Meet Our Team

M.Ed Leadership, University of Pennsylvania; Post-grad Educational Psychology, Temple University; M.A. Dual Special Education & Elementary Education, Chestnut Hill College; B.A. Media Arts, Long Island University; CSP, SPEOS Photographic Institute of Paris; Adjunct Professor, GSE St. Joseph's University.

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Christopher F. Herman, M.Ed (2020)

Senior Leadership Team

B.A. Sociology, Boston College; M.A. Education, Columbia Teachers College.

Brad Battaglia

Upper Division Head & Director of College Counseling (2017)

Fordham University Gabelli School of Business - B.S. | Lehman College - Speech Language Pathology - BASc, Minor in Education | CAEP - Certified Admission & Enrollment Management Certification ASAIP – Association of Independent School Admission Professionals

Jodian Davis-Forbs

Director of Admissions & Marketing (2023)

B.S. Physical Education, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. M.S. Education, School Building Leadership, Administration and Instructional Leadership, St. John’s University

Brendan O’Shea

Director of Athletics (2023)

BA, Barnard College Columbia University Masters Policy and Management, Columbia University

Nashwa Rafla

Director of Finance (2024)

B.S. Fashion Design, Syracuse University; Global Executive M.B.A., Georgetown University and ESADE Business School.

Kat Sullivan

Assistant Head of School for Advancement (2020)

B.S. Healthcare Administration & Nursing, St. Johns University | MsED Early Childhood Education, St. Johns University | NYS Certified Birth to Grade 2

Maria Victora

Director of Pre-K for All Program (2014)

John Tocco

Director of Facilities (1997)

B.A. Mathematics/Secondary Education; M.S. Elementary Education; P.D. Educational Administration and Supervision; doctoral coursework in Administration, St. John’s University.

William Vogel

Lower Division Head (1977)

Broad Leadership Team

Doctor of Musical Arts Candidate - Stony Brook University; GPD/Masters of Music - Peabody Institute, Johns Hopkins University; Masters of Music (MM) - James Madison University; GDP & Bachelors of Music: Chamber Music, Flute Performance, Conducting and Orchestration - Brazilian Music Conservatory

Guilherme Andreas

Chair of Visual & Performing Arts Department, Instrumental Music Teacher, and 7th Grade Advisor (2023)

B.S. Biology; completed graduate courses in cell biology and microbial genetics, and research on Lysly-TRNA synthetase activity in E. coli, St. John’s University. Licensed instructor of Medical Assisting & General Academics. Teacher of courses in EKG use and interpretation, phlebotomy, and urinalysis.

Marlene Dapice

11th and 12th Grade Dean, Science Teacher, and 9th Grade Advisor (1989)

B.S. Physical Education, College of Mount Saint Vincent, NY.

Michelle Ferreira

Assistant Director of Athletics and Student Life Coordinator (2016)

B.A. African Literature; M.A. English, University of Dakar, Senegal; Brevet de Technicien Superieur en Tourisme, Vocational School of Tourism and Hotel Management, West Africa; Berlitz Teaching Training Program.

Gabriel Gomis

Student Travel Coordinator, French Teacher, 7th and 12th Grade Advisor (2005)

Bachelor's Degree in British and American Literature, and Secondary Education

Rui Guimaraes

Chair of English Department (2021)

B.S. Environmental Biology, Ohio University; graduate studies in Secondary Education, CUNY Queens College.

John Hale

Technology, Robotics & Schedule Coordinator (1997)

Kim Hayes

Afterschool Coordinator, PreK Classroom Assistant, Dance Instructor (2006)

B.A. Literature, Ramapo College of NJ; Certificate in Book Publishing; M.A. Early Childhood Education, New York University; NYS Certified Birth-Grade 6.

Paula James

Dean of Grades 1-3 (2009)

B.S. Mathematics, St.Francis College | M.Ed Educational Technology, Post University

Cristian McCarthy

Instructional Technology Chair and Lower Division Math Teacher (2022)

B.A. Spanish and French, Queens College (CUNY)
M.A. French Literature, Queens College (CUNY)
Languages Spoken:
English, Spanish, French

Agustin Melara

Chair of World Languages Department and 10th Grade Advisor (2000)

Ana Mesias

Head Chef (1999)

B.A. English Iona College, M.A. Elementary Education, Adelphi University, Post Graduate Studies in Early Childhood, Queens College

Lauren Murray

Assistant Director of Pre-K For All Program (2022)

Bachelor of Science in Biology from the City College of New York

Darien Ortiz

Science Department Chair and Lower Division Science Teacher (2021)

B.A. History/Secondary Education, Towson University; M.A. History, CUNY Queens College.

