THE PREP TEAM

Jeff Morris, Owner and DirectorJeff Morris has 20+ years experience in education as both a teacher and coach. He has worked to shape a multitude of curriculums at the high school and middle school levels and founded THE PREP after three successful y… — Jeff Morris, Owner and Director
Jeff Morris has 20+ years experience in education as both a teacher and coach. He has worked to shape a multitude of curriculums at the high school and middle school levels and founded THE PREP after three successful years at PARISI PREP, where he was responsible for nearly 500% growth, educating nearly 50 students, placing many into the areas most prestigious private high schools. With a Masters in Teaching and Educational Leadership, and Certified as a principal/supervisor, Jeff specialized in mathematics at Fair Lawn High School and served as advisor to the National Honor Society. Jeff is a certified personal trainer, youth coach and former commissioner for Mahwah Youth Sports Boosters. A passionate reader, recreational endurance athlete and an avid supporter of several causes including The Alzheimer’s Foundation and FACES (Epilepsy), he currently lives in Mahwah, New Jersey with his wife and four children.

Heather Campanile, Dir. Nutrition/WellnessAs the Director of Nutrition and Wellness, Heather Campanile brings a diverse client list that includes adults, children and athletes of all ages. Heather’s nutrition practice is dedicated to helping clients reach their health and nutrition goals. Her vast experience with performance athletics has shaped numerous success stories at both amateur and professional levels. Heather teaches integrated nutrition to all PREP students and focuses on building sound lifestyle-based nutrition habits and maximizing performance through nutrition. Heather has been a practicing dietitian since 2005, after studying at Hunter College in NYC and completing a Master of Science degree in Nutrition Education and Food Science from Montclair State University where she is currently an Adjunct Nutrition Professor. Heather lives in Oakland, New Jersey with her husband and two children. — Heather Campanile, Dir. Nutrition/Wellness
As the Director of Nutrition and Wellness, Heather Campanile brings a diverse client list that includes adults, children and athletes of all ages. Heather’s nutrition practice is dedicated to helping clients reach their health and nutrition goals. Her vast experience with performance athletics has shaped numerous success stories at both amateur and professional levels. Heather teaches integrated nutrition to all PREP students and focuses on building sound lifestyle-based nutrition habits and maximizing performance through nutrition. Heather has been a practicing dietitian since 2005, after studying at Hunter College in NYC and completing a Master of Science degree in Nutrition Education and Food Science from Montclair State University where she is currently an Adjunct Nutrition Professor. Heather lives in Oakland, New Jersey with her husband and two children.

Mike Guadango, Dir. of Athletic PerformanceMike Guadagno is a former All-American collegiate baseball player and one of Northern, New Jersey’s most well-respected athletic trainers. With a network of mentors that include Buddy Morris (Arizona Cardinals head strength coach) and James Smith (a world class sport consultant), Mike’s program and outlook on the training process has influenced athletes from the NFL, MLB, NBA, MLL, MLS, WWE, Rugby League, Rugby Union as well as Olympic Gold medalists. Beyond his work at the middle and high school levels, Mike has consulted for high caliber athletes and coaches worldwide, working with NBA Champs, 10+ NFL Super bowl Champs, 10+ All-Pro/Pro-bowl selections, 5+ College National Champions, 10+ Division 1a All-Americans, 20+ Collegiate All-Americans & players from every Division 1 conference. For the past 10 years, Mike has been a Coach, writer and owner at Freak Strength in Oakland, New Jersey. — Mike Guadango, Dir. of Athletic Performance
Mike Guadagno is a former All-American collegiate baseball player and one of Northern, New Jersey’s most well-respected athletic trainers. With a network of mentors that include Buddy Morris (Arizona Cardinals head strength coach) and James Smith (a world class sport consultant), Mike’s program and outlook on the training process has influenced athletes from the NFL, MLB, NBA, MLL, MLS, WWE, Rugby League, Rugby Union as well as Olympic Gold medalists. Beyond his work at the middle and high school levels, Mike has consulted for high caliber athletes and coaches worldwide, working with NBA Champs, 10+ NFL Super bowl Champs, 10+ All-Pro/Pro-bowl selections, 5+ College National Champions, 10+ Division 1a All-Americans, 20+ Collegiate All-Americans & players from every Division 1 conference. For the past 10 years, Mike has been a Coach, writer and owner at Freak Strength in Oakland, New Jersey.

