School Staff

School Secretary

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My name is Gloria Piliero, I am the school Secretary.  I am so excited to be working with an amazing team.  I have been with the Department of Education for 20 years plus in different capacities.  I will use my years of experience to serve our school community to best of my ability.  I look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to our school at registration.  

Parent Coordinator

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¡Hola! My name is Marvin Diaz Fernandez and I am very excited to be a part of the P.S. 398Q family as the Parent Coordinator.  I was born in Guatemala and immigrated to the United States at the age of 8.  I have worked in education for over 10 years, primarily in High School and University.  As such I have seen the importance of early preparation to be successful at the University level.  I am looking forward to collaborating with you this school year to support your child to become a lifelong learner in a nurturing and safe environment.  I am here to answer questions and to support you with any concerns regarding your child’s academic or social life at P.S. 398Q. 

School Social Worker

Hello everyone, my name is Yakaira Ramirez! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Bilingual in English and Spanish. I am honored to be joining the P.S 398 community as a social worker. I look forward to forming meaningful, long-lasting relationships with students and their families. I believe that emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness sparks our consciousness, expands mindfulness, and conquers Healing. Healing is possible. I am a huge advocate of self-care and, I look forward to sharing tips on ways our children and their parents can each discover little things they can do to live a healthier and happier life. In my free time, I like going for walks in the park and enjoy looking at nature’s beautiful surroundings. I also love and appreciate trying out diverse food from all different cultures. I received a bachelor’s degree in arts from John Jay College and a master’s degree from Fordham University. I’ve been working in the social service field providing human services to the most vulnerable and underserved populations for the last 18 years. In my previous role, I worked as an Instructor, Training Specialist, and Community Coordinator for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene empowering, supporting, and doing outreach for individuals in our communities most impacted by disparities and inequities, primarily by providing emotional support and helping them access available resources. I was raised in the beautiful Dominican Republic in a poor, run-down, rural small town surrounded by high mountains where suffering and poverty around me stimulated compassion and inspired strength to believe that somehow, I would have something to offer to everyone.  

I look forward to meeting you all of you in person and creating a memorable school year filled with learning and joyful experiences. 

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." ~Helen Keller

Physical Therapist (PT)

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Hello! My name is Lewis Belleh, and I am a physical therapist who has been practicing for 23 years as a member of the NYC Department of Education. I graduated from LIU Brooklyn with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy. While doing my pediatric clinicals, I realized that I enjoy working with children and concentrated more on the pediatric population. However, I do work with all ages from as young as 6 months to as old as 56 years. In the school setting, my focus is to get a child as physically independent possible. I am married and have three children of my own who are all grown up and living their lives. I love to read and play basketball!

Bilingual Speech Pathologist

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Hola! I am Michelle Martinez, M.S., CCC-SLP the bilingual (Spanish/English) Speech-language pathologist in PS. 398Q. I was born and raised in Queens, NY. I graduated with a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Pace University in 2021. I am certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and have had experience working with children from birth to 5th grade. I’ve always had a strong passion for working with the bilingual population and being an advocate for my students and their families. Helping my students find their voice, work on their comprehension skills, and improve their communication skills via any/all forms of communication is a true joy for me. 

I love being an SLP, I love the community, my team, and my students (past and present). I also love that being an SLP is just a small, though mighty, part of who I am. SLP but also- a mom, fiance and a health coach. I am Colombian and proud, I love to stay active, and a lover of all things outdoors. 

SBST Family Worker

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SETSS Teacher
Specialty: Special Education & Literacy
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Hello! My name is Mrs. Natsis. I attended St. John’s University for both my Bachelors and my Masters degree. I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Childhood Education and a dual Masters degree in Special Education and Literacy. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I like to travel to different places and learn about the different cultures. I especially love traveling back to my homeland of Greece! I love to motivate my students by tapping into their inner strengths, abilities, and creating learning experiences that truly inspire them. My goal is to provide a stimulating learning environment that fosters confidence and encourages children to reach their full potential!

