Meet the Department
Ms. Bernarda Amarante
Mr. Vivek Arora
Mr. Ricardo Bentin
Math Teacher
- Bilingual Math
B.A. in Chemistry and B.A. in Math and Science
M.Ed. in Bilingual Education
Minor in Human Resources
Ms. Amarante likes working with students who come from different countries. The multicultural aspect of East Side is something that she appreciate. She also enjoys working with her colleagues- they are a great support. Outside of school, Ms. Amarante likes to travel.
Math and Computer Science Teacher
- Forensic Science
- Honors Forensic Science
- NJIT Forensic Science
New Jersey Institute of Tech
MS Computer Science
BITS, India
BS Electrical Engineering
Mr. Arora enjoys teaching at East Side High School and appreciates the thoughtful and hard-working students and the helpful staff and administration. Outside of school, he researches good stocks to invest in the stock market. Mr. Arora also is into yoga and meditation.
Math Teacher
- Algebra 1
- Financial Algebra
Instituto de Física Teórica Sao Paulo
Phd
Mr. Bentin earned a PhD in Sao Paulo before moving to Northern New Jersey. At East Side he works hard to see the largest possible growth in student learning. Outside of East Side, Mr. Bentin enjoys computers and sports.
Mr. Bryant Garvin
Mr. Richard Esposito
Ms. Conceicao Ferrari
Biology Teacher
Math Teacher
r1esposito@newark.apppresser.com
- Algebra 2
- Statistics
Notre dame
PHD Graduate Theological Union
Education
St Johns University
MBA
Fordham University
Mr. Esposito started at ESHS in 1984 as a sub. When he is not teaching he is a soccer college coach.
Biology Teacher
- Forensic Science
- Honors Forensic Science
- NJIT Forensic Science
NJIT Biology
Minor in Chem/Education
During her studies at NJIT, Ms. Carman first experienced EastSide High school as a student teacher. After completing her degree and graduating, she decided to stay and join the red raider family. She spends her spare time being a great mother to her daughter. Ms. Carmen loves watching her daughter develop and express herself through dance, soccer, drawing, and sometimes even slime!
Ms. Nikolette Fischetti
Math Teacher
- Algebra 1
- Algebra 2
BA in Secondary Math Education
MA in Middle Level Education
Ms. Fischetti loves the atmosphere here at East Side - students and staff are committed and enthusiastic about learning and the many clubs, groups, and sports available. Outside of school, she enjoys photography, reading, and Netflix.
Ms. Lauren Galdos
Math Teacher
- Honors Algebra 2
- Geometry
Rutgers University at Newark
Bachelor of Arts
Ms. Galdos is excited to be teaching at a large school like East Side. Even though there are hundreds of staff and thousands of students, everyone is friendly and all the staff know each other. Ms. Galdos enjoys spending her time outside of school strength training, hiking, organizing, writing calligraphy, and solving sudoku puzzles.
Mr. Charles Galligan
Math and Computer Science Teacher
- Intro to Computer Science
- Math Applications
Boston College - BA
Duke University - MBA
Montclair State U - Masters in Math Education
After a career in business, Mr. Galligan went back to school and earned a Masters in Math Education in 2017. At East Side he brings his expertise in computing by teaching Intro to Computer Science and running the Coding Club. Speaking of running, Mr. Galligan runs marathons, including one or two Olympic distance marathons a year.
Ms. Margaret Greene
Math Teacher
- Algebra 2
Bachelor of Arts
Ms. Greene loves the people and culture of East Side. She also loves her three wonderful children, Jordan, Jayden, and Makayla. Ms. Greene spends her weekends with her family. Family is very important to her and she cherishes every day that she gets to spend with them.
Ms. Karin Leon
Math Teacher
- Pre-Calculus
- Algebra 1
- Peer Group Connections
The George Washington University
Master of Arts In Educational and Human Development: Degree in Educational Technology Leadership
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Minor in Mathematics
Passaic County Community College
Dual Associates in Science in Engineering and Mathematics
Ms. Leon appreciates that the cultural diversity at East Side provides her with the opportunity to learn from other cultures and languages in one place. East Side has a rich learning environment that cares and makes it feel like family.
Ms. Luba Lidman
Math Teacher
- AP Calculus AB
- Algebra II Honors
BA in Pure Mathematics and Education
Ms. Lidman began working at East Side in 2004 as a student teacher and has loved the school ever since. One of her recent proud moments was coaching the successful AP Calculus team which took 1st place in the Annual Newark Public Schools Math Olympics in 2021-22.
Ms. Maria Morales
Math Teacher
- Forensic Science
- Honors Forensic Science
- NJIT Forensic Science
A.S. Computer Science
B.S. Applied Mathematics
M.A. Teaching
Ms. Morales appreciates the diverse community of students and staff at East Side High School.
