Staff Bios
|  mmenake@nycacademy.org Twitter: @CHAQueens Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Ms. Menake attended public schools her entire life. She graduated from Binghamton University and has earned two Masters Degrees in English Education from Teachers College at Columbia University. She is proud to say that she is serving her thirteenth year as a New York City educator. Over the course of the last thirteen years, she has taught English Language Arts to students in Middle, High, and Transfer Schools in Districts 2, 4, and 13. She has also taught freshman composition to returning adult students at The College of New Rochelle. Currently, the founding principal of Cambria Heights Academy, she is excited to embark upon her second year as a school leader in District 29, Hollis, Queens.  smalary@nycacademy.org Saby Malary comes to us with more than 14 years of experience in New York City public schools, and wears many hats at CHA. With a background in both classroom teaching and guidance, as well as an administrative license, Ms. Malary will teach Living Environment and run the guidance office at Cambria Heights Academy. She will also assist Ms. Menake with administrative duties. Michael Beaudry mbeaudry@nycacademy.org Michael Beaudry has been teaching for six years, including four years in the New York City Department of Education. He earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science at Hofstra University. He completed his four-year degree in three and a half years with honors, and wrote his honors thesis on the new Welfare system. While studying at Hofstra University he participated in an internship program in Washington DC with United States Senator Alfonse D’Amato and other high-ranking government officials. While in Washington DC, he had the opportunity and honor to participate in a program that focused on locating and recovering money, jewelry, and other personal items taken by the Nazi’s from the victims of the Holocaust, and returning those recovered items to survivors and/or their families. In 2007 he earned his first Master’s Degree in Education from Hofstra, and in 2010 he completed his second Master’s degree.  rflorman@nycacademy.org Twitter: @CHAQueensArt Rachel Florman is CHA's technology coordinator and digital art teacher. Over the past nine years, she has worked with high school students in both school and museum settings. Before joining the CHA staff, she worked at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, planning and teaching new media art classes. She has a bachelors degree in Visual Art from Brown University, and a masters in Art and Art Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Carole Hamilton Carole Hamilton works part time as a counselor for CHA. She has been an employee of the Department of Education for 37 years, as both a teacher of social studies and a guidance counselor. Her interests include reading, traveling, working with young adults and socializing with friends and family. She is also a team teacher, teaching English as a second language to adults.  nalamu@nycacademy.org Nicole Alamu is one of our mathematics teachers. Ms. Alamu has taught mathematics and technology at the Middle School level for four years. She is a pioneer on the technology front in that she has used technology to individualize and differentiate mathematics instruction before it was cutting edge. She has received the first level of SMARTboard certification and has also used online math curriculum software to help students prepare and review for the Regents. Ms. Alamu is also actively involved in a mentoring program for adolescent women through her sorority, and is an active member of the Long Island Chapter of the National Hampton Alumni Association. Ms. Alamu was the first graduate of the 5-year MBA program, receiving both her BS in Business Administration and her MBA from Hampton University, and her MS in Teaching from Pace University. Jerry Gardner cgardner@nycacademy.org Originally from Teaneck, New Jersey, Charles Gardner earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and economics from Columbia University. After deciding to dedicate himself to teaching, Mr. Gardner was accepted as a NYC Teaching Fellow and earned a master’s degree from St. John’s University in secondary mathematics education. He is currently taking courses at the New York Institute of Technology with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. He is entering his tenth year as a math teacher in New York City. He has focused on integrating literacy into the math curriculum and on using technology to facilitate understanding of new concepts and foundational ideas. Over the past decade Mr. Gardner has coached both JV basketball and baseball in the PSAL. He loves to read, watch the Knicks, and spend time with his family. Tai-Asia Hutchinson thutchinson@nycacademy.org Tai-Asia is a recent graduate of Brooklyn College where she received her Bachelors in Health and Nutrition Sciences. