Team of Consultants
Lead Consultant and Founder
Jerry Brodsky
Jerry is lead consultant and founder of American Educational Consultants, as well as a recently retired attorney-at-law licensed to practice in Ohio. Having spent 35 years in the public schools and retiring from the superintendency of a highly rated school district, he currently provides consultative services to: individual parents regarding student-school issues; school districts looking to improve instruction, save taxpayer dollars, improve special education services, or communicate more effectively with families and community; state departments of education seeking to upgrade instruction using digital content instead of textbooks; schools outside of the United States seeking to identify strengths and opportunities to improve based on quality international standards; and consultative services to Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc., and private sector organizations needing educational expertise on a consultative basis. He is also the Board Chair for the International Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, a non-profit entity working to support quality, internationally recognized educational standards around the world, most recently in China.
Edward Bernetich
Ed currently teaches at Cleveland State University and works for the Ohio Department of Education, providing consultation to help the most struggling schools in Northern Ohio, having been a teacher, curriculum director and administrator in highly respected public schools in Ohio. He has done extensive work with Blue Ribbon Schools both as a principal of a twice-awarded school, as a member of the U.S. Dept. of Ed. National Review Panel, and as a site visitor and evaluator for both the government's program and the current independent Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School program. In addition his school was named a National School of Distinction for Technology Excellence during his tenure as principal. Ed most recently has been asked to lead the school assessment team for the International Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence.
Dr. Gary Burgess
Gary has an impressive history as a turnaround specialist in suburban, middle class schools, rural schools, schools with rural-mill-village backgrounds and urban schools. He holds a doctorate degree from the University of South Carolina and is a retired superintendent, adjunct professor, workshop facilitator, author, elected official and motivational speaker. Gary served on the Transition Assessment Team for South Carolina's current State Superintendent of Education, the Honorable Mick Zais. He is the principle researcher for The Burgess Research Action Group, LLC, and serves on the Board of Directors for Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc. Among other honors and appointments, Gary has been the Secondary Principal of the Year for the State of South Carolina and was named a Milken National Educator. He is highlighted in the HOPE (Harnessing Optimism and Potential through Education) Foundation video series entitled, Failure is not an Option. Gary was recognized by his alma mater, Wofford College, as the school's Distinguished Young Alumnus, the first African-American to receive the award. He brings a wealth and diverse set of experiences to our consulting team.
Robin Cornelison
Robin has over 15 years experience teaching and coaching, with a strong commitment to children's growth and development and their unique educational needs. She teaches children from K through 12 and has held a variety of leadership roles. Robin is a former President of the Springfield (NJ) Board of Education for which she has been a long-term Board Member. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communications from Northeastern University with a double minor in film and theatre. Robin also holds a Master's degree in Education from Mercy College in New York City.
David Glass
David has 18 years of experience teaching World and United States History in grades 9-12 with extensive training in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, and Teaching Tolerance. David teaches courses sponsored by the New Jersey Holocaust Commission and High School level social Social Studies in Parsippany, NJ where he has also developed and tailored curriculum. David was certified as a Master Training Specialist in the United States Navy, he holds a B.A. in History from Montclair State University and an M.B.A in Nonprofit Management from Touro University Worldwide.
Nachum Katz
Nachum has over 35 years human capital management experience in the fields of military, education and non-profit organizations in Israel and the United States. He is a retired Colonel from the Israeli military and has served as Director General of the Hadassah Neurim Youth Village (a residential/educational facility for at-risk children) and as Principal of the Comprehensive High School of Arts and Sciences. Nachum has an MA in Criminology, BA in Criminology and Political Science with teacher licensure, and is fluent in six languages: English, Hebrew, French, Spanish, Romanian and Hungarian. He currently serves as CEO for Budo for Peace and coaches executives in Israel and around the world.
Keith Kelly
Keith is currently a Superintendent in a high-achieving suburban school district. He has extensive experience with Special Education and spent 12 years working with students with severe emotional and behavioral needs. Keith holds two masters degrees, one in Behavior Disorders and one in Educational Administration. He earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Loyola University in Chicago. Keith is a graduate of the Harvard Educational Leadership training program and has participated in the Harvard International Think Tank on Education.
