Garden City Public Schools 56 Cathedral Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 Coordinator of Public Information Catherine Knight, Ed. D. 516 478-1079 August 30, 2017 For Immediate Release: GCPS Welcomes New Teachers Thirty-two new teachers and two new assistant principals began their careers in Garden City Public Schools on August 22 nd by completing an intensive three-day introduction to the district during New Teacher Orientation. The new staff met members of the district and building leadership teams, including Board of Education members, PTA and SEPTA Directors, and Interim Superintendent Dr. Alan Groveman. In addition to attending workshops on a variety of topics ranging from District Instructional Goals to Reading Boot Camp, the new staff toured the district and Village, learning about Garden City s fascinating history from Continuing Education Program Coordinator and former Social Studies Department Chair Mr. Doug Sheer. Welcome to our new staff and best wishes for a successful 2017-2018 school year! Caption for 8-9-17IMG_2582SaSteAPSBOE.jpg: Stewart and Stratford welcomed two new assistant principals. Pictured here at the August 9 th Board of Education meeting are (left to right): Michelle Bell, assistant principal at Stewart School, Interim Superintendent Dr. Alan Groveman, Christopher Hartigan, assistant principal at Stratford Avenue, Eileen Vota, principal at Stratford Avenue, and Board of Education President Angela Heineman.
Caption for 8-22-17IMG_2641NTOAngela.jpg: Board President Angela Heineman warmly welcomed the new teachers during New Teacher Orientation. Caption for 8-24-17IMG_2682NewTeachers.jpg: Pictured just prior to their bus tour of Garden City led by Mr. Doug Sheer (far left), are the school district s new teachers. Included here is a brief bio of each new staff member: Michelle Bell Assistant Principal
Stewart School Ms. Michelle Bell holds NYS professional certificates in mathematics (5-9), childhood education (1-6), and educational technology specialist. She holds a NYS initial certificate in school building leader. Ms. Bell holds an MS in educational technology from Long Island University, C. W. Post Campus and a BS in education, elementary education from the University of Delaware. Ms. Bell served as a general education teacher in the Great Neck Public Schools from September, 2010 to June, 2017. From August, 2008 to June, 2010, she served as a technology teacher aide in E.M. Baker Elementary School in Great Neck, New York. Ms. Bell also served as a summer school teacher at JFK in Bethpage, New York from July, 2008 to August, 2012. Christopher Hartigan Assistant Principal Mr. Christopher Hartigan holds NYS professional certificates in students with disabilities (1-6), and childhood education (1-6). He holds a NYS initial certificate as a school building leader. Mr. Hartigan holds an MS in special education from Queens College CUNY and a BS in childhood education from Long Island University, C. W. Post Campus. Mr. Hartigan served as a model teacher in PS 253Q, Far Rockaway, New York from September, 2013 to June, 2017. From October, 2012 to June, 2013, Mr. Hartigan served as a leave replacement special education teacher at Lynbrook Kindergarten Center in Lynbrook, New York. Steven Bilello Business Education Mr. Bilello holds NYS initial certificates in business and marketing, and social studies (7-12). He holds a BS in business management from Farmingdale State College, Farmingdale, New York and an MS in adolescence education: social studies/special education from Long Island University, C. W. Post Campus in Brookville, New York. Mr. Bilello served as a business teacher in the South Huntington School District from September, 2016 to June, 2017. From October, 2013 to January, 2016, he served as a financial planner for Larry Heller & Associates in Melville, New York. Kristen Borg Hemlock School Ms. Borg holds an MS in early childhood education from Queens College, New York and a BS in childhood education from St. John s University, New York. She holds a NYS professional certificate in childhood education (grades 1-6) and a NYS initial certificate in early childhood education (birth grade 2). Ms. Borg served as a kindergarten and second grade teacher in P.S. 121 in Ozone Park, New York from September, 2015 to June, 2017. From September, 2013 to June, 2015, she served as a general education teacher in P.S. 253, The Magnet School of Multicultural Humanities in Brighton Beach, New York. Ms. Borg served as the director/lead teacher in Kinderstuff Daycare and Learning Center in Flatbush, New York from February, 2012 to June, 2013.
