Prep Talk
Meet Our New Faculty
Posted September 2nd, 2014
We would like welcome the new faculty and staff we have joining us here at the Prep for the 2014-2015 academic school year. Below you will find an introduction and short bio on each new faculty member:
Mr. Damian Long – Intro to Psychology and College Guidance
Mr. Long (Class of 2006) is a graduate of Villanova University where he obtained both a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services and a Master of Science in Counseling. Mr. Long comes to St. Augustine Prep with prior college admissions experience from his tenure at Villanova. Additionally, he has been active in supporting those in need as a member of the ADROP (Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor) and as a Clinical Therapist Intern for both the Philadelphia FIGHT: Youth Health Empowerment Project, and for the St. Gabriel System The Mitchell Program. Long also spent one year in Durban, South African volunteering and mentoring boys ages 3 to 18.
“My goal for the Introduction to Psychology course is to enhance the students current level of awareness as it pertains to the dynamics of human behavior and equip them with the tools to act purposefully,” he said.
Mrs. Caroline Chapman – Honors Literature & Composition and Public Speaking
Mrs. Caroline Chapman will be teaching Honors Literature & Composition, and Public Speaking as well as working with Mr. Cappuccio in the Office of Enrollment Management. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Hood College, Master of Arts in Reading Education from Rowan University, and an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from The George Washington University. Chapman has taught at The Ellison School, J.P. Cleary Middle School and at Cumberland County College and Rowan University.
For the last five years, she has served as the Head of School at Ellison. “Though I enjoyed my time as an administrator, I was eager to get back to classroom teaching and could not be more thrilled to be at The Prep. With my two sons here at St. Augustine, Caleb and Wyatt, I am happy to see a number of my former students roaming the halls and, once again, sitting in my classroom,” she said. “My goals for every student are to inspire confidence, self-reliance, responsibility, and joy in learning.”
Mr. Matthew Wolf – Member of the Fine Arts Department and Choral Director
A recent graduate of West Chester University with a Dual Bachelor’s degree in both Music Education, as well as Vocal Performance, Mr. Wolf just finished up teaching down in Dallas, Texas. Originally from New Jersey, he is happy to be returning back to the east coast.
“I am very excited for this upcoming year and am looking for students to get involved in our music program here at St. Augustine. Students who participate in music also learn many of the skills associated with the field such as leadership, work ethic, and time management. My primary goal is to continue to expand our choral program here and to achieve a high level of excellence while teaching these life skills,” Mr. Wolf said, “Throughout the school year there will be many opportunities to showcase the musical talents of our students out in the surrounding community as well as within the school.”
Mrs. Lisa Quirk – Spanish I and II
With a degree in Spanish from Alvernia University and a master’s in education from Widener University, Mrs. Quirk will be teaching Spanish I and II this year. With 12 years of experience teaching Spanish and teaching certifications in four states including New Jersey, she has taught Spanish levels I-V and International Baccalaureate classes.
Married and the mother of two boys, “I enjoy spending time with my husband and sons hiking, kayaking and camping in the great outdoors. We moved to New Jersey recently and I feel blessed to have learned about the great opportunities here at St. Augustine Prep School. I look forward to the opportunity to partner with you in education and share Hispanic culture and language with your sons,” Mrs. Quirk responded. “My goal is to build the student’s knowledge and comfort level with the language so they can reach a level of proficiency that will allow they to communicate effectively on a variety of topics that relate to their life.”
Mr. Timothy Hale- Environmental Science and Physics
Mr. Hale’s teaching career did not start out in a traditional way directly out of college. While working as a police officer in Washington DC for almost four years, he decided to make a career change. After enrolling back into school, he completed a Master of Science Degree in Chemical and Life Science from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Having spent the last 11 years teaching, initially it was at the middle school level and for the past four years it has been at the college level. “I have gained a tremendous amount of experience from both and I believe it will be an asset to the Prep. My goal as a teacher of science is to help the student understand the material and take the lesson from the book to its implications in the world,” Mr. Hale said. Outside of teaching, he is a volunteer with the Conserve Wildlife of NJ.
Mr. Alex Pracher – Psychology/ Criminal Justice
Already acquainted with the Prep community as a substitute teacher last year, Mr. Pracher is returning as a full-time faculty member teaching Psychology and Criminal Justice at the Prep.
Raised in Marlton, he and his wife Michelle still reside there now. Graduated from Cherokee High School in 2007, Mr. Pracher moved on to attend Stanford University, where he played baseball and received a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 2011. “My experience in California taught me a lot about myself and was integral to my growth as an individual,” he said.
Eventually returning home to the east coast to attend Saint Joseph’s University, Pracher earned a Master of Science in Criminal Justice in 2013. “I have always had a passion for teaching, but it wasn’t until I was welcomed so openly into the arms of the Prep community last year that I truly realized it was what I wanted to do with my life. I really appreciate the opportunity to work with such outstanding young men, and will work every day to be a positive influence in their lives.”
Ms. Tanya Usyk – Pre Calculus and Algebra II
Ms. Tanya Usyk received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Environmental Sciences from Rutgers University, and her Masters of Science in Mathematics from Rutgers University. With many years of teaching experience at the community college level, she has worked at Cumberland County College, Camden County College and Brookdale Community College.
“My teaching experience ranges from Developmental Mathematics through Calculus, working with students that are very unsure with their mathematical skills to students that are STEM majors,” she said. “With my knowledge and experience, I will do my best to prepare students for their college career.”
Picture: From left to right
Seated: Mr. Pracher and Mr. Long
Standing: Fr. Reilly, Mr. Cappuccio, Mr. Wolf, Ms. Usyk, Mrs. Quirk, Mrs. Chapman, Mr. Hale, Mr. Vandenberg, Mr. Burke