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Learn More About Our Staff

Martha Sayre

Martha Sayre

Interim Executive Director

Martha Sayre joined the PEP Program Board of Trustees in January of 2019. Since then, she has worked with the PEP students on college readiness and the seniors’ Common Applications. In 2018 Martha worked at SEEDS in Newark as a consultant. She is also a co-founder of Destination College: Summit, a grassroots non-profit program that helps first generation students through the college process and beyond.

Martha has lived in Summit for over 30 years with her husband, Bart. They have three grown children, Austin and Marion (28) and Caroline (26) who attended the Summit Public School’s system. In addition, she is currently the Treasurer of the Summit Foundation. Previously Martha served as grants chair of the Summit Educational Foundation, a CAAP mentor at Summit High School, and the President of the Brayton School PTO. Prior to retiring, Martha spent more than 30 years at Sotheby’s Art Auction, most recently as a Senior Vice President and Division Director.

Martha holds a B.A. in Economics from Trinity College.

Elizabeth Dean

Elizabeth Dean

Director of Academics

Elizabeth Dean joined The PEP Program in the Fall of 2016 as the Director of Academics. She began her education career teaching social studies for the Great Neck Public School District in New York. During her time as a teacher, Elizabeth taught at both the middle and high school levels. She also worked as a private social studies tutor and spent a summer in Vietnam teaching English.  After teaching for several years, Elizabeth started working as a curriculum developer for Pearson Education and then for McGraw-Hill Education. During her time with Pearson and McGraw-Hill, Elizabeth worked on developing, producing, and implementing CODiE Award-winning programs in K-12 social studies and reading.

Elizabeth earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History Education from Marist College and a Master of Science degree in Education from CUNY Queens College. She is also a New Jersey State licensed teacher.

Melissa Horn

Melissa Horn

Director of Post Secondary Programs

Melissa Horn is driven by the philosophy that every child can thrive and succeed when given the right support; through her role at PEP she is helping students to pursue their dreams.

In the fall of 2002, Melissa joined the PEP staff and has served in various roles. In her current role as Director of Post-Secondary Programs she works with the PEP students to prepare for college, explore career options, and support Alumni as they pursue opportunities after graduation from high school.

Melissa earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Human Development from Howard University with a minor in Early Childhood Education.

Jocelyne Perez

Jocelyne Perez

Program Coordinator/Office Manager

Jocelyne Perez joined the PEP Program in June of 2013 as the Program Coordinator/Office Manager. Prior to working at PEP she worked for the Morristown Neighborhood House, a not-for-profit social services agency that provides tutoring for at-risk, low-income children between the ages of 6 and 11.

At Morristown Neighborhood House, Jocelyne first served as Homework Center Coordinator, where she supervised corporate, high school and community volunteers. She was later promoted to Kindergarten Curriculum Coordinator, where she helped design a learning environment to meet the educational development objectives of her students.

During the summer months, Jocelyne assisted in the coordination of the Neighborhood House’s Summer Camp program, a nine-week intensive summer program exposing youth ages 6 to 14 to places their families could not otherwise afford.

Jocelyne earned a Bachelor of Arts in Labor Studies and Employment Relations with a minor in Women’s Studies from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Our Part-Time Staff

  • Noreen Bovery Academic Coach

  • Jaymar Bugg Science

  • Winifred Caetta Academic Coach

  • Tom Cummins Math

  • Vlad Jean Math, SAT Prep, Science

  • Tracy Layman Social Worker

  • Denell Marsh Social Studies

  • Allinda O'Leary Language Arts

  • Christina Patella Math

  • Bart Sayre Math

  • Leslie Smith English/Social Studies

  • Maria Whiteside Academic Coach