Bonnie Lafazan
Bonnie is an information and communications professional, librarian and instructor. Currently, she is a Faculty Instructional Librarian and Library Director at Berkeley College's Woodbridge, NJ campus where she is responsible for the overall operation campus library, including overseeing the budget, student services, collection development, information literacy instruction and outreach/programming. Before Bonnie worked as a librarian, she was a lawyer with a ten-year career as a contracts and licensing attorney at several entertainment companies in NYC. She also was a curriculum developer and an Adjunct Professor of Communications Law and Internet Law where she taught and developed online courses at New York University and University of Maryland. Bonnie is a published author and presents at library conferences locally and nationally, focusing on creative library programming, digital literacy and community engagement. She is an outgoing convener of the ACRL Library Marketing and Outreach Interest Group, a member of the Rutgers School of Communications and Information Advisory Board, a member of the NJLA School Libraries Taskforce, and currently serves as President of the ACRL-NJ/NJLA College and University Section.
James Lynch
Jim has been an educator for many years and has administrative experience at all levels from Pre-school through 12th grade and is currently a Superintendent of Schools in New Jersey in addition to previously serving as an Organizational Development Specialist for the Federal Aviation Administration. He holds a doctorate from Rutgers University, a Leadership and Management Certificate from the Wharton School and is trained in Six Sigma and the Principles of the Malcom Baldrige National Quality Award. He has taught on the graduate level in both the school of business and education at a variety of universities and has presented on numerous occasions at the State and National level to various organizations. He is the author or co-author of articles on leadership and has co-authored a book on leadership with Dr. Jack Ramsay. Jim’s areas of expertise include servant leadership, strategic planning, succession planning/leadership transitions, negotiations, labor relations, organizational culture, stress management and school safety. He is comfortable designing and delivering programs, keynote addresses and organizational interventions to small and large groups both in the public and private sector. Jim has most recently assisted The Gates Scholarship and the Wells Fargo Academic Leaders Fellowship as a reader and interviewer.
Jacqueline McKenney
Jacqueline "Jackie" McKenney works in New Hampshire as a Special Education Teacher and Case Manager at the high school level. Her past experience includes working in a self-contained Special Education classroom with students who have have a multitude of cognitive, physical and social challenges. In this position, she helped develop a life skill curriculum and realistic post-high school life plans. Currently, Jackie works in a large, public high school serving a wide-range of students as they navigate their way through high school and prepare for college or post-high school employment. She is well versed in competency-based education, especially as it applies to students with special needs. Known as a special education advocate, Jackie has extensive experience with both Special Olympics and Unified sports. She has her Masters degree in Leadership and Administration as well as a General Special Education Certification and is certified in the Orton Gillingham Reading program.
Valerie McKenney
Valerie is superintendent of a consolidated school district in New Hampshire. She has worked in public education for the past 34 years. An advocate for all students, she holds certifications in Special Education, Emotional Handicaps, Elementary Education, Principal and Superintendent. Valerie also served on the Dover (NH) School Board from 2001-2004. She holds a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies degree from the University of New England and specializes in strategic planning, competency education, supervision/evaluation, professional development and coaching professional educators.
Scott Ober
Scott, a retired elementary principal, had the unique opportunity to lead Ober Elementary School in Clark County (NV), a school in Las Vegas public school named in honor of his parents and recognized as a high quality school. He was awarded the Excellence in Education Award from the U.S. Dept. of Ed. at the same time his school was awarded National Blue Ribbon status. Scott authored and published a book, "Four Walls with Tomorrow Inside," to honor teachers while reminding administrators how to empower teachers without overpowering them. Besides his wide array of staff development work, he has supported digital textbook efforts and special education staff development in Nevada representing both schools and parents of special students.
