Meet Our Mentors

Laura Arredondo is the Supervisor of World Languages and ELL Programs at Hunterdon Central Regional High School. Laura completed her doctoral degree at the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University, New Brunswick in May, 2020. The focus of her dissertation was exploring the integration of Youth Participatory Action Research in the bilingual language arts classroom to promote student engagement and success. Laura also serves on the executive board of NJTESOL-NJBE.

Dr. Cox was born and raised in Plainfield, NJ. After graduating from Plainfield High School, Dr. Cox  went on to earn a degree from Rutgers University in African American studies where he also completed his Master’s degree in Social Studies Education. After teaching for a few years he later received his second Master’s degree from Seton Hall University in Educational Leadership. Dr. Cox would continue his studies to earn his doctoral degree from Seton Hall University. The goal of his study was to analyze how one New Jersey School district responded to a demographic shift from being predominantly African American to predominately Latinx.

Brandi Gustafson is a 7th-grade Social Studies teacher at the New Brunswick Middle School, where she leads the NBMS Youth in Action club.  She teaches the Youth Participatory Action Research course at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education.

Dr. Marnie G. McKoy’s twenty seven years in education have earned her a strong reputation in independent, charter and traditional public school settings. With experience as a teacher, principal, central office administrator and professor, Marnie’s passion for all children to have access to an excellent education is her hallmark. Marnie is a graduate of Rutgers University and Seton Hall University where she

earned an undergraduate degree in English and graduate and doctorate degrees in Educational Leadership, Management and Policy respectively.

Orion Nolan is a 3rd grade inclusion teacher at Roosevelt School in Manville, NJ. Orion has her Masters in Education from Rutgers The Graduate School of Education and is certified for K-6 and Special Education K-12. She has led the Youth in Action after school program in several elementary schools in NJ.