Guy Darienzo, Instructor Language Arts Guy Darienzo has over 35 years’ experience as an athlete, teacher and a coach. He was a three-year starter at wide receiver for the University of Delaware Division I football team, where he developed the work ethic, discipline, and experience to understand and play the game at a high level. After college, he began coaching and teaching using his high energy and dedicated focus to coach at Bergen Catholic High School, Ridgewood High School, and in his current position as Head Freshman football coach at DePaul Catholic High School. His enthusiasm for teaching and coaching, as well as his desire to fully develop the student athlete to become the best version of themselves has led him to The Prep. Integrated into that is his focus on mindset training and the importance of the mind body connection. An overwhelmingly positive mindset, coupled with an in-depth knowledge of the student athlete and the ability to climb inside their cranium and inspire, rounds out a skill set that The Prep is excited to bring on board. Guy will be teaching Language Arts and assisting as a co-teacher within the curriculum. — Guy Darienzo, Instructor Language Arts
Guy Darienzo has over 35 years’ experience as an athlete, teacher and a coach. He was a three-year starter at wide receiver for the University of Delaware Division I football team, where he developed the work ethic, discipline, and experience to understand and play the game at a high level. After college, he began coaching and teaching using his high energy and dedicated focus to coach at Bergen Catholic High School, Ridgewood High School, and in his current position as Head Freshman football coach at DePaul Catholic High School. His enthusiasm for teaching and coaching, as well as his desire to fully develop the student athlete to become the best version of themselves has led him to The Prep. Integrated into that is his focus on mindset training and the importance of the mind body connection. An overwhelmingly positive mindset, coupled with an in-depth knowledge of the student athlete and the ability to climb inside their cranium and inspire, rounds out a skill set that The Prep is excited to bring on board. Guy will be teaching Language Arts and assisting as a co-teacher within the curriculum.

Marie Gagliardi, Instructor Science

Marie was born and raised in New York, where she attended Pace University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology and Biology. After graduating, she moved to New Jersey and started working as a Microbiologist at Englewood Hospital and Bio-Reference Laboratories. As an active member of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, Marie worked in the lab for 8+ years before starting a family and leaving the workforce to raise her two daughters. After deciding to change careers to focus on teaching, Marie attended William Paterson University, and received her Teaching Certification in K-12 Education. She has 20 years of experience in the Public School System as a Science Instructor. Marie’s first teaching position was with Kennedy HS in Paterson from 2001-2007. During this time, she received her Master of Science in Educational Technology from Ramapo College. From 2007 until June 2021, Marie taught Forensic Science and Biology at Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne where she created a Forensic Science Curriculum as an elective course. During her time at PCTI, she served as a HOSA advisor for the Medical Arts Academy and assisted the Mock Trial Team advisor. The most rewarding experience in her teaching career has been watching how much her students enjoy applying the different science disciplines to Forensics.

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Neil Grimes, Instructor Language Arts

Neil holds a Bachelor's degree in History from King’s College, a Master's in Library Science from Clarion University, and a Master's of Education in Instructional Technology from Wilkes University. Prior to coming to the David and Lorraine Cheng Library, Neil spent 13 years working in public education for the Wilkes-Barre Area School District in northeastern Pennsylvania as a classroom teacher in the areas of STEM/Technology and Social Studies and as a School Library Media Specialist K-12. For 11 years, Neil also served as the adviser of the National Honor Society. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he worked for 11 years as a part-time Research & Scholarly Services Librarian at the University of Scranton. Neil joined the David and Lorraine Cheng Library at William Paterson University in October of 2019 and currently serves as the Education & Curriculum Materials Librarian, coordinating services and resources for the Curriculum Materials Center and working closely with faculty and students in the College of Education. He currently serves as the Library Liaison for Educational Leadership and Teacher Education: PreK-12. Overall, Neil has a true passion for information literacy, research, and libraries.

