Welcome to Bank Street

The School for Children welcomed Vanessa Alcantara (she/her/hers) as the Lower School learning specialist. Vanessa began her career in education over 10 years ago and has worked as a paraprofessional, a teaching assistant, and a lead teacher in ICT settings. She was recently the student support coordinator at a Montessori charter school in the South Bronx. While attending CUNY Lehman College, Vanessa earned her BA in Speech Pathology and an MSEd in Childhood Education with a Bilingual Extension and advanced certification in Special Education. She also holds an EdM in Progressive Leadership from Bank Street Graduate School of Education and recently completed an AMI Primary Montessori Training Program with Southwest Institute in Montessori Studies.

The Graduate School welcomed George Badía as an advisor. George has dedicated more than three decades of his career to the New York City Department of Education. One of his most notable achievements was his tenure as the principal of Pan American International High School in Queens, in which he introduced new structures that significantly improved performance, attendance, and graduation rates and earned the school the prestigious “Well Developed” rating. George has also served as the President of the Eagle Lions Club and holds a representative position on the board of directors of the Council of Supervisors and Administrators (CSA) Latino Caucus. He holds a BA from Hunter College, a master’s degree from Columbia University, a master’s degree in Administration of Schools from New York University, and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Russell Sage College.

Brendan Barrett (he/him/his) joined the School for Children as an associate teacher in the Lower School. Brendan worked as a first grade co-teacher at Greenwich Country Day School for a year before moving to New York City. He received a BA in Political Science from Marist College and is currently a Bank Street Graduate School student pursuing a master’s degree in Teaching Literacy and Childhood General Education, Dual Certification. During his time at Marist, he worked in the Admissions Office assisting prospective students.

Henna Billings (she/her/hers) joined the School for Children as a 3/4s head teacher while Karyn Silsby de Pla is on sabbatical leave. Prior to Bank Street, Henna spent five years teaching nursery through pre-K at Corlears School and three years teaching kindergarten and first grade at Brooklyn Friends School. Henna holds a BA in Asian Studies and an MA in Teaching Early Childhood from Belmont University in Nashville, TN.

Laelena Brooks (she/her/hers) joined the Upper School in the School for Children as a 13/14s math and science teacher. Laelena has been involved in math and science education for almost 15 years. She has taught both high school and middle school, was an assistant principal of a middle school in New York City, and most recently was the director of STEM at Public Prep Network. Additionally, Laelena coaches current teachers at various schools in New York City, as well as new teachers at Reach University as they study to get their teaching license. She holds a BA in Economics from Occidental College and a master’s degree in Teaching from Mills College.

The School for Children welcomed Jennifer Fagundo (she/her/hers) as a math and science teacher in the 10/11s. Prior to Bank Street, Jennifer worked at Hackley School in Tarrytown, NY as a fourth grade head teacher. She also taught math at a summer program for sixth-graders. Prior to moving to Westchester, Jennifer taught third, fourth, and fifth grades in independent and charter schools in Manhattan for six years. She has also worked as a part-time consultant for LightSail, Inc. She has a BA from Yale College and an MS from Bank Street Graduate School of Education.

Olivia English is a new teacher aide in the Family Center. Olivia has a background in both child care and children’s theater education. She graduated from Barnard College with a BA in English and a minor in Psychology.

Melissa Frias (she/her/hers) joined the School for Children as an associate teacher in the Middle School. Prior to Bank Street, Melissa worked as an English Language Arts teacher and a literacy interventionist at a middle school in Inwood, NY. She also has a passion for youth development and has mentored middle and high school students for the past eight years. Melissa is currently pursuing a master’s degree in teaching literacy at Bank Street Graduate School of Education.

Fiona Grant is an associate teacher in the Family Center. Previously, Fiona worked as an associate teacher at a Montessori preschool in Manhattan. She holds a BA in Psychology from Brandeis University and is currently pursuing a dual degree in early childhood development and social work from Bank Street Graduate School and Hunter College.

The School for Children welcomed Sharon Guity (she/her/hers) as the middle school learning specialist. Throughout the past 15 years, Sharon’s journey as an educator has led her to work with children in both public and private school settings. Her experience spans early childhood, special education, and gifted education programs, and facilitating teaching and learning support has allowed Sharon to develop a specialty in making complex learning concepts more easily understood. Sharon holds an MS in General Education and Special Education from Touro College.

Emma Hofman (she/her/hers) joined the Middle School in the School for Children as a 9/10s head teacher. After beginning her teaching career in New York City, Emma taught in New Orleans, LA, and, for the last seven years, in Syracuse, NY. Across her career, Emma has experience teaching kindergarten, second, third, and fourth grade students in both Spanish dual-language and monolingual classrooms. She graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a BA in Spanish and Sociology and earned an MA in Bilingual Childhood Education (Spanish) from CUNY’s City College.

The School for Children welcomed Rich Joseph (he/him/his) as a new physical education teacher in the Upper School. Previously, Rich taught physical education in grades 5-12 at Fusion Academy in Brooklyn, and prior to that, he was a personal trainer for kids and adults. Rich has a BS in Movement Science from CUNY’s York College and an MA in Physical Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Grace Keener (she/her/hers) is a new associate teacher in the Middle School at the School for Children. Grace has spent the last five years co-teaching second and third grades at Birches School in Lincoln, MA. She previously led canoeing and backpacking trips with the Appalachian Mountain Club and Massachusetts Audubon Society. Grace earned a BA in Social Justice and Advocacy from William & Mary and is currently in the childhood general education program at Bank Street Graduate School of Education.

Davis Kim (he/him/his) is an 11/12s math and science teacher in the School for Children. Davis started his teaching career through Teach for America at KIPP Sharpstown teaching seventh grade science in his home city of Houston, Texas. He taught there for three years before moving to New York, where he worked at The Equity Project as a seventh and eighth grade science teacher. Davis’s passions revolve around food, music, and programming—he is classically trained in piano and violin, and is part of an amateur chamber music program called Alaria. Davis holds a BA in Neuroscience and Music from Trinity College and a master’s degree in Secondary Education, Science Education from Johns Hopkins and City College.

The School for Children welcomed Alex (AJ) LaPierre (she/her/hers) as an associate teacher in the Middle School. For the past year, AJ has worked as a substitute teacher at her local elementary school in Sag Harbor, New York. Prior to that, AJ held roles as a teacher’s assistant with elementary and middle school aged children, a teacher of middle school journalism at her local library, a camp counselor, a swim instructor for 10 years, and a tutor for elementary, middle, and high schools in Red Hook, NY. She earned a BA in Written Arts from Bard College and is currently seeking a MSEd in Literacy and General Childhood Education from Bank Street Graduate School of Education.

Tay Leppik (she/her) joined the School for Children as the Lower and Middle School divisional systems assistant. Tay is a passionate educator and policy wonk who comes from over 10 years of valuable experience in the nonprofit sector. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Governance from Toronto Metropolitan University, a certificate in Public Policy Analysis from the London School of Economics, and a Master of Arts in Education Policy from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Agnes Lopez (she/her/hers) joined the School for Children as an 8/9s head teacher. Agnes has been an educator for 21 years. She has taught third grade in Ohio, as well as third, fourth, and fifth grades in the Bronx. Most recently, she was a fifth grade teacher at Bronx Charter School for the Arts. Agnes was part of The 1619 Project Education Network 2022 Cohort, developing units of study based on materials from The 1619 Project. She also enjoys writing essays and poetry, and has written twice for #31DaysIBPOC, a blog series sharing the voices and stories of IBPOC educators. She earned a BA in Sociology from Drew University and an MS in Elementary Education from Mercy College.

Lilliana Mendoza (she/her/hers) joined the School for Children as a Spanish teacher for the 8/9s and 9/10s while Allison Draizin is on a half-year sabbatical leave. Prior to Bank Street, Lilliana taught Spanish in Long Island City for two years. She also previously served as an elementary dual language Spanish lead teacher at the Geneva City School District in Geneva, NY for three years. Lilliana attended Hobart and William Smith Colleges and earned a BA in Psychology and minored in education.

The Family Center welcomed Aparna Prakash as an associate teacher in Room 3. Aparna has a background in media, philanthropy, and special education, specifically autism, and she is excited to learn and share best practices in early childhood education in her role at the Family Center. Aparna is also actively involved with the Manhattan Meditation Center.

Jenna Samotin (she/her/hers) joined the School for Children as a visual and integrated arts teacher. A passionate art educator who has been in the field for 17 years, Jenna has worked as a visual arts teacher at the Blue School and as an art studio teacher at the Early Childhood Center at Stephen Wise. She holds a BA in Art History from Hunter College and an MEd in Early Childhood Education from City College of New York.