Dr. Susan Rakow
Susan is a Clinical Associate Professor Emerita at Cleveland State University in the Department of Curriculum and Foundations. For ten years, she directed the Graduate Program in Gifted Education and taught courses in middle and secondary education. Prior to her work at CSU, Susan spent over 35 years as a middle and high school teacher of English, gifted students, and Title I reading as well as gifted program coordinator, lead mentor for entry year teachers, and union president. Currently, Susan works as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor specializing in work with gifted children, adolescents, adults and their families. Susan also provides parent education on underachievement and the social-emotional needs of gifted children and adolescents.
Joanne Riker
Joanne currently works as a Special Education teacher at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton, New Hampshire. She holds her New Hampshire licensure in elementary education, special education, and has also earned a Principal certification through her Master’s of Education in Administration and Leadership. Joanne was named as a NH Union Leader top 40 under 40 for the class of 2014, which honors those who are considered among the state’s top political and community leaders. She prides herself on teaching the whole student, taking into account the varying social-emotional factors that impact students on a daily basis. Joanne is well equipped with technology tools and skills that help foster learning achievement for all students. Athletics has played a large role throughout Joanne’s life and she has coached a variety of high school sports, including basketball, softball, tennis, and Unified Sports programs that pair up students with and without intellectual disabilities as teammates.
Dr. Stephanie Sasso
Stephanie Sasso received her PsyD from the Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, and completed a two-year post-doctoral sex-therapy certification with a focus on sex and gender diversity, through the
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. Prior to her work as a psychologist, Dr. Sasso was a high school English teacher in Fair Lawn, NJ. She subsequently founded RISE Psychological Services, her private practice, in central New Jersey. Dr. Sasso specializes in treating transgender patients across the lifespan as well as relationship and sexual concerns and LGBTQ issues. She engages in advocacy, training, writing, and speaking engagements around culturally competent care and services for the gender expansive and general LGBTQ+ population. Dr. Sasso provides school trainings and consulting services as well as clinical training,
consultation, and supervision in mental health and medical settings. She is co-author of a forthcoming chapter about parental adjustment to gender transition.
Nessa Siegel
Nessa has vast experience in special education as a teacher and lawyer-advocate for students with disabilities. She has represented over 1,500 clients during her career and currently is working with American Educational Consultants to help schools around the country improve special education programming and processes. Nessa has been awarded honors and recognitions for her work and has spoken to large and small audiences about how schools and parents can work together in the best interests of students with disabilities.
Dr. Harold Tarriff
Harold has an extensive background as a Special Education Administrator, in both public and
private schools in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Minnesota spanning 45 years. He holds a
doctorate in Special Education from Rutgers University and is a retired Director of Special
Services, having also worked as an Elementary School Principal. Harold currently works as an
adjunct professor for The College of New Jersey, a Due Process Hearing Panel Member in
Delaware, and professional development speaker. He is known to bring a pragmatic approach,
along with his vast experience, to a problem-solving mindset.
Dr. Scott Taylor
Scott has been an educator for over 25 years and has led schools at all levels of public education. He is currently a Superintendent and Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University and Montclair University. His blog (http://successfulschools.blogspot.com) was recognized in 2005 by Edudemic as an "Education Administrator Blog you Should Start Following Right Now." Dr. Taylor received his doctorate from Columbia University. Scott was co-creator and is currently on the faculty of the Academy for Social-Emotional Learning in Schools. He has developed and implemented comprehensive social-emotional learning (SEL) programs in each of the districts he has led and has provided professional development and consult in this area for schools and colleges/universities throughout New Jersey. In addition to being recognized as a leader in the area of SEL, Scott has extensive experience crafting, implementing, and reinforcing nationally recognized gender-expansive support policies to protect students’ rights.
Chief Executive Manager
Faith Brodsky Racusin
Faith is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with experience at all levels of the K-12 system. She also has served as Vice President of Zenacon, LLC which created MyGallons and FunLoom. Faith's love for working in education along with her business skills provide her with the ability to manage the day-to-day operations and understand the nature of educational consulting. She became CEM of American Educational Consultants in 2016.
