Leadership

Rebecca Oelkers serves as the VP of Operations of the Sage Day Schools and New Alliance Academy. She holds a master’s in Social Work from New York University and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Pine Manor College. Before joining Sage Day Schools and New Alliance Academy, she was the Program Director for an inpatient Children’s Crisis Intervention Services unit serving children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral health challenges and worked closely with the New Jersey Department of Child Behavioral Health Services.

During her tenure, Rebecca facilitated training as a Crisis Prevention Institute certified instructor and was designated as the performance improvement coordinator within the hospital’s behavioral health division focusing on program design and delivery. She participated in the development of outcome assessment parameters and clinical performance monitors, to improve individual and organizational effectiveness. Her determination and commitment to providing quality programs are one of her core values.

Rebecca has provided psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and adults and has served as a community relations coordinator in the behavioral health division for a private hospital. These experiences provided her a greater appreciation for the challenges children and families face when programs do not fit their needs.

With 25 years of experience serving as a clinician and administrator, Rebecca is dedicated to one simple vision; to offer a unique educational environment that is therapeutic, supportive, and nurturing for all students to reach their full academic potential and whose current needs cannot be met in the public-school setting.

Rebecca Oelkers MSW, LCSW

VP of Operations

Corie Stone holds a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Ithaca College and a master’s degree in English from Southern Connecticut State University. After teaching for eight years, Corie developed a passion for working with teachers as well as students, so she decided to pursue a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University. Corie has also completed the necessary coursework to earn her certification as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities from New Jersey City University.

Following her passion for learning and reading, Corie began her career in education as a high school English teacher in Westbrook, Connecticut. After relocating to New Jersey, Corie felt incredibly fortunate to have found and become a part of Sage Day Schools. At Sage Day, Corie sought opportunities to broaden her impact on the educational community through mentoring new teachers and serving as the English Department Head. In 2013, Corie took on the role as the Instructional Supervisor before transitioning to her current role as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction in 2016. In addition to overseeing the development, review, and implementation of curriculum, she also provides professional development support to staff.

Throughout her time at Sage Day, Corie has focused her work on providing students with instruction and experiences that are meaningful, relevant and personalized to the needs of the students. Corie believes strongly in creating an educational environment where students feel empowered, challenged and supported.

Corie Stone, MAT, M.Ed.

Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Michèle McGovern joined Sage Alliance as the Director of Outreach and Engagement in March 2023. After earning her bachelor’s degree in American Literature at Castleton State College, she took a part-time, temporary position as the NJ admissions representative for Paul Smiths College. Little did she know that this role would spark her life’s passion for working in education. This led to a full-time position as Senior Counselor and Transfer Coordinator at Pace University in New York City where she counseled students just starting their college search, and those looking to transfer from another institution or the workforce.

Michèle’s love for working with students grew, and she was hired by KPMG as their National Recruiting and Project Specialist in the University Relations department. She enjoyed travelling around the United States coordinating national meetings and workshops, college recruitment fairs, facilitating pre-training sessions, and organizing new hire orientation. In 2003, Michèle received her K-12 Teacher of English certification and began teaching at Academy of the Holy Angels. Over the next few years, she would also serve as advisor to the Student Council and the senior prom committee. In 2010, Michèle’s career came full circle when she became AHA’s Director of Admissions for 15 years.

At Sage Alliance, Michèle is eager to provide support and outreach to school districts and community organizations who provide invaluable services to students and families. She is excited to be part of a dynamic team helping students achieve their academic, social, and personal goals. In her spare time, Michèle loves reading, walking, being a “band and chorus mom” and taking weekend day trips with her husband and labradoodle.

Michèle McGovern, BA

Director of Outreach and Engagement

Elizabeth Sardinsky received her B.A. from Rutgers University with a double major in Psychology and American Studies.  She began her career as a Project Manager, and stayed in that role for eight years.  Elizabeth always felt a pull for a more meaningful path, and that is when she decided to earn her Master’s degree in Counseling with a concentration in School Counseling from Montclair State University.