Limchi Sang (she/her/hers) is a new 4/5s associate teacher in the School for Children. Limchi has eight years of experience as an assistant teacher at University Settlement, Creative Steps 4 in Washington Square Village. She is currently seeking a master’s degree in early childhood education and special education from Bank Street Graduate School of Education.

Payal Sharma joined the School for Children as a strategy & operations manager. Prior to Bank Street, Payal worked as a senior program manager of operations and communications at the Department of Education. Her journey started as an educator at Teach for India, where she taught over 50 children in an elementary school in Delhi, India.

The Graduate School welcomed Dr. Nalini Singh as an advisor. Dr. Singh has over 30 years of experience in New York City Public Schools—most recently as a principal—and has extensive knowledge in leadership, pedagogy, diversity, equity, social-emotional learning, and more. In addition to her role at Bank Street, Dr. Singh is an adjunct professor and consultant, continuing to fulfill her mission to make a positive impact in the field of education. Dr. Singh holds a Doctor of Education in Administrative and Instructional Leadership with a focus on Emotional Intelligence from St. John’s University.

The Graduate School welcomed Katie Wassel as the director of the Center for Emotionally Responsive Practice. Katie has taught in early childhood classrooms for the past 18 years in California, New York City, and New Jersey, and has utilized Emotionally Responsive Practice in her classrooms for many years. She graduated from Bank Street Graduate School of Education in 2010.

Amy Stuart Wells, PhD, is the dean of Bank Street Graduate School of Education and Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University (TC). For more than 30 years, she has worked as a journalist, researcher, university faculty member, and leader to make stronger connections between education policy and practices that foster integration and culturally responsive schools and classrooms. From 2016–2023, she was the executive director of Reimagining Education: Teaching, Learning and Leading for a Racially Just Society Summer Institute (RESI). She also served as director of TC’s Reimagining Education Advanced Certificate Program, the Sociology and Education Program, as well as a non-profit called The Public Good: A Public School Support Organization (PSSO). From 2018–19, she was president of the 25,000-member American Educational Research Association (AERA). Wells is a corresponding fellow of the British National Academy, a member of the National Academy of Education, an AERA fellow. and a senior fellow of the Learning Policy Institute. As the author and editor of five books and more than 50 articles and book chapters, as well as dozens of research reports and articles for the popular press, her research examines the intersection of racial inequality and educational policies, including school desegregation, school choice policy, and efforts to implement antiracist, culturally responsive reforms in schools.

Wendy Castro is the new grants accountant in the Business Office. Prior to Bank Street, Wendy worked as the fiscal director for a Circulo de la Hispanidad, a small nonprofit organization located on Long Island. She graduated from Pace University, where she studied business economics with a minor in finance.

The National Center for Children in Poverty welcomed Karen Chatfield as its new associate director and director of family economic security. In her role, Karen is researching the effects of benefit programs and tax credits on low-income families and children in several states. She is also completing a mixed-method examination of social program receipt, community supports, and material hardship among New York City settlement house participants and staff both during and since the pandemic.

The Bank Street Education Center welcomed Brant Douglas as the new Director of Operations, Finance, and Analytics. Brant brings over 10 years of procurement, contract, and operations experience to his new role. He is deeply committed to supporting the development of responsive processes that ensure that the operational needs of an organization are met at a high level. Brant also holds a Juris Doctorate and a Master of Public Administration.

Lezanine Gentle is a 1:1 aide in the Family Center. Lezanine most recently worked as an events coordinator at a tennis club, where she often worked with children, and previously worked as a paraprofessional at Good Shepherd Academy. Lezanine received her BA from New Jersey City University where she studied psychology with a minor in sociology.

Nikki Margarites is the new chief of staff in the Development and Alumni Relations Office. In her role, she helps to drive forward the direction of the Development and Alumni Relations Office. Prior to Bank Street, she served as a director of development, operations at Maimonides Medical Center; director of development at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; and director of major gifts at Ronald McDonald House, New York. Nikki holds a BA in Economics from Stony Brook University.

Louisa Nathan is a new math coach and facilitator on the School System Partnerships & Programs team in the Bank Street Education Center. She has been working in the education field for over 13 years. Louisa is currently in graduate school at Mount Holyoke to pursue a degree in Math Instructional Leadership. She studied political science and Spanish at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and also holds an MSEd in Childhood Special and General Education from Bank Street Graduate School of Education.

The Development and Alumni Relations Office welcomed Javier Persad as the Manager of Institutional Giving. Prior to joining Bank Street, Javier worked at a national policy and advocacy organization whose mission is grounded in elevating teachers’ voices in the policies that matter most to them and their students. Javier previously spent 11 years teaching high school literature, the majority of which were spent serving the students of Jersey City, NJ, where he grew up. He also spent two years teaching abroad in Ecuador at an American school in the capital city of Quito. Javier graduated with a BA in English and an MEd from Rutgers University and also completed his certification for school leadership in the state of New Jersey.

Helen Tran is a new staff accountant in the Business Office. Helen has a background in nonprofit accounting with a specific interest in education and the arts. She studied economics at Virginia Commonwealth University and later continued her accounting studies at Brooklyn College.

Zakiya Browne (she/hers) joined the Education Center as a program coordinator for the Networks for School Improvement (NSI) team. She is a Brooklyn native and attended New York City public schools. She holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology and Africana Studies from SUNY Albany and a Master’s in Public Administration from Syracuse University. Zakiya has experience in workforce development in Central Brooklyn as well as working with local nonprofits through her time as a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs. Zakiya has a longstanding commitment to serve Black and Brown communities and is excited to join the NSI team and support its mission.

Ibeliz Flores is new to the Development and Alumni Relations Office as a community engagement associate. In her role, she supports the planning and execution of annual giving campaigns, cultivation events, and social media strategy. Prior to Bank Street, she served as a partnerships associate at Learning Ally, a literacy solutions-based nonprofit. Ibeliz holds a BA in Economics from New York University.

The Education Center welcomed Jing-Jing Hu as a math and continuous improvement coach for Brooklyn South district schools. She is a Queens native and has been working in New York City schools for over 10 years. She has been a lead teacher, instructional coach, literacy consultant, and was the founding assistant principal at Academy of the City Middle School. She holds a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University and was part of the Progressive Leaders Cohort at Bank Street Graduate School and graduated with an EdM in School Building and District Leadership. She also supports teacher candidates in passing the New York State’s childhood elementary licensure exams at Relay Graduate School of Education.

Ana Marin is the school nurse for the Bank Street School of Children, Family Center, Summer Camp, and Head Start. Ana’s nursing career is in emergency medicine, taking care of patients from newborns to centenarians with different acuity medical needs. Prior to nursing, Ana worked as a health educator for 12 years in New York Presbyterian’s school-based health centers in Washington Heights, Harlem, and the Bronx, providing comprehensive reproductive health services to middle and high school students via classroom, individual and peer education internship settings. Ana earned her BA in Public Policy with a focus in children from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 2003 and her BSN in 2017 from the College of Mount Saint Vincent.

Tiana Matthew is a new teacher’s aide in the Family Center. Prior to joining Bank Street, Tiana worked as a barista at a local coffee shop. Tiana is currently going back to school to study computer science and is excited to be a part of the Bank Street community.

Roxanne McAdams (she/her/hers) is a new teachers’ aide at the Family Center. Prior to joining Bank Street, Roxanne worked in early childhood education as a student teacher at the Barnard Toddler Center. In May 2022, she received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Barnard College of Columbia University.

The Family Center welcomed Dilsia Peña as a new 1:1 aide. Prior to Bank Street, Dilsia worked as a preschool teacher assistant and also as a teacher assistant for 2- and 3-year-olds. She has a Child Development Associate certificate from the CUNY School of Professional Studies and is currently in her second semester at CUNY’s Early Childhood Education Program. Dilsia has her one-year certification and training with the Wunderlead Approach Certification and is a new member of the NAEYC. She considers herself a lifelong learner and seeks opportunities to grow and further her education, having completed trainings with NAEYC and The Aspire Registry.

The Education Center welcomed Elizabeth A. Price as the storytelling strategist manager on the Prepared To Teach team, working toward transforming teacher preparation into funded and equitable professional residencies. Price brings a strong educator’s point of view with their storied background as an educator, social policy analyst, social worker, and community organizer. Price earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education, a Master of Arts in English Literature, and a Master’s Certificate in Ethnic Studies from Northern Arizona University, as well as a Master of Arts in Education Policy and Social Analysis from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Tracy Snyder (she/her/hers) joins the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) as a donor engagement officer. Tracy was previously the executive director of One To World, a New York City-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating global citizens and inspiring a more peaceful world. She brings 15 years of experience in the international education arena to her new position within DARO. Tracy holds an MA in Intercultural Relations from Lesley College and a BS in Business from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. She is thrilled to be joining Bank Street and re-entering the professional world after taking some time off to raise her son.

