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THE
BRONX
ARTS
COMMUNITY
Christina Brown, Executive Director
cbrown@bronxarts.net
Before joining the Bronx Arts staff as Executive Director in July 2009, Ms. Brown served at Hyde Leadership Public Charter Schools from its inception in 1999 until 2009, as a teacher, director, and administrator. She was named Teacher of the Year by Hyde Leadership Public Charter School in 2001, while nominated teacher of the year for DC Charter Schools. She was also presented with Hyde’s Unsung Hero Award in 2002. After teaching Middle School English for three years, Christina created Hyde’s College Placement Office (CPO) and served as its first director. To this day, the CPO maintains the high standards she first set, with every Hyde senior gaining admission to a four-year college or university. She also directed Hyde’s Performing Arts Program, encouraging students to express their unique creativity. At Hyde, Christina was named High School Principal in 2003. As principal, Mrs. Brown created policies that assisted in maintaining the discipline necessary for educating teenagers. She initiated a number of innovative programs in support of the Hyde mission, while setting high bars of academic excellence and developing the high school character curriculum. In 2007, Christina was named Assistant Head of School for Curriculum and Instruction and simultaneously held the position of Interim Head of School. During this time, all three Hyde schools in DC made significant gains on the high stakes test, while formalizing instructional practices and systems that led to the schools' recent success on the District of Columbia’s Program Development Review. Mrs. Brown earned a B.A. in Political Science from Virginia State University, an M.P.A in Government Management from Southeastern University and a M. Ed. in Educational Administration and Leadership from George Washington University (GWU). She is currently seeking a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration. A native of Jersey City, New Jersey, Mrs. Brown today resides in New Jersey with her daughter.
Xanthe Jory, Founder
xjory@bronxarts.net
Xanthe is a native New Yorker with a background in education and non-profit management. She has worked in program planning, development, and as a consultant at various non-profit education organizations, and was a fourth grade teacher. She has worked in the South Bronx for more than ten years. Xanthe holds a degree in Urban Studies, as well as graduate degrees in teaching and educational administration and she is an alumna of Teach for America. Xanthe is a member of the founding team of Bronx Art and often gets choked up when she watches students perform. She presently lives in Harlem.
Jacqueline Frey, Director of Special Education
jfrey@bronxarts.net
Jacqueline Frey is happy to be a new addition to the Bronx Arts team. After receiving a Bachelor of Science from Pace University and NYS certification in Elementary Education Teacheing N-6, she became dually certified with a Masters Degree in Special Education K-12 from Nazareth College, Rochester, NY. While attending Nazareth, she received a Grant from the University of Rochester Galisano Children’s Hospital at Strong Hospital to research Behavioral Strategies and Interventions for Children with Developmental Delays, with a focus on children with Autism and Behavioral Disorders. Since then, Jacky has used her behavioral and developmental expertise while working with the early intervention, preschool and school age populations. She has served as an adjunct professor at St. John Fisher College in Rochester,NY where she instructed and mentored undergraduate and graduate students within the Ralph Wilson Education Department. Jacky continues to enjoy teaching and learning along with the education staff at Bronx Arts so that our students and staff reach their greatest potential. Although Jacky grew up in the area she has lived in Rochester, NY (very cold and long winters!) for the past 20 years! She and her family have moved back home to the New York City area this past year and are really enjoying being with family and old friends as well as making new friends through the Bronx Arts community!
Ann Ledo, Director of Arts
aledo@bronxarts.net
Ann grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and attended college in Oregon. She has worked in a variety of creative environments with adults and children with dis/Abilities since 1993. Ann came to NYC five years ago to attend graduate school at Teachers College, where she received her Masters in Learning dis/Abilities. She was a founding teacher of a charter school for the arts, SAIL, in Washington, D.C, where she taught for four years as a special education teacher, arts coordinator and teaching artist. Ann has spent the last 5 years developing arts based curriculum for elementary aged students and leading integrated arts workshops for educators in D.C, Scotland and New York. This past year, Ann taught as a reading specialist in East New York with Groundwork, a community based organization working with students living in housing developments of East New York and as a photographer and paintings researcher for an art gallery. Ann has a background in visual arts, speaks Portuguese and has a passion for chairs and furniture making.
