Middle & High School Administration

John Massaro, Principal

John Massaro began his teaching career in Cresskill in 2001 and was voted Cresskill Middle School “Teacher of the Year” in 2009. Prior to his current role as principal, Mr. Massaro served as assistant principal and science department lead teacher and supervisor from 2008 to 2015. He has taught various science classes in both the middle school and high school, including Integrated Science 7, biology, chemistry, and physics. Mr. Massaro was the Head Girls Soccer Coach from 2002-2011, and has also assisted with girls’ basketball, middle school track and field, and baseball. Mr. Massaro embraces his role to support a positive school culture that empowers students to explore their interests and develop their talents.

Daniel Apice, Assistant Principal

Mr. Apice holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Delaware with a minor in Cognitive Science. His career in education began in the Cresskill school district as a job coach at our 18-21 special needs program, Community Steps for Independence (CSI). During that time, he earned his Master’s degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University in School Psychology. From 2017-2021, Mr. Apice was a school psychologist at Pascack Hills High School in Montvale, NJ before returning to Cresskill in December 2021. He was named Supervisor of Secondary Education in July 2022 while completing his School Leadership certification through NJEXCEL. In July 2023, Mr. Apice was named Assistant Principal of CMS/CHS. Mr. Apice is a proud and passionate Cresskill High School alumnus and is a strong supporter of extracurricular endeavors.  He has coached football and basketball at various high school levels.

Janelle Amato Ph.D., Director of Special Services

Dr. Janelle Amato earned her doctorate in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University in 2008. She began her career in school psychology in 2004 as a member of a Child Study Team for a local New Jersey school district. In 2006 Dr. Amato accepted a position with the Cresskill Public School District where she has served as the Director of Special Services since 2011. Within the schools, Dr. Amato has a deep passion for differentiating literacy instruction. She has participated in numerous workshops, summer institutes, and leadership groups on balanced literacy and has participated in classroom demonstrations, planning sessions, curriculum writing and data analysis of student work. Dr. Amato also holds a position as an Adjunct Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey, where she has taught graduate level courses in Psychopathology, Developmental Psychology, Child Psychopathology, and Special Education. Her clinical experience includes treating learning disabilities, anxiety, mood disorders, family conflict, inattention/impulsivity, and life transitions. 

Michael Stone, Director of Guidance

Mr. Michael Stone joins the Cresskill School District after working at Northern Highlands Regional High School for the past twenty-two years.  Mr. Stone taught Social Studies for three years at NH and had been a member of their Guidance Department for the past nineteen years.  Mr. Stone received a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Fordham University as well as a Masters Degree in Education from St. Peter’s University.  After pursuing his Counseling Certification from William Paterson University, Mr. Stone attained the required New Jersey state endorsement as a Director of Guidance.  Additionally, Mr. Stone earned a College Counseling Certification from the University of California graduate program.  Mr. Stone enjoyed a thirty-year career as a high school basketball coach, and in his free time he enjoys playing sports, going down the Jersey shore, and spending quality time with his wife and their three children.

Beth Del Vecchio, Supervisor of Physical Education/Health, Athletic Director

Ms. Del Vecchio has been the Director of Athletics, Activities, Health and Physical Education at Cresskill MS/HS since 1999.  Prior to Cresskill, Ms. Del Vecchio taught special education for two years at the Benway School. She then moved on to become athletic director and head of the health and physical education department at Paramus Catholic High School in 1987. In 1995 when Paramus Catholic High School became a co-ed institution, she was selected to become athletic director and head of health and physical education department. While at Paramus Catholic, Ms. Del Vecchio also coached volleyball and softball. During her eight years as volleyball coach her teams won a total of 6 league, 5 consecutive county and 5 Group IV state championships. In addition, she has reached Level II accreditation through USA Volleyball’s Coaches Accreditation Program (CAP). In softball, she coached for seven years and led her team to a Parochial A State Championship in 1989. Ms. Del Vecchio  received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education, and a certification in Driver Education from Trenton State College in 1983. Additionally, Ms. Del Vecchio received her MA in Physical Education from New York University and a Teacher of the Handicapped certification from William Paterson College in 1987. She also completed her supervisory certification at Montclair State College in 1992. In 2002, she completed her Certified Athletic Administrators certification from the NIAAA. In 2003, Ms. Del Vecchio completed her second Master's degree in Administration and Supervision from Montclair State University. In 2018, she completed her CMAA from the NIAAA  In 2010, Beth was inducted into the New Jersey State Coaches Association Hall of Fame for Volleyball. In 2021, Beth was selected to receive the Greater Bergen County Person of the Year award and in 2022 she received the Bergen County Athletic Director of the Year Award. Ms. Del Vecchio is currently in her 37th year as an Athletic Director. She is also entering her 25th year with Cresskill Public Schools.

Judith Beekman, Supervisor of E.S.L. and World Language Programs K-12

Judith Beekman holds an Instructional Supervisory Certificate from William Paterson University and  a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in teaching Spanish from S.U.N.Y. Oswego. She began her tenure in Cresskill in 1990, teaching ESL K-6 and World Languages at Merritt Memorial School and Edward H. Bryan School, and was the Governor’s Recognition Teacher of the Year Recipient in 1996 and 2010.  Before becoming a Supervisor, Mrs. Beekman served as the District Coordinator for ESL/Bilingual programs for 10 years. During this time she was responsible for NJ State Bilingual Compliance Mandates, as well as coordinating all district testing procedures for ESL K-12. She continues to provide Professional Development Seminars for all general education teachers K-12.  Mrs. Beekman served as International Day Coordinator at  Merritt School for 14 years, working with students, staff and community members to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for the Cresskill Family. Her travels to Korea have assisted in making connections with the community.  Recently Mrs. Beekman has coordinated a program in assisting graduating bilingual seniors in obtaining the NJ Seal of Biliteracy.

Alexis Peck, K-12 Supervisor

Alexis Peck holds Master’s degrees in Biological Science Education and Educational Learning and Technology as well as a certification in K-12 Supervision.  She started teaching in the Cresskill School District in 2007 and has taught a variety of courses in middle and high school including: Science 6, Science 7, Biology, Forensic Science, STEM courses, Natural Disasters, and Bioethics. Ms. Peck has been involved in planning professional development workshops focused in best teaching practices, curriculum development, and technology infusion since 2009. 

Grace Chun, K-12 Supervisor

Mrs. Grace Chun holds her Master of Education degree in Literacy from William Paterson University, where she earned her endorsement as a Reading Specialist and was the recipient of the Literacy Award in 2019. She also holds a Masters in Early Childhood and Education from Rutgers University. Mrs. Chun began her career as a third grade teacher and has over ten years of experience teaching English Language Arts at Leonia Middle School, where she received the Teacher of the Year award in 2017. An Adjunct Professor at William Paterson University, she teaches graduate level courses focusing on research and current issues in literacy and content area instruction. Mrs. Chun joined the Cresskill family in July, 2021, and presently serves as a K-12 Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction. She also speaks Korean fluently and enjoys spending time with her husband (who is learning Korean), and her two small children, (who are bilingual).