Amanda Anella C la O’ (she/her/hers) is an associate teacher for the Lower School in the School for Children. Amanda’s first job as a preschool teacher was in the Philippines where she taught 2s and 3s for four years. During those years, she was also an assistant coach to elementary and high school softball teams and part of a production company for children’s events. She then moved to California and worked at Electronic Arts Early Learning Center for two years as an associate teacher and took early childhood education courses at Cañada College. She then became a paraeducator for the special day class in the San Mateo Foster City School District. Amanda graduated from Ateneo de Manila University with a BA in Psychology. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Early Childhood General and Special Education Dual Certification at Bank Street Graduate School.

Hannah Benson (she/her/hers) is a new Middle School associate teacher in the School for Children. Prior to Bank Street, Hannah taught third graders at The IDEAL School of Manhattan as an associate teacher for one year and supported students at the Heschel School as a Lower School Teaching Fellow the year prior. Before her move into education, Hannah worked as a freelance production manager in New York for three years where she helped bring music videos and commercial campaigns to life. She has a BA in Global Liberal Studies & Middle Eastern Studies from New York University and is pursuing an MSEd in Childhood Special & General Education at Bank Street Graduate School.

Anna Berlin joins the Business Office as a payroll administrator. Anna has over seven years of experience in payroll administration. Years ago, she was a professional classical pianist, and while she doesn’t play piano professionally any longer, she occasionally volunteers to play at charity events. Anna is a graduate of Baruch Business School.

The Business Office welcomed Dave Boyce as a billing manager. In his role, Dave manages all aspects of student billing. Dave has 26 years of work experience with 14 of those years in the field of higher education. He also has experience in financial aid and student accounts/bursar. Dave graduated from Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus with a BSc in Accounting.

The Graduate School welcomed Denise Bruxelles (she/her) as an advisor in the new Adolescent Special Education Program. Previously, Denise was a teacher and teacher-leader for 15 years with the New York City Department of Education, where her classes involved project-based work addressing issues of community importance. She has also coached new teachers at several local graduate programs. In addition to teaching and teacher preparation, Denise is passionate about higher education access and equity. She recently traveled to the UK to research post-secondary educational transitions with the Fulbright DAT Program and continues that inquiry through doctoral studies at the University at Buffalo.

G Capone (they/them) is the assistant director of equity initiatives in the Office of Social Justice, Equity, and Inclusion. They are also a doctoral student in the Higher & Postsecondary Education Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. G is passionate about education because of the community and chosen family they have found within the walls of educational institutions. Prior to joining Bank Street, they worked in various roles at Columbia University supporting the development, implementation, and facilitation of DEI-focused learning opportunities for the campus community.

Alberta Conteh is the director of the Bank Street Head Start. Previously, Alberta was a director at an early child care center located in Washington Heights. For over 8 years, she has worked in early childhood education leadership with an extensive focus on Head Start in various parts of New York City, including Harlem and Hell’s Kitchen. Alberta received a Master’s in Educational Leadership from City College of New York in January and also has a Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University.

Mila Costa is a new advisor/instructor in the Graduate School. Previously, she worked for eight years at the Arizona State University Child Development Lab, where she also led a school-based home visiting program. Mila recently earned her PhD from Indiana University—Bloomington in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Teacher Education and Curriculum Studies in Early Childhood Education. Mila’s dissertation research examined how young children from a Native American community constructed the meaning of their lived experiences through an arts-informed method. She also has an MA in Infant-Family Practice from Arizona State University.

Amanda De Leon is a head teacher at Bank Street Head Start. Over the years, Amanda has worked in non-profit organizations in the Lower East Side, where she was born and raised. Amanda has taught children in UPK settings for five years as a lead teacher and recently worked with first and second grade children in a private school setting. In 2016, Amanda received her BA in Early Child Education/Studio Art from Brooklyn College and earned her NYS teaching certification in Early Childhood (Birth-2nd). Last spring, Amanda completed her Master’s in Literacy Education from Hunter College. Amanda enjoys creating mixed media art, loves to sing everywhere she goes, and hopes to one day write her own children’s book.

Ajalai Edwards, Associate, Business Office (bio pending) 

Karen Fiallos, Development Associate, Operations, Development and Alumni Relations Office (bio pending)

Rajeeyah Finnie-Myers (she/her/hers) join the Education Center as executive director of the Center on Culture, Race & Equity. Prior to Bank Street, she worked as the director of professional development for DreamYard in the Bronx where she played a significant role in the explicit journey of becoming an anti-racist organization. Her experience includes the design, implementation, and management of community-based programming and professional development. In her work, Rajeeyah has trained a wide range of stakeholders at the intersections of social justice, arts, culture, and systemic change. Rajeeyah holds a master’s degree in Business Administration and brings her life experiences, creativity, expertise, and passion for justice to all that she does.

The Family Center welcomed Lauren Friednash as a new associate teacher in Room 3. Lauren spent the last three years as a lead teacher with infants and toddlers at My Little School in Tribeca and The Dough Project. Lauren is beginning her final year in the Early Childhood Dual Certification program at the Bank Street Graduate School and is thrilled to be back on campus after two years in the online program.

Anayely “Ana” Grande is an assistant teacher at Bank Street Head Start. Prior to Bank Street, Ana was part of a non-profit early head start program for eight years. She began as a volunteer and intern and progressed into a substitute/floater teacher and then an assistant teacher. Ana has an Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from birth to 2nd grade from the Borough of Community College (BMCC). She is currently attending Brooklyn College for a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from birth to 2nd grade and a minor in youth studies. In her free time, Ana enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with my family and friends.

Grace Ginther (she/her/hers) is new associate teacher in a 7s8s classroom in the School for Children. Prior to Bank Street, Grace worked for three years as a kindergarten teacher and an assistant nursery teacher at Westbury Friends School. She graduated from Vassar College with a BA in Education and is currently in her second year pursuing an MSEd in Childhood General and Special Education at Bank Street Graduate School of Education.

Shawna Hansford, Advisor, Graduate School (bio pending)

Anja Hernandez (she/her/hers) is new to the School for Children as a literacy fellow. Anja comes to Bank Street after many years working at the City College’s City Technology Project, where she developed hands-on STEAM activities and taught units in elementary schools across the boroughs, facilitating and organizing workshops for public school teachers, and presenting the work at several national conferences. Anja also worked for the non-profit Doing Art Together as a teaching artist. Anja holds a BS from New York University in Childhood Education and Childhood Special Education. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Teaching Literacy and General Education at Bank Street Graduate School.

Maria Herrera joined the Graduate School of Education as an advisor supporting NYC Teaching Fellows and Teaching Collaborative educators earning a master’s degree in Special Education. Prior to joining Bank Street, Maria was employed by the New York City Department of Education as a high school principal. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience working with students, staff, and families.

Hannah Kern joined the School for Children as a humanities teacher for the 10/11s. Prior to Bank Street, Hannah worked as a teacher and special education coordinator in Upper Manhattan. Hannah hails from Virginia but has been in New York for eight years. She received her a BS in Public Policy and Administration from James Madison University and an MA in Childhood Education and Special Education from New York University.

The School for Children welcomed Sara Kliger as the Mental Health & Wellness Counselor at the Upper School. She brings many years of experience working with children, families, and educators. Prior to Bank Street, Sara worked as a community school director and mental health supervisor in New York City Department of Education schools. Before becoming a therapist, Sara was a performer, working as an actor and a singer. Although Sara’s work as a performer has shifted, she still loves the theater and makes a point to see as many shows as possible every year. Sara received her BS in Theater from Skidmore College and an MA in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Drama Therapy and Marriage and Family Therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies.

Cristina Medellin (she/her/ella) is the new associate director for the Straus Center for Young Children & Families. Her research examines the systems and structures that support the early childhood workforce through professional development, leadership opportunities, and “stackable” credentials (e.g., credit-bearing credentials like the Child Development Associate leading to two-year, four-year, and graduate degrees). As a bilingual/bicultural developmental psychologist, she applies a critical lens in her research that uplifts and affirms communities of color. Cristina came to Bank Street from the NY Early Childhood Professional Development Institute (PDI) at CUNY, where she was the Regional Early Childhood Coordinator for Long Island. In that role, she led the replication efforts of the Institute’s Career Development Center and Leadership Initiative.

The Graduate School welcomed Angela Pack as a new advisor for the General Education Program. Angela is a graduate of Bank Street Graduate School and also has a PhD in Teacher Education and Teacher Development from Montclair State University. Angela has previously taught 3, 4, and 5’s as well as college classes.

