Kaitlin Seaver
Principal
Kaitlin Seaver is thrilled to serve as the principal of Girls Prep LES Middle School. Ms. Seaver has dedicated the past ten years of her career to providing all students with the academic and interpersonal skills needed to thrive in the high school, college, and career of their choice. Having graduated from an all-girls middle and high school, Ms. Seaver believes deeply in Girls Prep’s mission to empower all students to become critical thinkers and strong leaders. After graduating from Georgetown University (magna cum laude), Ms. Seaver joined Teach for America and taught 7th and 8th grade English in Newark, New Jersey. Ms. Seaver later served as a KIPP 6th grade English teacher and dean of students and as a district middle school assistant principal and director of instruction. At the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Ms. Seaver completed her Master’s degree in School Leadership and led a graduate course and national institute about data-driven instruction for teachers, principals, and district superintendents. Ms. Seaver also won the Harvard University Leadership in Education Award. As the Department of Education’s Lead Senior Instructional Coach of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Pilots, Ms. Seaver coached 21 New York City middle schools to create CCSS-aligned, curriculum-embedded performance assessments. Ms. Seaver guided school leaders to build capacity and collaborative team structures to create the instructional and curricular coherence needed for students to meet the demands of these more rigorous standards. All of Ms. Seaver’s experiences as an educational leader have inspired her to develop with her team the culture of high expectations, community, and continuous learning that will empower all students and educators to grow and achieve at the highest level.
Catherine White-Guimaraes
Director of Curriculum and Assessment
Catherine White-Guimaraes is excited to join Girls Prep Middle School and gear up for the 2011 school year. Catherine comes from a Project Management position at the NYC Department of Education where she worked on the implementation of the Common Core Standards,collaborating with educational experts on curriculum mapping, secondary literacy strategy work, and technology initiatives. At the DOE, she worked on the Office of Assessment Team and the Knowledge Sharing Team, both of which will contribute to her work at Girls Prep! Catherine holds a master’s degree in public administration and social work from Columbia University. Throughout her career Catherine has worked with youth in therapeutic and educational environments, having spent time as a Teacher in Special Education, a Clinician in a youth summer program, a Client Support Specialist at Workforce I Career Center, and a Research Assistant. Her professional interests include digital literacy, education technology and e-learning. She is also an avid runner, yogi, and reader.
At Girls Prep, Catherine will support educators in developing curriculum maps through backwards planning using an Understanding by Design framework and online mapping software. She will also facilitate preparation, delivery, and data review of interim assessments and student work throughout the year. Catherine is committed to lifelong learning and looks forward to cultivating this value with the students at Girls Prep!
Kevin Harris
Director of Student and Family Affairs
Kevin Harris is excited to join the Girls Prep staff. He comes to Girls Prep Lower East Side Middle School with more than 15 years of experience working to advance student achievement and character development. Kevin began his career at his alma mater, Boston University, where he worked in the Office of Residence Life. He was responsible to the safety and well-being of more than 700 college age students. During this time, he also worked as the Facilities Manager at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was the assistant coached for the MIT Engineers men’s basketball team. Kevin then pursued his Master’s degree in College Student Development and Counseling at Northeastern University, where he continued his coaching as the Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach.
After four years, Kevin moved back to New York City to serve as the Alumni Dean of College Services for the KIPP: NYC KIPP to College Program for four years. There, he was responsible for the educational advancement through high school and college for more than 350 KIPP charter school alumni. During this time, he completed the KIPP School Leadership Program at Stanford University. Kevin went onto serve as the Founding Dean of Students at the KIPP NYC College Preparatory High School for three years.
Kevin will utilize all his youth and character development experiences to support the growth and development of all the students at Girls Prep. He is looking forward to building strong relationships with students, parents and staff to ensure the success of all the girls at Girls Prep.
Emilee Christopher
Director of Operations
Emilee Christopher is a graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Education with a Masters degree in Education Policy and Management. She attended Harvard after receiving her B.S. in Child Development & Family Studies from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina. She has a commitment to high-quality education and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
This is Emilee's second year at Girls Prep Lower East Side Middle School and she is excited about continuing to work with the girls and their families to ensure that all of our scholars make it to and through college! She spends her free time exercising, watching movies, spending time with friends and thoroughly enjoys reading, traveling, and spoiling her nephews and niece.
Emilee is excited to work with the faculty, staff, students and families at Girls Prep Lower East Side and is proud to be a part of such an outstanding organization!