Jerry Brodsky
Jerry is lead consultant and founder of American Educational Consultants, as well as a recently retired attorney-at-law licensed to practice in Ohio. Having spent 35 years in the public schools and retiring from the superintendency of a highly rated school district, he currently provides consultative services to: individual parents regarding student-school issues; school districts looking to improve instruction, save taxpayer dollars, improve special education services, or communicate more effectively with families and community; state departments of education seeking to upgrade instruction using digital content instead of textbooks; schools outside of the United States seeking to identify strengths and opportunities to improve based on quality international standards; and consultative services to Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc., and private sector organizations needing educational expertise on a consultative basis. He is also the Board Chair for the International Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, a non-profit entity working to support quality, internationally recognized educational standards around the world, most recently in China.
Edward Bernetich
Ed currently teaches at Cleveland State University and works for the Ohio Department of Education, providing consultation to help the most struggling schools in Northern Ohio, having been a teacher, curriculum director and administrator in highly respected public schools in Ohio. He has done extensive work with Blue Ribbon Schools both as a principal of a twice-awarded school, as a member of the U.S. Dept. of Ed. National Review Panel, and as a site visitor and evaluator for both the government's program and the current independent Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School program. In addition his school was named a National School of Distinction for Technology Excellence during his tenure as principal. Ed most recently has been asked to lead the school assessment team for the International Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence.
Dr. Gary Burgess
Gary has an impressive history as a turnaround specialist in suburban, middle class schools, rural schools, schools with rural-mill-village backgrounds and urban schools. He holds a doctorate degree from the University of South Carolina and is a retired superintendent, adjunct professor, workshop facilitator, author, elected official and motivational speaker. Gary served on the Transition Assessment Team for South Carolina's current State Superintendent of Education, the Honorable Mick Zais. He is the principle researcher for The Burgess Research Action Group, LLC, and serves on the Board of Directors for Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc. Among other honors and appointments, Gary has been the Secondary Principal of the Year for the State of South Carolina and was named a Milken National Educator. He is highlighted in the HOPE (Harnessing Optimism and Potential through Education) Foundation video series entitled, Failure is not an Option. Gary was recognized by his alma mater, Wofford College, as the school's Distinguished Young Alumnus, the first African-American to receive the award. He brings a wealth and diverse set of experiences to our consulting team.
Robin Cornelison
Robin has over 15 years experience teaching and coaching, with a strong commitment to children's growth and development and their unique educational needs. She teaches children from K through 12 and has held a variety of leadership roles. Robin is a former President of the Springfield (NJ) Board of Education for which she has been a long-term Board Member. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communications from Northeastern University with a double minor in film and theatre. Robin also holds a Master's degree in Education from Mercy College in New York City.
David Glass
David has 18 years of experience teaching World and United States History in grades 9-12 with extensive training in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, and Teaching Tolerance. David teaches courses sponsored by the New Jersey Holocaust Commission and High School level social Social Studies in Parsippany, NJ where he has also developed and tailored curriculum. David was certified as a Master Training Specialist in the United States Navy, he holds a B.A. in History from Montclair State University and an M.B.A in Nonprofit Management from Touro University Worldwide.
Nachum Katz
Nachum has over 35 years human capital management experience in the fields of military, education and non-profit organizations in Israel and the United States. He is a retired Colonel from the Israeli military and has served as Director General of the Hadassah Neurim Youth Village (a residential/educational facility for at-risk children) and as Principal of the Comprehensive High School of Arts and Sciences. Nachum has an MA in Criminology, BA in Criminology and Political Science with teacher licensure, and is fluent in six languages: English, Hebrew, French, Spanish, Romanian and Hungarian. He currently serves as CEO for Budo for Peace and coaches executives in Israel and around the world.
Keith Kelly
Keith is currently a Superintendent in a high-achieving suburban school district. He has extensive experience with Special Education and spent 12 years working with students with severe emotional and behavioral needs. Keith holds two masters degrees, one in Behavior Disorders and one in Educational Administration. He earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Loyola University in Chicago. Keith is a graduate of the Harvard Educational Leadership training program and has participated in the Harvard International Think Tank on Education.