Francisco Paler-Large (he/him/his) is a new equity associate for the Center on Culture, Race, & Equity. He has been in education for 22 years, starting his career as an English and drama teacher and then as a high school assistant principal after getting his degree in school administration. After several years, he became a principal in a middle school, during which his passion for social justice and healing was reinvigorated and he went back to earn a master’s degree in Social Work and a degree in Massage Therapy. After passing the licensure exams for both, Francisco returned to education and served as a director of hard-to-place services, high school principal in a special act school, and a behavior specialist for the mid-state regional partnership center.

Simone Polsky (she/her/hers) joined the School for Children as a head teacher for the 7/8s. Simone has been a second grade head teacher at Blue School for the last three years, teaching first grade there prior to that. Before Blue School, Simone was a head teacher in a 2’s classroom in Chinatown and also has several years of experience as a long-term substitute teacher in New York City public elementary schools. She holds a BA from Bryn Mawr College in English and an MS from Touro College in Early Childhood and Special Education.

Arkie Maleek Rhames, Chef, Kitchen (bio pending)

Kathy Rodriguez is a new associate teacher in the Family Center. Katherine has many years of experience working with children, from babysitting to taking on every classroom position at the nursery school she previously worked at. Today, Katherine continues to pursue my passion for early childhood education as she works toward her master’s degree at Bank Street Graduate School.

Kevin Taylor is the new director of admissions in the Graduate School. Kevin has worked in higher education for over 25 years, specializing in admissions, enrollment management, undergraduate and graduate programming, student retention, international student services, and student affairs. He earned his BS in Legal Studies and Sociology from UMass Amherst and his MBA in Marketing and Management from the University of Connecticut. Most recently, Kevin was the Director of Admissions for Graduate and Professional Studies at Manhattan College and has also worked at The University of Connecticut, Quinnipiac University, Hofstra University, and Baruch College.

Liza Tonetti (she/her/hers) joined the School for Children as a humanities teacher for the 10/11s. Liza has been a teacher in New York City for over 20 years. A graduate of Bank Street Graduate School, Liza has taught kindergarten through 9th grades at independent schools throughout the metropolitan area. She holds a BA from Boston University, an MS in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Bank Street Graduate School, and a certificate in Education Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Tai Taliaoa (he/him/his) joined the School for Children as a 10/11s math and science teacher. Tai most recently taught at Valence College Preparatory Charter School as sixth grade math teacher, where he also facilitated an after-school dance club focused on hip-hop and break dance. Tai graduated from Wesleyan University with a BA in Neuroscience and Behavior and completed his MA in Math Education from Relay Graduate School of Education.

The Graduate School welcomed Maxine Townsend as a supervised fieldwork advisor in the new Adolescent Special Education Program. Maxine comes to Bank Street with experience as a special education teacher, IEP coordinator, and instructional coach at middle schools, high schools and transfer schools in the New York City Department of Education and as a supervisor in the Hunter College Learning Lab. She currently also serves as an adjunct lecturer at Relay Graduate School of Education. Maxine holds a BA from Fairfield University and two MSEds from Hunter College in Adolescent Special Education and School Leadership.

The School for Children welcomed Maggie Tweedy (she/her/hers) as a humanities teacher for the 12/13s in the Upper School. For the past three years, Maggie has been a 9th, 11th, and 12th grade social studies teacher at the Bronx Studio School for Writers and Artists in the South Bronx. Before moving to New York City, she spent two years as a humanities associate teacher, an outdoor educator, and an ultimate frisbee coach at the Evergreen School in Seattle. Maggie holds a BA from the University of Puget Sound in Comparative Sociology and Music Performance, as well as an MA in the Teaching of Social Studies grades 7-12 from Teachers College, Columbia University.

The School for Children welcomed Amanda Wells (she/her/hers) as an 8/9s head teacher. For the past three years, Amanda taught first grade at Fieldston Lower School as both an associate and head teacher. Prior to Fieldston, she spent nine years working for the Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco) coordinating academic enrichment instruction for kindergarten through 8th grade public school students in the South Bronx. Previously, Amanda spent over a decade leading programs for homeless youth and adults with a focus on access, advocacy, and social justice. She earned a BA in Elementary Education from The University of Maine and an MSEd from Hunter College in Childhood Education.

Owen Zach (he/him/his) joined the School for Children as a math/science teacher for the 11/12s. Owen comes to Bank Street from the Garden School in Jackson Heights, Queens, teaching grades 7 through 11. After completing his BA in Psychological Science at University of Vermont, Burlington, Owen graduated with a master’s degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from Vanderbilt University.

The School for Children welcomed Olivier Bakowiez as its new interim Upper School French teacher. Olivier, MEd, is a native of Versailles, France where he taught grades 6-12 in Catholic schools. In 2016, he moved to the United States to work in the administration for a French-American School. He has also taught French in companies like L’Oreal and BNP Paribas and schools, such as UNIS and Léman.

Demetria Joyce joined the Education Center’s Learning Starts At Birth team as a program manager for its Early Childhood Policy Fellowship, also providing technical assistance across its other strategic partnerships. Before Bank Street, Demetria worked as a policy analyst at the University of Wisconsin where she supported a portfolio of state agencies in developing policy, resources, and services to promote equitable learning opportunities for young children. Previously, she served as an instructional manager at the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning and taught pre-K for several years. She is also a graduate of the Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (CEELO) Leadership fellowship and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She holds a Master’s in Foundations of Education from Troy University.

Reka Barton joined Prepared To Teach as a director of its National Learning Network. Previously, Reka received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Teaching in Elementary Education from the University of Virginia. She then became a teacher, teaching grades kindergarten through fifth grade mostly in a dual language Spanish-English program. She has also served in other capacities in education such as district literacy leader, biliteracy curriculum writer, professional development facilitator, dual language coach, and university supervisor. After 10 years as an elementary classroom teacher, Reka began supporting teacher candidates by teaching Literacy Methods courses at San Diego State University. She is also a PhD candidate in the Joint Doctoral Program in Education with San Diego State and Claremont Graduate University.

Katrina Castellanos (she/her) joined the Education Center as a program associate primarily supporting the Family Child Care (FCC) and Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) pre-K coaching partnerships. Prior to joining the Education Center, Katrina was instrumental in managing all communications and team-level events with a keen focus on meeting project goals.

Raygine DiAquoi (she/her/hers) is the Chief Equity Officer of Bank Street College of Education. Ray previously served as the inaugural director of the Office of Diversity, Culture and Inclusion and Assistant Dean of Diversity, Culture and Inclusion at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. As an assistant professor in the Sociomedical Sciences Department, she also taught Qualitative Research Methods at the graduate level. Ray has served as a second grade and middle school humanities teacher, a professor at Brooklyn College’s School of Education, and a consultant for the New York City Department of Education, Harvard University, and the Hartford Public Schools District. She has also worked with school leaders in Haiti, sharing asset-based approaches to collecting data from their communities. Ray received her BA from Columbia University and her EdD from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

The School for Children welcomed Ronit Levin Delgado as an art teacher for the Middle School and Upper School. A multidisciplinary visual artist, Ronit was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, and came to New York City after winning the Fulbright Scholarship for her MFA studies at Montclair University. She is a BFA graduate of Bezalel Academy in Jerusalem and has been teaching art for the past 10 years to all ages at different schools, institutions, universities, and organizations. Ronit is also a part of the set design team for SMASH, the “We Will Rock You” theatre show at the School for Children.

Jane Donahue is new to the Development and Alumni Relations Office as senior director of individual giving. Jane recently moved back to New York City after living in St. Louis, MO for over 15 years. In St. Louis, she was the CEO of the St. Louis Public Schools Foundation where she worked closely with educators, donors, and civic leaders to promote students’ success. She was previously the vice president of Deaconess Foundation in St. Louis and served on numerous nonprofit boards. Her early career in New York City included work at Henry Street Settlement, Prep for Prep, and the Riverside Church. She is a graduate of Wesleyan University and pursued her master’s degree at Harvard Divinity School.

Jill Hakemian has joined the Center on Culture, Race & Equity as a bilingual equity specialist. Jill brings an extensive background in professional and curriculum development, instructional coaching, and building leadership. She holds a master’s degree in TESOL and a specialist (EdS) degree in Educational Leadership, in addition to several teacher certifications, including K-12 ESOL and Special Education, and certificates in DEI, Restorative Practices, and multiple instructional technology programs. Jill will begin her work with the NYSED OSE TAP for Equity project by supporting three regions, including the New York City Department of Education, as they serve students with disabilities who are also English language learners.