Alexandra Newfield
Director of High School Admissions & College Completion
Ms. Newfield is thrilled about joining the Girls Prep team. Having earned her Master of Arts in School Counseling and Guidance from New York University, her Master of Arts in Secondary English Education from Brooklyn College (CUNY), and her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from St. Michael’s College, she brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to actualize our mission.
After completing the New York City Teaching Fellows program, she taught high school English and Character Education for several years in the East Village. Ms. Newfield enjoyed teaching and wanted to further her career and education by pursuing a second Master’s degree in School Counseling and Guidance. During her time at NYU, she worked as a college advisor, guiding high school students through the college application process, facilitating parent workshops and campus visits. Helping families and students with the admissions process has become her passion.
In her role, Ms. Newfield will strategically design and lead our College Knowledge curriculum, high school admissions advising work with students and families, and develop external partnerships to support our girls on the road to and through high school and college!
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Aggie Amaral
5th Grade Math & Science Teacher
Aggie Amaral is excited to be a part of the Girls Prep Middle School team! Ms. Amaral grew up in Lisbon, Portugal and moved to NYC ready to start high school. Ms. Amaral attended Mercy College in Westchester graduating with a double major in Psychology and Childhood Education. She went on to complete the teacher credential program as a reading specialist and a M.S. in Literacy.
Ms. Amaral has been teaching 5thgrade for five years and has fallen in love with teaching and learning mathematics. She is currently a student of Bank Street’s Math Leadership program and is a participant of the Middle School Common Core Pilot. Ms. Amaral is dedicated to preparing students to become independent, critical thinkers and life-long learners.
Ms. Amaral loves animals; especially her cat Tom. When she isn’t teaching or learning you can find her taking pictures of the world around us.
Snehal Desai
Mathematics Teacher
Snehal Desai studied Anthropology, Political Science, Women’s Studies and Global Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. After graduating from college, she joined the New York City Teaching Fellows. Snehal has a Master of Science in Mathematics Education, Grades 5-9, from The City University of New York. For the past 4 years, Snehal has been teaching seventh and eighth grade mathematics at a middle school in the Bronx. Snehal is extremely excited to have the opportunity to work at an all-girls school this year and looks forward to developing her students’ love for mathematics.
Outside of teaching, Snehal enjoys running, rock climbing, reading, cooking and traveling. She has been to Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Spain, India and Turkey. Snehal hopes to make many more trips over the next few summers.
Emily Adams
5th Grade CTT
After teaching in East Los Angeles for the past two years, Emily is excited to join the Girls Prep team. Emily graduated from Washington College with a degree in Elementary Education and Human Development. She then moved to Los Angeles to teach high school and complete her masters degree in special education at Loyola Marymount University. She is delighted to get to work with middle school students this year in such a creative and supportive atmosphere.
Emily enjoys being active, traveling, playing softball, watching baseball, creating art, and spending time with family and friends. She is very happy to be back on the East Coast, and especially in New York City. This year she hopes to inspire in her students a love for learning and inquiry.
Michael Farkosh
ELA Teacher
A proud graduate of Montgomery County Public Schools (Maryland), Michael Farkosh earned his B.A. from Arizona State University magna cum laude before joining Teach For America in Phoenix. There he taught high school English and coached swimming and women’s tennis, while completing a master’s degree in secondary education with a 3.92 GPA. Mr. Farkosh left the scorching sun of the Phoenix desert for the greatest city in the world, where he has been teaching middle school ELA (and a little bit of French) ever since.
Michael enjoys reading library books in Tompkins Square Park, listening to Supreme Court oral arguments, and eating mangu. He is writing a biography of his mother.
Rob Gilson
7th Grade Math Teacher
Mathematics Department Chair
Robert Gilson is excited to lead a strong mathematics department at Girls Prep Middle School as it cultivates mathematical expertise in all our students. Mathematics is a tool that can help anticipate both opportunities and obstacles in life. Rob is focused on developing our students' abilities to discover the math all around us, mastering the mathematical applications along the way that can open the doors to success in any profession.
Rob has taught New York City middle school students at both New York City Public Schools and TEAK Fellowship, a program designed to help New York City’s most gifted and ambitious public school students excel in life. Prior to his experiences in education, Rob worked in both the for-profit and not-for-profit fields, helping adolescents develop foundations in business development, personal finance, and urban entrepreneurship, while invigorating and beautifying their communities.
Rob studied business at Georgetown University, Xavier University, and Union Institute & University, and education at both the University of Cincinnati and City College of New York, earning Master’s degrees in Educational Studies and in Mathematics Education, with a special emphasis on grades 5 – 9.