Occupational Therapist (OT)

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Hello! My name is Tania Puchuela and I am the Occupational Therapist at PS. 398Q. I graduated with my Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from CUNY York College in 2021. I was born and raised in Queens, NY and I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with a community close to home. I look forward to helping students develop their fine motor skills, sensory processing, visual perception, and organization skills in order to enhance their academic performance and independence in the school setting. During my free time I like to play badminton, do nail art designs, hike with my adorable 10-year-old mini dachshund, and spend time with my family and friends. I love to travel as well because I get to learn about various cultures and their customs. I am excited to collaborate and be a part of the PS398Q family!  

School Psychologist

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My name is Lori Schneider, and I am the School Psychologist at PS 398. This is my first year at PS 398, and I am happy to join this community! This is my fourth year working as a school psychologist in the NYC Department of Education. I was born and raised in Queens, where I continue to live. I earned my bachelor's in psychology from St. John's University. Shortly after, I earned my master's in education and advanced certificate in school psychology from Brooklyn College. I am honored to be a part of the School Based Support Team (SBST) to help develop plans for intervention and evaluate students for special education services based on their needs. 

3K Teacher
Specialty: Childhood Education

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Twitter @Ms_chaudry398 Opens in a new browser tab

Hello everyone! My name is Ms. Chaudry and I am excited to be teaching at PS 398Q! I feel grateful to be a founding teacher in our beautiful school with our amazing students and families. I graduated from Queens College with my Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. I acquired my certifications in Grades 1-6 as well as Birth-2. Currently, I am also in the process of receiving my Masters degree and acquiring certification in TESOL. I enjoy traveling, shopping (with a cup of iced coffee in hand!), and spending time with my friends and family. I look forward to having a wonderful year at PS 398Q filled with learning, laughter, and memories to last a lifetime!

Pre-K Teacher
Specialty: Childhood Education

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I am so excited to start a new chapter of my career at P.S 398Q. I attended District 30 schools as a child and I am honored to be serving that same community as an educator. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Baruch College. I received my Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, from Hunter College. I’ve been teaching Pre-K for 10 years. My classroom helps students succeed both academically and socially and emotionally. The first years of a child’s education lay the foundation for future learning; so, it’s important to me that I create a classroom environment that promotes kindness, compassion, curiosity, creativity and independence. I truly take pride in getting to know all of my students and their families to form meaningful relationships and secure a strong partnership throughout the school year. I look forward to a wonderful year together filled with joy, laughter and lots of learning.

Pre-K Teacher
Specialty: Dual Language
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Instagram @lovestoteachprek Opens in a new browser tab

My name is Mrs. McNeal, proud Founding Staff member at P.S.398Q.  I have been teaching Early Childhood for more than 15 years.  I received my bachelors degree from Queens College, and a masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Touro College, and also have a Bilingual Education extension.  My classroom is my second home and it is important for me to create an environment that promotes diversity, creativity, kindness, and independence.  I believe that young children thrive when they are encouraged to be themselves and to explore their interests and talents.  In addition to being a teacher, I am also a wife and mother of three children.  I enjoy going out to eat, watching movies, and being home with my family. 

Pre-K Teacher
Specialty: Early Childhood Education

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Hi everyone! My name is Michelle Meditz and I'm so excited to be here for my second year at PS 398. I have been teaching Pre-K for six years after getting my masters degree in early childhood education from Queens College. As an early childhood teacher, I am committed to providing a safe, caring, and fun learning environment for every child. I can't wait to have an amazing year full of adventures and learning! 

Kindergarten Teacher
Specialty: Special Education

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Hello, My name is Yi Jin Kim. I am so excited to join the PS398 TEAM. I will be teaching PreK. I love learning new languages and cultures. I look forward to meeting all the staff and students!

Kindergarten  Teacher
Specialty: Early Childhood Education

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Twitter @kaitlynn_kelly Opens in a new browser tab

Hello! My name is Kaitlynn Kelly and I am so grateful to be at PS 398Q another year! It is so heartwarming to watch all of our students grow and become more independent as they journey through their educational journey. I graduated from Queens College with a Master's Degree in Childhood Education and have an additional certification in Early Childhood as well as Gifted and Talented Education! When I have free time, I am always hanging out with my family and I am super close to my younger brother and sister. I also love cooking and I enjoy trying new recipes and different foods, especially when traveling to new places. I look forward to continuously creating lots of memories with a wonderful group of staff and students!