Sarah O’Sullivan

Dean of Grades 7-8 and 7th Grade Advisor (1999)

B.A. History / Secondary Education, Hofstra University; M.S. School Building Leadership, St. John’s University.

Jacquelyn Renner

Dean of Grades 4,5,6 (2001)

B.A. Early Childhood Education, CUNY Queens College; M.S. Multilingual, Multicultural Education, College of New Rochelle; M.S. School Building Leadership, St. John’s University.

Eileen Reyes

Dean of Grades N-K (1986)

B.A. Political Science, University of Florida; J.D. Harvard Law School

Charles Wharton

Chair of the History Department and 11th Grade Advisor (2024)

Administration Staff

M.S. Ed. Counseling Psychology, Hunter College Educational Leadership and Administration (Advanced Certificate), The College of Saint Rose Mellon Fellowship, African American Literature, Cornell University B.S. English Literature and Secondary Education, Hunter College Licensed School Counselor (NYSED) School Building Leader Certificate (NYSED) Licensed Teacher of English (NYSED)

Reshma Baig

School Counselor (2022)

Maria Raquel Rolls

Senior Accountant

B.A. Business Administration, CUNY Hunter College.

Mary Maisano

Business Office Associate (1992)

Juris Doctorate, Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center; American Bar Association; Bachelor of Science in Biology, State University at New Paltz
Langauges Spoken:
English, Spanish, Portuguese

Omar Maldanado

Campus Security and Facilities (2016)

B.A. Italian, CUNY Queens College; M.B.A. Finance, Fordham University

Mary Petruso

Executive Assistant to the Head of School (2004)

B.A. English/Government, Connecticut College; M.A. Journalism, New York University. Past President of NYSACAC, NACAC Board of Directors, and advisory panel member for The City University of New York and The College Board

Lisa Sohmer

College Counseling Associate (1996)

RN, BSN Lehman College, CUNY

Elena Sokolova

School Nurse (2020)

B.S. Communication and Rhetorical Studies, Syracuse University

Micaela Warren

Communications & Advancement Associate (2024)

Faculty & Staff

B.S. Civil Engineering, Drexel University | M.A. Liberal Studies, SUNY Stony Brook

Uwe Anselm

Math Department Chair (2024)

Raymond Arias

Facilities, Dining Hall Assistant and Transportation (2021)

B A. Early Childhood Education, SUNY New Paltz | Masters Student - Literacy Education

Jennifer Babbino

Early Childhood Educator (2024)

M.A. Early Childhood Education, Queens College

Kathleen Buechel

Early Childhood Educator (2024)

M.A. Early Childhood Education, Queens College | NYS Certified, Early Childhood Education & Dual Language

Jessica Caicedo-Marino

Early Childhood Educator (2021)

Bachelor of Science candidate, Francis College (Class of 2025)

Ogier Castedo

After School Team (2022)

A.A. Liberal Arts, Borough of Manhattan Community College

Hillary Castro

Early Childhood Educator (2021)

MSEd - Early Childhood Ed; BA - Forensic Psychology; BBA - Finance & Investments AA - Business Administration, Hunter College

Eugenia Rodica Chavez

Early Childhood Educator (2023)

Ryan Daley

Early Childhood Educator (2013)

Monica Diaz

Biology & Life Science Teacher (2025)

Sangeeta Chumber

Early Childhood Educator (2024)

B.A., M.S. University of Albany; NYS Teacher's Certification

Marissa Chille

English Department Chair (2002)

A.A. Sociology, St. Joseph's College

Maureen DeGaetano

Early Childhood Educator (2016)

BA - Political Science, St. Francis College and M.S.Ed Master of Science in Educational Leadership, St. John's University.

