School Staff
Jordan C Fitzgerald
Interim Acting Principal's Message
My name is Jordan Fitzgerald and it is an honor to introduce myself as interim acting principal of PS 398Q. I look forward to joining this wonderful school community and can assure you that I share your commitment to excellence in education and concern for the social/emotional well-being of all learners.
I arrive at PS 398 from Adrien Block middle school IS 25, where I have spent the last 13 years serving as assistant principal. I have also had an opportunity to work at the district level in guidance and student support, lead both middle and elementary school Summer Rising programs and serve as acting principal of an early childhood center.
During my time in education, I have had many responsibilities which have improved, ensured, and enriched the safety, academic and social emotional well-being of students and staff. I have served as the Building Response Team leader in my school, enabling me to become deeply involved with the systems and structures required for the daily running of a safe school building. The safety of students and staff is my first priority. I believe when scholars and staff do not feel safe, learning cannot happen and therefore safety is at the forefront of my leadership every day. I also believe in the importance of being a collaborative instructional leader and my experience in this area has allowed me opportunities to work closely with teachers to implement the Envision Math and Amplify Science curriculums, implement best practices in teacher pedagogy and to consider culturally responsive practices. I am excited to see that District 30 is adopting the HMH Literacy curriculum. I have had an opportunity this year to work closely with teachers, instructional coaches and consultants regarding its implementation on the middle school level and I am excited and eager to work with the 398 community to see it in action at the elementary school level.
When my current district experienced an emergency and needed a strong leader to step in, I served as the IA Principal for an elementary school for several months. This coupled with my extensive elementary school experience during Summer Rising has made it clear to me that my passion lies at the elementary school level. These experiences have allowed me to see firsthand how crucial it is to make sure our elementary scholars love learning and love their school.
I entered education to help all students achieve as learners and to support their development as future leaders. I am looking forward to working side by side with you to create an environment where every student can thrive, feel valued and can succeed. In the coming weeks, I plan to schedule opportunities to hear the great things happening at this school and to share my perspective and experiences with the PS 398 community. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me at jfitzgerald2@schools.nyc.gov . I look forward to meeting all of you.
Trisha Mondal
Assistant Principal's Message
Meet Our School Based Support Team
Gloria Piliero
School Secretary
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.
Yakaira Ramirez
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
Christina Ramos
Bilingual Guidance Counselor
Hello! My name is Christina Ramos. I am a Queens native and currently reside in Manhattan. As a child, I was also a student in District 30, and I am thrilled to now be serving the same community as a School Counselor! I discovered my passion for assisting students academically, socially, and emotionally when I began working with the Department of Education as a paraprofessional. While gaining experience in an educational setting, I received my associate degree in Childhood Education, bachelor's degree in Psychology, and master's degree in School Counseling. I am of the opinion that social-emotional learning is the foundation of success. When our social and emotional needs are met, we are EMPOWERED in our academic learning process. All students can succeed with the proper support and guidance. As your School Counselor, I will lead with love and compassion to cultivate an environment that promotes achievement. As Aristotle stated, “educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” I am truly honored to be a founding member of the P.S.398Q family, and I look forward to collaborating with all members of our community to ensure that all students L.E.A.R.N!
Joseph Santostefano
SETSS Teacher
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!
Lewis Belleh
Physical Therapist (PT)
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!
Lidia Jaramillo
ENL Coordinator
My name is Lidia M. Jaramillo. I was born in Venezuela to Portuguese parents. I came to the United States as a teenager and had the fortune to work for an American Company in Hong Kong for two years. I lived in the Jackson Heights community for over 15 years. Through my many multicultural experiences, I have learned from so many wonderful cultures and consider myself a citizen of the world! I graduated from Queens College with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Minor in Business. At St. John’s University, I pursued a Dual Masters in Childhood Education and Teaching English to Students of Other Languages, and also an Advanced School Leadership Certificate. I have worked in the NYC Department of Education for over 12 years as a Bilingual Teacher, Bilingual ENL Coordinator and Assistant Principal. I am a mother of two wonderful teenagers, and I give them all the support and encouragement to follow their aspirations of becoming a Business Entrepreneur and a Broadway Dancer. I am excited to bring my cultural experiences, my expertise from working in the business world and in the NYC DOE, being a mother, and my personal conviction of being a lifelong learner to enrich your child’s learning. It is an honor to be part of the PS398 community and to collaborate with amazing staff to give our students a high-quality student-driven education grounded on our L.E.A.R.N. Core Values.
Michelle Martinez
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.
Amarilis Mavrovich
Rasha Nagy
Tania Puchuela
Occupational Therapist (OT)
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!
Meet Our Teacher Teams
3K and Pre-K Team
Yi Jin Kim
3K Teacher
Specialty: Special Education
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!
Alexandra Hutchinson
Pre-K Teacher
Specialty: Childhood Education
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.
Johanna McNeal
Pre-K Teacher
Specialty: Dual Language
jmcneal4@schools.nyc.gov
My name is Mrs. McNeal, proud Founding Staff member at P.S.398Q. I have been teaching for over 10 years. I received my bachelors degree from Queens College, and a masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Touro College. 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 should be 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. My guilty pleasures include iced coffee and target runs! Looking forward to having a great school year and making awesome memories.
Michelle Meditz
Pre-K Teacher
Specialty: Early Childhood Education
Hi everyone! My name is Michelle Meditz and I'm so excited to be here for my first year at PS 398 teaching Pre-K. I have been a Pre-K teacher in Briarwood for four years after receiving 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 Team
Mariah Chaudry
Kindergarten Teacher
Specialty: Childhood Education
Hello everyone! My name is Ms. Chaudry and I am excited to be teaching Pre-K 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!
