Administrative Team:
Development & Communications
Penelope B. Marzulli - Director of Development & Communications
Finance & Operations
Hillary A. Brown, Director of Operation & Finance
Cat Cacho-Leary, Assistant Director of Operations & Finance
Magdelaine Marin, Office Manager
Volunteers
Virginia Caicedo, Communications Volunteer
Richard Yu, Operations Intern
Faculty & Staff Biographies
Abramsohn, Lindsay, 7TH GRADE MATH, earned her B.A. from the University of Michigan and her M.S. in Math Secondary Education from Pace University. Having taught sixth and seventh grade math at Seth Low Intermediate School here in Brooklyn while also serving as a Educational Coordinator for the Children’s Aid Society, Lindsay comes to Brooklyn Prospect with a set of teaching skills defined by diverse classroom exposure. Prior to her years at Seth Low, Lindsay served as a math and English tutor, and as a New York City Teaching Fellow. A belief in the importance of innovative and engaging classroom activities drew Lindsay to our school.
Outside of the classroom, Lindsay plays soccer on a coed New York City team. In addition, she enjoys traveling abroad, exploring the city and learning and taking advanced math classes.
Beerman, Rachel, 7TH GRADE HUMANITIES, joined Brooklyn Prospect as the founding Humanities teacher from Tapestry Charter School in Buffalo, New York. There Rachel taught seventh and eighth grade English Language Arts and History in the Expeditionary Learning Program, a project-based, highly interdisciplinary curriculum associated with Outward Bound. As a teacher of History, she has taken her students on many learning “expeditions,” utilizing field trips, multi-media presentations and the community resources to engage and inspire. Rachel has a Masters Degree in Teaching from Simmons College, Boston, M.A., and graduated summa cum laude from the State University of New York at Geneseo, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History.
When not behind a book enjoying a wide variety of genres, or in front of the classroom, Rachel enjoys travel, tennis and yoga.
Brill, Sam, 6TH GRADE HUMANITIES, is a native New Yorker. After graduating as the valedictorian of the Collegiate School in Manhattan, Sam attended Yale University where he earned a B.A. in History, magna cum laude. He is currently working on his Master's in Education at the Teacher U program at Hunter College. In addition to teaching math and journalism to middle school students with Breakthrough Collaborative in New Haven, CT, and in New York, Sam interned for almost two years at the Sound School in New Haven, a high school where he tutored and taught a comprehensive SAT prep course. He has also interned at New Visions for Public Schools, where he helped run professional development workshops for teachers.
In his free time, Sam enjoys reading about politics and education policy, playing baseball, and rooting for his beloved Yankees.
Brink-Washington, Daniel (“Danny”), DEPARTMENT CHAIR, STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES ("SSS"), was our founding SSS leader. Each year he looks forward to meeting and working with new and returning Brooklyn Prospect students. A teacher for five years at Middle School for the Arts in Brooklyn, “Danny” joined our team with significant experience designing and implementing Individualized Education Programs while working in multiple subject areas with junior high school students. Concurrently Assistant Artistic Director at City at Peace and Teaching Artist/Curriculum Developer at Brooklyn Philharmonic (Smart Arts),Danny has extensive off-Broadway acting and directing experience which he has used to help young people empower themselves through the performing arts. A graduate of New York University from which he completed a semester in Moscow, Russia, Danny additionally holds an M.S. in Education from City University of New York.
In his free time, Danny loves cooking, eating and learning about a wide variety of cuisines. He enjoys riding his bike all over the city, playing tennis and a lively game of fetch with his cat Pierre.
Britton, Carol, 7TH GRADE SCIENCE, gifted Brooklyn Prospect with thirty years of teaching experience. A science teacher at heart, she also served as Academic Coordinator, Middle School Director and Middle School Dean of Students for the Children’s Aid Society, Harlem Academy, and The Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn, respectively. Carol earned her B.S. in Zoology and Botany with academic honors from the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, and has since attended Gallaudet College in Washington, D.C, and Brooklyn College of CUNY, where she has studied audiology, speech pathology and American Sign Language. Carol is thrilled to support the global perspective of our curriculum. She was educated in accordance with the International Baccalaureate program and spent some years at the Anglo-American School bridging the gap between the IB and American schooling systems.
Carol loves to cook (spicy dishes are her specialty) and believes strongly in the importance of humor, both inside and outside the classroom. Carol is elated to join a Brooklyn Prospect program that prides itself on consistency, structure and good organization.