Sara Kearl, Operations ManagerSara is a 2005 graduate of Brigham Young University, with a Bachelors Degree in Finance. After working for Google Inc. in both California and London, she took some time to focus on raising her 3 young girls. As a captain of her three varsity sports in high school, she is a natural athlete and leader. At a young age she realized that fitness and movement would play a big role in her life. Sara is actively involved in Crossfit, Spartan races, cycling, trail running, and hiking. As a NASM certified personal trainer, she lives with a goal to lead by example while empowering people to approach wellness and fitness in a positive light. — Sara Kearl, Operations Manager
Sara is a 2005 graduate of Brigham Young University, with a Bachelors Degree in Finance. After working for Google Inc. in both California and London, she took some time to focus on raising her 3 young girls. As a captain of her three varsity sports in high school, she is a natural athlete and leader. At a young age she realized that fitness and movement would play a big role in her life. Sara is actively involved in Crossfit, Spartan races, cycling, trail running, and hiking.
As a NASM certified personal trainer, she lives with a goal to lead by example while empowering people to approach wellness and fitness in a positive light.

Joe Whittaker, Strength & Performance Coach

Having developed a passion for coaching speed and power in top flight Rugby back home in the UK - subsequent forays into competitive Olympic Weightlifting, Track Cycling and Bobsled cemented a strong desire to work in athletic development, in particular with younger athletes.

During a career coaching athletes of all levels, from Middle School to Professional, he’s been lucky to learn directly from an array of mentors, including legendary Chicago Bulls and 49ers Strength Coach Al Vermeil and Elite Track and Field Coaches Stu McMillan and Dan Pfaff at Altis.

Joe is certified by USA Weightlifting, USA Track and Field and the National Academy of Sports Medicine amongst others.

Maria Bellinger, Instructor of Sports Psychology & Leadership

Maria is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Global Sports Business from Rutgers University. Before attending Rutgers, she spent 4 years at the University of Delaware playing for the university’s volleyball team and was named to the CAA Conference All-Rookie Team as a freshman, was 3rd Team All-Conference in her sophomore season and 1st Team All-Conference as a junior and senior. Maria was a three time MVP for the volleyball program at Delaware and an Honorable Mention All-American in 2019.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in coaching science. Throughout her time at Delaware, she gained experience not only as an athlete, but also as a coach, football operations intern, and academic advising intern, working within many different sports-related fields.

A native of New Jersey, Maria attended Paramus High School and was selected the 2015-2016 NJ Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year.

Anthony Tucci, Strength & Performance Coach

Anthony is a personal trainer for Fountain Fitness. He has been training for 8 years and still enjoys every day of it. Anthony holds an Associates Degree in Exercise Science, an ISSA personal training certification, and is currently a student at Montclair State University working towards his Bachelors in Exercise Science.

Growing up, he played a lot of different sports, but football is the one he focused on. He loved the workouts, practice and intensity of it all. He works to translate that passion & intensity into his training as well.

Outside of training Anthony enjoys anything active or being outdoors; but once September comes he’s all in on the NFL season. Go Vikings!

Cliff West, Strength & Performance Coach

Cliff has been a personal trainer and nutrition coach since 2019. Holding a BS in Community Health with a minor in Nutrition, he loves strength training and wants to help others find the results and fulfillment he has gotten out of the gym.

Having a background as a high school athlete, he also wants to help other athletes realize the benefits of strength and conditioning for increased performance and injury reduction.