Our Team

DIRECTOR/HEAD TEACHER

Director@vanriperschool.org

My name is Danielle Ezmat & it is with great excitement that I introduce myself as the new Director of Van Riper Ellis Christian School (VRECS). This is my 20th year in Education, most recently as the Transitional Kindergarten Teacher at VRECS. Previously, I taught for 15 years at Dorchester School in Woodcliff Lake, NJ as a K-5 classroom Teacher. I also taught for 3 years in Passaic Schools as a Kindergarten & 2nd Grade Classroom Teacher.

I am a life-long learner who attended Montclair State University. I have my Bachelors Degree in Early Child Education. I continued my education by attending Long Island University for Graduate Studies in Literacy. I hope to instill a similar love of learning into every child, as I believe learning & education is the gateway into building a successful life.

When I am not in school I enjoy spending time with my husband, & four daughters. We enjoy movie & game nights at home, going to family sporting events & Dance Competitions & traveling in the summer. I also am a Kickboxing Instructor & have been kickboxing for 7 years!

I believe that children should learn & grow in an environment that is academically challenging, nurturing & safe. I am determined to support every child, every day to help them be successful.

FINANCE MANAGER

Billing@vanriperschool.org

Ellen Ziegler joined our staff in 2012.  Ellen has her BA in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and her MSW from Columbia University.  She considers VRECS her home away from home.  Her daughter and son are both proud graduates of the VRECS preschool program and she has a son in Transitional Kindergarten for the 21-22 school year.  She has also been a part of our After Care program.

TEACHER

Lisa Bates has been with VRECS since 2007.  She earned her BA in Early Childhood Education from William Paterson University.  She has been working with young children for over 20 years.  Lisa thinks that incorporating Christian values is an important and enjoyable part of education here at VRECS.  Seeing children grow and learn how to read gives her great joy.  She is very involved in her church, having taught Sunday School and running Bible Club for many years.  She is currently teaching in one of our Pre-K4 classrooms.

TEACHER

Blaise Barrientos-Knapp graduated with a BA from the University of Hartford. She left the office world to spend more time with her family and joined VRECS as a lunch aide in 2017. Soon, she discovered her fondness for being in a preschool environment and has been a Teacher’s Associate in pre-k4 and Transitional Kindergarten classes. She is very excited to now be a Pre-K3 teacher for the 2021-2022 school year! Ms. Blaise enjoys communicating with children and getting to their level as she delights in the way children see the world; full of wonder and amazement and aims to bring that same excitement into her classroom. She is passionate about encouraging kindness, individuality, and inquisitiveness in children. Ms. Blaise lives in Fair Lawn with her husband and two daughters.

“To every child – I dream of a world where you can laugh, dance, sing, learn, live in peace and be happy.”

Malala Yousafzai

TEACHER

Kristen joined VRECS for the 21-22 school year as a Pre-K3 Teacher. She earned her Associates in Fine Arts from Bauder College and has over 8 years of experience working as a Preschool teacher.  Her teaching philosophy has always been based on the belief that children learn and develop best when given opportunities to explore, play and make choices in their learning.  Creating hands on learning, art and science activities is her passion.  Kristen is married and a Mom to 3 children. She is eager to join the VRECS team and hopes to spark a love of learning and curiosity in her classroom.

TEACHER’S ASSOCIATE/BEFORE CARE INSTRUCTOR

Lorraine Fallacaro joined VRECS in 2010.  She has her Associates degree in Merchandising from LIM.  Her love for children brought her into the preschool classroom.  Lorraine believes in an enriched environment for young children; one that will benefit their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.  She is passionate about helping children develop characteristics which will affect their lifelong love of learning.  She works to foster a nurturing, active, and challenging environment that encourages curiosity, active learning, values, problem solving, and a positive self-image.

TEACHER’S ASSOCIATE

Kimberly joined our staff in 2019 as a Lunch Aide.  She is currently working in our After Care Program.  She joined Miss Maria’s Pre-K4 class as a Teacher’s Associate in January 2021.  She runs the Fair Lawn Football Association Cheerleading program.  She is married and she has one child.  In her spare time, she enjoys going to the Jersey Shore.

TEACHER’S ASSOCIATE

Yashanda Carter has worked in Early Childhood Education for over 15 years. She has an Associates and Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education. She is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education. She took the last year to work for a community based organization, Americorp, with the public school system and participating in community service events.

TEACHER’S ASSOCIATE

Jodi is joining our team for the 21-22 school year in one of our Pre-K3 classrooms.  She will also be the new Movement Dance Program instructor and Yoga program instructor.  She has been a co- teacher and lead in summer for the past 11 years.  Her passion for teaching children extends well beyond the school day.

Jodi loves to create interesting and challenging experiences for children. Some examples include having a car wash on the playground and a Bowling Alley using the classroom furniture. This kind of activity helps build fine and gross motor skills as well as providing an opportunity to work as a team.  It is her intention to create an amazing year of learning the children will never forget!

BEFORE CARE/LUNCH AIDE

Jeanne joined our staff in 2018 as an After Care Instructor.  She has served as a Lunch Aide in one of our Pre-K3 classes during the day.  She is also going to be working with our Before Care children starting in September 2020.  She is an amazing substitute as well!  She has been working with children on and off for 15 years now.  She has worked as a Special Education Preschool Aide, a Lunch Aide and an After Care Aide. She loves helping children to learn and grow.

AFTER CARE VOLUNTEER

LUNCH AIDE

LUNCH AIDE

NURSE

Sue Janc comes in weekly to make sure that our student’s medical records are up to date.