Kindergarten Teacher
Specialty: Dual Language

Hello everyone!! My name is Jamie Pachucho and I am excited to be joining the P.S. 398 community, as a teacher. I feel blessed and fortunate to be able to teach and give back to the diverse and beautiful community of Queens; where I was born and raised. I obtained a Bachelor degree in Sociology and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education with a Bilingual Extension from Hunter College. As a teacher, I am very passionate and dedicated in creating a welcoming and warm classroom environment, highlighting the uniqueness and diversity of our children. My desire is to always bring out the best in students using their qualities and talents while also providing the space for growth and development. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my two precious kids and my family; watching movies, playing card games, and mostly traveling around the world learning from the different cultures. I look forward to meeting all of you in person to create a wonderful school year at PS 398Q filled with learning, joy, and long lasting memories.

Kindergarten  Teacher
Specialty: Early Childhood Education

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I am delighted to be joining PS 398Q, The Héctor Figueroa School this year.  As I begin my 8th year as a Kindergarten teacher, I am excited and eager to be able to contribute to the dynamic community where I was born and raised. As a little girl, I used to teach my dolls and stuffed animals using a small chalkboard my father gave me and I have wanted to be a Kindergarten teacher ever since I attended Kindergarten myself. I am dedicated to empowering young children to learn by creating a nurturing environment where their voices can be heard and celebrated.  I graduated from Pace University with a Bachelor of Arts in Language, Culture and World Trade and went on to attain a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education from Hunters College as well as additional certifications in both Special Education and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).  When I am not teaching, I love spending time with my family, and spoiling my two dogs: Tazzy and Mavis and my cat Budd.  I also enjoy walking, cooking, reading, painting, taking long drives and watching movies.  I am so excited to meet and to get to know the students, families, and staff within our wonderful school community.

First Grade Teacher
Specialty: ENL

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Hi everyone! My name is Heidy Castro and I am overjoyed to be part of the P.S. 398Q family. I was born and raised here in Jackson Heights, Queens so being able to teach the children growing up in the same community as I did, is so rewarding. I graduated from Brooklyn College with my Bachelors Degree and Certification in Early Childhood Education. I am currently attending the Hunter College Graduate Program in the School of Education to receive my Masters Degree and certification in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). I am very passionate about using every students’ language and cultural background as well as their knowledge and strengths to develop a strong respectful and safe learning classroom community for all of my students. I enjoy spending time with family over some cafecito con pan, dancing Salsa, spending way too many hours at Target, getting lost in a good book and exploring every corner of NYC. I cannot wait to meet all of my students and their families to begin building a lifelong love for learning.  

First Grade Teacher
Specialty: Special Education

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My name is Keisha Jarrett.  I am from the beautiful island of Jamica in the West Indies.  In my free time, I enjoy baking, reading, watching television and enjoying the outdoors.  I am a graduate of Shortwood Teachers' College (Jamaica, West Indies), Primary Education and from Grand Canyon University where I obtained a master's degree in special education grade 1-6.   I am inspired to be part of this diverse learning community in Queens.

Kindergarten Teacher
Specialty: ENL

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First Grade Teacher
Specialty: Dual Language
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¡Hola! My name is Ms. Sosa and I am very excited to be a part of the P.S. 398Q family as a Dual Language teacher. I have been working with young children for over 10 years. I have a bachelor's degree in Childhood Education and a master's degree in Early Children Education, as well as a Bilingual (Spanish) Extension from Queens College. I am also currently considering taking courses in interior design to learn more about ways to keep things neat and inviting because I have a love for organizing! I have three beautiful children of my own. I love spending time outdoors with them and staying active through play (dancing is one of our favorites!). My children remind me every day that it truly “takes a village!” I look forward to working together with fellow teachers, parents, and families to ensure we provide the best learning experiences for our growing learners. I value working together to set a solid foundation and love of learning in our children that will support their success, not only in school, but through life!

Second Grade Teacher
Specialty: Dual Language

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Hello Everyone! My name is Christy Gómez. I was born and raised in Woodside, Queens. I have a beautiful daughter and two adventurous cats, all of whom I enjoy spending my time with. I enjoy traveling, visiting places I have never been to before, and learning about other cultures and traditions. I am excited to be serving the diverse community of learners in Jackson Heights, Queens. I am delighted to be a founding teacher and foster a learning environment that is nurturing and empowering for all of our children.

