It is the start of a new school year, which means there are many exciting changes around THS, including our new staff. When roaming the halls, you may see some unfamiliar faces—and no, we are not talking about the freshmen. So, here is a look at who they are.

Dr. Lisa Castelluber, Supervisor of English

Dr. Lisa Castelluber grew up in Hasbrouck Heights and attended Immaculate Heart Academy for high school. She later earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Miami and her master’s and Ph.D. from Montclair State University.  

From a young age, she dreamed of becoming a teacher, drawn to working with children and teenagers. She previously was a vice principal at IHA, and now that she has acquired this job, supervising English and language arts K-12 in the district. She focuses on connecting with teachers across Tenafly and aligning the curriculum across grade levels. 

“Working with such passionate, knowledgeable people has definitely been the highlight of my job so far,” Castelluber said.

Outside work, she enjoys photography and often plans themed events for her family.

Dr. Christine Enrico, Substance Awareness Coordinator 

Dr. Enrico is the new Substance Awareness Coordinator. She attended George Washington University for her bachelor’s degree, Centenary College for her master’s degree, and New Jersey City University for her doctorate. Enrico took a 9:00-5:00 office job after graduating but found it unbearable. She has always loved the school environment, and a friend mentioned that she reminds her of a high school guidance counselor. 

“I look an introduction to counseling class and knew I had found my place,” she said.

Enrico previously worked at Union City High School for 11 years as a high school counselor and was also a supervisor of school counseling in Paramus for two years.

Dr. Enrico’s goals for this year are to spend more time learning about the school community and environment daily and meeting as many students and staff members as possible. Her favorite hobbies outside of school are yoga, spinning, and spending time being an aunt.

Mr. William Farnham, Teacher of Music 

Mr. Farnham grew up in Tenafly and graduated in 2016. He then studied at NYU and taught in the NYC Department of Education at “MELS” in Queens. He is now the Director of Orchestra and Chorus. 

He is an only child. “I’m half Japanese on my mother’s side and half Bostonian on my father’s side,” he said.

He is a Yankees fan and enjoys playing the violin and singing in acapella groups. 

Mr. Joseph Kwon, Teacher of Mathematics 

Mr. Kwon, originally from Glen Rock, New Jersey, attended Glen Rock High School before he earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and later received his graduate degree from Pace University. 

After working at Michigan Medicine and LG Logistics, he discovered his passion for teaching while volunteering with a youth group at his local church. His volunteering inspired him to join a program in New York City that allowed him to teach while completing his master’s degree. Before transitioning to Tenafly High School, he spent three years as a teacher at I.S. X303 in the Bronx. 

“My goal is to make a positive impact on my students, hone my teaching craft, be an asset to the Math Department, and get immersed in the Tenafly High School community,” Kwon said. “I hope I will be able to support THS athletics and productions.”

In his free time, he enjoys playing sports, playing the guitar and piano, hiking, and being involved in his church. 

Ms. Jihyun Lee, Teacher of Chemistry 

Ms. Lee is our new chemistry teacher. She is originally from South Korea but moved to America and attended Florida International University. 

Before coming to Tenafly, Lee worked in Miami, and then, for many years, taught at a private high school in New Jersey. Her hope for this year is to adapt to the unfamiliar school system of THS. So far, she has loved getting to know her new students and will continue to strive for connections with them. To her, the most critical part of her job is to communicate well with the teenagers so that they are comfortable with the curriculum. 

In Lee’s free time, she likes to crochet, hang out, talk to friends, and watch YouTube videos. 

Ms. Hae (Helen) Youn Lee, Healthcare Paraprofessional (Nurse) 

Ms. Lee is our new school nurse. She grew up in Bayside, Queens, and graduated from Binghamton University, where she got her nursing degree. Before working at Tenafly, she worked at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital for 14 years and Englewood Health. 

Lee is excited to work at THS and hopes to get her official school nurse documentation this year. She has adjusted well to the new environment and likes this change. “I love my co-workers, and it has been nice seeing so many young faces,” she said. “They make me feel youthful.” 