Bonnie Lafazan
Bonnie is an information and communications professional, librarian and instructor. Currently, she is a Faculty Instructional Librarian and Library Director at Berkeley College's Woodbridge, NJ campus where she is responsible for the overall operation campus library, including overseeing the budget, student services, collection development, information literacy instruction and outreach/programming. Before Bonnie worked as a librarian, she was a lawyer with a ten-year career as a contracts and licensing attorney at several entertainment companies in NYC. She also was a curriculum developer and an Adjunct Professor of Communications Law and Internet Law where she taught and developed online courses at New York University and University of Maryland. Bonnie is a published author and presents at library conferences locally and nationally, focusing on creative library programming, digital literacy and community engagement. She is an outgoing convener of the ACRL Library Marketing and Outreach Interest Group, a member of the Rutgers School of Communications and Information Advisory Board, a member of the NJLA School Libraries Taskforce, and currently serves as President of the ACRL-NJ/NJLA College and University Section.
James Lynch
Jim has been an educator for many years and has administrative experience at all levels from Pre-school through 12th grade and is currently a Superintendent of Schools in New Jersey in addition to previously serving as an Organizational Development Specialist for the Federal Aviation Administration. He holds a doctorate from Rutgers University, a Leadership and Management Certificate from the Wharton School and is trained in Six Sigma and the Principles of the Malcom Baldrige National Quality Award. He has taught on the graduate level in both the school of business and education at a variety of universities and has presented on numerous occasions at the State and National level to various organizations. He is the author or co-author of articles on leadership and has co-authored a book on leadership with Dr. Jack Ramsay. Jim’s areas of expertise include servant leadership, strategic planning, succession planning/leadership transitions, negotiations, labor relations, organizational culture, stress management and school safety. He is comfortable designing and delivering programs, keynote addresses and organizational interventions to small and large groups both in the public and private sector. Jim has most recently assisted The Gates Scholarship and the Wells Fargo Academic Leaders Fellowship as a reader and interviewer.
Jacqueline McKenney
Jacqueline "Jackie" McKenney works in New Hampshire as a Special Education Teacher and Case Manager at the high school level. Her past experience includes working in a self-contained Special Education classroom with students who have have a multitude of cognitive, physical and social challenges. In this position, she helped develop a life skill curriculum and realistic post-high school life plans. Currently, Jackie works in a large, public high school serving a wide-range of students as they navigate their way through high school and prepare for college or post-high school employment. She is well versed in competency-based education, especially as it applies to students with special needs. Known as a special education advocate, Jackie has extensive experience with both Special Olympics and Unified sports. She has her Masters degree in Leadership and Administration as well as a General Special Education Certification and is certified in the Orton Gillingham Reading program.
Valerie McKenney
Valerie is superintendent of a consolidated school district in New Hampshire. She has worked in public education for the past 34 years. An advocate for all students, she holds certifications in Special Education, Emotional Handicaps, Elementary Education, Principal and Superintendent. Valerie also served on the Dover (NH) School Board from 2001-2004. She holds a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies degree from the University of New England and specializes in strategic planning, competency education, supervision/evaluation, professional development and coaching professional educators.
Scott Ober
Scott, a retired elementary principal, had the unique opportunity to lead Ober Elementary School in Clark County (NV), a school in Las Vegas public school named in honor of his parents and recognized as a high quality school. He was awarded the Excellence in Education Award from the U.S. Dept. of Ed. at the same time his school was awarded National Blue Ribbon status. Scott authored and published a book, "Four Walls with Tomorrow Inside," to honor teachers while reminding administrators how to empower teachers without overpowering them. Besides his wide array of staff development work, he has supported digital textbook efforts and special education staff development in Nevada representing both schools and parents of special students.
