The Ethics Institute is staffed with seasoned administrators, teachers, and facilitators who are experts in the field of ethics education. 

Karen Rezach, Director
 

Dr. Karen Rezach is the Ethics Institute's Founding Director and is a leader in primary and secondary school ethics education.

Her doctoral research, “Spiritual Leadership as a Model of Effective Leadership in Independent School,” explores the ways that educators can bring values and moral awareness into non-sectarian settings, and was the catalyst for the founding of the Ethics Institute at Kent Place School.

She has an M.Div. from Yale University, an Ed.D. from Seton Hall University is an ordained Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Newark and serves on numerous boards in the community.

Dr. Rezach is the coach of the National Champion Kent Place High School Ethics Bowl Team.

She has 23 years of experience as an independent school administrator, including Director of the Middle School at Kent Place and Assistant Head of School at St. Philip’s in Newark, New Jersey.

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rezachk@kentplace.org
(908) 273-0900, ext. 395

ARIEL SYKES, Assistant Director

Ariel Sykes is the Ethics Institute's Assistant Director and is a skilled educator and teacher trainer with over 13 years of experience working in philosophy and education.

Ms. Sykes specializes in philosophy for children (P4C) and dialogic pedagogy, with a focus on ethics and service-learning. She serves on the boards of the Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization (PLATO), the Society for Ethics Across the Curriculum (SEAC), the National High School Ethics Bowl (NHSEB) and the Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children (IAPC).

Ms. Sykes is an endorsed practitioner of the IAPC (Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children), the world’s oldest organization devoted young people’s philosophical practice.

She holds a bachelor's in Philosophy of Education from Mount Holyoke College and an MA in Philosophy and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

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sykesa@kentplace.org
(908) 273-0900, ext. 270
 

 

MISSIE SHEEHY, Administrative Assistant

Melissa Sheehy is the Ethics Institute's Administrative Assistant.

Ms. Sheehy earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in sociology from Stonehill College.

She has worked in business development for a fundraising and management consulting firm with a focus on nonprofits, independent schools, higher education, and faith-based organizations.

Ms. Sheehy enjoys running, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

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sheehym@kentplace.org
(908) 273-0900, ext. 251