Jennifer Brandt Ms. Brandt holds NYS professional certificates in childhood education (1-6), and students with disabilities (1-6). She holds a BS in sociology from Molloy College in Rockville Centre, New York and an MS in general and special education from Touro College, in Bayshore, New York. Ms. Brandt served as a second grade teacher in P.S. 19 Marino Jeantet in Corona, Queens from September, 2015 to June, 2017. From September, 2012 to June, 2015, she served as a special education teacher in Brooklyn Blue Feather Elementary School in Brooklyn, New York. She also served as a special education teacher in the summer program at Nassau BOCES Rosemary Kennedy School in Wantagh, New York from July, 2012 to August, 2012 and as a teacher assistant in Charles A. Reinhard Early Childhood Center in South Bellmore, New York from January, 2012 to June, 2012. Linda Burke Stewart School Ms. Burke holds a NYS professional certificate in childhood education (1-6). She holds a BS in psychology and an MA in art in teaching from Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut. Ms. Burke served as an elementary education teacher in PS 16Q, The Nancy DeBenedittis School in Corona, New York from September, 2006 to June, 2017. From 2005 to 2006, she served as a leave replacement in Shelter Rock Elementary School in Manhasset, New York. Elizabeth Burkhard Ms. Burkhard holds NYS initial certificates in social studies (7-12) and students with disabilities (5-9), generalist. She holds a BA in history from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York and an MA in education/special education from Touro College in Bay Shore, New York. Ms. Burkhard served as a social studies leave replacement teacher at Seaford, Seaford, New York from December, 2015 to January, 2016 and at Island Trees in Levittown, New York from November, 2010 to June, 2011, and again from December, 2009 to June, 2010. She served as a social studies leave replacement teacher in Harborfields in Greenlawn, New York from September, 2009 to November, 2009 and in Wantagh, Wantagh, New York from October, 2008 to June, 2009. Maureen Danielo Ms. Danielo holds a BS in physical education and an MS in education in health from Hofstra University. She holds a NYS professional certificate in physical education K-12, a NYS initial certificate in students with disabilities grades 7-12 generalist, and a NYS initial certificate in health education K-12. Ms. Danielo served as a leave replacement physical education teacher in the Archer Street Elementary School in Freeport, New York from September, 2016 to June, 2017. From April, 2014 to June, 2014 and January, 2015 to June, 2016, she served as a leave
replacement special education teacher in Jonas Salk in Levittown, New York. Ms. Danielo also served as a leave replacement health education teacher in Wisdom Lane Middle School in Levittown, New York from September, 2014 to December, 2014. Carri Ann Darin Reading Ms. Darin holds NYS professional certificates in early childhood education (b-2) literacy (b-6), and childhood education (1-6). She holds a BA in elementary education and an MA in literacy education from Pace University. Ms. Darin served as an elementary education teacher in PS 330Q in Queens, New York from September, 2011 to June, 2017. From September, 2005, to June, 2010, she served as a first grade teacher in the Edgar Allen Poe Literacy Development School, Public School 46 in the Bronx, New York. Jenna DiLorenzo Math Ms. DiLorenzo holds a BS in adolescent education, mathematics and an MS in applied mathematics for secondary school teachers from Long Island University, LIU Post Campus. She holds a NYS initial certificate in mathematics (7-12). Ms. DiLorenzo served as a leave replacement teacher in Division from January, 2017 to June, 2017. From September, 2016 to January, 2017, she served as a leave replacement teacher in MacArthur High School in Levittown, New York and from February, 2016, to May, 2016 she served as a leave replacement teacher in New Hyde Park Memorial and in Garden City Middle School. She served as a per diem substitute teacher in the Garden City and East Williston school districts from 2015 to 2017. Stephanie Farkash Spanish Ms. Farkash holds a NYS initial certificate in Spanish 7-12. She holds an MA in adolescent education, TESOL studies and a BA in Spanish from Adelphi University. She served as a Spanish teacher leave replacement in Valley Stream South from August, 2015 to June, 2017. Ms. Farkash also served as an ESL summer camp instructor for the International House NYC Language School at Hofstra University from July, 2014 to August, 2014. Meredith Foley Science Ms. Foley holds a NYS transitional G certificate in chemistry, 7-12. She holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from New York University and a BS in mathematics from the University of Notre Dame. Ms. Foley served as an assistant professor of chemistry in New Jersey City University, New Jersey from July, 2016 to June, 2017. She served as a visiting assistant professor of chemistry in St. John s University in Queens, New York from August, 2012 to June, 2016. Ms. Foley served as an adjunct assistant professor of chemistry at St. John s University from August,