After Internship and Practicum placements in an NJ Option II high school, Elizabeth was able to land her final internship placement with Sage Alliance in Rochelle Park.  After spending 4 months in this placement,  Elizabeth felt she deeply understood the demographic and wanted to continue working with the students in Sage Schools.  Fortunately enough, a position opened up and she was hired on as the College & Career Counselor and Transitions Coordinator for all of the schools under the Sage Alliance umbrella.

In this role Elizabeth is able to work with all students on exploring their passions and help them align those interests with possible career paths.  She does this through individual meetings with students, class presentations, guest speakers, and class trips to higher education institutions.  Elizabeth also works closely with students, parents, districts, and all stakeholders in order to assure a smooth transition from high school to whatever path comes next.  Sage’s warm and welcoming environment is carried throughout all of the schools and allows seamless collaboration between Elizabeth and all admin, teachers, and therapists.

Elizabeth Sardinsky, MA

College and Career Counselor

Robert Friedland has been the Principal at Sage Day in Rochelle Park since 2013. He began his educational career at the University of Connecticut, where he earned a bachelor's degree in economics. After earning his master's degree in secondary education with a concentration in mathematics, Robert began teaching math at the English High School in Boston, Massachusetts in 2001. In 2003, he began teaching math at Sage Day, teaching all levels from algebra to calculus. During his ten years in the teacher role, Robert also provided instruction in various electives, including culinary arts, band and physical education.

After completing his master's degree in educational leadership at Montclair State University, Robert served as an Instructional Supervisor at Sage Day. In this capacity, he coached new and veteran staff, in addition to coordinating master scheduling. In 2013, he began his tenure as Principal, supervising an educational staff and co-supervising a clinical staff.

With more than 20 years in the therapeutic education setting, Robert has amassed a wealth of experience and countless strategies to help support students with varying needs. He has been a dedicated advocate for services for students in need. His passion is found in providing students with the necessary soft skills and tools in order to best succeed beyond high school.

Robert Friedland, M. Ed.

Principal

Audrey Stone serves as the Clinical Director of Sage Day Rochelle Park. She received her master’s degree in social work from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Connecticut College. Audrey is a New Jersey Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience in providing Individual, group and family therapies to both adolescents and adults.

Prior to joining Sage Day, Audrey worked at a regional medical center where she was the Assistant Program Director on the Children's Crisis Intervention Services and later developed and directed the Adolescent Afterschool Intensive Outpatient Program. Working in a hospital setting with children and families in acute emotional and psychological distress has given her the skills and experience to treat a wide scope of diagnoses and to value the critical impact of a team approach to treatment of mental illness.

During her more than 30 years’ experience working as both a clinician and supervisor, Audrey has nurtured her commitment to growth and change through connection. She believes that Sage Day’s strength lies both in its educational rigor and its collaborative community, where the power of the relationships leads to social, emotional and academic growth.

Audrey Stone, MSW, LCSW

Clinical Director

John Immerman has served as the principal of Sage Day Lower and Middle School since 2011. John has a track record for establishing meaningful benchmarks with respect to high academic achievement and the belief that all learners can be successful.

During his tenure at Sage Day, John has crafted programs that empower student learning through meaningful strategies that address the whole child and strives to incorporate positive discipline and strong social emotional values into the Sage Day School community. John has an undergraduate degree from The George Washington University with a major in biology and psychology, a master's degree in human growth and development from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a professional development certificate in educational leadership from Montclair State University.

John is a student-centered administrator with extensive experience working with middle and high school students. John's career has spanned more then 40 years, serving as a teacher, school administrator and recreational consultant. John has devoted significant time, both personally and professionally, working with students who have special needs.

John and his wife Kathie live in Chatham, New Jersey, and have one son Michael, who resides in Gladstone, Missouri.

John Immerman, MA

Principal

Esther Gross is the Clinical Director for Sage Alliance Lower and Middle School. She has an MSed in Rehabilitation Counseling and a Masters of Social Work. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Esther has a certification and experience in clinical supervision. Prior to this position, Esther was the Clinical Supervisor for Sage Alliance Mahwah therapists. She also holds a certificate in Learning Disabilities and Behavioral Interventions. 

Esther has extensive experience both in a clinical and administrative setting. She started her career providing treatment to those with severe and persistent mental illness. She then worked as the DIrector of Mentoring for a teens at risk program. Esther has a private practice that welcomes both children and adults. She has expertise with couples, providing both premarital and marital counseling.

