachers

Mrs. Catherine Hudak

Mrs. Hudak has been teaching at Morris Hills since 2001. She earned a bachelors degree in special education from Bloomsburg University and a masters degree in history from William Paterson University. Mrs. Hudak currently teaches Making of the Modern World, United States History 1, and co-teaches Biology with Mr. Robinson. In addition, she is the co-advisor of the Project LEAD organization. In her free time she enjoys representing Bloomsburg University at college fairs and giving historical talks about the efforts of New Jersey women in the early republic.

Ms. Nicole Penza

Ms. Nicole Penza has 12 years of teaching experience in special education. Currently she is currently co-teaching three sections of MMW with Mr. Harkins and two sections of Lit & Writing Skills with Mrs. Dougherty. Also, she is a teacher in the after school Flex Program. Ms. Penza has earned a BA in Eglish/Secondary Education from Manhattan College. A MA in Special Education, also from Manhattan College. Ms. Penza enjoys the outdoors, walking, hiking, playing and watching sports, spending time with her son, and reading.

Ms. Lisa Klepp

Ms. Klepp attended Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania where she received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. She then went to Montclair State University where she earned a Masters in Environmental Education. She joined the Morris Hills staff in 1987. Ms. Klepp teaches Essentials of Life Science and Essentials of Earth Science. She enjoys kayaking, hiking, photography, biking and playing the flute. In the summer of 2004, Ms. Klepp sucessfully climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. In 2007, She successfully climbed Mt. Shasta. She then went on a safari in the Serengeti to observe many species of animals that are now taught about in Environmental Studies. Ms. Klepp won the Teacher of the Year award in 2008. She is currently working on her Masters in Educational Leadership, which will be completed in January of 2009.

Ms. Doris Lembo

Ms. Lembo received an Associates degree in Liberal Arts from County College of Morris. She then attended William Paterson University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Masters degree in Math. She has been teaching since 1999 and has been at Morris Hills since 2002. Her first two years were at Lakeside Middle School in Pompton Lakes, NJ. Ms. Lembo is currently teaching Algebra 1 Skills(resource center and inclusion) and Algebra 1M inclusion. Ms. Lembo is the advisor of Project LEAD and FCCLA, as well as the assistant coach for Varsity Cheerleading.

Mr. Andrew Maclay

Mr. Maclay attended the University of Massachusetts-Amherst where he received a BA in Sociology in 1999. He also attended Montclair State University and earned his Masters of Arts in Teaching in 2007. Mr. Maclay teaches two sections of US History I Inclusion with Mr. Rosenberg and three sections of Earth Science with Ms. Berger. Prior to teaching at Morris Hills, Mr. Maclay taught three years at Clifton High School and three years at Essex Valley School. This year will be Mr. Maclay's second season as the Morris Hills Freshman Boys Basketball coach.

Mrs. Judith Ricucci

Mrs. Ricucci attended George Washington University where she earned a Bachelors degree in American Studies. She also attended William Paterson University where she received her Masters in Education in Special Education. She has been teaching at Morris Hills since 1982 where she teaches History and Literature. She has also taught at Mountain Lakes High School and Kingsbrook Academy. In her free time Mrs. Ricucci likes to travel, read and learn Italian.

Ms. Emily Tarantola

Ms. Tarantola attended William Paterson University where she earned her Bachelors and Master's degree. She teaches Making of the Modern World,World Literature and American, and American and English Literature Literature. She has been teaching here at Morris Hills since 2002.

Ms. Linda Turnbull

Ms. Turnbull, who joined the Morris Hills staff in 1984, attended Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg, PA. There she received her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education for grades K-12. She also received her Masters in Reading from Montclair State University. Ms. Turnbull teaches one American Literature and Language Arts in the resource room and one class with Mrs. Dougherty. In addition, Ms. Turnbull teaches one Literature and Language Arts class in the resource room and two inclusion classes.

Mr. Todd Shoeps

Mr. Schoeps attended Penn State where he received a BS in Marketing. He also attended Montclair State where he received a Masters in Teaching. His first year teaching at Morris Hills was 2004. He teaches Special Education Math and Inclusion Earth Science. Mr. Schoeps is also the after school Flex teacher as well. He has also taught at Calais School in Whippany where he was an assistant for one year and a teacher for one year. His hobbies include being outdoors, camping, skiing and traveling.

 

Created by: Colleen Monahan 2008, Updated 2010