Meet the Team
Dedicated to Education
School Leadership

Mr. Craig Mercado
Principal
As a lifelong resident of Brooklyn, this neighborhood is in my blood. It is my great pleasure to lead St. Ephrem Catholic Academy. I have dedicated my life to Catholic education and I firmly believe that the mind, body, and soul should be equally fulfilled through education. I, along with our faculty, work tirelessly to live up to the long traditions established by St. Ephrem School and hope to build an institution that will make all members of our community proud.
M.S. Ed.
Administration and Supervision
Fordham

Very Rev. Robert B. Adamo, V. F., KCHS
Pastor
Father Adamo leads the faith community of St. Ephrem Parish. His work, along with his staff, to help the school has been instrumental in the Academy’s transition from a parish school. His role as faith leader will continue to prove vital to our continued success.
Father Adamo has been Pastor at both IHM and St. Ephrem parish. His commitment to Catholic Education through words and actions inspires us daily.
Office Staff

Donna Colon
School Secretary
Mrs. Colon serves as the school administrative assistant. Her warm rapport with the students ensures that they are greeted with a smile each day. If you’re calling us you’re probably speaking with Mrs. Colon. Her dedication to St. Ephrem extends to her work with the parish community as well. Her children are St. Ephrem alum and we are pleased to have her granddaughter here as well.

Michele James
Business Manager
Michele James is the business manager for St. Ephrem Catholic Academy. In addition to her work, in maintaining the day to day financial operations of the school she works with parents in securing financial aid. If you have questions about tuition or financial assistance she is always willing and ready to lend a friendly hand.
Faculty

Ms. Jennifer DeGaeto
Pre-K3
I love to learn and teach something new every day, even if it is outside of the classroom. It brings me great satisfaction to explore with students and help them to improve their self-learning skills. My goal is to teach the student to the best of their abilities and highlight each child's unique gifts. It is rewarding to know that every lesson I teach will have an impact on their future endeavors as well as fulfill their spiritual needs.
B.S. - Business Managment
SUNY - FIT

Mrs. Giovanna Marchese
Pre-K
I believe children learn best through positive encouragement and reinforcement. It is my personal goal as an educator to embrace every student so I am able to accommodate their learning style.
B.S. - Early Childhood Education
Pace University

Ms. Marie Pascarella
Kindergarten
I teach because I want to make a difference in the lives of as many students as I can. I encourage my students in a positive way to help them realize their potential. A great motivational quote I like to instill in my students is “The road to success and greatness is always paved with consistent hard work. Outwork your competitors, be authentic and above all else…chase your dreams”-Dwayne Johnson
M.S. - Education
St. John's University

Ms. Nicole Kokkinos
Kindergarten
Due to our rapid growth, we were able to add an additional kindergarten class. Ms. Kokkinos joined us as the new kindergarten teacher and has been a great addition to our school. She is able to work with a small group of students to make sure that each child who wants a Catholic education can get one.
B.A. - Childhood Education
St. Francis College

Mrs. Donna Polizzotto
First Grade
Educating children with academic, spiritual, and life skills is a valuable part of my life. It gives me great pleasure to help children learn to read, write, and understand math skills. Throughout my career, I have been a dedicated Catholic School educator recognizing God is the center of our lives. My goal is to be a role model for all children so they can make good choices in life.
M.S. - Education
Fordham University

Mrs. Gina Costagliola
Second Grade
Being a teacher has and will always be a part of who I am. Teaching brings me happiness and fulfillment. I have been a Catholic School Teacher for all of my career and love that I have the ability to share God’s love with my students in all aspects of learning. There is no greater feeling than seeing a child smile because of something they have accomplished.
M.S. - Special Education
CUNY - College of Staten Island

Ms. Maria D'Alessandro
Third Grade
It is my great pleasure to join the faculty of St. Ephrem Catholic Academy full-time this year. I had a wonderful year learning under Mrs. Polizzotto and will use all which I have learned to enrich the student's lives.
I am so excited to get to know and work with the students and show them what they are capable of achieving.
B.S. - Education
CUNY - City College

Ms. Susan Maher
Fourth Grade
Fourth and Fifth Grade ELA
and Social Studies
Fourth Grade Religion
I have been a teacher in the Diocese of Brooklyn for 22years. I love teaching and I am proud of the accomplishments I have made. I continue to strive to bring the best of me to all my students. I consider myself lucky to be able to do what I love every day.
B.A. - Education
Marymount Manhattan College