The Prepared To Teach team welcomed Aisha Haynes as a director for its National Learning Network. Aisha most recently supported a college access program where she worked to strengthen academic enrichment activities to provide students with an effective academic bridge from high school to college. This work is an extension of her research, which focuses on the experience of historically excluded communities navigating public institutions. In addition to her professional work, she serves as the director of communications of C.O.O.L. Kids, a non-profit organization committed to cultivating the next generation to become socially conscious leaders. Aisha earned her master’s degree in Teaching at Fordham University and obtained her bachelor’s degree in English Literature at Villanova University. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from New York University.

Jovial Jackson is new to the Information Technology team as a Help Desk Technician, which involves but is not limited to facilitating, addressing, and resolving the various technology concerns of the Bank Street community. Jovial has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Networks and Cybersecurity minoring in Legal Studies, an associate degree in Computer Information Systems, and is certified as a Google Workspace administrator. Jovial is also currently employed as a Jr. Network specialist for SWBOCES and was previously a Tier 2 IT specialist for Brooklyn low voltage supply.

Mikal Kalus is a new teacher aide in the Family Center. She previously worked as a teacher aide in an early intervention preschool and as an ABA behavioral technician for children with autism. She is currently applying for Bank Street’s Infant and Family Development and Early Intervention/Dual Degree with Hunter College School of Social Work to become a clinical social worker for children.

The Education Center welcomed Beverley Mowatt-Plaskett (she/hers) as a math and continuous improvement coach. Bev brings more than 20 years of experience as an educator, coach, and consultant to this role and was a coach in the Education Center’s first partnership—the Pre-K Explore Building Blocks partnership with the New York City Department of Education. Bev will primarily support the Yonkers Public Schools Networks for School Improvement initiative within the School System Partnerships & Programs portfolio through content development, facilitation, and school team coaching.

The Family Center welcomed Denise Sanchez as a new teacher aide for Room 3. Denise has over 10 years of experience with children of different ages, varying from 3–13. Previously, she was a co-teacher for a 3s classroom at a preschool. Denise received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the City College of New York and plans on pursuing a master’s degree in School Psychology.

After devoting the past 30+ years to improving the quality and equity of early education, Linda Santora joined the Bank Street Education Center as an early childhood content developer. Previously, Linda developed content for Save the Children, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), United Way, Horace Mann School Nursery, Head Start, Weill Cornell Medical College, Children’s Aid Society, Department of Education, and Children First. In addition to professional positions as an early childhood director, consultant, trainer, teacher, and learning specialist, Linda holds a master’s degree from New York University, a bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College, and numerous teaching and director licenses.

The Development and Alumni Relations Office welcomed Jeremy Wells as its new director of annual funds. Previously, Jeremy has over 15 years of fundraising experience and previously worked with a variety of organizations as a fundraising consultant. In addition, he has served as a fundraising manager at Doctors Without Borders USA and as associate director in the Development Department at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School. Jeremy received an MA from CUNY Graduate Center and two BAs from The Evergreen State College. He is a member of the Board of Directors of The Samaritans of New York and the suicide prevention organization, serves as a voting member of Greenpeace USA, and volunteers as the director of fundraising for Finding Refuge, an organization that provides housing for refugees in Athens, Greece.

Bank Street Head Start welcomed Mei Zhao as an assistant teacher. Prior to Bank Street, Mei worked at another Head Start program. She has over 10 years of experience teaching children of various ages, particularly infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. She enjoys working with children of all ages and supporting them to grow and achieve their milestones. Mei has a bachelor’s degree and Child Development Associate (CDA) for Infant-Toddler.

Antonia Adams, Literacy Fellow, School for Children

Madison Adams, Associate Teacher, School for Children

Luis Aldea, Help Desk Technician, IT

Alicia Alvira is new to Head Start as a head teacher. Alicia has worked in early childhood education, including in Head Start settings, since 2010. Most of her time has been spent working for non-profits on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood with a co-concentration in human resources from the City College of New York. She is currently attending Bank Street Graduate School of Education’s Early Childhood Special and General Education Dual Certification program.

The Family Center welcomed Aliyah Armato as a new teacher aide. Aliyah is excited to be part of the Bank Street community and help each child discover their own strengths and talents by nurturing those traits through her own educational approach. She currently has her associate’s degree and will begin working toward a bachelor’s degree in psychology starting this spring at Baruch College.

Daniella Cabral, Teacher Aide, Family Center

The School for Children welcomed Mary Corbelli as the Upper School learning specialist. Prior to becoming a teacher, Mary attended Boston College, earning undergraduate degrees in biology and secondary education. She then studied developmental and educational psychology at Boston College’s Lynch School of Education and Human Development. She taught high school biology, advanced biology, genetics, anatomy and physiology, and psychology for 15 years before making the transition to learning support. Mary’s passion for supporting students in understanding themselves as learners and in identifying ways to feel and be successful in their academic (and overall) growth continues to drive her in her work.

Paromita De (she/hers) joined the Education Center as a special projects & data manager through the Education Pioneer Impact Fellowship Program. Paromita will support divisional projects including reviving our impact framework assessment, helping to improve our operational systems, and joining select School System Partnerships & Programs project teams as an analyst and/or project manager. Prior to joining the Education Center, Paromita has worked in the education field, including conducting data analysis for public school systems, creating analytics systems, and playing the behind-the-scenes operational and project management roles.

Amy Dore is an associate teacher for the 7/8s in the School for Children. Amy attended Bucknell University for her undergraduate degree in early elementary education and graduated in May 2021. She is currently attending Bank Street Graduate School for a dual graduate degree in literacy and elementary education. During college, Amy taught summer school for a program called Immigrant Family Services Institute and worked as a substitute teacher in her local school district outside of Boston.

Evelyn Espinoza is new to Head Start as an assistant teacher. Evelyn holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and early childhood from Lehman College. She has been working in early childhood education since 2012 and previously worked at the Bank Street Family Center for six years. Evelyn enjoys teaching children about the world around them and motivating them to learn their strengths.

Rebecca Feder joined the School for Children as a 6/7s associate teacher. Prior to Bank Street, Rebecca spent a year and a half as a tutor and nanny for elementary school students who were attending school on a hybrid schedule. Rebecca is currently a graduate student at Bank Street and is pursuing her dual master’s degree and certification in childhood general and special education. Rebecca graduated from Ithaca College in 2020 with a BA in psychology with a minor in elementary education.

Andrew Ford joins Bank Street as the new director of operations, finance, & analytics for Children’s Programs. Before joining Bank Street, Andrew was at the NYCDOE Division of Early Childhood helping to provide universal pre-K and 3-K to New York City families. He has also worked for Figure Skating in Harlem, a non-profit academic and sport after school program. Andrew holds a master’s degree in education policy from the University of Pennsylvania, a JD from New York Law School, and a BA in philosophy from Fordham University.

Heather Futterman, Associate Teacher, School for Children

Teddy Gaspari is a new human resources associate. Prior to joining Bank Street, Teddy’s work experience was mostly in the hospitality industry, most recently serving as executive and human resources assistant at the Dominick Hotel in SoHo, New York City. Teddy has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a passion to grow in the human resources field.

Justin George, Help Desk Technician, IT

Elizabeth Grace (she/her/hers) joined the School for Children development team as a development coordinator. Elizabeth graduated from Bates College where she received a BA in political science with a minor in economics. Most recently, Elizabeth served as an advancement assistant at the Corlears School and previously worked as a development assistant at her alma mater, Friends Seminary.

Gabriel Guyton is a new online advisor for the Graduate School’s Early Childhood Special Education Program. Gabriel, who has two decades of experience working with children and families as an early childhood specialist, is a former teacher in the Bank Street Family Center and a former Graduate School faculty member in the infancy program. She earned her master’s degree in general and special education from Bank Street Graduate School and also holds a master’s degree in the psychology of counseling. Currently, she also serves as the vice president of Children and Family Services at Verner Early Learning in Asheville, North Carolina.

Heron Haas (she/her/hers) is a new advisor in the Graduate School’s online Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education program. She has worked with children and teachers in first through seventh grade as a classroom teacher, tutor, and, most recently, as a school-based learning specialist at Metropolitan Montessori School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Columbia University and a master’s degree in childhood general and special education from Bank Street College. She is happy to be back at Bank Street (virtually) and has been inspired by the dedication and enthusiasm of her conference group this semester.

Hazel Hunt joined the School for Children as the middle school division head. Prior to Bank Street, Hazel was a head teacher at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School (ECFS), where she taught fifth grade at Fieldston Lower for 10 years. At ECFS, Hazel was a facilitator for the student and faculty race-based affinity groups and served on the board of trustees. Hazel’s career changed in 2005 when she became a teacher in District 10 of the New York City public school system. She has also been an adjunct professor in both undergraduate and graduate courses. Before becoming an educator, Hazel was an emergency department administrator at a hospital in Manhattan.

