Marissa is the coordinator for Acro/Dance, Warrior/Sports, and several of the STEM camps this summer. Marissa has been an elementary school teacher for five years, working with students in first through third grades, and she currently teaches second grade and after school dance classes. Outside of teaching, she enjoys performing and competing in ballroom dancing. Marissa is looking forward to another great summer! Read More …

Ashley will be joining summer camp as a “Gym/Art” coordinator! She is currently a Digital Freelance Artist pursuing a degree in Psychology and Art this year. Ashley has been previously involved in community art projects for three years with her former art teacher working on the annual Toussaint L’Ouverture-Marquis De Lafayette School No.6 playground project. She is excited to see everyone tap into their artistic side and express their creativity! Read More …

Charlotte has been working with The Connection summer camps since 2018. This summer, she is coordinating Mini Explorers, Creative Kids, and STEM Adventure. She is currently a sophomore in college studying elementary education and psychology. Charlotte is looking forward to another summer at The Connection! Read More …

Kerri is The Connection’s Great Outdoors Coordinator. Kerri has worked for The Connection for the past 4 years and has loved getting to know all the campers. Kerri was a camper herself for 6 years when she was younger and wanted to give other campers the same wonderful experience she had over the years. In addition, Kerri just finished her freshman year at Villanova University where she is studying Biology. She is also EMT certified. She can’t wait for another amazing summer with the campers! Read More …

Veronica is so excited to be joining The Connection this summer as the PM Art Coordinator and AM Head Guppies Teacher! Born and raised in Cranford, she is a graduate student at Bank Street College of Education pursuing an MSEd and dual certification in Childhood General Education and Teaching Literacy, and a proud alumna of Bryn Mawr College. Veronica has 10+ years of teaching, tutoring, and childcare experience; has worked with children of all ages and needs; and strives to be a creative, engaging, and socially and emotionally conscious educator. In the fall, she will begin teaching 2nd grade at Hannah Senesh Community Day School in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. When she’s not teaching, you can find Veronica cuddling with her cat, curled up with a good book or video game, trying out new makeup, and exploring New York City. Read More …

Jaime is a rising Senior at Syracuse University studying Inclusive Elementary and Special Education. She has had experience working at The Connection Summer Camp for one year as well as working in the After school program at The Connection for two years. Jaime will be coordinating Sports and Nature for week one, Fashion for weeks two, four and six, Cooking Around The World for week three, The Great Connection Bake Off for week five and lastly for week seven she will be coordinating Yoga and Art. She enjoys working with kids, helping them grow and building their strengths and can’t wait for Summer Camp to begin! Read More …

Taina Bey (South Orange, NJ), graduated from Smith College with BA in Dance and a minor in Africana Studies; she studied contemporary and somatic dance in Berlin, Germany and performed in residency with Pilobolus Dance Theater. Taina is a graduate of the Peridance Capezio Intensive Semester program and has collaborated with Bill T. Jones/ Arnie Zane Company, Mathew James/ URBAN//TRIBE, Annie Sailer/Annie Sailer Dance Company and Darcy Naganuma/Naganuma Dance. Her choreographic work has been shown through Movement Research and at The Salvatore Capezio Theater, Jennifer Muller/ The Works Studio, The Actors Fund Arts Center and The Sans Limites Dance Festival. Taina is a Dance Instructor, Special Events Coordinator and Theater Camp Coordinator at The Connection. Taina is also a Teaching Artist with NJPAC and the Dance Program Director and a Dance Instructor at Soul Xpressiion School of the Arts. Read More …