Brooks-Harrison, Candida, SCHOOL COUNSELOR is a New York State licensed clinical social worker and special educator, who comes to Brooklyn Prospect after years of working in a variety of settings with students across a range of academic abilities. She is dedicated to providing all students with a positive context for learning and was attracted to Brooklyn Prospect because of this shared vision. Candida serves as director of The Village Enrichment, an educational enrichment program that supports progress for children with gifted and remedial needs, as well as consultation to schools. Her career path as a special educator began at Brooklyn Public School 221 and includes Special Sprouts and Rivendell School Early Intervention Services. All of her work involves close collaboration between teachers, students, and parents in order to optimize students' learning experiences. Another theme that emerges from Candida's professional experience is a commitment to anti-racism initiatives and the promotion of diversity and cultural awareness in schools. Candida has taught at the graduate level as an adjunct faculty member of Fordham University and continues to teach at Brooklyn College-CUNY, School of Education.
In her free time she enjoys a rich family life which includes quality time with not only her four children, but also her extended family and friends. Big dinners and movie and game nights are common events at her home. One of her hobbies is making jewelry with her two daughters. Candida also has two sons: one is a college student studying computer graphics and media arts, and one is a personal trainer who also works with groups of tween-aged boys.
Brown, Hillary, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & FINANCE is extremely excited to join the Brooklyn Prospect team, where she hopes to fuse backgrounds in both education and operations. Born and raised in New England, Hillary spent several years in event hospitality management at the Hartford Civic Center before dedicating herself to education. She completed a year-long internship at a secondary magnet school with a focus on International Studies in Hartford before moving to New York City in 2006. Hillary went on to spend the next three years with well-known educational services company, The Princeton Review, where she was responsible primarily for the operational implementation of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) funded afterschool tutoring programs on a national scale.
Hillary earned a B.A. in English-Literature from Skidmore College, and an M.S. in Secondary Language Arts Education from the University of New Haven. She lives in Brooklyn and is still discovering the city in all its culture, life and diversity. An avid reader who loves music, Hillary also has a lifelong passion for dance and hopes to start practicing formally again soon, beginning with Salsa classes.
Cetrulo, Craig M., ELA DEPT. CHAIR, 6TH GRADE ELA, is a founding leader of the Brooklyn Prospect team. He joined us from Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA where he served as the Literacy Curriculum Coordinator. Craig holds an M.Ed. in Organization and Leadership from the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University Teachers College, an M.A. in English from The University of Virginia, and a B.A. in English from Duke University. Working in conjunction with the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, he researched and wrote on curriculum design and instructional strategies targeting adolescents who struggle with the challenges of literacy development. Craig served as the Director of the Episcopal High School Young Writers Workshop, a residential summer program for middle-school students and managed the Randolph Scholarship program, which enrolled talented writers from the NYC public school system in the Young Writers Workshop. As a classroom teacher, Craig has taught advanced placement and standard level English to all levels of secondary students and has taught upper-level elective courses such as Creative Writing and Film and Literature. As part of his work at the Klingenstein Center, Craig developed curriculum for a college counseling course and mentored teachers in writing college recommendations at Frederick Douglass Academy III in the Bronx. He received his National Board Certification and his New York State Certification in 2009.
When not teaching, Craig is an avid reader and can often be found skateboarding in Prospect Park.
Colemen, Aaron, PHYSICAL EDUCATION / WELLNESS, comes to BP with hopes of serving as a positive role model for his students while sharing his love of learning and infusing the students with lifelong healthy habits. Having coached and led other youth activities at several organizations including the YMCA, Aaron has also worked in the New York Mets organization. Most recently, Aaron served as a Senior Partner Development Associate at the Positive Coaching Alliance in New York City. He earned his B.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Tampa, and has since continued his own education, studying in the Education Department of the University of the State of New York, and pursuing an M.S. in Health Education from Hofstra University.
Off the job, Aaron enjoys participating in, watching, and helping to facilitate sports, as well as reading and staying involved in his community. Aaron looks forward to joining the Brooklyn Prospect culture of excellence!
Griffin, Marvin A., Jr., DEAN OF STUDENTS, received his M.S. from St. John’s University in School Building Leadership and his B.S. in Secondary Education and History from Concordia University Wisconsin. Before joining Brooklyn Prospect he served as both assistant principal and acting principal of the Peninsula Preparatory Academy Charter School in Arverne, New York. There Marvin was selected to receive the 2009 Laurie Brown Memorial award for outstanding leadership and service to his students. Prior to that Marvin was a faculty member and department chair at Martin Luther High School in New York.
