Before coming to D-E, History Department Chair, Arika “Ari” Easley-Houser taught at Rutgers Prep and several colleges and universities, including Montclair State University and New York University. A socio-cultural historian focused on United States history, she received her Ph.D. from Rutgers University and a certificate in school management from the Harvard Business School. She was recently selected for a National Association of Independent Schools Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads. Now in her third year of heading the department, Easley-Houser speaks to the importance of historical inquiry for students and how the history curriculum must reflect and respond to the diversity of students. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Annie Yoo – Lower School Assistant Teacher
Annie Yoo joins as a Lower School Assistant Teacher. With a background in art education and a genuine love for teaching, Annie says she is passionate about creating a dynamic and supportive environment where students can explore their creativity and develop a lifelong...
Molly Wozniak – Human Resources Administrator
Molly Wozniak says she is excited to join the D-E team as a Human Resources Administrator whose responsibilities include onboarding new employees. She has worked in Human Resources for four and a half years and received a certification in Human Resources Management...
Justin Weiner – Upper School History Teacher
Justin Weiner joins as a History Teacher in the Upper School. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History from Ithaca College and a Master of Arts in Social Studies Education from Manhattanville University. Justin says he is focused on fostering the skills that his...
Adam Slee – Dean of Performing Arts
Adam Slee is the Dean of Performing Arts. He holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Theatre Pedagogy from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and a Bachelor's degree in Theatrical Arts for Stage and Screen from Utah Valley...
Kimberly Situ – Preschool 4 Teacher
Kimberly Situ is a Preschool 4 Teacher in the Lower School. She has more than 10 years' experience working with young people in various settings, including schools, youth programs, and community initiatives. Seven of those years have been focused on early childhood...
Dena Silver – Middle/Upper School Mathematics
Dena Silver joins as a Part-Time Math Specialist for grades 6-10. She graduated from William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ, with a dual Bachelor of Arts in English and Secondary Education. She also holds a Master of Education in Reading and Mathematics. Dena says...
Kat Sanford – Middle/Upper School Librarian
Kat Sanford is the Middle/Upper School Librarian. She spent nearly a decade in education and says she enjoys not only answering questions, but also providing students with the tools they need to find the answers. Kat has a degree in English from Massachusetts College...
Lambratu “Bree” Rahaman – Lower School Teaching Assistant
Lambratu "Bree" Rahaman is a new Lower School Teaching Assistant. Bree says she enjoys being a lifelong learner and is pursuing her Master's degree in Education at Saint Peter's University. She was previously a Substitute Teacher in D-E's Lower School before working...
Amanda Carstens-Potts – Office Assistant/Upper School Attendance
Amanda Carstens-Potts is the new Upper School Attendance Officer and a D-E parent ('37). She has more than 19 years' experience in Administration and Management, during which she was tasked with inspiring, motivating, and training highly successful teams of employees....
Joshua Paik – HVAC Technician
Joshua Paik joins the Maintenance staff as an HVAC Technician. Josh says he's looking forward to meeting his new colleagues on campus and assisting the D-E community in any way he can.