2011 to May, 2012. From March, 2012 to June, 2012, she served as a chemistry instructor in the US Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. Leah Goldberg ENL Homestead Ms. Goldberg holds a NYS initial certificate in English to speakers of other languages. She holds an MS in education in TESOL from Queens College, Queens, New York and a BA in Spanish from the University of Rhode Island. Ms. Goldberg served as a lead teacher for infant, toddler and pre-k classes in Harbor Child Care in Uniondale, New York from May, 2012 to June, 2017. She completed her student teaching for ENL in the South Huntington and Port Washington school districts in May, 2017. Stuart Goldberg Mr. Goldberg holds NYS initial certificates in students with disabilities social studies (7-12), students with disabilities (7-12) generalist, and social studies (7-12). He holds a BA in humanities-philosophy from the University of Central Florida and an MS in adolescent education from Adelphi University in Garden City. Mr. Goldberg served as a special education/social studies leave replacement teacher in Great Neck South in Great Neck, New York from January, 2017 to May, 2017. From September, 2016 to December, 2016 he served as a special education leave replacement teacher in Lawrence Road in Uniondale, New York. George Harrison Science Mr. Harrison holds a NYS initial certification in physics 7-12. He holds a BS in physics and an MA in education from Adelphi University. Mr. Harrison served as a physics regents prep teacher in Roosevelt, Roosevelt, New York from November, 2015 to June, 2017. He served as a physics and AP environmental science leave replacement teacher at Northport, Northport, New York from January, 2014 to June, 2014. From October, 2013 to January, 2014, Mr. Harrison served as a substitute teacher in the Garden City Winter Program as the Lego Robotics instructor. Colleen Kennedy Ms. Kennedy holds NYS professional certificates in students with disabilities (1-6) and childhood education (1-6). She holds a BA in business administration from Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland and an MA in childhood and special education from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York. Ms. Kennedy served as a special education teacher in P.S. 217 Colonel David Marcus School in Brooklyn, New York from September, 2011 to August, 2015. From June, 2010 to July, 2011, she served as an AIS provider in the summer program for
Garden City Public Schools. From September, 2010 to June, 2011, Ms. Kennedy served as a teacher aide in Stewart School in Garden City, New York. Janine Knopf English Ms. Knopf holds a NYS initial certificate in English language arts grades 7-12. She holds a BA in English and an MS in secondary education English from Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York. Ms. Knopf served as a leave replacement teacher in Farmingdale from February, 2017 to June, 2017 and in W. T. Clarke in East Meadow, New York from September, 2016 to June, 2016. From December, 2014 to February, 2016, Ms. Knopf served as a substitute teacher/temporary intervention assistant in Woodland in East Meadow, New York. Kristyn Mayo Ms. Mayo holds NYS professional certificates in literacy (birth 6) and childhood education (grades 1-6) and a NYS initial certificate in literacy (birth 6). She holds an MS in literacy from Queens College, Queens, New York and a BS in childhood education from Molloy College in Rockville Centre, New York. Ms. Mayo served as an elementary education teacher in St. Agnes Cathedral School in Rockville Centre, New York from August, 2010 to June, 2017. From September, 2009 to June, 2010, she served as a teacher assistant in the Marion Street School in Lynbrook, New York. Ms. Mayo also served as a substitute teacher in the Rockville Centre School District and Garden City School District from January, 2009 to June, 2009. Eileen McAuley Hemlock School Ms. McAuley holds a NYS permanent certificate (pre k and 1-6). She holds a BA in education and an MA in elementary education from Queens College, Queens, New York. Ms. McAuley served as a teacher aide in the Garden City School District from 2015 to May, 2017. From 2009-2014 she served as lead teacher in the Richmond Hill Block Association Mommy and Me Program. Ms. McAuley served as a 4 th grade teacher in the Herricks School District from 1998-2005 and as a 4 th grade teacher in PS 87 in Middle Village, Queens, New York from 1995-1998. Marlena Oppedisano Stewart School Ms. Oppedisano holds a BA in psychology and an MA in childhood education from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York. She served as a special education leave replacement teacher from January, 2017 to April, 2017, and as a permanent substitute teacher from September, 2016 to January, 2017 in Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools in Hewlett, New York. Ms. Oppedisano served as a teacher in the Summer Enrichment Program in Garden City Public Schools during the summers of 2016 and 2017. From May, 2017 to June, 2017, she served as a teacher aide in the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools.