Gretchen Wagner Liga, Director of Development
gliga@bronxarts.net
Gretchen came to Bronx Arts in April 2007 with twelve years of experience as a development professional. Most recently, Gretchen served as Director of Development for Young Audiences New York. Prior to that, she spent five years at American Ballet Theatre as Director of Institutional Support focusing on corporate sponsorships and foundation and government support. Other organizations where she has worked include the Anti-Defamation League, AFS-USA, and the John O’Donnell Company. Gretchen began to build her interest and skills in fundraising while a work/study student in the Advancement Office at Bucknell University, where she earned a BA in Sociology with a minor in dance. At Bronx Arts, Gretchen is responsible for working with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors to ensure that the organization reaches its fundraising goals and is delighted to be part of the Bronx Arts community. She lives in the Bronx with her husband and five-year old son.
Marshae Newkirk, Lower School Director
mnewkirk@bronxarts.net
Marshae came on board as Lower School Director this school year after serving as a 2007-2008 Resident Director through the New Leaders for New Schools Program. Her teaching experience includes instruction at the elementary level at C.S. 66 in the South Bronx and at the post-secondary level at Mercy College. Administratively, she has worked as an advisor and programmatic planner with the New Teacher Project and New York City Teaching Fellows, as an instructor and Administrator Designee at Graham Elementary, and as a Resident Director here at Bronx Arts. With graduate degrees in Administration and Supervision and Elementary Education from Fordham University and Lehman College respectively, Marshae is certified as a School Administrator and Supervisor and Public School Teacher.
Ryan Schetelick, Upper School Director
rschetelick@bronxarts.net
Ryan Schetelick is a lifelong teacher and learner. He is a Doctoral candidate at Columbia University Teachers College and has been a public school educator for 15 years as a classroom teacher, a literacy consultant, and as an administrator. He is an avid traveler and soccer player and enjoys a nice medium-rare steak.
Erin Jeanneret, Kindergarten Classroom Teacher
EJeanneret@bronxarts.net
Erin was born in New Jersey, but grew up in Ohio. She returned to the East Coast to pursue a dancing career having graduated from Wright State University with a B.F.A. in Dance Performance. After performing in operas, ballets, dinner theatres and on the Disney Cruise line, Erin decided to return to school and received her Masters of Education at Pace University. While studying, Erin taught Mommy and Me classes (music and movement classes for young children and their caregivers) on the Upper Eastside. Having taught Kindergarten in Queens, Erin is happy to be returning to Kindergarten this year after teaching second grade for the past two years at Bronx Arts.
Kate Hagenbuch, First Grade Learning Specialist
khagenbuch@bronxarts.net
Kate Hagenbuch was born and raised in Philadelphia. She grew up surrounded by music, dance and performing, as much of her family are Mummers – a uniquely Philadelphia tradition. Kate, herself, was a dancer and performed often in musicals and dramatic plays. Kate graduated from Temple University with a degree in early, elementary and special education with a specialization in theater arts. Kate has taught students in Philadelphia with a wide range of educational and developmental needs. She recently moved to New York when given the opportunity to teach at Bronx Arts. Kate is thrilled to have a career that combines her two passions – teaching and the arts! Even though Kate loves living in NYC, she still misses Philly pretzels and "wooder” ice!
Alicia Shaw, First Grade Classroom Teacher
ashaw@bronxarts.net
Even though Alicia has spent most of her life in New York, she considers herself a New Yorker with some Midwest sensibilities. After receiving her masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Lehman College, Alicia started teaching at another South Bronx public school. One of her many hopes for her students is that they become confident individuals who can express themselves in many ways. One of the things Alicia loves most about teaching is the opportunity to be a part of how students grow and change as they meet new challenges and reach new goals.
Teressa Brake, Second Grade Teacher
tbrake@bronxarts.net
Teressa moved to New York City in 2004 after living in Austin, Texas where she attended the University of Texas and taught first grade for five years. Interests in art, music, and nature have led Teressa to teaching and research in museum settings as well. Before joining the Bronx Arts staff, she completed a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College, Columbia University. Teressa enjoys playing drums and guitar, reading, and taking long walks. She currently lives in Washington Heights.
Katrina Ruiz, Third Grade Learning Specialist
kruiz@bronxarts.net
Katrina Ruiz was born and raised in Miami, Florida, entrenched in Cuban and Jewish culture. She attended the University of Florida and received a B.A. in English and Spanish Literature. Katrina is currently working on her Masters in Education from Teacher U at Hunter College. After her commitment with Teach For America, Katrina decided to pursue her lifelong dream of living in New York City and moved in the summer of 2006. She has always loved the thriving arts scene, especially theatre and spoken word poetry. She lives in downtown Manhattan but is eager to explore many of the known and lesser known parts of New York that make the city so special. Katrina hopes that working at Bronx Arts and living out her dreams in the city will inspire both her teaching and desire to write and perform once again.
