English Department
Cassandra (Cassie) Bunje- Cassie comes to Oakcrest
from Stockton having graduated summa cum laude in Literature and Education.
In late Spring, Cassie was
awarded the Commissioner’s Distinguished Teacher Candidate Award
by the state of New Jersey. Cassie spent the beginning of her “adult” years
in the business world, working in finance administration and insurance,
and hating it passionately. Thus, she considers herself a late-bloomer,
having finally discovered what she was born to do. As Jerry Garcia once
sang, “Once in a while you see the light in the strangest of places
if you look at it right.” Through thick and thin, Cassie is a rabid
Yankee fan. She loves the beach and all things associated with it: sun,
surf, sand and sunscreen. Cassie enjoys spending time with her husband,
her 4-year old Jack Russell terrier and her three cats.
E-Mail Address: cbunji@geh.nj.k12us.com
Mark
Hoban- Mark recently graduated from West Chester University in Pennsylvania
with a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education.
He comes to Oakcrest from Philadelphia where he has resided for the past
4 years. Mark fulfilled his student teaching requirements at his old
high school in Havertown, PA where he team-taught 50 students in an American
History/American Literature (cohort) course. Mark served as an assistant
coach for Haverford High School’s Wrestling team and also volunteered
as an assistant coach for the township’s youth wrestling program.
He spends much of his free time as a part time writer and musician. His
band has played in various venues across the country. Mark recently relocated
to Somers Point.
E-Mail Address: mhoban@geh.nj.k12us.com
Leah
Poane- Leah, originally from Toms River, is newly returned to New Jersey
after spending a year teaching 8th graders in Fort Lauderdale,
Florida. She graduated from the Templeton Honors College at Eastern University
with a BA in English/Communications for Secondary Education, but what
she remembers most fondly about her four years there is the time she
spent helping other students become better writers in the Eastern Writing
Center as a Writing Consultant. Within a month of graduating, she went
on to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary English. An avid reader,
Leah loves nothing better than a book on tape during a long drive or
a short novel to eat away at her afternoon, especially curled up with
one of her three cats: Onyx, Kit Kat or Pashmina.
E-Mail Address: lpoane@geh.nj.k12us.com
Health/Physical
Education Department
Linda Brennan- Linda is returning to Oakcrest
High School after teaching Health and Physical Education for 4
years at Absegami. Linda received
her BS in Health and Physical Education and Sports Medicine from Penn
State University, and an MA in Educational Leadership and Administration
from Rowan University. She is starting her 21st year in the district,
with experience in a variety of capacities, including teaching and
administrative roles in all three of the district’s educational
settings. This year Linda will be teaching freshmen health and physical
education. She is currently on the coaching staff for field hockey,
and hopes to get involved in student activities. Outside of school,
Linda likes to run, kayak, read, go to the beach, and most of all spend
time with her daughter Meghan. Meghan is a sophomore this year at Oakcrest;
having survived middle school and the dark side of being a 13 year
old – sharing The Oak should not be a problem! Linda is looking
forward to her return to the Home of the Falcons!
E-Mail Address: lbrennan@geh.nj.k12us.com
Performing
Arts Department
Elaine Chaffin– Ms. Chaffin, C.C.A., posses the NJ Certification
of Eligibility. She attended Boston Conservatory of Music, studied and
performed in NYC with May O'Donnell Repertory Company, Manhattan Opera
Co., Step's Studio, Morrelli's Choreoground and Finus Yung. As a member
of AGVA (American Guild of Variety Artists), she performed in Atlantic
City events, and at Boston's Children's Theater, Boyd Jazz Company, and
Three Little Baker's Dinner Theater. She performed lead roles in Modern
Dance Concerts for the West Chester Theater Dance Group. As a Certified
Cecchetti Ballet Method Teacher's Coach she is entitled to train students
and teachers for examination and membership into this International Ballet
Society. She has been a dance faculty member for Westtown Friends School
and chARTER TECH High School, NJ. and many other dance studios, as well
as directing her own Ballet Studio. Elaine's dance affiliations include
NJ Department of Ed. dance exit task force, Somers Point Arts Council,
and former dance director of the Ocean City Arts Center. Recently she
choreographed musicals for Atlantic Cape Community College, Mays Landing,
and for the Somers Point School District schools. She enjoys clamming,
reading, cooking and...dancing!
E-Mail Address: echappin@geh.nj.k12us.com
Science
Department
Mike Czapczynski- Mr. Czapczynski is a recent graduate of The Richard
Stockton College of New Jersey. He received a Bachelors of Science
in Biology, and a Bachelors of Arts in Teacher Education. Through out
his college career he volunteered, and then later worked for the United
States Fish and Wildlife on multiple projects. He is no
stranger to the halls of Oakcrest; last spring he completed his student
teaching as well as a long-term sub position teaching CP Biology. “Mr.
C” also assisted the freshman class officers as one of their class
advisors. This year Mike is eager to be teaching CP Biology, General
Biology, and CP Chemistry. He is also excited to bring the Wyeth Scholar
program to Oakcrest. In his spare time Mike enjoys reading, backpacking,
and attending live music events.