Jessica Osorio World Language Stewart School Ms. Osorio holds a NYS initial certificate in Spanish 7-12 and a NYS initial extension annotation, Spanish 1-6. She holds a BA in Spanish adolescence education (7-12) from SUNY Old Westbury, Westbury, New York. Ms. Osorio served as an elementary school Spanish teacher in Challenge Preparatory Charter School, Far Rockaway, New York from August, 2016 to the present and as an elementary school Spanish teacher from September, 2014 to August, 2016 in New Hope Academy Charter School in Brooklyn, New York. From July, 2014 to September, 2014, Ms. Osorio served as a summer camp counselor for Youth & Family Services in Long Beach, New York. Ms. Osorio also served as a substitute teacher in the Jericho School District, Jericho, New York from April, 2014 to June, 2014. Genevieve Pannell ENL Hemlock School Ms. Pannell holds NYS professional certificates in Spanish (7-12) and English to speakers of other languages. She holds an MA in TESOL from Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York and a BA in foreign languages and literatures from the University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware. Ms. Pannell served as an ENL leave replacement teacher in the Herricks School District from May, 2017 to June, 2017. From September, 2010 to June, 2013, she served as a Spanish teacher in the Half Hollow Hills School District in Dix Hills, New York. Mirianthi Pericli Family and Consumer Science Ms. Pericli holds a NYS initial certificate in family and consumer science. She holds a BA in Family & Consumer Science Education & Textiles & Apparel from Queens College, Queens, New York and an MA in childhood and special education (1-6) from Adelphi University, Garden City, New York. Ms. Pericli served as a part time family and consumer science leave replacement teacher, and as a substitute teacher in Island Trees Memorial Middle School in Levittown, New York from September, 2014 to June, 2017. Tracy Pignetti Hemlock School Ms.Pignetti holds a NYS permanent certificate in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and grades 1-6 and a NYS initial certificate in English to speakers of other languages. She holds a BA in psychology from St. Joseph s College in Patchogue, New York and an MS in elementary education from Long Island University. Ms. Pignetti served as an elementary classroom teacher from 2004 to 2009, a leave replacement teacher from 2010 to 2016, and as an English as a New Language teacher from September, 2016 to the present in the Islip School District, Islip, New York. Marissa Ruggiero
Homestead School Ms. Ruggiero holds NYS professional certificates in students with disabilities (1-6), early childhood education (b-2), literacy (b-6) and childhood education (1-6). She holds a post masters advanced certificate in early childhood education (birth-2), an MA as a literacy specialist from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York and a BS in inclusive elementary and special education from Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York. Ms. Ruggiero served as a special education teacher in P.S. 121 in Queens, New York from September, 2009 to June, 2017. From December, 2007 to June, 2009, she served as a teacher assistant in the Marion Street Elementary School in Lynbrook, New York. Ms. Ruggiero served as a special education teacher leave replacement in Riverside Elementary School in Rockville Centre, New York from September, 2007 to December, 2007. Nicole Russo Locust School Ms. Russo holds an MA in literacy from Teachers College, Columbia University in New York, a BS in elementary education from The University of Maryland and a students with disabilities extension certificate from the College of St. Rose, Albany, New York. She holds NYS professional certificates in students with disabilities (birth 2), literacy (birth 6), and students with disabilities (1-6) as well as a NYS permanent certificate pre k, kindergarten and grades 1-6. Ms. Russo served as a kindergarten teacher in Willow Road Elementary School in Valley Stream, New York from 2016 to June, 2017. From April, 2014 to October, 2016, she served as a substitute teacher in the Hicksville School District, Hicksville, New York. Ms. Russo also served as a kindergarten teacher from September, 2002 to June, 2009 in P.S. 83 in New York City. Monica Saavedra Psychologist Stewart/Hemlock Ms. Saavedra holds a NYS permanent certificate in school psychology. She holds a BA in psychology, an MS in educational psychology and a Certificate of Advanced Study from SUNY Albany. Ms. Saavedra served as a leave replacement school psychologist in the North- Bellmore School District, Bellmore, New York from January, 2017 to June, 2017, and in the Garden City School District from September, 2015 to December, 2016. From September, 2013 to June, 2015, Ms. Saavedra served as a leave replacement school psychologist in the East Rockaway School District, East Rockaway, New York. Brittney Sanders Music Ms. Sanders holds a NYS initial certificate in music K-12. She holds a BS in music education from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York and an MS in music education from Queens College, Queens, New York. Ms. Sanders served as a long term substitute teacher in the Rockville Centre School District in Rockville Centre, New York from September, 2016 to February, 2017. She served as a substitute teacher in the Massapequa School District in