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Health also at Brooklyn College. During her undergraduate years, Tai-Asia enjoyed working with many different communities and enjoyed helping put the members of these communities in touch with needed resources. In her previous positions, she has had the opportunity to tackle the issues of goal development, direct recruitment, and a myriad of administrative tasks. Gayitri Indar gindar@nycacademy.org Ms. Indar has been an educator for eight years, having received an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Psychology from StonyBrook University. Additionally, she has her Masters in Education from Pace University. For most of her career, Ms. Indar has served as a team teacher, collaborating with colleagues to create differentiated lessons that made content accessible to all students. Her growth as a professional has always been a priority, and therefore, Ms. Indar has served as a curriculum writer for the Global Studies Department and as it's Professional Learning Community team leader. These opportunities allowed her to gain valuable organizational and leadership skills. Ketlynne Joseph kjoseph@nycacademy.org Ms. J was raised in Queens, New York and found her passion for working with children early on. She volunteered regularly as a P.S. 4 volunteer tutor and peer tutor throughout her time at St. Francis Preparatory School. She went on to attend Spelman College where she pursued a Bachelor's of Science in Biology. In 2006 she was accepted into the NYC Teaching Fellows as a secondary science teacher and pursued her Master's in Education. Ms. Joseph's teaching career began at the middle school level teaching seventh and eighth grade science. There she also served as Dance Coordinator which has allowed her to incorporate her passion into her career. Over the past six years she has taught science to grades 7, 8, and 9, served as step coach at Christ the King, and assistant dance teacher at K.E.Y.A. Dance Studio. She has been blessed to have the opportunity to continually renew herself and grow as an educator. Meisi Lau mlau@nycacademy.org Meisi Lau is born in Macau but grew up in Long Island. She received her Bachelor’s degree in English with a focus on British Literature and her Master’s Degree in Education and TESOL/Lingusitics from StonyBrook University. She is dually certified in ESL and ELA. Prior to joining the DOE, Meisi has served the Asian-American community in Chinatown where she coordinated an afterschool ESL program, taught ESL, designed and taught an SAT prep class and held workshops on writing college application essays. Since then, she has taught both ESL and ELA in NYC Public schools in the Bronx and in Queens. Currently entering her 6th year of teaching, Meisi is eager to work with the 10th grade students during her second year at CHA. Crystal Lauren clauren@nycacademy.org Crystal Lauren was born and raised in the streets of many of NYC's finest boroughs. She will always be a girl from Lower East Side, but she also spent a great deal of her life in the Bronx. She has been teaching for 5 years at I.S. 93, her former school, and just graduated her final class of 8th graders. Prior to teaching, she worked in an animal hospital and spent a few years working at Columbia University as a security guard. Ms. Lauren went to school upstate at Clarkson University, but received a double Bachelors degree from Hunter College in Economics and Sociology. She is a NYC Teaching Fellow and graduated from Pace University with a Masters in Education. She is currently attending Queens College for Exercise, Nutrition, and Dietetics. Along with teaching, she is pursuing a bodybuilding/modeling career and is an avid boxer. She hopes to eventually train young female boxers in the city. Ms. Lauren has played all kinds of sports since she can remember and is pretty much an open book when asked respectfully. Daniel Lindner dlindner@nycacademy.org Mr. Lindner was raised in Long Island, NY. He received his Bachelors of Arts at Hofstra University, majoring in Biology. After earning his Bachelors, Mr. Lindner was the field research assistant for Dr. Myla Aronson of Hofstra University. Mr. Lindner worked with high school students throughout Long Island by mentoring them on how to conduct a proper experiment. Mr. Lindner continued his education by attending SUNY Old Westbury, earning his Masters in Biology Secondary Education. Mr. Lindner is looking forward to teaching Living Environment at Cambria Heights Academy, and is committed to preparing students for their academic and professional careers.  emacalalad@nycacademy.org Emilio
Macalalad (Mr. Mac) has taught science for the last 8 years in NYC,
from middle to high school, from Manhattan to Brooklyn and now Queens.
He has taught Health, Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Living
Environment during his years as a science educator. He has also served
as Dean of Discipline and Project Arts Coordinator at a previous school
in East Harlem. He was born and raised in Southern California. Mr. Mac
completed his Bachelor's of Science in Animal Physiology and
Neuroscience at the University of California, San Diego. He went to
graduate school and earned his Master's of Education at University of
Massachusetts, Boston. He went on to complete his administrative license
and Post Master's Certification in Educational Leadership at Long
Island University in Brooklyn. Mr. Mac is looking forward to working at
CHA this fall because he believes in the mission and vision of the
school. Mr. Mac shares a lot of the values and beliefs that help lay the
foundation for the school. He believes that students need to be better
prepared for the future and college by teaching and learning in a 21st
century classroom and school.