Ms. Jacqueline Naranjo
Math Teacher
- Bilingual Geometry
Ms. Naranjo likes the community at East Side High School, just as much as the East Side community likes her!
Ms. Rosana Oliveira
Biology Teacher
- Forensic Science
- Honors Forensic Science
- NJIT Forensic Science
NJIT Biology
Minor in Chem/Education
During her studies at NJIT, Ms. Carman first experienced EastSide High school as a student teacher. After completing her degree and graduating, she decided to stay and join the red raider family. She spends her spare time being a great mother to her daughter. Ms. Carmen loves watching her daughter develop and express herself through dance, soccer, drawing, and sometimes even slime!
Mr. Manuel Paz
Math Teacher
- Algebra I
- Geometry
Rutgers University
BA in Mathematics
NJIT
MA in Applied Mathematics
Mr. Paz likes spending time in the Ironbound neighborhood, both as a teacher at East Side and as a resident, living a few blocks from ESHS. Even if he didn't live down the street, Mr. Paz would choose to teach at East Side where he values the good team of colleagues and administrators. Outside of school, he loves playing chess when on vacation. He also enjoys travelling and spending time with family and friends.
Mr. Miles Raife
Math Teacher
- Math Applications
University of Iowa - BA
Community College of Denver - AS
University of Denver - MA
Mr. Raife is enjoying living and teaching in Newark after the earlier part of his life in the Midwest and mountains. He likes the magnetic energy of the students at staff here at East Side. When not teaching, Mr. Raife likes to watch sports, read, play music, and work on model trains.
Mr. Christian Ricci
Mathematics Teacher
- Pre-Calculus
BA at Grinnell College
Teaching Cert at University of MN
Mr. Ricci enjoys teaching at East Side High School, especially when he works with dedicated and creative students in mathematics. He also values the large community of ESHS. Mr. Ricci moved to New Jersey after living and teaching in Minneapolis, MN, and Cleveland, OH. He enjoys video games, hiking, reading, and spending time with his husband and family.
Mr. Danny Roque
Mathematics Teacher
- Geometry
East Side High School
Valedictorian
Rutgers
BA in Mathematics
Mr. Roque embodies the motto "Once an East-Sider, Always an East-Sider." He decided to teach at East Side High School because he was in love with being able to come back and work in the school he graduated from. Also, it is nice being able to work in a community school where I could completely relate to the community itself. Outside of school, Mr. Roque likes to cook, travel, and watch films. He spends his weekends relaxing around the house and spending time with his newborn child.
Ms. Lisa Sherman
Math Teacher
- Financial Algebra
- Probability an Statistics
Pace University
B.S. in Computer Science
M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
Ms. Sherman says the students at East Side High School make her day. She also appreciates that the staff is supportive and gives off a community vibe. For her, teaching is a second career. Ms. Sherman used to work in various finance departments at an advertising firm and an entertainment company.
Mr. Honore Souza
Geometry Teacher
- Geometry
- Honors Geometry
St. John's College
BA Liberal Arts
Mr. Souza enjoys being a teacher at East Side where he can appreciates the freedom he has to use innovating teaching strategies in his classroom. He also enjoys supporting ESHS clubs and sports, including the Book Club and the Dungeons and Dragons Club which he hosts weekly.
Ms. Sara Thatcher
Math Teacher
- Algebra I
- Algebra I Honors
- Algebra I Pre-AP
- Geometry
New Jersey City University
Masters in Mathematics Education
Ms. Thatcher loves working with and building relationships with the students of East Side High School. She enjoys being involved in some of the amazing opportunities that ESHS offers for students to excel, such as the Early College Program. She is the lead Algebra I teacher, has experience being a mentor, and was previously part of our district's curriculum writing team for Algebra I and Linear Algebra. Outside of school, Ms. Thatcher enjoys being with her family, working out, and watching football.
Mr. Johnnie Turner
Math/Special Ed Teacher
- Algebra I
- Algebra II
- Math Applications
- Geometry
New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
BS in Computer Science
Mr. Turner is a Newark native who was inspired by his freshman Algebra teacher, Ms. Gearhart. He likes the student and staff culture at East Side as there is always an effort to make East Side feel like a family atmosphere despite the large size of the school and student body. Mr. Turner enjoys pro-wrestling, collecting, and R&B music. He spends his weekends planning lessons and catching up on Hulu and Disney+. He likes to tinker with electronics and has a knack for fixing things. He's also terribly sarcastic and is currently seeking a cure for it.
Ms. Estela Vazquez
Math Teacher
- Math Applications
Rutgers Newark
B.A. in Mathematics
NJIT
In progress: Masters
Ms. Vasquez loves the community and the relationships our students build with each other at East Side. Like we say, "Once an East Sider, always an East Sider!" Her hobbies include playing tennis and pickleball, hiking, traveling, going to the beach, and watching soccer. Students are always asking about my favorite soccer team: Real Madrid.