Marissa Owsley
6th Grade ELA Teacher
Marissa Owsley has always loved working with young people. As an undergraduate, studying communications at the University of Southern California, she served as a WYSE mentor for young women at John Adams Middle School in Central Los Angeles. She also worked each year as a summer camp counselor for fifth grade girls at Odyssey Day Camp. In 2008, Marissa was accepted into the prestigious New York City Teaching Fellows Program, which enabled her to teach full time, while earning her master’s in education at Lehman College. After three years of teaching the subjects of reading, writing, math, science, and social studies at an elementary school in the Bronx, Marissa jumped at the chance to join the Girls Prep team and focus on her greatest passion: teaching English language arts. Marissa is currently earning her second master’s degree, this one in English education, at Lehman College. She is most excited about working at Girls Prep LES Middle because of the school's emphasis on developing well-rounded, kind, and confident young women who are academically and socially successful.
In her spare time, Marissa enjoys traveling, reading, writing, and water-skiing.
Alexis Vena
6th & 7th Grade Math CTT Teacher
Alexis comes to Girls Prep Middle School on the heels of two years of teaching 3rd and 4th grade CTT in the South Bronx. While at her previous school, Alexis was involved in creating and implementing her grades’ Mathematics and ELA curriculums. She was also selected to launch a pilot reading program at her school – the result of a rigorous grant application.
Prior to teaching, Alexis spent nearly eight years as a television news producer with MSNBC at NBC News, covering all of the major news stories of the decade. After leaving the TV world, Alexis joined Teach for America and received her Master's of Science in Special Education from Hunter College.
Sarah Redelings
6th & 7th Grade ELA CTT
Sarah loves being a teacher, and working with students to help them direct their own education. She is thrilled to join the team at Girls Prep as a learning specialist this year.
Sarah grew up in Madison, Wisconsin biking, hiking, cooking with her mom, painting with her sister, and running (a little bit wildly) through the woods. All of these are passions she continues today. Sarah graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in English and a certificate in environmental studies. Sarah paid her way through college by working at after-school programs and summer camps. She remembers all of the kids she worked with, and decided that she loved being with kids so much that she should become a teacher. Sarah was selected to be a member of Teach For America, and trained to become a teacher while also teaching full time in Washington, DC. Sarah earned her masters degree in education from George Mason University, and specialized in teaching students with emotional and learning disabilities. After working in DC for three years she moved to New York.
This year Sarah hopes to share her deep love of reading, her excitement about learning, and her passion for trying new snacks with her students. In return, she hopes her students will teach her about themselves and help her navigate New York.
Vibha Mahadeo
6th and 7th Grade Science Teacher
As a graduate of an all-girls high school, Vibha has experienced the many benefits of single-sex education. After graduating from Boston Universirty with a degree in Political Science, she moved to New York to join the New York City Teaching Fellows. While completing her Master's at Pace University she started her teaching career in Washington Heights in a traditional public school teaching 7th and 8th grade math. In the past year she has participated with the Institute for Learning to pilot a set of performance based tasks aligned with the Common Core State Standards.
Vibha is excited to join the Girls Prep Lower East Side Elementary team as a science teacher for 6th and 7th graders. She looks forward to working with students to understand and enjoy science!
In her spare time time Vibha enjoys traveling, running, and spending time with family and friends!
Leslie Keller
6th and 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher
This is Leslie Keller’s second year at Girls Prep and she is overjoyed to be teaching Humanities and Social Studies to 6th and 7th grades! Leslie believes that Middle School marks the most important time in a child’s life where they learn the skills to be productive citizens and lifelong learners. She encourages students to understand that education is not external, it changes people and how they view themselves and the world around them.
Prior to coming to Girls Prep, Leslie lived in Vermont for 7 years. During this time she went to the University of Vermont for her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Speech and Debate and her Masters in Middle Level Curriculum and Instruction. She also taught for 2 years at a public Middle School.
Leslie loves to cook and would secretly like to be on the show Top Chef. She also enjoys reading, swimming, spending time with her family, walking her dog Truman, and exploring the city.
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Aubrey Hetznecker
Art Teacher
Aubrey Hetznecker grew up right outside of Philadelphia where she developed her passion for art, athletics, and education. Aubrey graduated from Cornell University in May 2010 with a BFA in sculpture. After graduation, Aubrey joined the Teach for America Colorado team where she taught middle school visual arts in Denver. Now a member of Teach for America NYC, she will continue to engage students in a variety of mediums (awesome projects planned for this year!). Aubrey is dedicated to bringing art to life through cross curriculum content that focuses on process, creativity and communication, historical, social and cultural traditions, and critical analysis. Art plays a crucial role in developing a positive school environment, connecting with families and communities, and exposing students to the amazing artwork in NYC and beyond. Aubrey is very excited to be part of the Girls Prep community!