Ms. Kelsey Iannacone
Fifth Grade
Fourth and Fifth Grade Science and Math
Fifth Grade Religion
Ms. Iannacone joins us from CUNY SI. From the first time she stepped into the classroom, the students took a liking to her infectious personality. Her can-do spirit and positive attitude is just want is needed for our students getting ready for junior high.
B.S. - Education
CUNY - College of Staten Island

Mrs. Mary Curry
Junior High ELA
Mrs. Curry joins us to finish out the year with the junior high. Her many years of experience allow her to guide our students through difficult concepts and techniques. The students are most pleased to welcome her back.
M.S. - Education
Fordham University

Ms. Christine McCoy
Junior High Math
Ms. McCoy moves into the junior high Math teacher position this year. After her great work, last year getting to know the students, her transition to a full-time faculty member should be smooth. We look forward to adding her expertise to our wonderful faculty.
B.S. - Math Education
St. Francis College

Mr. Anthony Martinez
Junior High Social Studies
Mr. Martinez joins us for his first year of teaching. He comes highly recommended fresh off of earning his BA from St. John's where he earned his degree in teaching social studies for the junior high level. His youth and exerberance are a welcome addition. We are sure he will prove to be an outstanding member of our school community.
B.A. - Education
St. John's University

Marcelo De Carvalho Ph.D
Junior High Science
Dr. DeCarvalho joins us after a career of teaching at the university and high school levels. We are happy to have someone with such a wealth of knowledge in his field. Our students will learn much under his leadership.
Ph.D. - Evolutionay Biology
CUNY Graduate Center

Mrs. Michelle Emeh
Junior High Religion
I have always wanted to be a teacher ever since second grade when Sr. Mary Augustine asked me to work with children in my class who were slow readers. With the exception of only two years in my career, I have been an 8th-grade homeroom teacher which means that I am responsible for high school admissions as well as all 8th-grade activities in addition to my academic classes. The most important thing I want my students to learn from me is that they are more than a grade on the report card, they are more than their reflection in a mirror; it’s who they are inside that counts.
M.S. - Education
NYU

Mrs. Peggy Tomasi
Resource Room Teacher
Golden Eagles Director
Orton Gillingham Certified Specialist
I love to learn and teach something new every day, even if it is outside of the classroom. It brings me great satisfaction to explore the use of technology with students and help them to improve their self-learning skills. My goal is to teach the students the most current technological applications, such as Excel and Powerpoint to upperclassmen, and Microsoft Word to underclassmen. It is rewarding to know that every lesson I teach will have an impact on their future technological endeavors as well as fulfill their spiritual needs.
M.S. - Education
Fordham University

Mrs. Rosanne Parchment
Visual Arts
I have a background in fine arts and over twenty years of experience in graphic design. While my focus is on teaching classic fine art techniques to the students, I bring an introduction to graphic design to the upper grades through typography and hand lettering techniques.
I also teach digital art classes to the junior high using adobe based software giving students a leg up on their next step in education. I am also an alumna of St Ephrem School.
B.F.A. - Communication Design
Parsons School of Design

Mr. Kerrin Quinn
Music
A classically trained musician, Mr. Quinn joins us for his first year as a classroom teacher. He has continues to serve as band director for our school as well as several others through the Paul Effman Music.
M.S. - Music Education
Five Towns College

Claudia Nigro
Physical Education
I have been a Physical Education teacher for 11 years. As a Physical Education teacher, it is my unique responsibility to promote physical fitness and introduce students to new sports every year. All students run in Rising NYRR races through the Presidential Active Lifestyle challenge, I encourage students to become active. It is my belief that that daily physical activity fosters physical, spiritual, and mental wellness. I also teach my students about personal growth and how to set goals for themselves. I have two children who attend St Ephrem Catholic Academy because of the excellent Catholic education it offers as well as a myriad of sports programs.
B.A. - History
St. John's University
Teaching Assistants

Mrs. Angela Micalli
Pre-K3
Mrs. Angela helps our littlest students do their best every day. She is an indispensable part of what keeps Pre-K3 running.

Ms. Gina Leshi
Kindergarten
Ms. Gina has been with us for two years serving as an aid for the second and third grades. She has been a true jack of all trades for us. Her ability to move throughout grade levels has given us the flexibility we have needed in such difficult times.

Ms. Anna Accetta
Pre-K
Ms. Anna has served as an aid for our students since 2016. She is always helping students achieve their best by making pre-k great.

Mrs. Arianna DeVito
Kindergarten
Mrs. Arianna has been with St. Ephrem since 2016 and has proved herself invaluable to Ms. Pascarella and the kindergarten. She also co-runs our very successful summer camp.