Prep Talk
Dynamic Prep Faculty Gains New Members!
Posted September 6th, 2016
A warm welcome to our new faculty members. Below you will find a video introduction courtesy of Fr. Reilly and Mr. Burke as well as a short bio on each of our newest Prep educators.
Mr. Douglas Burhanna – Mr. Burhanna will join our business and math departments following 5 years at Burhanna Academy and experience as a graduate assistant at Case Western Reserve University. He is a 1991 graduate of the aforementioned Case Western Reserve University with a B.S. of Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics. Mr. Burhanna’s talents also extend beyond the classroom as he is a certified USPTA Tennis Professional!
Mr. Greg Cusick – Mr. Cusick will serve as a member of the communications staff in addition to teaching photojournalism I & II, as well as coaching the freshman basketball team. Mr. Cusick joins the Prep after earning his MBA at Wagner College where he served as a media relations and marketing assistant within the college’s athletic department. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree as a dual major in Economics and Sport Management from Mount St. Mary’s University.
“I’m excited to join the staff, I look forward to tackling my responsibilities in the classroom, in the office, and on the court. I will focus on developing the students into fine young men as they prepare for their next step in life.”
Ms. Melissa English – Ms. English arrives at the Prep with 10 years of College Admissions and Financial Aid experience. She holds both a Bachelor and Master of Science from Saint Joseph’s University, with her graduate degree focusing in Organizational Psychology and Learning styles. Through her experience and education she hopes to inspire her students in the classroom through the social sciences. In addition to her excitement in joining the St. Augustine Prep Community, Melissa is eager to begin working with and preparing our upperclassmen for the college process. Ms. English comments, “I am sincerely looking forward to helping my students attain their goals of acceptance to college through St. Augustine Prep’s excellent College Guidance program. I am so happy to be a part of this team!”
Fr. Joseph Girone, O.S.A. – Fr. Joseph Girone, O.S.A. comes to the Prep from a sabbatical in San Antonio, TX at the Oblate School of Theology in the Ministry to Ministers program. Previous to this time of renewal, he was Pastor of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish in the Bronx, NY for 10 years. His priestly service has included the position of Associate Director of Hispanic Ministry, Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware and before that Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Staten Island, NY. Fr. Girone also experienced the Augustinian foreign mission life as Pastor of San Jose Obrero Parish, Chulucanas Peru. Ordained in 1981 he first started out in the Bronx parish and for 13 years was Parochial Vicar and later Vocation/Formation Director of Casa Tolentino which was the Augustinians effort to reach out for and support Hispanic vocations to the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova. His academic career is represented by a B.S. in Education (Villanova University); an M.A. in Theology (Washington Theological Union) and finally an M.S. in Church Management (Villanova School of Business).
Fr. Dennis Harten, O.S.A. – Father Dennis comes to us from Naples, FL where he served as Pastor of the Parish Community of St. Elizabeth Seton. While in Naples he also developed a course in Catholic Social Teaching and taught the course at St. John Neumann High School. He was pastor of the Augustinian parish in Villanova, Pa from 1994-2002. He was also pastor of St. Augustine Parish Community in Casselberry, Florida from 1984-1994. He is a proud graduate of Villanova and completed his studies at the Washington Theological Union. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry at Barry University in Miami, FL.
Mr. Michael Ney – Mr. Ney brings four years of experience as an educator, most recently teaching at Estell Manor Middle School. The South Jersey native and 2008 graduate of Buena Regional High School is familiar with the Prep community serving as an assistant coach for the Prep baseball team throughout the past two seasons. Mr. Ney began his college career at Gloucester County College as a member of the NJ Stars Program; he would later accept a full athletic scholarship to attend Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. Michael enjoyed a decorated career on the baseball field capturing a Junior College National Championship earning the save in the 2010 NJCAA title game for Rowan College G.C. (known then as Gloucester County College). He would later star on the mound for the NCAA Division I ODU Monarchs. Shortly following his playing career, Mr. Ney began coaching at Cumberland County College prior to joining the Prep Baseball coaching staff. Coach will be teaching both Grammar & Composition and American Literature.
Mr. Alan Powell – Mr. Powell joins our College Guidance and Marketing Departments – he comes to us after long career in public education as a classroom teacher, counselor and school counseling director. Mr. Powell earned his B.S. in Marketing Education from Rider University and is a certificated teacher of marketing and most business subjects. Mr. Powell would later return to Rider University to complete his M.A. in Counseling Services. He is also certificated as a school counselor and counseling director. Mr. Powell states, “I am very excited to start my first full year at The Prep and have the opportunity to work with students and their families as a classroom teacher and college counselor.”
Mr. Zach Snyder (SA ’11) – Mr. Snyder is now a part of our Science Department and will also assist Coach D’Amico and the Hermits Rowing Program. He is a proud graduate of The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, later earning a Master of Science in Teaching from Rowan University. Mr. Snyder spent time at Vineland High School to gain experience in the classroom prior to his arrival at the Prep. En route to earning his Master of Science in Teaching, he also completed a compelling research study that took an in-depth look into the use of competitive games in the classroom in relation to academic achievement and student participation.
“I am very excited to return to the Prep, and I hope to inspire students to become the best that they can be. My goal for teaching is to get students interested in the field of science and the real world applications of the material we learn in the classroom.”
Ms. Shaunna White – Miss White is a Graduate of Montclair State University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art with a Concentration in Painting. She will be teaching Art I, II, III, IV and AP. Miss White comes to us with prior experience teaching for a non-profit program for children and she is familiar to the Prep as she had volunteered with St. Augustine’s Art Department throughout the 2015-2016 school year.
“I strongly believe that in every individual there is an innate ability to create. I am excited to foster and celebrate the creative abilities that lie within every student. I am honored to be a part of the Prep community and to aid in providing an environment that stimulates critical thinking and problem solving that help young men invent, explore and reflect.”
Welcome to the Prep Family!