North Bergen S.T.E.A.M. Academy

Welcome to the North Bergen S.T.E.A.M. Academy at Kennedy School.

 

 

Meet the S.T.E.A. M.  5 & 6 Academy Teachers

 

5th Grade Science and Mathematics

My name is Ms. Diaz and I graduated from Montclair State University. I am fluent in Spanish and have taught in diverse classrooms, including bilingual and inclusive classrooms. I address my class as Team Diaz, as I view us as a strong unit. I am incredibly grateful to have built strong and rewarding bonds with my students thus far. A key aspect of my pedagogy is that students are actively engaged in the learning process. Along this journey, I hope to enable your child to believe in themselves and fall in love with learning! (Ms. Diaz Teacher page)

5th Grade ELA and Social Studies

Hi everyone! My name is Mrs. LeJeune and I teach S.T.E.A.M. 5 ELA and Social Studies! I am so thrilled to be part of the S.T.E.A.M. Academy! 

A little bit about me! I grew up in North Bergen and attended Horace Mann School. I graduated from North Bergen High School- Class of 2000! My incredible teachers in North Bergen inspired me to become a teacher. 

I started my career at Horace Mann School as a 6th-grade teacher. Then a wonderful opportunity arose where I became the gifted and talented P.E.A.K. teacher for grades 5 & 6. We did amazing things both inside and outside of the classroom. We explored various habitats such as Sandy Hook Beach, where we went fish seining and hiked trails at Scherman Hoffman Sanctuary, where we learned about forests, deer, and bears. We competed in multiple competitions such as Crime Scene Investigations, Academic Bowl, STEM challenges, Forensics, and Battle of the Books- where we remain #1 champs! 

I have a deep passion for teaching, and I want to share my love of learning with you! Welcome to the S.T.E.AM. Academy and congratulations! (Ms. LeJeune Teacher Page)

 

6th Grade ELA and Social Studies

Hi! My name is Ms. Sastre, and I am so excited to be a part of STEAM Academy this year at Kennedy School. More importantly, I am thrilled to be YOUR teacher! It’s going to be a fun year full of learning and new experiences. Some things I would like you to know about me is that I am very passionate about teaching and challenging young minds like yourselves to think outside the box. With this new program, we will be doing just that every day! This will be my 9th year teaching, and I have primarily taught 6th grade ELA. I have a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, with a specialization in Reading. Outside of the classroom, I love staying active with my daughter and shopping at Target. I can’t wait to spend this next year learning and growing with you! (Ms. Sastre Teacher Page)

6th Grade Science and Mathematics

My name is Mrs. RIcco and have been a teacher in the North Bergen school district since 2001.  I graduated from New York’s Queens College with a degree in English and Urban Studies.  After a successful tenure in the corporate world, through stints in fashion, legal, and entertainment, I found my calling as an elementary teacher in the early 2000’s.  I received a Master’s degree in the Science of Education, graduating at the top of my class.  I am a member of New Jersey STEM Pathways Network, Liberty STEM Ecosystem, and sit on the STEM Early Childhood committee. I have collaborated with STEAMTANK, the partnership between the Department of Education and the US Army for STEAM education. In addition, I was the math lead teacher for my grade level for the past five years and am a designated math teacher for the Hudson County Curriculum Consortium. I have taught statistics at Saint Peter’s University as an adjunct professor.  I am also the author of a children’s math story. (Mrs. Ricco Teacher Page)