Rory Duncan

Kindergarten Classroom Assistant and Transportation (2021)

B.A. Early Childhood Education, University of Arizona Global Campus | Masters Student - Early Childhood Education, Grand Canyon University

Tania Duran

Early Childhood Educator (2024)

B.S. Nutritional Science, Queens College | NYS Teaching Assistant Certification

Euridice Eleftheriou

Early Childhood Educator (2014)

MSED Early child education and Literacy, St. Jospeh's University, Brooklyn Campus

Laura Ganley

Early Childhood Educator (2012)

Angelica Gomez

Early Childhood Educator (2014)

B.A. in English & Political Science, Queens College, CUNY, M.S.Ed Early Childhood Birth-2nd Grade, Hunter College, CUNY

Davina Hardyal

Early Childhood Educator (2019)

B.S. Sociology, Binghamton University, M.S. Childhood Education with a Bilingual Extension, Hunter College MEd Progressive Leadership (in progress)

Lenny Herrera

Math Teacher and 8th Grade Advisor (2022)

College of Charleston - B.S. Early Childhood Education Touro College - M.A. Early Childhood & Teaching Students with Special Needs

Dyala Kasim

Humanities Teacher (2025)

College of Charleston - B.S. Early Childhood Education Touro College - M.A. Early Childhood & Teaching Students with Special Needs

Tierison Karathanasis

Nursery Teacher (2022)

B.S. Home Economics, University of Dhaka | NYS Teaching Assistant Certification

Kohinoor Khabir

Early Childhood Educator (2021)

M.S. General and Special Education (Early Childhood), Touro Graduate School of Education

Mosammat Khalid

Early Childhood Educator (2015)

Nina Lansden

Physics & Physical Science Teacher (2025)

Ching-Yu Lin

Mandarin Teacher (2024)

Isaac Losacco

Primary Teacher (2025)

Michael Malone

Facilities (1995)

Sriparna Mandal

Early Childhood Educator

B.S. Elementary Education, SUNY New Paltz; M.S. Special Education, CUNY Queens College.

Kristen “Ms. A” Manson

First Grade Teacher (1995)

UMSA - B.S. Architecture & Design Animum 3D - M.A. Concept Art (exp. April 2024)

Grace Martinez

Visual Arts Teacher (2023)

B.S. Childhood Education, Touro University (anticipated graduation 2024), Certified Teachers Assistant, Languages Spoken: English and Spanish

Andrea Matute Vargas

Early Childhood Educator (2019)

Loubna Merizak

Early Childhood Assistant (2025)

B.S. Early Childhood, Touro University | Masters Student - Early Childhood, Touro Graduate School of Education

Catherine Mesias

Early Childhood Educator (2014)

Hilse Moran-Cisneros

Early Childhood Assistant (2025)

Sydney Murphy

Primary Teacher (2025)

Accounting, SUNY Empire State

Brenda Nitti

Early Childhood Educator (2016)

A.A. Art, Nassau Community College; B.A. Art History, Hunter College; M.A. Art Business, Sotheby’s Institute of Art.

Edward Orlowski

Fine Arts Teacher (2020)

Masters in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Psychology, Queens College

Lauren Ortiz

English Language Academy Teacher (2024)

Masters in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Psychology, Queens College

Yaritza Perdomo

Early Childhood Educator (2021)

Chad Powers

Facilities (2025)

Jeanette Puebla

Early Childhood Assistant (2025)

B.A., Vanderbilt | M.A., Northwestern | J.D., University of Minnesota

Oishy Reza

Language Arts Teacher (2024)

Jorge Rodriguez

Transportation: Bus Driver (2020)

A.A. Education, Jose F Sanchez Carrion University -Peru

Mariela Romero

Early Childhood Educator (2021)

Camari Sabal

After School Team (2022)

Emma Solano

Dining Hall

M.A. New York University | B.A. Bridgewater State University | New York Teaching Certification

Becca Santone

Kindergarten Teacher (2023)

Hilbert College

DeJuan Scott

PE Teacher, Coach (2023)

MSED Early Childhood Education Birth - 2, Childhood Education 2-6th Grade, Students with disabilities Birth - 2nd Grade, Mercy College

Nataliya Shelomyanova

Early Childhood Educator (2024)

B.A. Music, Belmont University

Alison Sicinski

Music Teacher (2024)

NYS Teaching Assistant Certification

Selina Sultana

Early Childhood Educator (2014)

B.A. English and Creative Writing, Kenyon College | MFA Poetry Writing, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Erich Slimak

English Teacher and 9th and 10th Grade Dean (2024)

B.F.A., NYU | M.A. Instructional Technology and Media, Columbia University

Evin Watson

Advanced Engineering and Robotics Teacher, FRC/FTC Coach (2024)

Jalin Weaver

French and Spanish Teacher (2022)

Brooklyn College - B.A. Early Childhood Education Long Island University - M.S. Education with a concentration in Teaching Literacy

Evelyn Zamora

Primary Teacher (2022)

Garden School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, ethnicity, age, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation in its hiring and promotion of administrators, faculty and staff, and in its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and financial aid programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.