Mr. Michael Acquilano is the Assistant Director of Upper School and Director of College Guidance. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Hobart College and a Master of Arts in History from Rutgers University. Mr. Acquilano came to the Academy in 1997 as Director of Development. One year later, he added college advising and teaching to his responsibilities. As a member of the History faculty, Mr. Acquilano has taught United States History as well as numerous Upper School elective courses. Also at the Academy, Mr. Acquilano serves as the Girls Junior Varsity Lacrosse Coach.

In 2001, Mr. Acquilano became the full-time Director of College Guidance. He is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the New York State Association for College Admission Counseling (NYSACAC) and the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS). Mr. Acquilano is a Past President of the New York State Association for College Admission Counseling where he also held the positions of Chief Delegate and Government Relations Co-Chair. He has presented on college counseling and admissions at numerous state and national conferences. Mr. Acquilano is also a member of the Princeton’s Review’s National College Counselor Advisory Board.

Prior to joining the Academy, Mr. Acquilano spent six years at Wagner College, four in the admissions office as Associate Director of Admissions and Assistant Director of Admissions and two in Development. He was an Admission Counselor at Hobart College and is a Past President of the Hobart College Alumni Association. Other outside interests include history-related travel and serving on the Board of Directors of the Conference House Association on Staten Island. Mr. Acquilano and his wife, Giovanna, are the proud parents of three children, all of whom are Academy students, Grace ’18, Kate ’22 and Nicholas '26.

Mr. Crane is the Academy’s Academic Dean, an office he has held since 2004. He joined the Academy faculty in 1991, and prior to his current position, he served as the History department chair and the Head of Middle School.

Mr. Crane is an independent school graduate, and he holds a Bachelor or Arts in History from Kenyon College and an M.A.L.S. in Social Studies from Wesleyan University. As Academic Dean, Mr. Crane is responsible for the new faculty, the professional growth and appraisal program, the Academic Leadership Council and the Grade 9 London trip. He also teaches Grade 9 World History and AP European History. Prior to coming to the Academy, Mr. Crane worked at Lawrence Academy in Groton, MA and the Gow School in South Wales, NY.

In addition to his Academy responsibilities, Mr. Crane serves as his Kenyon College class agent, and he sits on the Board of the Staten Island Historical Society. He is the parent of two Academy students, Claire’15 and Charlie’22, and is married to Caroline Stirn Crane ’83. When he is not at school or with his family, Mr. Crane likes to read and to go fly-fishing.

Ms. Guerriero ’93

Dawn Kristin Guerriero graduated from Staten Island Academy in 1993. She was excited to return home to her alma mater in 2015. Miss Guerriero is currently Chair of the English Department and enjoys teaching a varied course load to our Academy students including AP Literature, AP Language, American Literature, and English Electives such as Murder, Mistrust, and Madness and The Epic Adventure.

After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Wagner College as an English major and Theatre/Dance minor, Miss Guerriero taught English at Monsignor Farrell High School on Staten Island for eighteen years (1997-2015). Throughout her tenure at Farrell, Miss Guerriero taught upperclassmen American Literature, British Literature, World Literature, and English Electives such as Discovering Drama and Creative Writing.

At Staten Island Academy, Miss Guerriero moderates Images, our literary magazine, and organizes poetry slams throughout the year. She is also a member of the faculty choir. She is honored to be the 2017 recipient of the Richard S. Wolter Award.

In her leisure time, Miss Guerriero hits the courts as a member of the Colts Neck Racquet club, enjoys musical theatre productions, and reading a good book.

Miss Guerriero is thrilled to be working with many of our faculty who inspired her to become a teacher! Miss Guerriero relishes the opportunity to share her love of books and passion for teaching with students at Staten Island Academy.