Trynia Kaufman joined the Center on Culture, Race & Equity as an equity specialist and will be working on the NYSED OSE Partnership Grant as a TAP for equity associate. She will develop and lead professional learning opportunities and provide technical assistance to the Midwest, Mid-State, and Central regional teams to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. Trynia is a former high school special education teacher and most recently worked with Understood.org as their editorial research manager. She has a master’s degree in neuroscience and education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Erin Kim is the associate director of camps, the newest addition to the Auxiliary Programs team at the School for Children. Erin was born and raised in Southern California and went up north to complete her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Davis. Erin is excited to bring her experience working with K-12 students in California to Bank Street’s after school program, music program, and camps.

Wan Jong Kim, Help Desk Technician, IT

Olivia Lasala joined the Education Center as a data analyst, primarily contributing to projects related to family child care and adult learning. Olivia received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Vanderbilt University, followed by a master’s degree in developmental psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. In the past, she has worked as an early childhood educator, behavioral intervention and special education instructor, research assistant, curriculum developer, and elementary school teacher.

The School for Children welcomed Nell Madigan (she/her/hers) as the new assistant director of admissions and director of financial aid. Nell has taught pre-K through fifth grade in New York for the past 13 years. Most recently, she taught fifth grade and served as the middle school dean at a progressive school in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She earned a BA from Barnard College, an MS in Education from Hunter College, and an MA in Educational Leadership from Penn State. She is a Brooklyn native and currently lives with her family in the same neighborhood in which she grew up.

Lauren Mangione is a new 11/12s math and science teacher in the School for Children. Lauren has been a teacher in K-8 public and charter schools for the past 14 years and teaches graduate-level courses for future educators at CUNY. She was raised in Denver, Colorado, and has a BA from Colgate University, an MA in Secondary Education from Brooklyn College, and an EdD in Science Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Tamera McLeod joined the Education Center as a data analyst. She spent four years working as an early childhood teacher in various school settings and most recently as a data and assessments specialist at a New York City charter school. Tamera received her BA in Early Childhood Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her MA in Education Policy and Social Analysis with a focus on diversity and equity in early childhood and K-12 educational systems from Teachers College, Columbia University.

The School for Children welcomed Ali Miller as a new head Humanities teacher for the 13/14s. Ali comes to Bank Street from an independent progressive school in Los Angeles where she worked, during her tenure, as a humanities teacher, assistant director, and director of the Middle School. Ali has spent nearly the entirety of her educational career, over 20 years, working with 13- and 14-year-olds. She believes in constructive education and having students make sense and take ownership of their own learning.

Kelly Mohen joined the Bank Street Family Center as a teacher’s aide in Room 1. Kelly is currently pursuing dual MSEd and MSW degrees in infant and family development and early intervention at Bank Street Graduate School of Education and Hunter College’s Silberman School of Social Work. She comes to Bank Street after working in the New York City Early Intervention Program for 8.5 years and is passionate about inclusivity in early childhood education for students with developmental differences/disabilities. She holds a BA in Developmental Psychology from Boston College.

Heather Price-Wright serves as Bank Street’s senior director of institutional giving. Prior to Bank Street, she served in a variety of fundraising and leadership roles, including director of foundation giving and interim vice president of growth strategy and development at Educators for Excellence, a teacher-led policy and advocacy organization. Before that, she worked as a reporter and editor at TIME for Kids magazine and was a founding editor at the brand’s first middle-school classroom magazine, TIME Edge. Heather grew up in Arizona and obtained her bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing from the University of Arizona.

Chazz Rahynes, Associate Teacher, School for Children

The Education Center welcomed Lily Rosenthal as a program manager, supporting a range of projects in the policy portfolio including the Learning Starts At Birth and Early Childhood Fellowship. Lily began her career as an elementary school teacher and later was the director of Study Buddies Connect, a free virtual tutoring program within the Association to Benefit Children (ABC). Lily has an MA in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership Studies from Stanford University and a BA in Psychology from Kenyon College.

Alayne Stieglitz is a new graduate student advisor in the Graduate School’s Early Childhood Special Education Online Program. Alayne has been in the early care and education field for over 40 years, spanning the gamut from classroom to director’s chair, most recently as professor of early childhood education at Diablo Valley College. In 2016, Alayne co-founded a non-profit organization providing infant mental health consultation and education to caregivers of mothers and infants, including medical and educational staff in Peru, India, and El Salvador. She has a BS in Psychology from UCLA and an MEd in Infant and Family Development and Early Intervention from Bank Street Graduate School of Education.

Travis Tate (they/them) joined the School System Partnerships & Programs team in the Education Center as a program associate. Travis has a variety of experiences in the public sector including supporting clean energy research, higher education, and operations; as well as a passion and talent for all things arts, including media, theater, music, writing, and more. Travis will be supporting the maintenance of many of the operational systems and processes that keeps Bank Street going, as well as supporting projects in the broader School System Partnerships & Programs portfolio.

Jennifer Weiss Friedman joined the Education Center as a project manager. Prior to Bank Street, she was the project director for Trauma Smart in New York City, training educators on trauma-informed care. She has extensive experience in early childhood education as a bilingual speech-language pathologist and co-founding director of a dual language preschool. Jennifer graduated with a bachelor’s degree in cognitive science from Vassar College and a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Teacher’s College, Columbia University.

Alice Bradley joined the Strategy & Operations team as a project & data manager and is currently leading projects in support of Bank Street’s COVID-19 testing program. Alice has been a project manager and policy analyst in early childhood education for seven years and has particularly enjoyed her work with Head Start programs as well as promoting two-generational family engagement and advocacy. Prior to joining the Bank Street community, Alice worked at the NYC Division of Early Childhood Education, developing community partnerships, grant applications, family resources, and policies to integrate family voice in DOE programming. Alice holds degrees in public affairs and urban studies from The New School.

Sinead Chalmers is the new project & documentation manager in the Education Center, where she will focus on the Networks for School Improvement (NSI) initiatives. To this role, Sinead brings experience in education research and policy focused on the analysis of effective local practices with promise to be adjusted/adapted to scale across communities. In this work, Sinead has experience in consulting and managing large-scale partnerships that support local public-school districts in strategically implementing equity-minded practices designed to support the diversity of students they serve. Sinead has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Stonehill College and a Master of Arts in Sociology with a focus in Education Policy from Boston College.

Hannah Dennis joined Prepared To Teach as the sustainability implementation specialist for the Gates Sustainability Project. She took on this consulting role at Bank Street after two years as a research assistant through Columbia University’s work-study program. In her capacity as project manager, Hannah works closely with external partners to understand their needs, develop tools & reports, and incorporate feedback into project deliverables. She received an MPA in Development Practice from Columbia University and B.A. in Art History with minors in Nonprofit Organizational Leadership and African Studies from the University of Florida. Before moving to New York, she lived for three years in Nairobi, Kenya where she lead leadership development workshops, taught English to urban refugees, and consulted on nonprofit fundraising strategies.

Sarah Honey joined the IT team as a business analyst, where she supports the School for Children and other divisions by providing technical support, evaluating reporting needs and solutions, and working to further leverage technology to achieve strategic objectives. Prior to joining Bank Street, Sarah held roles in database management, fundraising, and project management for nonprofit organizations. Sarah holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School and a BA in English from Rutgers University.

Keyma Kitchens joins the Development and Alumni Relations team as the database and analytics manager. In her role, she supports the team in implementing policies and procedures surrounding the database in line with industry best practices. Previously, Keyma has worked in both the private and nonprofit sectors with expertise in database management, operations, event planning, public relations, and marketing. She holds a BA in Media & Communications from the City College of New York.

The Education Center’s School System Partnerships & Programs team welcomed Chessy Normile as a program associate to support its Networks for School Improvement work. Before coming to Bank Street, Chessy worked as a research associate with SAFE Alliance and as a consultant at the New York City Department of Education. She received an MFA in Poetry from the Michener Center for Writers at UT Austin.

Lizette Otero joined Bank Street Head Start as a family worker. Prior to Bank Street, she was the enrollment manager for a multi-center provider throughout Brooklyn and Staten Island where she assured families of all economic means received childcare. Lizette received her bachelor’s degree at Lehman College.

Meg Pantell recently joined the Education Center as a research and data manager. Previously, Meg spent eight years teaching middle and high school special education math in Brooklyn where she strived to make math content engaging and accessible to all learners. Prior to joining Bank Street, Meg was pursuing her master’s degree at Stanford University. Through her graduate work, she had the opportunity to combine her passion for social ecology, public health, and nature conservation, researching the health and wellness benefits Bay Area residents experience from engaging with Coastal Redwoods.

