Meet the Staff

List of 4 members.

• 

  Karen Rezach 

  Director of the Ethics Institute

  (908) 273-0900 ext. 395

  Bio

  Karen Rezach joined the Kent Place community in 2000, and is the Director of the Middle School and the Director of The Ethics Institute. She has a master’s in divinity from Yale University, an EdD from Seton Hall University and is an ordained Episcopal priest. Her doctoral research, “Spiritual Leadership as a Model of Effective Leadership in Independent School,” explores the ways in which educators can bring values and moral awareness in non-religious ways into a variety of school settings. Dr. Rezach has over 20 years of experience as an independent school administrator, including director of the middle school at Kent Place and assistant head of school at St. Philip’s Academy in Newark, NJ. She has been teaching and facilitating workshops on ethics for more than a decade.
• 

  Ariel Sykes 

  Assistant Director of the Ethics Institute

  (908) 273-0900 Ext. 270

  Bio

  Ariel Sykes is the Assistant Director of the Ethics Institute at Kent Place School. She is a skilled educator and teacher trainer with over thirteen years of experience working in philosophy and education. Ariel specializes in philosophy for children (P4C) and dialogic pedagogy, with a focus on ethics and service-learning. She co-founded and organized the NYC High School Ethics Bowl Regional Competition. Mrs. Sykes is an endorsed practitioner of the IAPC (Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children), the world’s oldest organization devoted young people’s philosophical practice. Mrs. Sykes holds a BA in Philosophy of Education from Mount Holyoke College and an MA in Philosophy and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to joining the Ethics Institute, Mrs. Sykes taught a variety of education and ethics courses at local colleges and universities, ran after-school and summer philosophy programs for kids, and developed a philosophy in the art museum program with the Montclair Art Museum.
• 

  Melissa Sheehy 

  Ethics Institute Administrative Assistant

  Bio

  Melissa Sheehy earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in sociology from Stonehill College. Most recently, she worked in business development for a fundraising and management consulting firm with a focus on nonprofits, independent schools, higher education, and faith-based organizations. She enjoys running, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
• 

  Matt Ferguson 

  Ethics Institute Resource Coordinator

  Bio

  Matt Ferguson (he/him) is the Ethics Institute Resource Coordinator. Matt has a BA in Classics from Georgetown University and an MA in Philosophy and Social Policy from American University. Much of his research in graduate school centered around ethics, trans philosophy, and public philosophy. His prior work experience is in social services and small nonprofits. Matt enjoys reading, cycling, playing rugby, and crocheting.