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)

B.A. Business Administration, CUNY Hunter College.

Mary Maisano

Director of Finance (1992)

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.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

Guilherme Andreas

Chair of Visual & Performing Arts Department, Instrumental Music Teacher (2023)

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education (from New York University); New York Teacher Initial Certification in Mathematics 7-12 with Mathematics 5-6 Extension

Xin Yi Chen

Math Department Chair (2022)

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

Chair of the Science Department & Academic Advisor for Grade 9 (1989)

Jodian Davis-Forbs

Director of Admissions & Marketing (2023)

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

Michele Ferreira

Assistant Director of Athletics and Student Life Coordinator (2016)

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 (2014)

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. Finance, Boston College; M.A. American History, Fordham University. MEd, School Building Leadership, SJU, 2022

Richard Kruczek

Dean of Grades 9-10 (2002)

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 & 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

STEM Chair and Lower Division Science Teacher (2021)

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)

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

Sarah O’Sullivan

Dean of Grades 7-8 (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. Philosophy and the Liberal Arts, St. Joseph Seminary College; B.A., Philosophy, K.U. Leuven (Belgium); M.A. English, Southeastern Louisiana University; M.A. Philosophy, The New School for Social Research; Adolescent English (Advanced Certification), CUNY Hunter College

Anthony Greig Roselli

Chair of the English Department (2016)

John Tocco

Director of Facilities (1997)

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)

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)

B.B.A. Accounting, Berkeley College, President’s List; NYS Notary Public; Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional

Christine Haddad

Controller (2013)

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)

Elena Sokolova

School Nurse (2020)

B.A. Psychology, University at Buffalo | Minor, Media Studies - Production Concentration

Jefry Taveras

Communications & Advancement Associate (2023)

Faculty & Staff

Raymond Arias

Driver and Dining Staff (2021)

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

Jennifer Babbino

Early Childhood Educator (2024)

Monica Bonilla

Transportation: Bus Driver and Dining Staff (2021)

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)

Herbert Carvajal

Maintenance (2011)

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)

Robert Daley

Afterschool Team (2020)

Ryan Daley

Early Childhood Educator (2013)

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

Maureen DeGaetano

Early Childhood Educator (2016)

B.S. Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University | M.S. Nutritional Science, Queens College

Grace Devivo

Early Childhood Educator (2024)

Masters English Ed and Theatre

Christine Drayer

English Teacher (2022)

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

Rory Duncan

Classroom Assistant and Transportation: Bus Driver (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)

B.S. in Physics from the College of Staten Island and the Macaulay Honors College. I have a M.A. in Astronomy from Boston University.

Daniel Feldman

Science Teacher (2021)

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. 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

French Teacher and 12th Grade Advisor (2005)

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

Rui Guimaraes

English Teacher (2021)

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.M. Jazz Performance, New York University; additional coursework, CUNY Queens College, Aaron Copland School of Music.

Thomas Heineman

Music Teacher (2008)

Lenny Herrera

Math Teacher (2022)

MsED Early Childhood Education, Grand Canyon University

Diana Jaramillo

Early Childhood Educator (2022)

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)

Michael Malone

Maintenance (1995)

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

Kristen “Ms. A” Manson

First Grade Teacher (1995)

Grace Martinez

Visual Arts Teacher (2023)

Andrea Matute Vargas

Early Childhood Educator (2019)

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

Catherine Mesias

Early Childhood Educator (2014)

Undergraduate Student - Early Childhood Education, Post University

Joseph Mesias

Early Childhood Educator (2015)

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 Maintenance (2016)

Masters in Education | Post-Graduate in Early Childhood | B.S. English, Adelphi University

Lauren Murray

Early Childhood Educator (2016)

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

Yaritza Perdomo

Early Childhood Educator (2021)

Hristina Petrova

Math Teacher (2022)

Bachelor in History, Queens College

Johnny Quizphi

Early Childhood Educator (2020)

B.S. Psychology, Queens College

Kathleen Reyes

Early Childhood Educator (2020)

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)

Rebecca Santone

Kindergarten Teacher (2023)

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

Nataliya Shelomyanova ’04

Early Childhood Educator (2024)

B.S. Education / Special Education, SUNY College at Geneseo; M.S. Education / Early Childhood Education, CUNY Queens College; graduate coursework in Curriculum & Instruction, CUNY College of Staten Island and Long Island University.

Joanne Simeone-Vogel

English Language Academy Teacher (2014)

Some College | NYS Teaching Assistant Certification

Selina Sultana

Early Childhood Educator (2014)

Hsien-wen Tan

Mandarin Teacher (2023)

B.S. Economics, California Polytechnic State University; Art History, Mass. College of Art and Design and Harvard University School of Continuing Education.

Rachel Vidal

Third Grade Teacher (2017)

LaGuardia College Business Program.

Calogera Volpe

Nursery Assistant Teacher (2004)

Jalin Weaver

French and Spanish Teacher (2022)

Evelyn Zamora

Early Childhood Educator (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.