Elementary School Staff

Elementary School Staff

Administration

Mike Ferrara

Elementary School
Co-Principal

Yvette Ferrara

Elementary School
Co-Principal

Jacqueline Abreu

Elementary School Dean of Academics and Culture (Grades K-2)

Brandon Scott

Elementary School Dean of Academics and Culture (Grades 3-5)

Cristal Rodriguez

Director of Special Needs Supports

Michael Copeland

Director of Operations

Katherine Rodriguez

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Kindergarten

Donna Ogle

Class KA

Johnnie Watson

Class KA

Louise Sanchez

Kindergarten
Assistant Teacher

Adriana Cisneros

Class KB
Grade Team Leader

Eliana Garcia

Class KB

First Grade

Lauren Strumpf

Class 1A
Grade Team Leader
Social Media Manager

Fabiola Valcin

Class 1A

Devon Losee

Class 1B

Claudia Peralta

Class 1B

Second Grade

Lindsay Bergh

Class 2A
Grade Team Leader

Daniela Girani

Class 2A

Michael DiGregorio

Class 2B

Tori Malin

Class 2B

Third Grade

Jennifer Mack

Class 3A
Grade Team Leader

Stephanie Robayo

Class 3A

David Rodriguez

Class 3B

Geralde Vaserman

Class 3B

Fourth Grade

Yaron Gal-Zur

Class 4A
Grade Team Leader

Lily Chen

Class 4A

Jaime Stavola

Class 4B

Alexandra Numeroff

Class 4B

Fifth Grade

Don Gilbert

Class 5A

Caitlin Chavez

Class 5A

Jennifer Barnes

Class 5B
Grade Team Leader

Arlene Toussaint

Class 5B

Specialists

Colin McNally

Music Teacher

Lauren Pantos

Art Teacher

Eddy Correa

PE Teacher

Nicole Anjos

Science Teacher

Student Supports

Chatequa Campbell

SETSS Teacher
Grades K-3

Matthew Seneca

SETSS & ENL Teacher
Grades 3-5

Yeydy de la Cruz

ENL Teacher
Grades 3-5

Elisa Velazquez

ENL Teacher
Grades K-2

Operations & Family Engagement

Lidia Gonzalez

Office Manager
Parent Coordinator

Noemi Espinal

Operations Associate

Sarina Gutierrez

Afterschool Coordinator

Carmen Delgado

School Aide &
School Librarian

Karelee Guerrero

School Aide

Isabel Galarce-Garcia

School Aide

Valeska Torrez

School Aide

Anthony Bhimsain

Data Analyst
All Campuses

Board

Nancy Lewson Kurz
Board Chair and CEO
Beginning with Children

Michelle Brooks
Senior Director, Treasurer
Chobani

Chris Gaulin
HealthCor Management, L.P.
Portfolio Manager

Deborah Goldfarb
Managing Director
Barclays Capital

Mychal Harrison
Senior Vice President
Deloitte CRG

Eric Hoffman
Principal
Centerbridge Partners, L.P.

Kofi N. Kankam
Co-Founder and CEO
Admit.me

Marshall King
Partner
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

Justin Nowell
Associate
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

Carol F. Reich, Ph.D (1935-2019)
Co-Founder
Beginning with Children

Joseph H. Reich
Emeritus Board Member, Co-Founder
Beginning with Children

Founders Joe and Carol Reich

The principles we were building our school on, presented something potentially huge in education reform. These principles-parental choice, freedom to operate in a manner consistent with the needs of specific children, parent involvement, longer school days and a longer school year, merit compensation for teachers-could be a game changer for children of poverty. It was the growing sense of this possibility that re-energized us and gave us the strength to push on, for as long as necessary.

We both shared a common and basic belief: families of means can afford to send their children to private schools or relocate to an affluent neighborhood where public schools have greater resources. The poor cannot. We recoiled against this injustice. We made it our own struggle.

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Eliana Garcia

Second Grade General Education Teacher

What do you love about your job?
What I love the most about my job is being able to give back to my community. I was born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and being able to educate and stay in touch with families, friends, and my neighbors is an honor. BwCCS 2 has allowed me to grow as an educator and provide my students a safe, loving, and structured environment where children and families feel welcomed and respected while obtaining the tools to becoming successful adults.

Previous Position / Experience
I completed my student teaching experience in Pre-K and Third Grade level. I have been teaching professionally for the past 8 years. I have taught Pre-K, UPK, First Grade, and now Second Grade.

Education
Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education from Kean University. Go Cougars!

Fun Fact
I am a foodie! I love to try different types of food from all over the world. I also love spending time with my loved ones. This quote sums it all: “The best things in life are the people we love, the places we’ve been, and the memories we’ve made along the way”.

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Yaron Gal-Zur

5th Grade Math Teacher

What do you love about your job?
Working with children and seeing how every student is able to reach their full potential.

Previous Position / Experience
Hebrew Language Teacher

Education
Masters Degree in Education, Hunter College

Fun Fact
Loves traveling and running

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Colin McNally

Music Specialist, K-5

What do you love about your job?
I love giving our students a change to feel like rock stars on stage.

Previous Position / Experience
Music Teacher at Achievement First Bushwick Elementary

Education
Master of Music in Music Education, Syracuse University
Bachelor of Music, Syracuse University

Fun Fact
I am an advanced open-water Scuba Diver. Ask me about it!

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Lauren Pantos

Art Teacher

What do you love about your job?
I love being able to share what I am most passionate about with our community everyday!

Previous Position / Experience
I am going into my 10th year teaching Visual Arts to elementary students.

Education
I received both my undergraduate degree in Art Education and my masters degree in Studio Arts from SUNY New Paltz.

Fun Fact
I am a Bob Ross Certified Instructor! I can teach you how to make all kinds of happy little trees!

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Noemi Espinal

Operations Associate

What do you love about your job?
Love the children, and to be able to help them in everything that I can, straight from my heart.

Previous Position / Experience
School Aide

Education
High School

Fun Fact
I love to run, sing, and dance.