Who’s Who
PTA Executive Board Members 2026-2027
Susan Firth, Co-President
Susan Firth and her husband Jonathan, and one-year old Simon moved to Montclair in 2016. Before Montclair, they were in Hoboken & Jersey City for about 12 years, with a brief stint in Bryn Mawr, PA. Simon will be attending 6th grade at Glenfield this year, and Otis is excited for 3rd grade at Edgemont. Susan works part-time as a client relationship manager for Rombough Architecture since 2020, full-time mom since 2015, and puppy mom to Willow since July 2026. She has served on the board previously as Recording Secretary for the 22-23 school year, and VP of Fundraising for the 23-24 and 24-25 school years, also, chaired and assisted with Enrichment every year. As Co-President this year, Susan plans to bring as much programming, fundraising, and joy as possible to our kids, teachers, staff, and families. Giving back to this amazing community is truly the greatest source of satisfaction and delight. See you around school!
Cassandre w, Co-President
Cassandre grew up in suburbs all over the United States: Chicago, Illinois; Orlando, Florida; Seattle, Washington; Atlanta, Georgia; Washington D.C., before coming up to NYC for undergrad at NYU and Parsons and then moving to Montclair in 2017. Mom to 3rd grader Bergen and wife to Tom, Cassandre works full time designing Girls Knits at the Gap and is passionate about yoga, gardening, and self-educating about Neurodiversity and Neuro-affirming practices. I’m excited to continue giving back to this cool little community this year, and have felt so lucky to be part of a PTA with such good vibes. These folks are earnest, collaborative, thoughtful and dedicated to putting together quality programming that is meaningful and equitable for our kids – making Edgemont a great place, with no shortage of laughs in the process! I hope you’ll join us for any or all PTA led events this school year!
Georgette Lees, Vice President
Georgette grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles, started her family with her husband, Brandon, in Brooklyn, and now calls Montclair home. She’s lived in Montclair for four years, though her husband’s family has lived here for more than 45 years, making the community especially meaningful to her and her family. She’s mom to Hugo (4th grade), Lucas (2nd grade), and Mateo, a preschooler eager to join Edgemont. A graduate of Brown University and NYU, she spent 15 years in academic publishing, most recently as a psychology textbook editor. She has been actively involved in the school community as a class parent, class parent coordinator, Edgemontessori Kids News team member, and volunteer at school events and programs. She loves Edgemont and the way people consistently show up for one another. What began as a simple desire to give back quickly grew into a deep appreciation for the school’s heart, strong sense of community, and the lasting connections it fosters.
Katie Place, Vice President of Membership & By-Laws
Katie grew up in West Milford, NJ, went to Ramapo College, moved to Hoboken for a short time and then moved to Montclair 19 years ago to live with her husband Bryan (because he had the nicer apartment). She has two boys, Jack (6th grade at Glenfield) and Finn (3rd grade) and has enjoyed being involved in the PTA since Jack was doing online kindergarten. Katie enjoys seeing live music (and dancing with my eyes closed so I can pretend no one sees me), being in charge (bonus if I have a walkie talkie), yoga (to calm myself down from thinking I’m the boss), and going to bed at a reasonable hour. I have made some of my best friends at Edgemont while we trauma bonded doing online kindergarten together, and I feel so lucky. Say hi so we can also be friends too (without the trauma).
Nicole Ealey, Vice President of Fundraising
Nicole is thrilled to join the amazing Edgemont PTA—such an inspiring group of parents! She’s mom to first grader Emerson, wife to Sean, and has called Montclair home for 10 years. When she’s not teaching high school math, you’ll find her walking her Irish Doodle, Finn, around town or enjoying time at the beach in Seaside Park!
Or Leviteh, Communications Secretary
Or and her husband, Dan, moved to Montclair from Brooklyn in 2021 with their son, Logan: a 1st grader. Her day job as a design strategist in tech/finance leaves her no time to do what she actually wants to do: art and DIY projects. Or is passionate about TV, animals, the environment, and finding the most efficient way to get stuff done. She’s excited to continue to support the amazing Edgemont community!
Jacquie Feinmal, Social Medica Chair
Ana Lopez & Cindhy Bannett, Spanish liaisons
Jen Walton & Greg Colussy, Swag and Design
Jen grew up in Rochester, NY then lived in the Washington, D.C. area for many years. After a brief move to Austin, TX with her husband, Derrick, and son, Archer, they made the move to Montclair in 2019. Archer is currently a 4th grader and Jen has been involved with the PTA since his Kindergarten year. Jen works part-time as a Physical Therapist and in her spare time loves to spend time with her friends and family, travel and explore our cool town. She feels so lucky to be a part of this amazing community and is looking forward to making this school year the best one yet for our kids and families!
Rachel Christovao, Recording Secretary
Tim Baker, Treasurer
Jude Byers, Class Parent Chair
Jude arrived in Montclair in 2017 and fell in love with the town and community. As a native Scot, she’s lived in various places across the world and feels at home as part of the Edgemont community. With two kiddos already in the school, and one working his way up, she’s got many years of the PTA ahead and is thrilled to serve as the Class Parent Chair this year.
Johannah Chase, Enrichment Chair
Johannah Chase-Coates grew up in rural Illinois before transplanting to NYC where she lived for 20 years before moving to Montclair in 2022. She is mom to Jasper (2nd grade) and Cassian (MCPK) and wife to Tim. She’s been a math teacher and policy advisor, and now runs her own consulting practice. She loves gardening, yoga, popcorn, reading good novels, watching fluffy TV shows, and being part of this vibrant community! Come say hi and have fun w the amazing enrichment committee this year.
Liz Jarit, Teacher Appreciation Chair
Edgemont Green: Erin Johnson, Cindhy Bannet, Shannon Thomas, & Cassandre Cheung