Marvin truly appreciates the opportunity to work with the students and community of Brooklyn Prospect Charter School. In his spare time he enjoys his work with his church’s youth group and a game of chess with anyone who will accept his challenge.
Hamilton, Deseray, LEARNING SPECIALIST, joins our team from Brooklyn’s very own Carter G. Woodson Elementary school, where she has served as a Special Education teacher. Deseray looks forward to welcoming her first BP students and to diving right into BP culture. She is thrilled to be joining a community that shares her dedication to learning and commitment to an ambitious and progressive educational agenda. As a student pursuing her B.A. in Psychology at Pennsylvania State University, Deseray participated in American Reads, student-teaching and helping to spread the joy of reading to young children. Deseray has also been involved in human services, working for the NYC Housing Authority and Child Care Academy. She recently received her M.S. in Special Education from Long Island University.
Deseray is an experienced dancer and has taught modern dance; she hopes that, at some point, she will have the opportunity to the share her passion for dance with her students.
Horowitz, Alissa, DANCE, earned her B.A. degree, cum laude, in Politics and the Arts and Dance from Bates College. An experienced teacher, Alissa has taught (ballet, modern, tap, Bharata Natyam and creative ballet) at Sweet Soul Movement in Manhattan and the Westchester Ballet Center in Yorktown Heights. After studying Bharata Natyam here in the United States, Alissa learned intensively in the pandanallur style from Guru Harsha Vardhini in Madurai, India. In Madurai, a still traditional temple city in an ever-evolving nation, Alissa was the "talk of the town" when she became the first foreigner to perform in a local Hindu temple. In addition to her own company, Alissa has performed professionally with Sonar Dance, Jump Cannon Collaborative, Dance Theatre in Westchester and Heather McArdle, as well as solo performances of Bharata Natyam. Her choreography has been shown in the New England Dance Project, at the American College Dance Festival, Franco–American Heritage Center, Lewiston Public Library and Bates College. Two of Alissa’s films with original music premiered at the Rebound Dance Festival, New Haven, CT in April and November of 2008.
Knowing that she needed the choice when she was growing up, Alissa is thrilled to offer our students the option of daily dance class. When she is not teaching, performing or dancing for exercise, Alissa enjoys cooking, reading and the occasional sailing regatta.
Kane, Stacy, MANDARIN, a 2008 Fulbright K-12 Chinese Teaching Fellow, earned her B.A. in Chinese from the University of Maryland. Prior to graduation, she spent a year living and studying at Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing, China. Most recently, as a middle school teacher at the Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter Public School in Massachusetts, Stacy implemented a new communicative language curriculum while also pioneering a virtual exchange program between her classes and students from China. She has additionally led undergraduate and graduate student groups in Beijing for a study abroad organization specializing in China programs. For the summer of 2010, Stacy was awarded a Department of State Fellowship to study Chinese language and pedagogy in Changchun, China. She continues to improve her Mandarin skills while sharing them with her own students.
Stacy recently moved to New York to join the Brooklyn Prospect faculty; she is looking forward to exploring Brooklyn’s cafés and music venues and jogging in Prospect Park with her two year old terrier, Robbie.
Marin, Magdelaine, OFFICE MANAGER, knows Sunset Park. Born and raised in the neighborhood she is happy that her commute from home is an easy fifteen minutes and that she can now “give back to her community, the new generation of children”. Having worked for ten years in the Financial & Insurance Industries in such companies as Citigroup, Travelers and most recently Bovis Lend Lease Holdings, Inc. Magdelaine has honed her graphic and administrative office skills. Bilingual in Spanish, she is pleased to now have this “great opportunity to work alongside middle school students on the Administrative side”.
A graduate of Metropolitan College of New York School for Business, Magdelaine also holds a certificate from Katharine Gibbs School. She enjoys working out at the gym and is in the process of becoming a certified fitness instructor. Magdelaine recently ran her first 10k race, loves outdoor activities such as kayaking, whitewater rafting, camping and hiking. An eager traveler, Magdelaine also enjoys reading self improvement books and autobiographies.