Dr. Susan Rakow
Susan is a Clinical Associate Professor Emerita at Cleveland State University in the Department of Curriculum and Foundations. For ten years, she directed the Graduate Program in Gifted Education and taught courses in middle and secondary education. Prior to her work at CSU, Susan spent over 35 years as a middle and high school teacher of English, gifted students, and Title I reading as well as gifted program coordinator, lead mentor for entry year teachers, and union president. Currently, Susan works as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor specializing in work with gifted children, adolescents, adults and their families. Susan also provides parent education on underachievement and the social-emotional needs of gifted children and adolescents.
Joanne Riker
Joanne currently works as a Special Education teacher at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton, New Hampshire. She holds her New Hampshire licensure in elementary education, special education, and has also earned a Principal certification through her Master’s of Education in Administration and Leadership. Joanne was named as a NH Union Leader top 40 under 40 for the class of 2014, which honors those who are considered among the state’s top political and community leaders. She prides herself on teaching the whole student, taking into account the varying social-emotional factors that impact students on a daily basis. Joanne is well equipped with technology tools and skills that help foster learning achievement for all students. Athletics has played a large role throughout Joanne’s life and she has coached a variety of high school sports, including basketball, softball, tennis, and Unified Sports programs that pair up students with and without intellectual disabilities as teammates.
Dr. Stephanie Sasso
Stephanie Sasso received her PsyD from the Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, and completed a two-year post-doctoral sex-therapy certification with a focus on sex and gender diversity, through the
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. Prior to her work as a psychologist, Dr. Sasso was a high school English teacher in Fair Lawn, NJ. She subsequently founded RISE Psychological Services, her private practice, in central New Jersey. Dr. Sasso specializes in treating transgender patients across the lifespan as well as relationship and sexual concerns and LGBTQ issues. She engages in advocacy, training, writing, and speaking engagements around culturally competent care and services for the gender expansive and general LGBTQ+ population. Dr. Sasso provides school trainings and consulting services as well as clinical training,
consultation, and supervision in mental health and medical settings. She is co-author of a forthcoming chapter about parental adjustment to gender transition.
Nessa Siegel
Nessa has vast experience in special education as a teacher and lawyer-advocate for students with disabilities. She has represented over 1,500 clients during her career and currently is working with American Educational Consultants to help schools around the country improve special education programming and processes. Nessa has been awarded honors and recognitions for her work and has spoken to large and small audiences about how schools and parents can work together in the best interests of students with disabilities.
Dr. Harold Tarriff
Harold has an extensive background as a Special Education Administrator, in both public and
private schools in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Minnesota spanning 45 years. He holds a
doctorate in Special Education from Rutgers University and is a retired Director of Special
Services, having also worked as an Elementary School Principal. Harold currently works as an
adjunct professor for The College of New Jersey, a Due Process Hearing Panel Member in
Delaware, and professional development speaker. He is known to bring a pragmatic approach,
along with his vast experience, to a problem-solving mindset.
Dr. Scott Taylor
Scott has been an educator for over 25 years and has led schools at all levels of public education. He is currently a Superintendent and Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University and Montclair University. His blog (http://successfulschools.blogspot.com) was recognized in 2005 by Edudemic as an "Education Administrator Blog you Should Start Following Right Now." Dr. Taylor received his doctorate from Columbia University. Scott was co-creator and is currently on the faculty of the Academy for Social-Emotional Learning in Schools. He has developed and implemented comprehensive social-emotional learning (SEL) programs in each of the districts he has led and has provided professional development and consult in this area for schools and colleges/universities throughout New Jersey. In addition to being recognized as a leader in the area of SEL, Scott has extensive experience crafting, implementing, and reinforcing nationally recognized gender-expansive support policies to protect students’ rights.
Chief Executive Manager
Faith Brodsky Racusin
Faith is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with experience at all levels of the K-12 system. She also has served as Vice President of Zenacon, LLC which created MyGallons and FunLoom. Faith's love for working in education along with her business skills provide her with the ability to manage the day-to-day operations and understand the nature of educational consulting. She became CEM of American Educational Consultants in 2016.