Rebekah Adamek, Fourth Grade Teacher
radamek@bronxarts.net
Rebeka has taught in public, charter private schools here in New York City and in London. She enjoys teaching different types of learners and learning about the students at Bronx Arts. Rebekah is a 2003 New York Teacher for America corps member and received an undergraduate degree in art history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a graduate degree in teaching at Pace University.
Jacqueline Carroll, Fourth Grade Learning Specialist
jcarroll@bronxarts.net
Jackie was born in England and immigrated to New York when she was in Kindergarten. She attended school in the Bronx. She grew up in a traditional Italian family with lots of cousins, aunts and uncles. They always had huge family parties that included her uncles playing the accordion and everyone dancing. Music and food were always a big part of their parties. Jackie received her Bachelor's Degree from St. John's University in Psychology/Social Work. Then she received her Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Hunter College. Jackie worked for ten years as a Vocational Counselor where she helped adults write resumes, learn interviewing skills and how to find jobs. She then decided on a career change and completed a Master's Degree in Special Education from Mercy College. Jackie has been teaching for the past six years. jackie worked at P.S. 69 in the Bronx for five years and then at Trinity School in New Rochelle for a year. Jackie has worked in grades K through fourth and she loves teaching and working with children. She lives in the Bronx with her husband and two children. Jackie has always wanted to learn to play the piano.
Geneviève DeBose, Fifth Grade Classroom Teacher
gdebose@bronxarts.net
Geneviève was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and spent part of her childhood growing up in Kenya. She attended UC Berkeley and received a B.A. in Ethnic Studies and an M.A. in Education. She started teaching in 1999 at Gompers Middle School in Watts. She teaches to create positive change in the world and to ensure that no matter what difficult obstacles her children face they can still receive a quality education and enjoy learning. Geneviève lives in Harlem and loves being a part of many of the incredible and diverse communities in New York. She loves to try new things and enjoys dancing, listening to people’s stories, running, playing sports, writing plays, exploring, and remembering that people make her happy.
Michelle Tyndal, Fifth Grade Classroom Teacher
mtyndal@bronxarts.net
Michele Tyndal has been teaching at Bronx Charter School for the Arts for three years. Her first year at Bronx Arts was in the Fall of 2006. She stated as a third grade paraprofessional and co-teacher with Iva Taylor. In the Spring of 2007 Michele received her Masters in Education from Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY). In the fall Fall of 2007 Michele became the Mathematics and Science sixth grade classroom teacher and presently she is now the fifth grade classroom teacher. Even though Michele is originally born and raised from the borough of Queens she has made Hunts Point, Bronx and Bronx Charter School for the Arts her home away from home.
Alan Davis, Music Specialist
adavis@bronxarts.net
Alan Davis was born in Roanoke, VA and raised in Gainesville, FL. He moved to New York in August of 2000 in order to study at the City College of New York and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Education with an emphasis on Jazz Performance. Alan has been a performing musician for over a decade and currently plays around the New York area. Before coming to Bronx Arts, Alan taught at Pace High School and at the School for Democracy and Leadership in Brooklyn. He currently resides in Harlem, NY.
Toni Johnson, Dance Specialist
tjohnson@bronxarts.net
Toni Renee is a performer, choreographer, and dance educator. Toni Renee works as dance specialist at Bronx Charter School for the Arts, for grades K-6. She earned her MFA in choreography and performance from Florida State University and an undergraduate degree from Drexel University. She had the opportunity to study with and perform works by Dan Wagoner, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Alonzo King, Nia Love and others. Once in New York, she performed with Blacksmith’s Daughter and INSPIRIT, a dance company, there, serving as Associate Artistic Director. She also worked at PS 161 in Manhattan teaching dance to K-6th grade. Toni Renee newly formed her own company, Breath of Life Dance Experience. She has been commissioned to make dances for Drexel University, INSPIRIT and Bronx Arts. She is pleased to be in her second year at Bronx Charter and looks forward to continue growing students to be appreciative of the arts.
Kevin Pease, Theater Specialist
kpease@bronxarts.net
A native of northern Michigan, Kevin is thrilled to be bringing his diverse experiences as a theatre artist and teacher to the students of Bronx Arts. As a performer, Kevin has toured extensively in North America and Europe, receiving glowing reviews in the New York Times for his work with DiCapo Opera Theatre. Kevin continues to work in a variety of artistic mediums including dance, opera, musical theatre and cabaret, and is one of the founders of collage*group, a New York based arts collaborative. As an arts educator, he's worked with a number of nationally recognized non-profits including Periwinkle National Theatre and The Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education, as a lead teaching artist, research fellow, and administrator. Kevin is currently working on a volume of children's poetry, and has begun writing his first children's musical. He is a proud graduate of Northwestern University.