E-Mail Address: mczapczynski@geh.nj.k12us.com
William
Kearsley- Bill Kearsley grew up in Somers Point, NJ. He graduated
from Mainland Regional High School in 1996. In high school Mr. Kearsley
participated in sports such as Soccer, Winter Track, Track & Field,
and Cross Country. Mr. Kearsley attended Rowan University and graduated
with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering as part of the first engineering
class, in May 2000. After college, Mr. Kearsley spent some time in the
field of Corrosion Engineering and later attended a year of graduate
school for Chemical Engineering at Rowan. Mr. Kearsley comes to the “Oak” with
three years of teaching and technology experience from Chesterbrook Academy
located in Voorhees, NJ. His roles included technology coordinator and
teacher of computers from K to 8th grade and math 6th to 8th grade. Mr.
Kearsley is excited to join Oakcrest High School and is looking forward
to making an impact on many lives. His hobbies include fixing anything,
soccer, running, water sports, relaxing on the beach, sampling fine foods,
and spending plenty of time with his wife.
E-Mail Address: wkearsley@geh.nj.k12us.com
Special
Education Department
Pam Berchtold- Pamela Berchtold is happy to be back at her alma mater
to teach special education. After graduating from Oakcrest in 1999,
Pam went on to get a Human Development and Family Studies degree at
the University of Connecticut (UConn). During her time at UConn, Pam
served as a goalie of their Division I Field Hockey team. Throughout
these four years she was a member of their Final Four team, Elite Eight
team, and Big East Championship teams. In addition, she was a Captain
of the 2002 Big East Team. Most recently in October 2005, Pam was inducted
into our own Wall of Fame. She is confident that these experiences
and her passion for the game will lead our own Lady Falcons to victory
as Pam moves into her second season serving as Head Field Hockey Coach
here at Oakcrest. In her spare time, Pam is eagerly pursuing her Masters
degree in Special Education. Pam is looking forward to working with
her new family at Oakcrest and having a successful year with her new
students and athletes!
E-Mail Address: pberchtold@geh.nj.k12us.com
Alyssa
Peterson- Alyssa Peterson is a new teacher from Absecon who attended
Absecon schools her whole life even into High School where she
graduated from Holy Spirit in 1999. In 2003 she became a graduate from
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. She earned her first Bachelor
of Arts in Psychology. In 2005, she earned her second Bachelor of Arts
degree in Elementary Education after completing Stockton's teacher education
program. While in that program she did observational fieldwork in many
Atlantic County districts such as Absecon, Brigantine, E.H.T, and finished
her student teaching in a first grade classroom in Northfield. Last year,
Alyssa worked here at Oakcrest High School as a Teacher Assistant on
the Special Education Team. She loved it here so much that she has come
back to the Special Education Team this year as a teacher filling in
for Kaiya Allison's maternity leave position! Later this year Miss Peterson
will change her name to Mrs. Scull as she gets married this May!
E-Mail Address: apeterson@geh.nj.k12us.com
Nicole
Rose- Nicole Rose was employed for the last 5 years as a Special Education
Teacher at Coastal Learning Center in Tuckerton N.J. She obtained
a BA in Physical Education from the University of Coastal Carolina South
Carolina. Then obtained her Teacher of the Handicapped Certificate from
Jersey City University, where she continues to take classes for her Masters
Degree. During her down time she enjoys spending time with her friends,
family, her two golden retrievers and going to Phillies games!
E-Mail Address: nrose@geh.nj.k12us.com
Social
Studies Department
Zack Leathers– Mr. Leathers recently graduated from Shippensburg
University with a Secondary Education degree specializing in the field
of Social Studies. He began his career at Oakcrest last winter where
he held a long-term sub position teaching Psychology as well as serving
as a substitute on a regular basis. Mr. Leathers also held the position
of assistant wrestling coach during the winter, and participated in various
school programs including Mr. Oakcrest. This year Zack is excited to
begin his football coaching career in the fall, as well as a member of
the wrestling staff for another season. He will be teaching US History
2 from the beginning of the school year until January on a long-term
sub assignment. In his free time Zack enjoys surfing, running, and watching
his favorite football team the Cincinnati Bengals on TV.
E-Mail Address: zleathers@geh.nj.k12us.com
Jami
Raff- Ms. Raff is a recent graduate of The
Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. She received her Bachelor’s
Degrees in Psychology and Teacher Education, while working full-time
for a law enforcement agency. She is presently pursuing her Master of
Arts in Holocaust and Genocide Studies. Ms. Raff is a former graduate
of Oakcrest High School and is thrilled to be returning to her alma mater.
She is looking forward to a successful and rewarding career in the teaching
field. Ms. Raff enjoys reading, scrapbooking, and spending time with
her family.
E-Mail Address: jraff@geh.nj.k12us.com
Vincent
Sera- Mr. Vincent Sera is a graduate of Lehigh University with a Master’s
degree in Technology Based Teacher Education and a minor in History.
He earned his undergraduate degree at Syracuse University
majoring in Social Work with a minor in Psychology. While at Lehigh University,
Mr. Sera spent two years as the men’s freshmen crew coach. Over
the past eleven years he has worked as a lifeguard on the Brigantine
City Beach Patrol. One of his great passions in life is rowing. Mr. Sea
has been rowing competitively for the last fifteen years. He is currently
competing in the two man lifeboat event for the City of Brigantine in
the South Jersey Lifeguard competitions. When Mr. Sera is not rowing
he spends his free time riding his bike, surfing, or playing volleyball
on the beach.
E-Mail Address: vsera@geh.nj.k12us.com
Class + Pride + Dedication = Oakcrest High School