In her free time, Lee loves to bake and go on hikes. She hopes to spend more time baking once she fully settles at THS. 

Ms. Helen Maginn, Teacher of Food Science (Culinary) 

Maginn is our new culinary teacher who teaches Experience with Foods and Regional Cuisines. She grew up in Dublin, Ireland, and went to college in Galway. She has taught at many levels, including community college and high school. Additionally, Maginn previously owned a bakery in Harrington Park called The Cake Fairy, where she focused on intricate custom cakes. 

So far, she has enjoyed planning the exciting things her classes will cook and bake.

“My goal is to bring my students on a culinary adventure, examining different cooking and baking techniques, methods, and cultures through the lens of food,” Maginn said.

Besides baking and cooking, Maginn loves to read and paint with oils in her free time. 

Mr. Glenn Peano, Vice Principal 

Mr. Peano is our new vice principal. He grew up in North Haledon and went to DePaul Catholic High School, where he found his passion for teaching. “I have always liked social studies since I was a young child, and as a three-sport athlete in high school, I was also interested in coaching,” he said. “Therefore, a career in teaching has been on my mind since I was in high school.”

After years of working at an elementary level, Peano hopes to get readjusted to the rhythm of high school and form bonds with the faculty and students of THS. 

In his free time, he likes to cook, tend his vegetable garden, work out, and spend time with his dog, Tecumseh. 

Mr. Brian Sapinski, Teacher of Math

Mr. Sapinski is originally from Saddle Brook and went to Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey. Sapinski graduated with a degree in Business Management from Fairleigh Dickinson but realized he was not very interested in the business world and wondered what to do next.

Sapinski got into teaching from a coworker who suggested becoming a math teacher. Sapinski teaches Algebra 1, Geometry, and Statistics. 

In his free time, he makes engaging math videos and posts them on his YouTube channel, “Learn Math With Brian Sapinski.” He also does Tae Kwon Do and is a 3rd Dan. Additionally, he loves watching game shows and has hosted game shows at anime conventions for the past 16 years.

Ms. Alyssa Selverian, Psychology Teacher 

Ms. Selverian attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst for undergraduate and graduate programs. She had previously worked at a high school in western Massachusetts. 

She now teaches child development, psychology, and US1 for grades 10-12.  When taking a psychology class in her junior year of high school, she realized that she wanted to study psychology and teach it in the future.

“I love working with my students and hearing their thoughts and ideas on various topics,” she said.  “It is always exciting to have discussions with people who are just as passionate about the subject as you are.”

When not in school, she enjoys muay thai, hanging out with her friends, and playing board games and card games.

Ms. Mimi Tang-Johnson – Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant 

A proud graduate of THS (Class of ’99), Ms. Tang-Johnson grew up in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Japan before attending Boston College for her undergraduate and master’s degrees. Previously, she worked as a reading specialist and taught middle school in Boston and then taught special education at THS. After 20 years as a special ed teacher, she now serves as a case manager, aiming to support her students’ success both in school and in their home life. 

Her job entails “meetings with parents, making phone calls, doing a bunch of paperwork, checking in with students, testing them and observing them in the classroom, and supporting teachers who work with [her] students.”

Outside work, she enjoys outdoor activities with her dog, cooking, practicing martial arts, and spending time with her family. 

Ms. Grace Woleslagle, Supervisor of Science 

Ms. Woleslagle is our New Science administrator. With 22 years of experience in education, she brings a great amount of knowledge from her previous role as a chemistry teacher in both Tenafly and Cresskill.

Originally from Wayne, she discovered her passion for teaching while working as a Teaching Assistant in college and later during her internship at Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory. 

This year she’s focused on getting to know our science teachers better and enhancing our science program at all grade levels. 

“I think the best part of the job is getting to work with other great people,” she said. 

Outside of work, she’s a dedicated mom to two young children. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading science fiction, and cooking.