Marzulli, Penny, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNICATIONS, was a founding member of the Brooklyn Prospect team. She brings a wealth of fundraising and program administration experience. Following a career in law firm recruitment, Penny moved to London for six years where she enrolled her children in the British education system and where she and her family lived in an international community and gained an appreciation for a global viewpoint. On her return to New York City, Penny chaired a number of fundraising initiatives and managed a summer program for youth, aged 5-16 years. She additionally trained as a crisis counselor and has worked for several local hospitals. Penny earned her Collegiate Professional Certification in secondary education and received her B.A. degree from the University of Richmond where she played varsity lacrosse.
Outside of school, Penny enjoys a variety of sports, has a special affinity for sailing and wishes she had more time for yoga.
Michael, Carolyn, 6TH GRADE MATHEMATICS, joined the Brooklyn Prospect team as the founding Mathematics teacher. In 2002 she began teaching middle school math at The East Harlem School where she also served as the school’s Program Director. Prior to her United States teaching career, Carolyn spent three years living and working in Senegal as a member of the Peace Corps.
Carolyn graduated with honors from Wellesley College. During the 2007-08, she completed a master’s degree in Education Leadership at Columbia Universities’ Teachers College as a Klingenstein Fellow. For her fellowship project, Carolyn studied innovative methods for measuring middle school success. In 2009 Carolyn earned her National Board Certification.
Carolyn enjoys a range of outdoor activities. In addition to English Carolyn speaks four other languages: French, Spanish, Pulaar and Wolof.
Omowanile, LaNolia, PRINCIPAL, is a founding member of the team. A member of our original academic planning team, LaNolia earned her M.A. in Education Leadership Studies from Columbia University’s Teachers College and her B.S. in Secondary Science Education from Oral Roberts University. During her teaching career, LaNolia has been awarded the prestigious title of Ida S. Baker Distinguished Minority Educator of the Year and has been given the Principals Award for Outstanding Leadership. LaNolia also has a record of community involvement in the Youth With A Vision after school program—a delinquency prevention program for at-risk youths aimed at changing students’ overall perception of life, family, academics and community involvement, as well as, the College Reach Out Program (CROP) - a Saturday program dedicated to strengthening the educational motivation and preparation of low-income and educationally-disadvantaged students. A lifelong educator, LaNolia is currently serving an administrative residency alongside the Principal of the Frederick Douglass Academy. Her extensive work with the International Baccalaureate program and her role as coordinator of student affairs at Williams Middle Magnet School for International Studies in Florida is helping to lay the groundwork for use of the IB program at Brooklyn Prospect.
LaNolia is an avid basketball player and three year undefeated coach for both basketball and volleyball.
Rubenstein, Daniel Kikuji, CO-FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, has seventeen years of teaching and administrative experience in both public and private schools. A nationally recognized leader in education, Dan received the 2002 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching. His work has been documented on ABC’s Nightline and PBS’ Life 360. As the head of the mathematics department at SEED Public Charter School in Washington, D.C., Dan increased students mathematics scores two to three grade levels every year. Most recently Dan was a faculty administrator at Collegiate School in Manhattan; he previously taught at Sidwell Friends - DC, and School Year Abroad Beijing. Dan is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher and an associate member of the Teacher's Advisory Board to the National Academy of Science. He is currently completing a doctorate in Education Leadership through the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University and holds masters degrees from both Columbia University’s Teachers College and St. John’s College; he received his B.A. from Hamilton College.
Dan lives in Brooklyn with his wife, their son and daughter who attends PS 321.
Sacks, Ariel, 7TH GRADE ELA, graduated from Brown University with a B.A. in English. She additionally earned an M.S. in Education from Bank Street College of Education. A self-described, lifelong learner combined with her desire to share her passion for learning, guided Ariel to pursue a career in teaching. Most recently she served as teacher grade team leader and chair of the English department at the School for Democracy and Leadership in Crown Heights. Fluent in Spanish and with a Certificate to Teach English as a Foreign Language from Via Lingua Guadalajarra in hand, Ariel also previously taught English Language Arts to middle school students at M. S. 45, Rafael Cordero Bilingual Academy in East Harlem.
Outside of the classroom, Ariel plays violin in a band and is working on a novel for middle-school age students. She has published articles on teaching practice and educational issues. Ariel joins Brooklyn Prospect to further embrace the culture of diversity and the emphasis on 21st century skills that our school champions.
Strang, Alyssa, LEARNING SPECIALIST, brings an energetic and fresh approach to Brooklyn Prospect Charter School’s special education department. A summa cum laude graduate of the State University of New York at Geneseo where she earned a Bachelor of Science in childhood and special education, Alyssa previously worked as a special education consultant teacher in Henrietta, New York. Excited by the idea of helping to build the foundation, culture and traditions of a new school, Mrs. Strang favors looking at each student as a whole person while developing a hidden curriculum that teaches and fosters lifelong lessons.
