Administration
Felice Karlitz, Director of School – fkarlitz@siskids.org
“Ms. K” is responsible for all aspects of the school’s operations, including providing educational leadership, administration of all programs and services, overseeing the school’s growth, and managing the facilities. Ms. Karlitz has been with Saratoga Independent School since 1995. Her thirty-five years of experience reflect her passion and commitment to elementary education. Included in that experience is developing enrichment materials for a New York City school district, and conducting staff development workshops for New York City schoolteachers and principals. Ms. Karlitz received her BS in Education from State University College at Buffalo, and an MS in Education from Long Island University
John Lefner, Director of Operations – jlefner@siskids.org
“Mr. Lefner” is responsible for the business oversight of the school’s operations. He provides leadership to the administrative team and manages marketing, website management, public relations, fundraising, and budget development. Additionally, John oversees the summer camp program, contract and vendor relationships, and all physical assets of the campus. Prior to joining the team at Saratoga Independent School, John served as the Assistant Director of Operations at Double H Ranch, A Serious Fun Camp and as Director of various YMCA branches and camps in Florida and Rhode Island. John received his BS in Elementary Education from Champlain College.
Samantha Bossalini, Office Manager – sbossalini@siskids.org
“Ms. Sami” offers administrative support with an emphasis on managing communications and paperwork related directly to the students, families, prospective families, enrichment class participants, summer campers and alumni. She also assists with supply ordering, presentation planning and record keeping for Board of Trustee meetings.
Faculty
Sharon Kelly, Pre-K Teacher – skelly@siskids.org
“Ms. Sharon” received an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Centenary College of New Jersey, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and Literacy from College of St. Joseph. She is certified in Early Childhood Birth – Grade 2, Childhood Grades 1-5, Literacy Birth – Grade 6 and Literacy Grades 5 – 12. Prior to joining the team at SIS, Sharon was the Head Pre K Teacher at Bluebirds’ Nest in Glens Falls, 4th Grade Teacher at St. Mary’s/St. Alphonsus in Glens Falls and Head Teacher Pre K at Warren County Head Start.
Morgan Lansing, Pre-K Teacher’s Assistant – mlansing@siskids.org
“Ms. Morgan” joined Saratoga Independent School in 2004. She previously worked with Melinda Fant in the Wrap-Around program, and now assists Sharon Kelly in the Pre-K class. Ms. Morgan has also taught in Capital District elementary schools as an outreach educator for the Saratoga Children’s Museum, and taught classes at Odyssey School of Fine Arts in Middle Grove, NY. She graduated from Skidmore College with a BA in Fine Arts.
Theresa Ibbotson, Pre-K Teacher’s Assistant – tibbotson@siskids.org
“Mrs. Ibby” joined Saratoga Independent School as Ms. Sharon’s Assistant in 2013 when we opened our fourth Pre-K class. Prior to joining Saratoga Independent School, Miss Ibby was the Head Teacher at the Learning School in Hudson Falls, where she shared a classroom with Ms. Sharon. She also has taught at The Bluebird’s Nest and was an executive board member for the North Country Association for the Education of Young Children (NCAEYC). Mrs. Ibby is certified in First Aid and CPR.
Kim Blystone, Pre-K & Before-Care Teacher – kblystone@siskids.org
“Miss Kim” joined Saratoga Independent School in 2010. She previously was a head pre-school teacher in the Discovery Preschool Program at KinderCare Learning Center in Niskayuna. She also has several years of experience working with children at the Town of Halfmoon Recreational Summer Program, as a counselor, trip coordinator, and site supervisor of counselors and campers. Miss Kim has American Red Cross certifications in CPR for the Professional Rescuer and AED, Adult and Child CPR, and Responding to Emergencies. She graduated with a BS in Elementary Education from SUNY Oneonta and holds her NYS Childhood Education Certification in grades 1-6.
Lindsay Leitch, Pre-K Teacher’s Assistant – lleitch@siskids.org
“Ms. Lindsay” works closely with Ms. Kim to lead the Pre-K classroom. Prior to joining Saratoga Independent School, Lindsay was a preschool teacher for students with Autism at Helping Hands School in Clifton Park, and a substitute teacher for BOCES. Ms. Lindsay has medical certifications in Infant and Child CPR. She graduated with a BA in English/Urban Education from SUNY Albany, and earned her MS.Ed degree from the College of Saint Rose. She holds her NYS Teacher Certification in Childhood and Special Education grades 1-6.
Melinda Fant, Wrap-Around Program and Extended Day Program Teacher – mfant@siskids.org
“Ms. Melinda” runs our Pre-K Discover and Play Wrap-Around Program. She has been a Pre-K teacher with us since 2003. Ms. Melinda received her degree in Elementary Education from the University of Maine and has taught in a variety of early childhood classroom settings. As the teacher of our Pre-K Wrap-Around Program, her goal is to provide the children with activities that encourage them to explore their environment and to develop their social skills.