Kristine Ferreira
Physical Education Teacher
Kristine Ferreira is happy to be a part of the Girls Prep Middle School team! Ms. Ferreira was a competitive cheerleader whose team placed 3rd in the nation and was shown on ESPN, The Travel Channel, and Good Morning America. Her athleticism grew when she became a certified group exercise instructor and personal trainer. She possesses certifications in CPR, First Aid, Zumba, Kickboxing, AFAA Group Exercise & Personal Training. Ms. Ferreira attended College at Oneonta graduating with a communications degree. It was when she began teaching various fitness classes, personal training, and coaching Varsity Cheerleading and gymnastics in Westchester when she decided this was what she wanted to embark her future in. She further pursued her studies in Physical Education from Queens College and is close to completion of her Health Certification.
Ms. Ferreira has been teaching various physical activities to children for three years. Some examples of these activities are creative movement, yoga, Pilates, boot camp, step aerobics, gymnastics, Zumba, dance, sports, and kickboxing. She has participated in various fundraisers and has trained Biggest Loser teams. She is fluent in Portuguese and conversational in Spanish. Ms. Ferreira is eager to teach our students the importance of health and exercise. She promotes sisterhood, dedication, critical thinking and life-long learning.
Ms. Ferreira loves expanding her knowledge of fitness by attending seminars and taking classes in the newest fitness trends. When she isn’t teaching or learning you can find her spending time with her family and friends.
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Emily George
Counselor
Emily George is delighted to have joined the Girls Prep staff. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2000 with a dual degree in Psychology and French. In 2002, she participated in the New York City Teaching Fellows, receiving her Masters in Science in Education from Hunter College in 2004. She taught elementary school for four years in East Harlem, NYC. Emily then decided to focus further on the social and emotional needs of students in order to support their academic success. She returned to graduate school at New York University Silver School of Social Work, receiving her MSW in 2008. This is Emily's fourth year as a charter school counselor. Outside of school, Emily supports various non-profit organizations including Free Arts NYC. She enjoys music, yoga, dance and spending time with family and friends.
Casey Lamb
Learning Specialist Coordinator
Casey Lamb is excited to join the Girls Prep team in the new role of Learning Specialist Coordinator. Casey is passionate about ensuring that all students receive the individualized attention and support that they need to be able to achieve at high levels academically, and she is eager to work with the dedicated teachers and specialists to help them differentiate instruction and provide that support seamlessly to students.
Casey received her undergraduate degree in Public Policy Analysis from Pomona College, where she focused on education policy. She also has a M.Ed. in Special Education. Immediately after graduation from Pomona, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia and became a Corps Member within Teach For America. She taught 7th grade ELA and Social Studies in a resource special education classroom for two years. Upon completion of her TFA commitment, she joined the staff at Ivy Prep Academy, the first all-girls charter school in Georgia, as the only CTT teacher. Shortly after taking on this new position, she moved into the role of Director of Student Support Services, in which she coordinated the special education, Title I, and ESOL programs, and worked with teachers on certification and professional development. She is eager to take what she has learned in her teaching and administrative roles and apply them to her new position at Girls Prep.
When Casey is not hard at work, she likes to spend as much time as possible outside and being active - running, playing volleyball, doing yoga - playing with her new nephew, or just exploring her new city.
Lacy Reed
Reading Specialist
Lacy is thrilled to be joining the Girls Prep family as the reading specialist. Lacy has her BA in Women's and Gender studies from Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, so she is excited about participating in an all girls learning community. After teaching in Connecticut for a few years, Lacy moved to New York City to receive her MA in literacy from Teachers College at Columbia University. She has experience in both traditional public schools as well as charter schools. Being an avid reader herself, Lacy looks forward to being a part of a rich and meaningful reading life at Girls Prep.
Amy Hobson
Technology and Innovation Coordinator
This is Amy Hobson's first year at Girls Prep and she is thrilled to be Technology and Innovation Coordinator at Girls Prep! Prior to coming to Girls Prep, Amy has had a long history in education. This is her 15th year as an educator. She has a BA in Photocommunications from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas and a MS in Education and Special Education from Touro College. Before becoming a teacher, Amy worked as a photographer, graphic designer, and editor at the Texas Education Agency. As a teacher, Amy taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades in Austin, Texas; conversational English in a Japanese academic high school in Sasebo, Japan; and she also taught technology for grades K-5th at a public school in Brooklyn.
Amy loves to cook and bake. Two years ago, she helped a friend open a restaurant in Pennsylvania and created their dessert menu. She also enjoys reading, taking photographs, playing tennis, traveling around the world, and exploring the city.
