Daniel Cirone

Daniel Cirone

High School Principal, Boys' Freshman Basketball Coach

EC Start Date: 2022

Education: B.A. - English; Secondary Education, Rowan University
M.A. - Educational Leadership, Montclair State University

Dan grew up and attended public school in Fort Lee, NJ. He spent his educational career teaching High School English at Fort Lee High School for 13 years as well as serving as a football and track and field coach. He feels called and blessed to transition out of public school and into the role Principal at EC. He is joyfully married to his wife Erika and is the father of three girls: Harper, Reese, and Olive. Dan is passionate about apologetics and equipping others to think biblically. He and his family attend Cornerstone Christian Church where Dan serves as a member of the Worship Team.

Ben Carapezza

Director of Learning and WINGS Coordinator

EC Start Date: 2022

Education: B.S. - Education & English, Seton Hall University
MBA, Rutgers University
M.Ed. - Educational Leadership, American College of Education

Ben has spent the majority of his professional career in education, serving as a 6th and 8th grade math teacher. Outside of the classroom, Ben’s enjoyment for sports has put him on the sidelines as a soccer coach, while his enjoyment of the arts has had him behind the scenes running the sound crew for numerous plays and musicals. Ben holds a BA in English and in Education from Seton Hall University, an MBA from Rutgers University, and a Masters in Educational Leadership from American College of Education.

Ben is married to his amazing wife, Cayla. They have four children: Ella, Violet, Jude, and Lucy. Ben and his family are active members of Cornerstone Christian Church where Ben volunteers as a kid’s church teacher.

Ben is excited about his role at EC. He is incredibly passionate about all things education, and has an even greater enthusiasm for sharing God’s grace and love with others. Being able to work in an environment where these two passions intersect is incredible. He is really looking forward to the opportunity to walk alongside young people and help them navigate the ups and downs of life and, ultimately, grow and develop in who they are in Christ.

Rick DeBel

Chief Financial Officer

EC Start Date: 2021

Education: William Paterson College, Bachelors in Accounting

Rick and his wife Ellen have six children, five daughters and one son. Rick happily joined Eastern Christian as Chief Financial Officer after a long career in banking. He is a strong supporter of Private and Christian education having recently completed a three year term as Chair of the Board of Trustees of TriCounty Scholarship Fund and having previously served on the Netherlands Reformed Christian School Board for twelve years. Rick currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees at Christian Health in Wyckoff. He and Ellen and five of their children reside in Lincoln Park and attend Ebenezer Netherland Reformed Church in Franklin Lakes.

Dr. Daniel Lazor

Upper Elementary & Middle School Principal, Girls' MS Basketball Coach

EC Start Date: 2015

Education: B.S. - Cornell University
M.A.T. - Fordham University
M.Ed. - Clarks Summit University
Ph.D. - Columbia International University

Dan is married to his best friend Michelle Lazor. Together they have nine children: Isabelle, Danny, Manny, Nora, Karina, Lucy, Judah, and twins Addie and Andy. The Lazor family’s most meaningful experience was spending nine years serving with an International Christian School in Seoul, South Korea – an experience that has shaped Dan’s and his family’s outlook on many aspects of life and faith. Dan is originally from Scranton, PA, but to answer your question, no, he never worked at Dunder Mifflin. He is a huge sports fan, having played on athletic teams from the age of 5 through 19, and enjoys running now. His favorite teams are the ones his kids are playing on (and of course, EC!). The Lazors attend Emergence Church.

Justin Van DykeEC Graduate 2007

Director of Marketing & Data/Strategy Analyst

EC Start Date: 2004

Education: B.A. - Communications, William Paterson University

Justin started at Eastern Christian school as a preschool student and has not left. After graduating high school, he joined the EC staff and attended William Paterson University. He received a degree in Communications and worked on various projects at EC while working for several professional video companies and photography studios. He provides photo, video, graphic, audio and marketing expertise for the school. Both Justin and his wife Sara have a heart for serving others and are members of Emergence Church. They recently had a daughter and she can’t wait to be an Eagle!

Jeff BotbylEC Graduate

Director of Operations & Security

EC Start Date: 2014

One year after graduating from Eastern Christian School, Jeff was hired by the Passaic County Sheriff’s Dept. He found his passion in riding motorcycles and was assigned to the motorcycle unit for the majority of his career. After 26 years of service he retired as a Lieutenant and Master Instructor for Police Motorcycle Operation. Over the years Jeff remained involved at Eastern Christian coaching Softball, Soccer and Baseball. After his career in Law Enforcement he came back to EC and is now the Director of Operations and School Security. A great haircut sparked an interest in a beautician named Leida and since then their children are alumni of Eastern Christian. Ganelle (‘01), Matthew (‘12), Alyssa (‘17). School is not a place for students to feel afraid. So come to EC and have fun while learning. We are working very hard to create a safe learning environment for students, staff and visitors.

Suzanne KraaiEC Graduate 2005

Director of Enrollment

EC Start Date: 2010

Education: B.A. - Theatre, Baylor University
M.S. - Educational Administration, The University of Scranton

Suzanne is an energetic, creative, and organized team member at ECSA. In addition to being an EC alum, she has served in a variety of roles in her career at EC, including Humanities and CP English teacher, HS Musical Theater and Choral Director. After 7 years in the classroom she moved into Administration, first in Extended Learning, involving programs such as Before and After School Care and Clubs Pk-6th grade, Service Learning Pk-12th grade, Camps Pk-8th grade, Early College program development, and several cultural exchange and short-term international programs. Now she serves as the Enrollment Director.  She and her husband own a small business in Warwick, NY, and are proud parents to a young ECES student and toddler.

Suzanne met her husband in the hallways of ECHS upon transferring mid-way through HS; her heart and passion for serving this transformative institution, most recently through sharing EC’s story, identity and mission with potential and current EC families, is deep-seeded. With a passion for community engagement, she’s grateful for the opportunity to continue learning and growing as a member of the EC family, no matter what hat she’s wearing!

Leah GenuarioEC Graduate 1997

Director of Publications, High School Journalism & Yearbook Teacher

EC Start Date: 2013

Education: B.A. - Communication Arts, Liberty University

Leah was the former editor-in-chief of a leading industry trade journal, having spent 13 years in the B2B publishing industry prior to joining Eastern Christian School. She currently serves in a variety of ways, including advising the school’s journalism and yearbook classes, managing EC’s alumni publication The Herald, and partnering with a Christian college on an exciting new project. Leah is passionate about recognizing and strengthening the God-given gifts of her students, exhorting them to communicate with excellence and in a manner that glorifies the Lord. She is married to her high school sweetheart, and they currently have two children who attend the school.

Mary BrainEC Graduate 1977

Upper Elementary & Middle School Vice Principal

EC Start Date: 1989

Education: B.S. - Physical Education, Gordon College
M.A. - CSI Principal's Institute M.A. Teacher Certification Physical Education & Health K - 12

Mary was born and raised in NJ and attended Eastern Christian School, K-12. After teaching and coaching at Gordon College for 5 years, Mary was thrilled to have the opportunity to return to NJ and ECS as a PE and Health teacher. Mary thoroughly loves working with, teaching, and guiding upper elementary and middle school aged children. Mary has 2 daughters: Allison is a first grade teacher and resides in Arizona with her husband. Rachel is a nurse and lives close by in NJ. In her spare time, Mary enjoys reading a good book, baking, and staying active.