A recent transplant from western New York State, Alyssa was an avid musical theater participant in college and is eager to catch up with many of her friends who now work in the New York City theater industry. Additionally Alyssa reports that she enjoys wandering around 5th avenue with her new husband and discovering their Brooklyn neighborhood.
Vaughan, Kelly, MATH/SCIENCE DEPART. CHAIR, 6TH GRADE SCIENCE, majored in Human Biology at Stanford University and has a Masters Degree in Secondary Science Education from Columbia University, Teachers College. After graduating from Stanford, Kelly joined Teach For America and taught middle school science for two years at Community Junior High School 145 in the Bronx. She then joined a team of teachers to found a new small middle school, Mott Hall III Academy in the Bronx, where she taught science, planned the annual Science Expo, coached LEGO robotics, and wore many other hats. In 2006-07, Kelly taught at a private school in Istanbul, Turkey, as part of the Fulbright Teacher Exchange. Following her year of travel, Kelly founded Gotham Schools, a New York City education website, where she researched and wrote articles about New York City public schools. Recognizing her true passion remained in the classroom, Kelly returned to teaching science in January 2009 at KIPP STAR Charter School in Manhattan.
When she's not thinking up experiments for her students, Kelly is likely to be found doing yoga, learning how to take better pictures with her new camera, or engaged in one of the many writing classes in which she enrolls.
Walsh, Anita, ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE, has devoted over 15 years to the arts and education. She has worked with students of all ages in the DC area: elementary, middle, high schools, and adults. Additionally she spent one year in Caracas, Venezuela teaching art at Escuela Camp Alegre, an international school. An Adjunct Teacher at Corcoran College of Art and Design, D.C., where she works with young teens in the Young People's Program, Anita also works as a trainer, designer, and curriculum developer for Whole Foods Market. Working collaboratively, she creates curriculum and training materials to reach people of all learning styles. Inside and out of the classroom, Anita always incorporates both interactive and interdisciplinary teaching/learning strategies. Anita received an M.Ed., with an emphasis on urban education, from George Washington University and a B.F.A. from Parsons School of Design.
Anita’s works are in variety mediums and include her investigation of wrappers-protecting the creative spirit and her yearlong project of 53 drawings that document and honor the handwork of farmers. A favorite was her work with local children and adults on a large bio-degradable sculpture raising both awareness and understanding of landfill issues. Ultimately rain took the sculpture to the ground along with thousands of wild flower seeds which grew wherever they landed. While the materials change, her themes are consistent: collaboration, handwork, beauty, everyday materials, and change over time.
Zayas, Carmen, SPANISH, was drawn to New York City from a 15 year career in Boston Public schools where in addition to classroom teaching she served as a bilingual/multilingual program specialist. Upon her arrival in New York City, Carmen taught Spanish and English to fourth and fifth graders at PS 46 for four years while pursuing her interest in music. Carmen also speaks Italian and has studied German and French. Her international travels have allowed Carmen to examine many different cultures as well as languages. She joins our team believing strongly in the importance of foreign language study for all students and will serve as our first Spanish teacher.
Carmen earned her B.A. in Education from the University of Puerto Rico. She has a Diploma in Voice from the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico and an M. M. in Music from the New England Conservatory of Music. As Desdemona of Otello with the New York Grand Opera and founder of the Tribeca Opera Company NY, Carmen has been able to successfully combine her love of languages with her talent for performance and production. While teaching in Brooklyn, Carmen attended classes at the Julliard School of Music and studied opera with Maestro Selva.
VOLUNTEERS:
Caicedo, Virginia, COMMUNICATIONS VOLUNTEER. We are grateful to Virginia for her generosity of time and frequent contributions to the Brooklyn Prospect Charter School community. Raised in a bilingual family and hailing from a strong professional background in communications, operations, and project management, Virginia supports the outreach of our admissions team and has had an immense impact on our written materials through her assistance with Spanish translation. Her help has allowed us to communicate more effectively with families at Brooklyn Prospect and with prospective families.
Volunteer work is very important to Virginia. She has also served on the Parent Teacher Association at P.S. 321 as the store manager, auction coordinator, and "learning friend" for children with learning disabilities.
Yu, Richard , TECHNOLOGY INTERN.
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