Lisselot Monegro
Family Coordinator
Lisselot comes to Girls Prep with five years experience as an administrative staff member of the Charter Schools Division at Edison Schools. Her experience includes coordinating events, scheduling and a great deal of customer service. Lisselot is bilingual English and Spanish and chose Girls Prep because, "Being able to see the faces of the children and families I serve makes a big difference." Lisselot also has experience as a tutor for grade K-12 students.
In her spare time she enjoys teaching liturgical dance, mime, drama, and knitting. Lisselot is married; she and her 2 boys, Adam and Daniel, enjoy going to the park on weekends.
Lisa Patti
Speech Pathologist
Lisa M. Patti began her career working with students and families in underserved communities of New York City advocating for student services, working with families to assure they understand the services entitled to them and providing speech and language services and assessments to the pediatric population.
In her most recent role, she is working as a member of Public Prep providing speech and language support to the students and teachers of Girls Prep Charter School. Her role consists of provision of services and collaboration with a dynamic team of educators in three schools. The schools support the communities of New York City's Lower East Side and South Bronx areas. She is extremely hands on in her work with students and advocates for a progressive speech and language model for school aged children based on work within in their curriculum.
Lisa M. Patti holds a master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She holds a bachelor's degree in Paralegal studies/business from Saint John's University in Queens, New York. She holds a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association and certified by the State of New York. She also holds a Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Celta).
Kaitlyn Hamilton
Learning Specialist
Kaitlyn is very excited about joining the team at Girls Prep Lower East Side Middle School as a Learning Specialist. Kaitlyn is dedicated to ensuring that all students are given the best opportunities and resources for learning through collaboration with students, teachers, families, service providers, and communities. She believes that each student plays a critical role in our schools’ success and is confident that as a school we will achieve the most when we work as a team!
Kaitlyn received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Human Service from Loyola University in Chicago, IL. Upon completion of her Bachelors Degree, Kaitlyn went on to receive a Masters in Marital and Family Therapy from Northwestern Univeristy in Evanston, IL where she completed a clinical practicum providing counseling in schools, community based sites and clinics. After graduating from Northwestern , Kaitlyn began working for The Children’s Home and Aid Society of Illinois as a clinical case manager in the Early Intervention Program partnering with schools to serve the needs of the city’s most at-risk students. It was in this position that Kaitlyn developed her passion for education, teaching, and most of all, children. After completing a year at Children’s Home and Aid, Kaitlyn moved to NYC to be a part of the NYC Teaching Fellows and taught for 3 years in the Bronx and Queens while obtaining her 2ndMasters Degree in Special Education from Hunter College in NYC . In both positions Kaitlyn served at-risk students and helped plan, develop, and implement goals to help them reach their maximum learning potential.
Kaitlyn is eager to put all of her knowledge and passion to use this year at Girls Prep and can’t wait to learn from the scholars she will serve.
Raisa Capellan
Office Manager
Raisa Capellan graduated from Utica College in May 2010 with a BS in Accounting and a minor in Management. While at Utica College she remained extremely active and served as the Treasurer of the Latin American Student Union, a member of the Finance Committee for Student Government, and an active member of the Accounting Society. She will now start her Master’s in Public Administration at Long Island University!
In her spare time she loves to go on adventures and discovery new places in New York City with her family and friends! This is Raisa’s second year at Girls Prep and she is extremely excited to see the girls grow into beautiful young women and loves the support and positivity the girls at the school receive!
Cynthia Lugo
School Aide
Cynthia has worked in the Department of Education for over 10 years as a school aide and this is her first year at Girls Prep MS. She is very excited to be working with a great staff and the future women leaders of Girls Prep MS.
She is currently an undergrad student at Mercy College Manhattan Campus and will graduate in May 2012 with a BA in Behavioral Science and anticipate starting my Masters degree in the fall of 2012.
In her spare time she loves to spend time with my family, fiance, step-daughter and godchildren. She also loves to go to the movies, long walks, traveling and reading.
Kissmat Bibi
Administrative Assistant
Kissmat Bibi is a Queens native and received her bachelor’s degree from Hunter College in Political Science with a minor in History. After getting married and having a baby girl who is now 17 months, she felt the need for change from working in the corporate world to working with children. She enjoys work that is rewarding and joining such a dynamic team at Girls Prep is definitely a step in the right direction. She is very excited to be the new administrative assistant at Girls Prep and delighted to be in an all girl’s charter school. She enjoys reading, traveling, and fascinated with different cultured foods. She to hopes to be a charter school mom when her daughter is old enough!
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