Aritha Corry, Arts Integration Teacher Support
acorry@bronxarts.net
My name is Aritha Corry, Jamaican born. I migrated to America and resided in the Bronx, when I was very young. I began drawing when I was about five years old and my love for artistic endeavors began. I attended Michelangelo Junior High and Harry S. Truman High School in the Bronx, where my focus for art blossomed. I decided that I should take my passion to the next level so I enrolled at The School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. As an adult I realized the need to expound my artistic side by beginning a career in the art world. So I opened a small business, creating decorative greeting cards with art and poetry, personalized hand painted T- shirts, designing jewelry and other artistic ventures. I am a self taught artist who loves, enjoys, and appreciate every aspect of art. I am a jovial soul whose inspirations come from my own intuition. I believe that as long as I have breath in me, all is well within me. I get inspired when I work with young growing artistic minds. In the future, I will continue to share my art with the world in different venues and to continue my art career as an educator.
Shanita McKay, Literacy Coach
smckay@bronxarts.net
Shanita McKay received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry at Trinity College in 2003 and shortly after, through Teach For America, began teaching 2nd grade at a charter school in Washington, DC. She became community leader and 2 grade team leader her second year of teaching. After finishing her Certification studies at American University, she left Washington, DC and moved to New York City in 2005 to begin teaching in the New York City Public School System. There she was the Academic Intervention Specialist for grades 1, and 3-5 and the Academic Intervention Team Leader. She taught ELA and Math in small group or individual settings and advocated for students that were in need of special services. Shortly after, she received the Ennis William Cosby (full) Scholarship at Fordham University, Lincoln Center, to receive Literacy Certification and a Master’s of Science degree in Literacy. Upon retiring from the New York City Board of Education, in Fall 2008, she accepted the position of Reading Specialist (3-6) at Bronx Charter School for the Arts.
Sari Siegel, Speech Language Pathologist
ssiegel@bronxarts.net
Ms. Siegel, MS. CCC-SLP, has been happily working as the Speech Language Pathologist at Bronx Arts since graduating with a Master of Science degree from Hunter College in September of 2005. Her specialties include the enhancement of student literacy skills, the remediation of auditory processing disorders and phonological awareness skills. She occasionally works in sub-acute rehabilitation facilities with stroke, brain injured and Parkinson's patients. In addition to taking continuing education classes on the
current and best strategies to help students with speech and language difficulties, Ms. Siegel enjoys spending time with her husband (she recently got married in October), reading and cycling. Remember to be kind to cyclists in the bike lane as Ms. Siegel rides her bicycle to work!
Tracy Wiggins, ELL Teacher and Placement Coordinator
twiggins@bronxarts.net
Tracey Wiggins, a native of East Harlem, has been a teacher for nearly eight years. She completed her undergraduate studies at Hunter College in New York City with a concentration in English and Elementary Education. Tracey followed up with completing her Master of Science in Education at the same college. Tracey has taught fourth and fifth grades in the public school arena in Spanish Harlem. She has enjoyed traveling extensively to such areas as Ireland, the Czech Republic, Nicaragua and Poland. She enjoys watching movies on rainy days, spending time with her friends and being absorbed in a good book.
Jacqueline Santiago, Manager of Student Affairs
jsantiago@bronxarts.net
Born in New York and raised in the Bronx, Jacqueline has worked all her life. She spent 18 years as a Staffing Coordinator at the Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged in Manhattan and was responsible for scheduling 500 employees there. Following the birth of her twins, she decided to stay home to raise her children and found that the extra time allowed her to help other working parents in need of daycare, giving her the opportunity to work as a childcare provider. When her kids were admitted to Bronx Arts, she became a volunteer at the school and hasn’t left since. She’s now a proud Bronx Arts mom and has worked full-time as the school’s Manager of Student Affairs since 2008.
Lillian Howard, Operations Assistant
lhoward@bronxarts.net
Lillian Howard, was born and raised in Brooklyn. At the age 17, she moved to the Bronx. A single mother of two girls, Lillian graduated from Bronx Community College with an A.A.S. In Secretarial Studies, then went on to use her administrative skills with several different agencies. In addition, she worked for Cablevision of New York for seven years before coming to Bronx Arts in 2008 as the Operations Assistant.
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