Shauna Swinimer, Kindergarten Teacher – sswinimer@siskids.org
“Miss Shauna” has been the Saratoga Independent School Kindergarten teacher since 2001. She is a native of Canada and received her B. Ed. degree from McGill University in Montreal and also has an MS Ed in Elementary Reading and Literacy. Previously she served as Director/Teacher at the Montessori School of the Redwoods in Felton, CA.
Dina Baker, Kindergarten Teacher
“Ms. Baker” has been the lead teacher in the primary program at Montessori School of Schenectady since 2009. She has also served as the supervisor of her classroom staff and as an administrative assistant to the director. Her philosophy of teaching aligns with our mission; she encourages students to be inquisitive and active participants in their own learning. Ms. Baker is currently completing the Early Education Graduate Program at the College of St. Rose. She is a member of the New York State Association for the Education of Young Children (NYSAEYC).
Ilena Corr, Language Arts & Primary Science Teacher – icorr@siskids.org
“Mrs. Corr” received a Bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in family and child development at Virginia Tech. While at Virginia Tech, she worked in an Applied Behavior Analysis lab collecting and analyzing data and reporting findings. This is where she learned so much about scientific research which she loves. Mrs. Corr went on to earn a Master’s degree in Elementary Education at Southampton College. Her love of nature and caring for the environment is an important part of who she is as a teacher, and she hopes to instill this appreciation in her students.
Jeny Randall, Science, Language Arts and Enrichment Teacher – jrandall@siskids.org
“Ms. Randall” is delighted to be joining the Saratoga Independent School staff. Her previous teaching experience includes Tenacre Country Day School and Kentucky Country Day. In addition, she served as a Teacher/Naturalist with Mass Audubon. Ms. Randall is a graduate of Connecticut College, and holds her MS in Environmental Education from Antioch University New England. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Randall teaches yoga, and enjoys kayaking and hiking.
Laurie Abele, Primary Language Arts Teacher
“Ms. Abele” recently relocated to Saratoga after ten years as a teacher in Long Island. She has been trained in several of the instructional approaches employed by our school, including Columbia Teachers Writing Workshop and Guided Reading. She was chosen by her district administration to work on collaborative teams for curriculum planning. Ms. Abele attended SUNY Oneonta, where she earned a BS degree in Elementary Education (K-6) with a concentration in Mathematics.
Mary Sacks, Social Studies and Intermediate Language Arts Teacher – msacks@siskids.org
“Ms. Sacks” has been with Saratoga Independent School since 2007. She has a deep commitment to education and learning through meaningful learning activities. A graduate of SUNY Buffalo, Ms. Sacks received her MS. in Childhood Education from the College of Saint Rose. She also served as a Workshop Teacher for Girls Inc. and as Director of the Girls’ Summer Day Program at Emma Willard School.
Heather Swatling, Math Teacher – hswatling@siskids.org
“Ms. S.” has been teaching at Saratoga Independent School since 1999. She serves as the primary math teacher for all students and also provides instruction and guidance in the Kindergarten learning centers. Ms. Swatling also taught summers in the Skidmore College HEOP Math program for incoming students. She has a BA from Castleton State College in Vermont and a MS in Reading from SUNY Albany.
Colleen Staszak, Spanish Teacher – cstaszak@siskids.org
“Señora” has been teaching Spanish to children for over 7 years. She is the co-founder of Hola La, a program that incorporates physical movement, music and social interaction into its Spanish language curriculum. Ms. Staszak has a musical background in violin, piano, and voice and uses her talents to help create the music for Hola La’s curriculum. She studied Spanish at the University of Vermont, and also studied at the University of Granada in Granada, Spain during college.
Marilyn Parker, Art Teacher – mparker@siskids.org
Since 1997, “Ms. Parker” has designed and implemented the art program at Saratoga Independent School. In addition she serves as a substitute teacher, an enrichment class teacher, and a summer camp staff member at the school. Ms. Parker taught art classes to children at the Saratoga County Arts Council, served as a K-12 substitute teacher at Ballston Spa Schools, and taught and supervised at a K-6 Sunday school. Ms. Parker studied art at the Boston School of the Museum of Fine Arts and the New England School of Art and Design. She continues to create an art experience that attempts to draw on the individual potential of each child.
Paula Walentowicz, Music Teacher – pwalentowicz@siskids.org
“Ms. Walentowicz” has over 18 years of experience teaching music to students of all ages, including Kindermusik and private piano instruction. She is a licensed Kindermusik and Musikgarten teacher, a member of the NYS Music Teachers Association and the recipient of the Kindermusik Maestro Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Dustin Verga, Physical Education Teacher – dverga@siskids.org
“Coach V” joined our faculty in 2011. He is a graduate of the State University of New York at Cortland and holds his NYS Teaching Certification in Physical Education and Adapted Physical Education, as well as his NYS Professional Coaching Certification. Coach spent three months teaching in Australia and completed the remainder of his student teaching locally in Schenectady.
Support Staff
Jane Lampert, Lunch Program Coordinator
“Ms. Lampert” creates and serves enticing and healthy lunches for our students. Her warm personality makes lunchtime a favorite part of the students’ day!