Esther firmly believes in a collaborative approach joining students, parents, teachers, and therapists.

Esther Gross, LSCW

Clinical Director

Dr. David Leigh is the Principal at New Alliance Academy in Paramus, New Jersey. Dr. Leigh holds a B.A. in psychology from S.U.N.Y at Stony Brook, a master’s degree in Educational Psychology and Certification as a School Psychologist from Montclair State University, and doctorate from the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology of Rutgers’s University. Dr. Leigh earned his principal’s certificate from the Foundation for Education Administration.

With 30 years of experience as a principal, director of special services, and school psychologist, Dr. Leigh has a wide range of experience in working with students who have experienced social, emotional and behavioral challenges that have substantially impacted learning. Prior to joining the New Alliance team, Dr. Leigh focused on developing tiered interventions and programs that would support students so that they were better able to access educational opportunities and maximize potential for learning. Since joining New Alliance Academy, Dr. Leigh has enjoyed working with staff to foster an environment that meets students where they are emotionally and academically challenged and allows them to reconnect to a belief in themselves as having potential to be productive, capable and contributing members of their school and home communities.

In addition to working as an educator, Dr. Leigh has worked for the past two decades as a child and adolescent psychologist offering a cognitive-behavioral approach to mental health issues. Dr. Leigh works closely with parents to understand the nature of the condition that is impacting the functional behavior of the client, while establishing targeted goals that require specific, practical interventions.

David Leigh, Psy. D.

Principal

Dr. Amanda Wagner serves as Clinical Director of New Alliance Academy. Dr. Wagner earned her doctorate in counseling psychology from Saint Elizabeth University, where she wrote her dissertation on the importance of collaborative home-school partnerships to increase the likelihood that all students are provided what they need to succeed. Dr. Wagner understands the importance of a positive school culture and climate and works to promote that within the New Alliance Academy community.

Dr. Wagner is a New Jersey Licensed Professional Counselor and certified school counselor with a master’s degree in counseling psychology that she earned from the College of Saint Elizabeth. Dr. Wagner completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in theater arts from Ramapo College.

Dr. Wagner has extensive clinical experience and has worked with children, adolescents and their families in numerous settings and at varying levels of care. Dr. Wagner is in private practice and uses an integrative ecological approach to psychotherapy. She hopes one day to expand her practice to include equine/assisted therapies and other non-traditional treatment modalities.

Amanda Wagner, Psy. D., LPC

Clinical Director

Viki Wilson serves as the Principal at Sage Day Boonton. Before coming to Sage Day, Viki had an extensive amount of experience in the public educational forum for 28 years. Viki’s experience includes working as Director of Special Services for three public school districts, Lakeland Regional High School, Waldwick Public Schools, and the Sussex Wantage Regional School District. Additionally, she has worked as a School Psychologist and Child Study Team Case Manager. Viki has led many educational workshops on brain based instruction, adolescent social emotional well being and crisis prevention intervention strategies in the classroom. 

Throughout her career, Viki has amassed three New Jersey educational certificates and has participated in undergraduate and graduate programs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lock Haven University and a master’s degree in Educational Psychology and Educational Leadership from Montclair State University. Viki has also completed the BCBA course work sequence at Florida Institute of Technology. She strongly believes that is our responsibility as educators to – actively listen and truly be there in the present moment for our students.  

Viki Wilson, M. Ed.

Principal

Alison Hipscher serves as the Clinical Director of the Sage Day High School Boonton campus. Alison received her bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies from Pennsylvania State University and earned a master’s degree in social work from New York University. She is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of New Jersey.

Prior to working at the high school level, Alison was a Sage Day Clinical at the lower/middle school followed by becoming the Clinical Director at the lower/middle school located in Mahwah. Alison was the Director of Operations at an adolescent outpatient mental health facility and has a background working in child and adolescent residential treatment centers.

Alison believes strongly in the Sage Day School mission to provide a safe, small, therapeutic and challenging educational community that integrates social, emotional and academic growth through the collaboration of students, families and staff to empower and prepare students with the skills needed to realize their potential and achieve success.

“I believe life is a journey that one can take make many paths to achieve success “

Alison Hipscher, LCSW

Clinical Director