Meet OUR TEAM
As educational specialists at Elevate Educators, our team’s purpose and mission is to evangelize the potential and power of high quality teaching and learning. Our professional learning is grounded in an inquiry-based learning model where high interest, relevance, collaboration, and meaningful engagement are our promise.
With a vision for building something meaningful, our founder brings a blend of big-picture thinking and hands-on experience. They set the tone for everything we do.
Founder & CONSULTANT
Jackie Frangis
Livia
Livia Lumaj is a certified Multilingual Learner educator, instructional coach, and professional development facilitator with experience in New York and New Jersey. She specializes in research-based, culturally responsive instruction that advances language development and academic achievement. Livia empowers educators to create engaging, inclusive learning environments where multilingual learners thrive.
Consultant
Karen Wetherell brings 34 years of educational experience as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent, including 22 years as a New Jersey principal. She holds degrees from Rutgers, Kean, and Seton Hall Universities and specializes in curriculum, leadership, special education, teacher development, and innovative, engaging learning experiences.
Consultant
Karen W.
I am a passionate educator who has always strived to bring engaging technology resources into the classroom to enhance learning and increase student achievement. I started my career in 2004 as an educational technology teacher, then as a technology coach, Assistant Director, and now as Director of Technology for the Bayonne Public School System. I want to empower all staff to utilize technology as a transformational tool in their work, teaching, and learning. When not at work, I enjoy watching my two children at sporting events and spending time with my family. I am an avid Peloton rider and proud Disney enthusiast!
Consultant
Karee
With 35+ years in education and 20+ as an administrator, Mary helps districts achieve improvement goals via research-based practices. Her specialties include strategic planning, talent development, and master scheduling. A former K-12 principal, she currently serves as an expert educational consultant and adjunct math professor at County College of Morris.
Consultant
Mary M.
Dr. Jeannie Ryan is a passionate educator, instructional coach, and consultant specializing in literacy strategies and secondary English. She has served as a high school English teacher, staff developer, and mentor. Dr. Ryan holds a BA from Boston College, an MA from NYU, and an Ed.D. from St. John’s University.
Consultant
Dr. Jeannie
Renee LeFante is a dedicated and experienced educator with a passion for fostering academic excellence and supporting teacher development. Bringing 30 years of educational experience, including 13 years as an instructional coach, she has helped educators enhance their professional practices and has made a positive impact on teachers and students. Renee is dedicated to creating and delivering engaging professional development sessions that are closely aligned with educators' needs and current educational trends, leading to meaningful and lasting improvements in teaching practices.
Consultant
Renee
Dr. Jonathan Hesney is an accomplished educational leader and consultant specializing in special education, program development, compliance, and inclusive practices. As Director of Special Services, he designs and oversees innovative programs that maximize student outcomes and support diverse learning needs. Dr. Hesney is passionate about building collaborative partnerships and equipping educators with practical, sustainable strategies that strengthen schools and improve student success.
Consultant
Emily
Ms. Suter has been teaching Multilingual Learners for over twenty years. She is certified by the NJ DOE as a trainer of Sheltered English Instruction, using the FABRIC model. She has served as the ML Coordinator and Instructional Coach of her school, as well as the K-12 Lead Teacher of her department. In 2024, she was awarded the Barbara Tedesco Collaboration Award from NJ TESOL/NJBE, which recognizes excellence in co-teaching.
Consultant
Kathryn
Dr. Emily is a certified school psychologist, presenter, and adjunct professor specializing in children’s academic, behavioral, social, and emotional development. She provides psychological evaluations, counseling, and educator support while delivering engaging, evidence-based professional learning on childhood mental health, challenging behaviors, professional ethics, and educator well-being.
Consultant
Jonathan
Erik Felipe is an educational leader and AI consultant with Elevate Educator who supports K–12 schools in using artificial intelligence to improve teaching, learning, and efficiency. Drawing on classroom experience and a passion for innovation, he delivers practical, ethical AI strategies that boost engagement, streamline workflows, and give educators back valuable time.
