Teachers at ICA
Meet the teachers at South Bronx Charter School for International Cultures and the Arts.
Jared Alessandroni
Jared Alessandroni was a founding member of the ICA Board and is teaching his second year at the school.
As a member of the Teaching Fellows program, Jared taught at PS 31 in the South Bronx before coming to ICA. There, he worked with Gifted and Talented students in a highly enriched context.
Jared's teaching is informed by Lisa Depit, Paulo Freire, and Vivian Paley. In the classroom, he seeks to create a warm, comfortable atmosphere enriched with self-guided learning experiences yet focused on rigorous achievement.
Johanna Alfonzo
Johanna Alfonzo has been with the school since its inception. A dedicated and hard-working teacher, her classroom is child-centered and warm.
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Michelle Avila
Hello! This is my second year teaching at the South Bronx Charter School for International Culture and Arts. This year I will be teaching kindergarten! I am very excited to have this wonderful opportunity and experience!
I believe that school is very important for children. Having a safe and nurturing classroom adds to the learning experience that each and every child have. In order to make teaching successful, both the teacher and the student need to collaborate and work together. I feel that as the child learns and grows, so does the teacher!
School experience:
Undergrad School: The College of New Rochelle; Bachelors Degree
Grad School: The College of New Rochelle; Currently working on my masters program
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Nayamka Boyce
Bio in Process
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Christine Cormier
Ms. Cormier received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Parsons, The New School for Design. Her compassion for children coupled with her love of photography led her to receive a scholarship from the Nikon Corporation where she attended Moscow University. Ms. Cormier played an important role in a photojournalism pictorial essay called "Russian School Children After the Fall of Communism". Her work has been exhibited locally and internationally.
As an educator Ms. Cormier enjoys guiding her students with the many uses of technology as well as traditional hands on practices. She motivates her students with a welcoming environment to accommodate a variety learning styles. Additionally Ms. Cormier creates a safe setting where students of all abilities will succeed. For Ms. Cormier, encouraging and teaching the “Arts” has many key benefits, students develop a sense of style as well as confidence through self-expression. A strong believer in education, Ms. Cormier recently received a Masters of Science in Educational Technology from Barry University.
“Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand." Chinese Proverbs.
Lariely Garcia
My name is Lariely Garcia and I will be your child’s fourth grade teacher in English and Spanish this year. Though I was born in the Dominican Republic, I grew up right here in Washington Heights. I graduated from Yale University with a Bachelors of Arts in American Studies and have begun work towards my Masters in Education at Bank Street College.
Though this will be my first year at South Bronx Charter School for International Cultures and Arts, I have already heard wonderful things about your children from Principal Hey and all of their previous teachers. I am thus both eager to meet them and excited to think about all of the academic accomplishments that await them this year!
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Jennifer Hincapie
My name is Jennifer Hincapie and I have been with the South Bronx Charter school 4 years. I am the spanish dual language teacher, currently teaching second grade.
I have a Master's in Elementary education with a bilingual extension.
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Elaine Kim
Ms.Kim is the Reading Teacher for Kindergarten through Second.
She received her Bachelors from St. John's University in Elementary Education. She is currently pursuing her masters in Learning Disability at Teachers College.
She has experience working with students with Learning Disability, grades Kindergarten through Second and English Language Learners in the Middle East.
Heather Labrum
Heather Labrum is originally from Northern Idaho, but earned a BA in Elementary Education and English Literature from SUNY Potsdam in northern New York. Immediately after, she earned a Masters as a Reading Specialist from Teachers College. Before joining South Bronx Charter School for International Cultures and the Arts, she taught K, 1, and 2 at Sisulu Walker Charter School in Harlem. As the Title One teacher, she looks forward to working with the students and their families to ensure their success this year.
Amanda Lugones
Amanda Lugones has been a teacher at S.B.C.S.I.C.A since it opened in 2005. She recieved her Master's degree in elementary education at St. Johns University . Amanda is currently working on her second Master's degraee in TESOL. She has taught grades: Kindergarten, First, and Third Grade Dual Language (English component). This current year Miss Amanda wil teach the traditonal Fourth Grade class. She is eager to rase their test scores, implement a rigorous curriculum, have an exciting and fun filled year!!!
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Cindy Ordonez
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Erica Pagan
This is my first year teaching with South Bronx Charter School. I graduated from SUNY New Paltz where I majored in Elementary Education with a concentration in Spanish.