Paula Amonzem-Anglesey joins the Family Center as an associate teacher in room 5. Paula has been teaching young children in New York City independent schools and Ghana for over 20 years, most recently at The Quad Preparatory School in Manhattan. She has taught at the United Nations International School, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, and Roosevelt Island Day Nursery. Paula received her master’s degrees in early childhood special education and general education from Fordham University and CUNY Hunter College, respectively. She also has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a teacher training education certificate from the University of Ghana and Cape Coast.

Ursula Esther Auguste is a new associate teacher for the 7/8s in the School for Children. Ursula has been a classroom teacher for more than 30 years and recently migrated to the United States from the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. Working with children is her passion and she is currently in her final year of pursuing a master’s degree at Bank Street College.

The School for Children welcomed Rashawn Baldwin-White as a new support teacher. Rashawn recently graduated from Union College with a major in psychology and a minor in film studies. During the summers of 2018 and 2019, Rashawn worked as a camp counselor for the Fresh Air Fund and, while in college, he worked for the My Brother’s Keeper program in which he provided mentorship to inner-city middle school and high school students.

Nasrinara (Nasi) Begum is new to the School for Children as an associate teacher for the 5/6s. Nasi enjoys working with and educating young children and has experience working in various preschools. She graduated from Queens College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and hopes to pursue a master’s in early childhood education.

Luarben (Lulu) Bencosme is the new Bilingual Special Education Equity Specialist for the Center on Culture, Race & Equity (CCRE). Lulu has spent two decades supporting children, families, and community programs as an educator, professional development lecturer, parent activist, and board member. Identified as bilingual and bicultural, she is driven by a commitment to equity as well as culturally and linguistically responsive practice. She has presented at a variety of conferences and her work has been highlighted by Bright Spots in Hispanic Education by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, among other organizations. Lulu holds master’s degrees in early childhood and special education from the College of New Rochelle.

The Development and Alumni Relations Office welcomed Conor Burnett as a Grants Development Associate. Conor comes to Bank Street after having taught creative writing on Rikers Island through Columbia. He holds degrees from New York University and Columbia University.

Alaina Daniels (they/she) is the new math & science teacher for the 12/13s. She is a White, queer, neurodiverse trans woman who has taught middle school science, activism, sex education, robotics, engineering, math, and queer media in New York City schools for 10 years including seven years at Manhattan Country School and six with the John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. They hold a BA in Environmental History/Science from Amherst College, an MAT in Biology from Smith College, and are working on an MSEd in Progressive Leadership at Bank Street College. She loves educating for liberation by helping students to develop as scientists, mathematicians, and thoughtful community members who are empowered to explore, examine, quantify, question, and change the universe around them.

Alexandra Figueras-Daniel is the new associate director of the Straus Center for Young Children and Families. Alexandra’s work focuses on research and issues related to equity for young dual language learners (DLLs), including ways to improve practice and policy to provide access to high-quality learning for young children and families. Alexandra’s doctoral studies are in education policy from the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University.

Abbe Futterman, GSE ’92, is a new co-director of the Leadership Department in the Graduate School. She is co-founder of The Earth School (PS 364M) in New York City, where she worked for 27 years as a teacher and principal. Abbe specializes in anti-racist leadership, social-emotional learning, curriculum development, authentic assessment, and constructivist pedagogy. She has worked extensively with Prospect Center’s Descriptive Processes and frequently leads study groups for parents, principals, and teachers. A passionate advocate for public education, Abbe has an abiding commitment to culturally responsive-sustaining schools, community empowerment, and social justice.

Akia Goudy has joined the School for Children as a 10/11s math and science teacher. Akia is entering her ninth year of teaching in New York City. She enjoys teaching all subjects but has a particular penchant for teaching math through an interdisciplinary approach. Akia holds an MA from Teachers College, Columbia University in Elementary Curriculum Design and an MSEd from Hunter College, CUNY as an Elementary Math Specialist.

The School for Children welcomed Takesha Graham as an associate teacher with the 8/9s. Previously, Takesha worked for two years at Ethical Culture Fieldston School as a second-grade associate teacher. Takesha graduated from Barnard College in 2015 and expects to graduate from the childhood general and special education program at Bank Street College in Fall 2020.

Lucy Green joined Bank Street’s new Office of Social Justice, Equity, and Inclusion as the Program and Data Manager. Lucy is a mission-driven person committed to equity and passionate about making systematic change. She holds a Master’s in Sociology and Education Policy from Teachers College at Columbia University and brings prior experience advocating for equity within the institutions she has worked for.

Eric Gutierrez is the new Director of Alumni Relations in the Development and Alumni Relations Office. Eric has more than 10 years of experience in alumni relations and higher education. He began his career at the Multicultural Student Services Center at the George Washington University (GW) as the Latino Program Coordinator. He then worked as an Assistant Director for Affinity Outreach at GW’s Central Alumni Relations Office and then he served as Assistant Director of Alumni Relations for the GW School of Business. Most recently, Eric served as Director of Alumni Engagement at Montclair Kimberley Academy in New Jersey. He graduated from GW with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Master’s of Tourism Administration.

Jonathan Horton is new to the School for Children as a school community aide. He previously worked in security for Metropolitan Hospital and as a group leader for Scan New York.

The Family Center welcomed Irma Idrizi as a new teacher aide. Prior to Bank Street, Irma worked as a teacher in Albania for 18 years. She is looking forward to supporting her head teacher in the Family Center while also engaging with parents and helping children feel comfortable in their school environment.

Takiyah Jackson joined the School for Children as a head teacher for the Middle School. Takiyah has 16 years of experience in education and, for the past seven years, has worked as a staff developer for schools in New York City and around the country. Prior to her work as an instructional/literacy coach/consultant, she taught in New Jersey for seven years and spent two years teaching in Abu Dhabi. She also facilitates writing workshops for the NYWC coalition and is currently working on a picture book titled, Spaghetti and Meatballs with Love on the Side.

The School for Children welcomed Jennifer King as an associate teacher for the 3/4s and 4/5s. Since 2008, Jennifer has worked as a head teacher with 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds at three other private schools in New York City. Jennifer received her Master of Science in Education from Bank Street College in 2012 and is excited to be returning to the school as a teacher.

Nicole Kummer joined the School for Children as a virtual head teacher in the Middle School. She has seven years of experience teaching in independent progressive schools in New York City and internationally. Nicole holds a BA in History and Political Science and an MSEd from Bank Street College of Education in Museum Education and Childhood.

Matty Lau joined the Education Center as the Director of Strategy and Implementation for the Yonkers Public School Network for School Improvement. Matty has been in the field of education for over two decades, taking on various roles including grade 6-12 science and mathematics teacher, curriculum developer, researcher, teacher educator, and networked continuous improvement facilitator. She holds a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Physics Education from the University of Maryland, College Park and an AB in Physics from Bryn Mawr College. She is passionate about advocating for teachers, striving towards equitable education, and creating space for asking good questions.

Everette K. Middleton-Kong is a new teacher aide in the Bank Street Family Center. A native of Jamaica, Everette comes from the world of banking and is now excited to be pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming an educator. He is currently working toward a dual master’s degree in social work and education, respectively, from Bank Street College and Hunter College. He holds a BA from Northern Caribbean University in his home country.

Aparna Muralidharan is Chief Financial Officer at Bank Street College. Prior to joining Bank Street, Aparna served as Vice President of Risk and Compliance at Teach for America, where she was a change agent to strengthen and engage the executive team and the broader organization on operational efficiency, compliance, risk mitigation, and long-term sustenance. Aparna is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with professional experience in diverse cultural contexts, industries, and mission-driven organizations.

Gaia Porcella joined the Bank Street Family Center as a teacher aide in room 4. Gaia has worked in early childhood education for the past five years, most recently as an assistant teacher at the Learning Experience preschool in Manhattan.

Abby Powell joined the School for Children as an associate teacher for the 9/10s. Prior to Bank Street, Abby worked in health, coordinating and researching a physical activity program in rural Iowa. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in general education and literacy at Bank Street College. Approved

The Education Center welcomed Melanie Quiroz as a Research & Data Manager on the School Systems Programs & Partnerships (SSPP) team for the Yonkers Public Schools Network for School Improvement (YPS NSI). In this role, she supports the network with measurement strategies, data tools/analysis, and research across all project strands. Prior to Bank Street, she worked for the Center for New York City Affairs conducting education policy research and data analysis in Department of Education schools, and has previous experience in community outreach and service provision within CBOs and nonprofit agencies. She holds a BA in Urban Studies and an MS in Public and Urban Policy from The New School.