Massapequa, New York from June, 2015 to June, 2017 and in the Garden City School District from September, 2015 to June, 2017. Daniel Seid Mr. Seid holds a BA in business management from Yeshiva University, Sy Syms School of Business in New York and an MS in elementary education from Hofstra University. He holds NYS initial certificates in students with disabilities (7-12), generalist, students with disabilities (1-6), social studies (7-12), and NYS professional certificates in early childhood education (birth-2), business and marketing, and childhood education (1-6). Mr. Seid served as a classroom teacher at Roosevelt Children s Academy Charter School from August, 2011 to June, 2017. Kathryn Sheil Science Ms. Sheil holds a NYS initial extension annotation certificate in general science 7-12 and a NYS initial certificate in earth science 7-12. She holds an MA in earth science from Stony Brook University, an MS in geology from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and a BS in ocean engineering from the University of Rhode Island. Ms. Sheil served as a science teacher in Carle Place, Carle Place, New York from September, 2015 to June, 2017. From January to June, 2015, she served as a leave replacement science teacher in the Garden City School District. Ms. Sheil served as an adjunct instructor of oceanography in Suffolk County Community College. Elizabeth Snyder Stewart School Ms. Snyder holds a NYS initial certificate in literacy (birth-grade 6) and a NYS initial certificate in childhood education (1-6). She holds a BS in childhood education and an MS in education from The College of St. Rose in Albany, New York. Ms. Snyder served as a teacher fellow from August, 2014 to 2015 and as a humanities teacher from August, 2015 to the present in the Brooklyn Ascend Charter School in Brooklyn, New York. From May, 2014 to June, 2014, Ms. Snyder served as a leave replacement teacher in Scott M. Ellis Elementary School in Greenville, New York. Danielle Warnke Psychologist Ms. Warnke holds a NYS provisional certificate in school psychology. She holds an MA in clinical psychology from The Chicago Professional School of Psychology, Los Angeles, California, an ME in therapeutic interventions from Fordham University, New York, and a BA in psychology from St. Joseph s College, Patchogue, New York. Ms. Warnke served as an assistant director of behavior intervention in Keany Associates in California from 2009 to May, 2017. From 2005 to 2008, she served as a school psychologist leave replacement in the Garden City School District. Ms. Warnke served as an adjunct undergraduate online psychology professor
from 2006 2016, and as an adjunct graduate special education professor at Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York from 2006 2008. Lindsay Werner Ms. Werner holds an MS in literacy from Hunter College, New York and a BA in elementary education from Spring Arbor University, Michigan. She holds a NYS professional certificate in childhood education (grades 1-6) and a NYS professional certificate in literacy (birth 6). Ms. Werner served as an elementary education teacher in The Green Vale School in Old Brookville, New York from 2013 to June, 2017. From 2004 to 2013, she served as an early childhood and primary educator, the literacy curriculum coordinator, and as a curriculum coach in the Philosophy Day School in New York City. Torie Zimmerman Art Ms. Zimmerman holds a NYS professional certificate in visual arts. She holds an MS in Education with Distinction, Fine Arts Education, and Curriculum & Teaching from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York and a BA in fine arts/art history from the University of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York. Ms. Zimmerman served as an art teacher in the Glen Cove School District, Glen Cove, New York from September, 2012 to June, 2017. She served as leave replacement art teacher in Valley Stream North in Valley Stream, New York from November, 2011 to March, 2012, and in Sewanhaka Central from September, 2011 to November, 2011.