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Marisol Parra
Marisol Parra received a B.A. in History from Brooklyn College and a M.S. in Education from Hunter College. She has a K-6 Teacher Certification. She has worked with children in a variety of capacities and settings including teaching at a school in Central Harlem working with bilingual students. Ms. Parra is passionate about education and proudly brings her experience and enthusiasm to our fifth grade students.
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Bianca Passos
Ms. Passos graduated from Barnard College, Columbia University here in Manhattan's Upper West Side. She majored in American Studies with a concentration in Women's Studies and completed the Barnard Education Program, after which she received her initial teaching certificate for grades 1-6. Ms. Passos is completing her Bilingual Extension for grades 1-6 at Hunter College's Graduate School of Education and is completing her Special Education Master's Degree at Bank Street Graduate School.
Ms. Passos was born and partially raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil and speaks 4 languages - Portuguese, English, Spanish, and Italian. She is very excited to be joining the SBCSICA team and is looking forward to working with the students while they learn and grow in both English and Spanish!
Any questions or concerns may be sent to msbiancapassos@gmail.com
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Ruth Rivas
I grew up in Ecuador dreaming since a little child to become a teacher because it was and still is my passion. In Ecuador I obtained my first B.A. Degree as an elementary school teacher. When I got married and moved to live in New York, I decided to continue my studies here and learn English. During my undergraduate college I attended La Guardia Community College, where I received my A.A. Degree in Liberal Arts. While going to La Guardia I had the opportunity to be a volunteer in a Head Star School through a work-study program, there I found out the necessity of bilingual teachers in elementary schools. After I graduated from La Guardia in 2005, I transferred to The City College of New York. Recently I have completed a B.A. Degree in Bilingual Childhood Education and a co-major in Spanish. Through my student teaching in a dual language program, I have acquired depth knowledge in bilingual childhood education and a profound belief in the importance of this program.
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Veline Rosario
I was born in 1987 in La Vega, Dominican Republic. I emigrated to New York City in 1996, and have been here ever since :). I graduated from Binghamton University (SUNY) in May 2009, with a BA in Spanish and Political Science. I have one sister named Zoary. Zoary teaches first grade at a district school in the south Bronx as well; so I am very grateful for this resource that lives with me!
Me gusta concinar y comer.
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Yannelis Sanchez
My name is Yannelis Sanchez. I was born in the Dominican Republic and came to the United States during my childhood years.It is a pleasure to be working at South Bronx Charter School for International Cultures and the Arts. This is my second year at the school, but I have worked in other public schools. I believe children learn throught experiences and hands-on activities.We remember information when we can connected to our lives.
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Jocelyn Santiago
This is my second year here at SBCSICA, my first year teaching Kindergarten (English component). I was the TA for Kindergarten last year. I look foward to a new experience this year and hope to see smiling faces everyday.I have two children, a 7 year old son and 3 month old daughter and am married to a wonderful chef, who have helped me become the patient person that I am. I look foward to working with each and every one of my parents and look foward to wonderful and exciting school year.
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Jessica Skovron-Rasheed
Jessica Skovron-Rasheed, currently referred to as Mrs. Rasheed by the students and parents, is on her sixth year of teaching within the New York City area. Mrs. Rasheed received her BA at William Smith College (2004) with a major in dance with a focus in education and a minor in education with a focus in the arts. She recently received her New York State professional dual-certification in elementary education and special education, along with her professional certification in literacy. She has her MS in Literacy from Hunter College (January 2009). She is looking forward to working towards getting her national certification in teaching and possibly her administrative degree. Mrs. Rasheed believes in a student-centered classroom, incorporating the arts and differentiated instruction. She also believes that the success of a student relies on a TEAM EFFORT between the student, family and school. She wishes the students, families and faculty/staff the best of luck for the upcoming school year!
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Jardy Soto
This is my first year at SBCSICA and I am very excited to be teaching first grade. I graduated from CUNY Hunter with my BA in Childhood Education and Geography. I look forward to having a great year!
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Georgina Urtecho
My name is Georgina Urtecho. I am the Kindergarten Spanish teacher. This is my first year at SBCS and I am looking forward for an exciting school year.
I am from Peru and moved to NYC 16 years ago. I started my professional career in the private banking area but like everyone else I realized that this field was not my true passion so I left the banking business to pursue the wonderful world of teaching.
It is a pleasure to be part of the SBCS family.
With Love,
Miss Urtecho
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