Consultant
ERIK
Joyce is a New Jersey Certified School Nurse with 42 years of emergency trauma and over 25 years of school nursing experience. She educates, mentors, and coaches school nurses, emphasizing student-centered care, emergency preparedness, and chronic illness management. A former county nurse association president, she advocates for excellence in school health.
Consultant
JOYCE
Dr. Dana McGee, Psy.D., NCSP is a Licensed Psychologist and Nationally Certified School Psychologist with expertise in psychological and psychoeducational assessment, social-emotional learning, behavioral assessment, and behavior management. She provides comprehensive, evidence-based evaluations and individualized recommendations to help children, adolescents, and adults reach their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally.
Consultant
Dana
Jessica Corsaro Kaingu is a certified ELA/ESL educator and instructional leader with 13+ years of experience teaching, coaching educators, developing curriculum and leading professional learning. A Fulbright Scholar, she brings empathy, collaboration and research-based practice to every partnership - empowering teachers to create meaningful learning experiences for all students.
Consultant
Jessica
With over 18 years of experience, Robyn Park is a BCBA, special education leader, and administrator. She combines clinical expertise with a relationship-first approach to design inclusive spaces where diverse learners thrive. Robyn also mentors and coaches educators, equipping them with the confidence and strategies needed to successfully support their students.
Consultant
ROBYN
Johanna Ross is an instructional leader and professional learning consultant who partners with educators and school leaders to strengthen instruction, build collaborative cultures, and improve student outcomes. She specializes in instructional leadership, curriculum design, data-informed decision-making, leadership development, and creating engaging learning experiences that empower educators and support student success.
Consultant
JOHANNA
Mary is an accomplished middle school educator with over 25 years of experience in curriculum design, instructional leadership, and teacher development. She holds multiple advanced degrees in education and has been recognized in her district as an Exemplary Educator. Mary brings expertise in professional learning design, mentoring, and leadership development. As a former Social Studies and Language Arts teacher, she has extensive experience in teaching critical thinking in literacy-based subjects.
Consultant
MARY L.
Joan Freedman brings more than 40 years of educational experience to her work as an educational consultant. An award-winning educator and former curriculum director, she collaborates with teachers and school leaders to build engaging classrooms, strengthen instruction, and foster meaningful learning experiences that help every student succeed.
Consultant
Joan
Dr. Elizabeth McQuaid is an educational leader with more than 20 years of experience in education, including 15 years in special services administration. She specializes in inclusive practices, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Child Study Team (CST) best practices, and developing sustainable Emotional Regulation Impairment (ERI) and school-based mental health programs that improve outcomes for diverse learners.
Consultant
Dr. Elizabeth
Dr. Kimberly Westervelt is a high school principal with over 20 years of experience improving school culture, climate, and student achievement. A frequent presenter, she specializes in school culture, student engagement, culturally responsive practices, data-driven instruction, conflict resolution, mindfulness, relationship-building, and high school English language arts.
Consultant
KIM
Dr. Lori Lopez-Lopez brings experience as a LDT-C, principal, and district administrator, having served in roles across the full educational spectrum from preschool to post-secondary transition programs. Lori consults with schools, parents, and educational technology firms. With a strong foundation in both leadership and policy, she bridges the gap between school systems and families.
Consultant
LORI
Michael Klimko is an experienced school administrator with 33 years in education, including 16 as a Cranford, NJ elementary principal. Skilled in data-driven decision-making, collaboration, and instructional leadership, Michael is a compassionate problem solver who synthesizes complex information to build high-functioning, supportive learning environments for all students and families.
Consultant
MIKE
NINA
Nina Pearsall is an experienced educator and educational leader with expertise in early childhood, special education, ABA, school leadership, and inclusive practices. She supports educators through evidence-based strategies for challenging behaviors, IEP implementation, differentiation, paraprofessional collaboration, and creating engaging, student-centered learning environments that foster independence and success.
Consultant