Blind Elementary/Middle School
BEMS NEWS
assistant principal
Ellen Fertsch
Ellen Ferstch began her career as a classroom teacher in New Jersey, working in elementary, middle and high schools. During her 10-year tenure in the Northeast, she led an initiative with the Hispanic Family Center to create and maintain programming, outreach, and services among the school, the center, and the community. In 2016, Ferstch joined FSDB as a teacher in the blind middle school (now BEMS). She was named FSDB Blind Middle School Teacher of the Year for the 2020-21 school year. The same year, she was appointed assistant principal for BEMS, where she oversees academic education for blind/visually-impaired students.
Master of Arts, Educational Leadership, Rowan University
Bachelor of Arts, English, Rutgers University
Empowering families and their children is crucial to their success.
BEMS Specialists & Support Personnel
Cheryl Burgess
Administrative Assistant
Michelle Sminkey
Braille Specialist
Amy Hendricks
IEP Coordinator
Tara Ragone-Dougherty
Instructional Assistant
Mary Lorraine Yetter
Instructional Assistant
Elisha Zuaro
Literacy Specialist
Silke Douglas
Psychologist
Fabian Quintanilla
Technology Teacher
Sanni Elison
Associate Teacher
Sydney Kabrich
Coord. of Student Support
Kathy Almand
Instructional Assistant
Thomas Rice
Instructional Assistant
Tammy Holcomb
Instructional Assistant (Library)
Joseph "Za" Alexander
Math Specialist
Karen Kolkedy
School Counselor
Tania Dulin
Braille Production
John Barnocelli
DSI Coordinator
Keesha Patterson
Instructional Assistant
Heather Roberts
Instructional Assistant
Joy Carriger
Librarian
Jennifer Enache
O&M Specialist
Laura Pamer
School Counselor
Tristan Alfant
Braille Specialist
Mike Zuaro
Educational Diagnostician
Tiana Patterson
Instructional Assistant
Pamela Trudel
Instructional Assistant
April Wallace
Literacy Specialist
Cristina Sapp
O&M Teacher
D.J. Prater
Technology Specialist