Yeimi Ramirez has joined the School for Children as a community aide. Prior to Bank Street, Yeimi spent three years in the customer service field as a cashier and also has experience tutoring children. Yeimi is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree at John Jay College.

The School for Children welcomed Hannah Rogers as an Upper School Support Teacher in the 10/11s. Hannah is a graduate of Connecticut College, during which she majored in Human Development and certified in Elementary Education (Grades 1-6). She also spent one semester studying in London and two summers as a Teaching Fellow in New York City with the New York Botanical Garden’s Edible Academy and City Growers in Brooklyn.

Jordan Segal has joined the School for Children as a support teacher for the 10/11s and 11/12s. Jordan has worked in education in a variety of different roles, including in tutoring and after school and as a camp counselor, English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor, and art teacher. Jordan is excited to continue his career as an educator at Bank Street.

Alyssa Swart is the new Literacy Fellow for the 8/9s and 9/10s in the School for Children. Prior to Bank Street, Alyssa was a student teacher and an associate teacher in lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. Before her career in education, she worked in publishing and online retail. Alyssa is extremely passionate about supporting students in literacy so that they can develop their own love of reading. She received her BA in English from New York University and graduated from Bank Street’s Childhood General Education and Teaching Literacy program last spring.

Andrew Tan joined the School for Children as a support teacher working with teachers and school staff to help prepare students for in-person learning and reinforce health and safety rules during the 2020-2021 school year. A graduate of Stony Brook University in Marine Vertebrate Biology, Andrew has spent the past five years in various classroom roles teaching a wide variety of topics such as math, English Language Arts, and science.

Beth Tarnow is the associate teacher in room 3 at the Family Center. She is currently in her second year at Bank Street Graduate School, working towards a degree in Early Childhood General & Special Education. Beth received her undergraduate degree, a BFA in musical theater, at Shenandoah Conservatory, and spent several years working as a performer regionally, internationally, and aboard cruise ships.

The School for Children welcomed David Thorpe as a new associate teacher for the 7/8s in the Middle School. During the 2019-20 school year, David student-taught at International Community High School in the Bronx (one of New York City’s innovative Consortium Schools) and the Brooklyn elementary school P.S. 261. Prior to becoming a teacher, he worked as a journalist, nonprofit communications director, and documentary filmmaker. David is a second-year graduate student in Bank Street’s TESOL program.

The Graduate School welcomed Kristin Waters as the Assistant Dean for Student Services. Before joining Bank Street, Kristin served as Director of Enrollment Services at Borough of Manhattan Community College, where she created and launched the first-ever one-stop enrollment center. In her career, she has also served as an administrator in admissions offices, registrar’s offices, and student affairs. Kristin earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Frostburg State University in 2016. She also holds an MBA from Capitol Technology University, MAEd from Virginia Tech, and a BA from Millersville University of PA.

Kenya Williams is new to the School for Children as an associate teacher for the 6/7s. Kenya’s experience working with children stems from her positions as a child care provider and teacher’s aide, both in school and remotely and her love of children continues to grow. She is currently a graduate student at Bank Street College and plans to graduate in the spring.

Ágata Amaral joined the Education Center as a senior math coach for the Algebra for All New York City Department of Education Initiative. In her role, Ágata provides teachers and school leaders with ongoing research-based professional learning to strengthen their capacity to improve the mathematics programs in their schools and support student readiness for success in mathematics. Ágata’s collaboration with teachers and other coaches is designed to deepen and sharpen their content knowledge and pedagogical repertoire and to engage them in conversations around grade-specific mathematics with a focus on the significant topics in each grade and making them more accessible to students, teachers, and coaches.

Ben Coleman joined the Education Center as a math coach for the Algebra For All initiative, working with schools in District 26 in Queens and District 22 in Brooklyn. Over the last 10 years, Ben has worked in various roles coaching and teaching mathematics in grades K-12 in New York and Boston.

Michelle Fizer Peterson joined the Development and Alumni Relations Office as Alumni Relations Coordinator. Formerly, Michelle was the Director of Development for Diller-Quaile School of Music. She earned a master’s degree in non-profit management from Columbia University, during which she served as a program coordinator for the Hunter College Mellon Arts Fellowship Program, dedicated to furthering students from underrepresented backgrounds in arts management. Before working in non-profit, a bachelor’s degree in communications, broadcast journalism from Howard University afforded Michelle her decade-long career as a television reporter. Previously, she studied classical vocal arts at Oberlin College Conservatory.

Lucy Green joined the Education Center as a Special Projects and Data Manager. Lucy is a mission-driven person, passionate about youth empowerment, education equity, and making systematic change. She began her career running high school programs in Boston at the Museum of Science and then at Zoo New England. She recently graduated from Teachers College at Columbia University with a Master’s of Education in Education Policy and Sociology. She is excited to bring her love of Excel and analytics to Bank Street.

Amy Haskell is a new math coach with the Algebra for All team. Amy joins the Education Center from the Office of Leadership in the Department of Education. Before that, Amy was a middle school math teacher in Brooklyn. Amy has worked with educators and school leaders all across the city and is thrilled to be supporting math teachers in this new role.

Brandy Jones Lawrence is new to the Education Center as Senior Director, Birth-to-Three, Communication & Partnerships. Brandy is an early childhood policy and advocacy leader with nearly 20 years of experience in state and federal early care and education policy development, analysis and consultation, early learning program partnership development, and philanthropy. Brandy has worked at the Ounce of Prevention Fund in Chicago, leading efforts to secure one of Illinois’ largest sustained increases in state birth-to-five funding history, and as a founding leader of the Ounce’s National Policy Consultation team. More recently, she served as the State Program Manager at the Pritzker Children’s Initiative.

Dominique Mohansingh serves as the Annual Funds Manager in the Development and Alumni Relations Office. In this role, she supports the College’s four annual funds through frontline fundraising and oversight of a direct mail and email program. Prior to Bank Street, Dominique held various roles in development, events management, marketing, and public relations. She received a BS in Business Management from the University of Connecticut.

The School Systems Programs & Partnerships (SSPP) team welcomed Reena Nazir as a Special Projects and Data Manager. In this role, she supports in project management, budgeting, operations, and analytics across the SSPP portfolio. Prior to joining the Education Center, Reena held program, data, and operational roles at educational, nonprofit organizations and government agencies in New York City. She earned a BBA from The University of Texas at Austin (hook ’em!).

SLi Norum-Gross (they/them) is the new Special Projects Coordinator for the New Program Design team in the Education Center. A born-and-bred New Yorker, they moved to New Orleans in 2010, where they received their certification in Middle School Math. After teaching there for several years, they decided to pursue their Master’s in Sociology at the University of New Orleans, where they did research on LGBTQ homelessness.

The Strategy & Operations office welcomed Digna Nunez as its new Budget and Operations Associate. Prior to Bank Street, Digna worked as an Accounts Payable Assistant at Hunter College after getting her degree there. 

Francheska Santos is the Research Coordinator for Prepared To Teach and is currently working with the team’s national survey for aspiring teachers’ financial burdens. She was previously an education fellow at the New York Public Library. She holds a degree from Amherst College and a Master’s in Urban Education Policy from Brown University.

Annie Schaeffing joined the Education Center as the Director of New Program Design. Annie recently moved to New York from Washington, DC, where she served as Program Supervisor of Early Childhood Workforce Development at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, and previously worked at DC Public Schools Central Office. She began her career teaching Head Start in Phoenix, Arizona. Annie holds a Master’s of Education in Education Policy from American University and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from John Carroll University. She is passionate about high-quality, equitable education and is excited to help expand Bank Street’s impact.

The Education Center welcomed Jared Scheck as a Program and Data Associate on the School Systems Partnerships & Programs team. Prior to Bank Street, he has worked as a paraprofessional in a 4th grade classroom and as a Program Coordinator for Scholar Athletes, a non-profit focused on college access, academic success, and health and wellness in the Boston Public Schools. He recently completed his MA in Politics and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, and is grateful to be a part of the team at Bank Street focusing on improvement projects for public education.

The Education Center welcomed Devyn Slossberg as a new math coach on the Math Initiatives project on the School System Partnerships & Programs team. Before coming to Bank Street, Devyn was an elementary school teacher in New York City for six years. She grew up in South Florida and graduated from the University of North Florida.

Stephanie Stanglin is a new math coach for the Algebra for All project on the Education Center’s School System Partnerships & Programs team. Prior to Bank Street, she taught high school math in Virginia for four years and most recently at a charter school in Brooklyn. Stephanie graduated from Elon University in 2015 with a Bachelor’s in Mathematics with Teacher Licensure, and from the University of New England in 2019 with a Master’s in Education with a concentration in Teacher Leadership.