Dilcia Medina dmedina@nycacademy.org Dilcia Medina was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic and lived there until she was eleven. Her family relocated to New York City and she has been living here for 21 years. She attended public schools throughout her school years. Right after high school, she attended City College and later transfered to the School of New Resources, College of New Rochelle, where she graduated with a bachelors degree in Psychology. Ms. Medina has been serving families for ten years in the Department of Education. She started in a small school in East Harlem called The Heritage School as a school aide, and later was hired as a parent coordinator. She is fluent in English and Spanish, and is very honored to join the Cambria Heights Academy for New Literacies. E. Miller Jr. emiller@nycacademy.org Mr. E. Miller Jr. has been a teacher for 8 years. Mr. Miller was born and raised in Queens, New York. He has taught for the New York State Board of Education and Florida State Department of Education. Mr. Miller has taught Elementary, Middle, and High School level children. He holds a Bachelors degree from Michigan State University in Physical Education and Exercise Science, and a Master’s Degree from Alfred University in Literacy. Mr. Miller also teaches Martial Arts and has been a Black Belt since 1985. Mr. Miller has also coached basketball at the high school level, and participated as a skills coach for various other levels. Mr. Miller has become a part of CHA because of his desire to help the children from his hometown succeed. He also enjoys the opportunity to grow with a school and develop opportunities for the students that can last for decades. Maureen Murphy mmurphy@nycacademy.org Maureen Murphy was born and raised in Yorktown Heights, NY. She graduated with her Bachelor's degree in English from Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY. Immediately following graduation from college she went on to serve in the United States Army for six and a half years. She worked as a communications specialist in the Signal Corps setting up telephone lines, running and splicing cable for various networks. While serving in the military she lived in North Carolina, South Korea and Georgia. She moved to New York City at the end of 2004 and currently resides in Astoria, NY. She worked as a compliance officer for Citigroup on Wall Street for two years. She was accepted into the NYC teaching fellows program in 2007 and received her Masters of Arts in Special Education in 2009. She is entering her sixth year of teaching in New York City. She is currently working on a Masters of Science in Literacy grades 5-12, which will be completed in May 2013. She enjoys reading, yoga, swimming, skiing, snowboarding, and weight lifting. John Pardue jpardue@nycacademy.org John Pardue graduated from the University of Scranton and worked as a paralegal after college. However, he was quickly drawn into teaching and received his Master's Degree from Hofstra University. He has taught for four years at schools in the Bronx and Brooklyn. He believes in the education of the whole child by using critical thinking and technology to build future leaders.  ctoffolo@nycacademy.org Twitter: @mrtoffs Born and raised on the south shore of Long Island, Mr. Toffolo has experienced a public education for most of his life. Mr. Toffolo earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Hofstra University where he worked intensively with cutting edge technology in the fields of film, television, and radio. After working in the field for the Apple computer company, Mr. Toffolo decided to dedicate his life to teaching his real passion: reading and writing. He went back to Hofstra University to complete graduate work and obtained a Master's of Science degree in Secondary Eduction in English. Mr. Toffolo is now certified to teach grades 7-12 in English throughout New York State. Mr. Toffolo comes to Cambria Heights Academy after spending time at Newtown High School in Elmhurst, Queens. Here, Mr. Toffolo taught English courses to 9th and 10th graders from various backgrounds and learning styles. During this time, he successfully integrated technology and various types of writing into daily lessons. Technology and writing are two important areas that Mr. Toffolo uses in his daily lessons. Along with a strong passion for reading, writing, and technology, Mr. Toffolo loves to bike, snowboard, and surf the sweet waves on the south shore of Long Island. Teana White twhite@nycacademy.org Ms. White has lived in four of the five boroughs of New York City, working with students in a number of capacities to help develop their academic, social, and personal interests. An advocate for student achievement both inside and outside of the classroom, Ms. White enjoys using the arts to encourage students to think creatively and strategically about their goals. A proud graduate of Amherst College, where she double majored in English and Theater/Dance, she is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Education at St. John's University. Ms. White is looking forward to joining the CHA team where she will be teaching Integrated Algebra and Dance. Tenesha Worley tworley@nycacademy.org Tenesha Worley is entering her 12th year as a NYC Public School teacher. Ms. Worley serves as the Dean and Physical Education Teacher at Cambria Heights Academy. Ms. Worley graduated from Long Island University with a degree in Physical Education, Masters In Sports Science, and Masters Level In Administration. She also played women's volleyball and college softball. She coached women's volleyball at Monroe College in the Bronx for five years and moved on to become a teacher and Athletic Director at Canarsie High School. Her philosophy is that student achievement in every aspect of education is the key to any successful program. |