Kaitlynn Kelly
Kindergarten Teacher
Specialty: Early Childhood Education
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!
Sophia Natsis
Kindergarten Teacher
Specialty: Special Education & Literacy
snatsis@schools.nyc.gov
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!
Jamie Pachucho
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.
First Grade Team
Heidy Castro
First Grade Teacher
Specialty: ENL
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.
Crystal Persaud
First Grade Teacher
Specialty: Special Education
Hello everyone, my name is Crystal Persaud. Last school year I worked as a Pre-K teacher with a great set of students. This year I am extremely excited to be working as a first-grade special education teacher at PS 398Q. 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.
Yally Shih
Kindergarten Teacher
Specialty: ENL
Hello everyone! My name is Ms. Shih and I am very excited to be a part of this beautiful and diverse community at P.S. 398! I graduated from New York University with a master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and I acquired my TESOL K-12 teacher certification at Hunter College. I have been in the educational field for over 8 years. I love teaching! I believe the students’ cultural and linguistic backgrounds are the precious assets that can lead them to academic success and to a life of purpose and happiness. Some of my hobbies include playing the piano, cooking, and travelling. I look forward to creating wonderful memories with the P.S. 398 family for the upcoming school year!
Veronica Sosa
First Grade Teacher
Specialty: Dual Language
vsosa3@schools.nyc.gov
¡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 Team
Catherine De La Rosa
Second Grade Teacher
Specialty: Childhood Education
Christy Gomez
Second Grade Teacher
Specialty: Dual Language
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.
Manpreet Kaur
Second Grade Teacher
Specialty: Special Education
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.
Danja Xhaxhi
Second Grade Teacher
Specialty: ENL
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 Team
Laura Barahona
Third Grade Teacher
Specialty: Dual Language
¡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.
Keisha Jarrett
Third Grade Teacher
Specialty: Special Education
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 joining this diverse learning community in Queens.
Cristina Muevecela
Third Grade Teacher
Specialty: ENL
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.
Denisse Rivera-Lee
Third Grade Teacher
Specialty: Childhood Education
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 Team
Yuri Choi
Fourth Grade Teacher
Specialty: Special Education
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!
Asma Dorria
Fourth Grade Teacher
Specialty: ENL
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.
Cristina M. Nunez
Maria Piedrahita
Fourth Grade Teacher
Specialty: Dual Language
¡Hola familias! My name is Ms. Piedrahita, and I am beyond excited to be part of the P.S. 398Q family. I grew up in Colombia during part of my childhood and came to the United States at an early age. Two of my passions are Bilingual Education and traveling around the world. I love spending my time with my beautiful pet, and I enjoy visiting new places as well as learning about new cultures. I am looking forward to collaborating with you this year to grow students that are bilingual and bicultural. My goal is that we work together to help our students reach high levels of academic achievement in all content areas. I am very passionate about teaching Dual Language, and I can’t wait to meet all of you and start this new school year!
Bridge Class Team
Jaclynn Defina
K/1/2 Grade Bridge Teacher
Specialty: Special Education
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 8th year teaching and my 5th 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.
Sandra Narvaez
3/4th Grade Bridge Teacher
Specialty: Special Education
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.
Meet Our Specialty/Cluster Team
Miguel Gallardo
Sara Makler
School Librarian
Marie Suchan
Science Teacher
David Tenenzaph
Art Teacher
Hello everyone! My name is David Tenenzaph. I am incredibly excited to be a part of the P.S. 398 school community as the art teacher. I’m certified in Art Education with over a decade of teaching experience in Queens. I had a passion for and pursued this career path right out of high school, obtaining my bachelor’s degree in Art Education with a minor in Graphic Design from Arcadia University, then continuing with a master’s degree in Art Education and Curriculum Development from Hofstra University. Born in NY with two parents with careers in the arts, I grew up surrounded by creativity and the appreciation for art as a valuable part of culture and life. I continue to enjoy creating work of my own as an ever exploring artist and musician, but I get the most joy from my teaching career and from being silly with my wife and son. I’m honored and inspired to be a part of such a diverse learning community!
Claire Xu
School Music Teacher
Hello! My name is Peiyi (Claire) Xu and I am very excited to be the Music Teacher at P.S. 398Q. I was born in Chengdu, China. I came to the United States in 2019 for college. I graduated from New York University with a bachelor's in music education. I fell in love with music education when I found that we can use instruments, movements, and activities to teach. I want to bring enjoyable music learning experiences to my students and build independent musicianship in them. In my free time, I like to walk alone by the riverside, cook food for my friends and families, and learn new instruments!
Meet Our Paraprofessional Team
Khadija Akter
Paraprofessional
Gabriela Alvarado
Paraprofessional
Jing Chen
Benita Holland
Paraprofessional
Hello everyone, my name is Benita Holland, I am originally from Brooklyn but reside in Queens since recently getting married. I am excited to join the P.S.398Q family as a Paraprofessional in Pre-K. I have received my Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Borough of Manhattan Community College and my Bachelors degree in Studio Art from Brooklyn College. I have over 10 years experience in helping to educate young minds while providing a fun and safe environment. I have experience in painting, drawing, screen printing, photography, digital art and sculpture. I am very passionate about art and believe that children are able to open their imagination through creativity along with building their confidence, becoming strategic thinkers, developing patience and strengthening their fine motor skills. I look forward to creating with our young artists!
Nurun Mitu
Paraprofessional
Rikta Rubaly
Paraprofessional
Sheyla Tubert