Second Grade Teacher
Specialty: Special Education

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I am glad to be a part of P.S.398Q's growing family as a founding teacher. I have my Bachelors degree in Childhood Education as well as English Literature. I graduated from Queens College with a Masters in Special Education. I was raised in the Jackson Heights community and I am excited to serve my community. My hobbies include playing tennis, singing, and spending time with my family and friends. I strongly believe in teaching students to apply their learning to real-world situations. I see the importance in hands-on learning, student-centered activities, and differentiated instruction to make lessons purposeful for diverse learners. Having a fun, exciting, and safe learning environment is very important to me, as I use student interests to connect with young minds.

Second Grade  Teacher
Specialty: Early Childhood Education

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Second Grade Teacher
Specialty: ENL

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Hello, my name is Ms. Xhaxhi and I am so excited to be part of the P.S. 398 team. I graduated from Adelphi University with a Master's degree in elementary education, and also have an advanced certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). I was born in Albania and immigrated to the United States in 1996. Although I grew up in Astoria, I have lived in East Elmhurst for the past seven years and am delighted to serve the diverse learners of Jackson Heights! I love spending my days outdoors, and particularly enjoy hiking with my family and friends. I also love to travel and experience the beauty, food and culture of different regions. I cannot wait to impart my knowledge onto my students, and nurture their creativity this school year. I am confident that we will have a year filled with unlimited learning experiences and fun!

Third Grade Teacher
Specialty: Dual Language

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¡Hola a todos! My name is Laura Barahona and I am so excited to start this new journey as a third grade Dual Language teacher at PS 398Q. I graduated with Bachelor’s Degree in Childhood Education and Masters Degree in Education with a Bilingual (Spanish) extension from Queens College. I love taking long walks and enjoy nature and find beauty in everything that surrounds me. In my free time, I like to meditate, do yoga and read spiritual and self-improvement books. I moved to New York when I was 18 years old. Learning a new language as I was immersed into the college experience was quite challenging. I always wonder how the bilingual brain worked and how prior knowledge from your first language could be transferred to the new language in a more effective way. This is why, when I chose my career path, I knew that I wanted to become a Dual Language teacher. My priority as an educator is to find different pedagogical ways to support my students to learn in both languages. Being bilingual is a gift, and I want to instill in my students not only to be proud but excited to become long lasting bilingual learners.

Third Grade Teacher
Specialty: ENL

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Hello my name is Cristina Muevecela. I am very excited to be a part of the P.S.398Q family! I am a patient, passionate and caring educator who believes all students are one of a kind, bringing something different and special to their own education. I encourage all students to express and accept themselves as individuals, as well embrace differences in others. I previously worked as a third grade teacher for two years. I graduated Cum Laude from Queens College with a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education with a minor in Spanish. In addition, I hold a Masters Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Queens College.

Third Grade Teacher
Specialty: Special Education

Hello everyone, my name is Crystal Persaud.  . I was born and raised in Queens and attended St. John’s University for my bachelors and master’s degree. I graduated with my bachelor’s in childhood education 1-6 and received my master’s in special education. I believe that every child is unique and has something special to offer. My goal as a teacher is to inspire and motivate students to be the best they can! When I am not teaching some of my favorite activities include being outdoors, hiking, swimming, and traveling.  I look forward to meeting everyone and having a great school year. 

Third Grade Teacher
Specialty: ENL

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Hello! My name is Denisse Rivera-Lee and I am very excited to be part of the P.S.398Q community! I received my master’s degree from Hunter College and my certifications include Childhood Education, Bilingual (Spanish) Education, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). I grew up in Queens and when I'm not teaching, I like to read, sing, paint! My motivation is to help students on their academic, social-emotional and language learning journey. We are going to have a great time learning and growing together! ¡Juntos, podemos con todo! (Together, we can do anything!)

Fourth Grade Teacher (ELA and Social Studies)
Specialty: ENL

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Fourth Grade Teacher (ELA and Social Studies)
Specialty: Special Education

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Hello everyone! My name is Sandra Narvaez. I am beyond excited to begin this journey with you all. I look forward to learning and growing with the amazing team at PS. 398. As an educator, I achieve to instill a lifelong love for learning in all of my students. I am so eager to give back to the community that gave me so much.

