Leadership

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

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

Margo Adelsberg serves as the Clinical Director of Sage Alliance, Rochelle Park. Margo received her bachelor's degree in social work from Kean University, and a master's degree in social work from New York University. She is a New Jersey Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and has worked exclusively with children, adolescents, and their families for over 25 years. 

Prior to joining the leadership team, Margo served as a lead therapist at Sage Alliance Boonton. Margo has extensive clinical experience working in an inpatient crisis unit at a regional hospital, in an outpatient mental health agency, as well as in elementary and middle public school education settings.

Margo strongly supports and fosters the mission statement of Sage Alliance and believes the therapeutic milieu offered at Sage Alliance assists in facilitating students' social, emotional, and academic growth. Margo feels that the relationships established within the Sage Alliance community help students develop connections and ultimately fosters student success. These relationships then promote a culture of curiosity and interconnections. Margo practices with an eclectic approach and meets students where they are in their explorations and journey.

In addition to her Clinical Director role, Margo is often seen in the hallways, cooking various culinary creations with the students, and planning community activities that cultivates a vibrant school culture. 

Margo Adelsberg, 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

Lauren began her career in education with a BA in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She quickly discovered her passion for helping students with mental health and personal development, which led her to earn a M.Ed in Educational Psychology from the University of Utah, specializing in College and Career Readiness. Lauren then served as a high school counselor, supporting students in academics, social-emotional growth, and college and career planning. She found this role deeply rewarding, as it allowed her to make a meaningful difference in student's lives, but she knew she could have a more significant impact as a school leader. Lauren earned her Ed.D in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University, which strengthened her abilities as an educational leader and prepared her to tackle challenges in schools with a fresh perspective. Today, Lauren is committed to improving the educational landscape by fostering environments where students thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.

Lauren Bleggi, Ed.D.

Principal