I also want to tell you a little bit about myself. I graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a liberal arts degree majoring in sociology and minoring in deaf studies. I then went on to receive my masters degree from Mercy College in education. I love spending time with my family and reading books. I am as passionate about teaching as I am about learning, and I can’t wait to see what this year has in store for us.

Fourth Grade Teacher (ELA and Social Studies)
Specialty: Dual Language

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Fourth Grade Teacher (ELA and Social Studies)
Specialty: Childhood Education

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Fifth Grade Teacher (Math and Science)
Specialty: Childhood Education

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İHola a todos! My name is Ms. Alem and I’m beyond excited to be part of the PS.398 family. I was born and raised in Bolivia and moved to the United States in 2017. I have my bachelor's degree in childhood education from Skidmore College and I’m currently working towards my masters in Bilingual Childhood education from City College. I’m passionate about learning new languages and cultures which I’m very grateful to experience by teaching in such a diverse community like Jackson Heights/Woodside. When I’m not teaching, I love going on walks or hikes with my dog Chuchu, riding my bike, exploring NYC restaurants, baking or getting lost in a book! I look forward to working and learning together this year! 

Fifth Grade Teacher (Math and Science)
Specialty: Special Education

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Hello! My name is Yuri Choi. I graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree and have certifications in Early Childhood/Childhood and Special Education. I have a cat named Vader who thinks he’s a dog! I also enjoy traveling. When I am not teaching, I enjoy playing sports or going hiking. I was born and raised in Woodside so; I am thrilled to teach in a community that is close to home. I can’t wait to embark on this special journey with everyone!

Fifth Grade Teacher (Math and Science)
Specialty: ENL

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Hello, My name is Ms. Dorria, and I am thrilled to join the PS 398Q school community. I was born in India and spent most of my childhood there before migrating to the U.S. as a teenager. My family came to America with eyes full of wonder and hearts full of hope, and I inevitably developed a passion for bilingual education and the implementation of cultural diffusion within the school curriculum. I have earned my Masters in TESOL from Hunter College and a Masters in Teaching Hindi Urdu Language Pedagogy from Kean University. I look forward to working closely with my students and their families to overcome cultural and linguistic barriers, as well as work together towards incredible academic and social achievements. 

Fifth Grade Teacher (Math and Science)
Specialty: Childhood Education

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K/1/2 Grade Bridge Teacher
Specialty: Special Education

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Hello! My name is Jaclynn DeFina. I am a Queens resident, in Bayside and I am excited to be welcomed into the PS 398Q family to continue to help grow this school community. I graduated from Marist College in 2014 with a dual certification in Elementary Ed/Special Education 1-6 as well as a Psychology degree. I am currently working towards my Masters in Educational Technology from SUNY Oneonta. This is currently my 8^th year teaching and my 5^th year within the NYC DOE. Outside of school, I am a dog momma to a playful Border collie named Henry. I enjoy traveling and sharing the world with my students. As an educator, I believe in assisting students to discover who they are, so they can express their own beliefs and nurture their own ideas. I have a vision of a world where we learn to respect, accept, and embrace the differences between each other. 

3/4/5 Grade Bridge  Teacher
Specialty: Special Education

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My name is Joseph Santostefano. I am excited to join PS398 as a special education teacher and grateful for the warm welcome I have received. I currently live in Queens Village with my wife, a woodside native! I was born in Brooklyn, grandson to immigrants from Italy, Mexico and Britain. I have a deep respect and admiration for those who continue to come and add to the diversity of our great city. My journey into special education started 15 years ago when I graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a degree and certification in teaching the Visual Arts. There was a focus in relating a child's development in visual expression to the child-centered approach of the Reggio Emilia school. I also minored in ceramics. I worked in art studios, but I never became a full-time art teacher. However, I did teach art in a respite program for children with autism. It was there that I became very interested in special education. I went on to work for many years in residential, vocational and travel training programs full-time and graduated from St. John's University with a master's degree in special education. My first teaching job was at the Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center, a hospital and school for children with multiple disabilties and medical needs. Since working in the NYC public schools, I have focused on bringing both new academic interventions and enrichment to my students with special needs. Together we have enjoyed project-based learning, STEM, civics for all and the minecraft education challenge. I continue to seek out professional development programs that I think will improve the lives of my students and help them meet their goals!

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