Principal
Alexander Brunner |
Assistant Principal
Amanda Richards |
School Secretary
Doreen VanCooten |
Parent Coordinator
Luz Whetstone My journey as a lifelong educator began with a humble start as a parent volunteer, driven by a passion for education and a commitment to supporting families. This journey led me to the role of an early childhood teacher in the Department of Education and later, as an educational consultant, where I had the opportunity to establish and manage Early Childhood centers across NYC. Today, I am proud to be part of the Brooklyn Brownstone family as the Parent Coordinator, a role that allows me to connect with and engage families on a daily basis. |
Family Worker (Lafayette Campus)
Khadijah Suluki |
3K Teacher
Shaniece Johnson My educational philosophy emphasizes creating a safe space for students to learn. When students know they can trust you, they are more motivated to learn and your opportunities as an educator are limitless. I believe that creating a safe space includes showing students respect, listening to their needs and simply learning who they are. My favorite teaching moment has to be when my students are graduation to the next grade. Although it is a bittersweet moment, I enjoy admiring their growth from when they first stepped into my classroom to the point of moving on in their learning journey. To me, that's the most rewarding part of teaching. Another one of my favorite moments is when a student finally grasps the concept that we are learning. I love witnessing the "ah ha moment" when students truly understand what's being taught. When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my two nephews, trying new restaurants, traveling and walking by the pier. I enjoy spending time by the water to collect my thoughts and refresh my mind. Traveling is my second passion. I love to experience new places and cultures. |
3K Paraprofessional
Jacqueline Spencer |
Pre-K Cubs Teacher
Jacqueline Samayoa My philosophy for teaching is that each child is unique, and each child learns in a different way. I believe in hands-on experiences, learning creatively and learning though play. Most importantly, I believe that students learn in an environment in which they feel safe, loved and respected; My goal is to create this world for you and your kiddo. One of my favorite moments is when a student accidentally calls me mommy because that tells me that they are comfortable and feel safe with me. I love a great afternoon with coffee and good company. I also enjoy traveling with my family and friends. |
Pre-K Cubs Paraprofessional
Calvin Chandler |
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Pre-K Gators Teacher (Lafayette Campus)
Dominique Fraser I have been a part of The Brooklyn Brownstone School for 16 years, and I am passionate about making sure every child feels seen, heard, and respected in a safe environment. I believe in getting to know students and building relationships, which allows me to support their social-emotional and academic journeys based on their individual needs. One of my favorite moments in teaching is connecting with children through reading. I also love witnessing the excitement students show when learning about new concepts. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family, going on walks, and diving into a good book. |
Pre-K Gators Paraprofessional (Lafayette Campus)
Theresa Richburg |
Pre-K Pineapples Teacher
Erica Diaz My name is Erica Diaz and this will be my 4th year working full time at The Brooklyn Brownstone School. I graduated with a Masters in early childhood education from Concordia College. I am also a proud Brownstone mom; I currently have 2 girls have attending TBBS. My teaching philosophy is that each child is different, and has their own way of learning. I believe in fostering curiosity, creativity, and social skills through hands-on learning, play-based activities, and encouraging exploration. It is also important to me to keep the environment safe, supportive, and inclusive to nurture each child's unique potential. My goal is to create this environment for you and your child. This is going to be a fun-filled educational year! |
Pre-K Pineapples Paraprofessional
Jackson Etienne |
Kindergarten Explorers Teacher
Nicole Yancey This is my 10th year at Brooklyn Brownstone School. As an educator, I am dedicated to creating a fun, safe and inclusive learning environment for all of my students. I have a passion for helping all students reach their potential and love to challenge students to be curious and take chances when learning. It is my belief that all children can learn, and it is my job as an educator to help them accomplish their social and academic goals. My favorite teaching moments are the "ah ha" moments! When students realize they have accomplished something they did not think was possible for them to do. It makes my heart smile to see their joy and experience academic growth with them. Outside of education I am a wife and a mother of 2 beautiful daughters. I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling , trying foods from different cultures, a good laugh and listening and dancing to good music. |
Kindergarten STARS Teacher
Erica Lacey |
Kindergarten Teacher
Tatyana Noori Hello! My name is Ms. Noori and I am thrilled to be joining the Brooklyn Brownstone School as a new teacher this year! My approach to teaching elementary school kids is rooted in warmth, creativity, and inclusivity. I believe that every child has a unique spark, and it is my joy and responsibility to help them shine. In my classroom, curiosity is encouraged, mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, and every student feels like they belong. By using innovative teaching strategies and hands-on activities, I aim to make learning an adventure that is both fun and meaningful. I am dedicated to building strong, supportive relationships with my students and their families, fostering a community where everyone feels valued and connected. One of my most cherished teaching moments occurred during a reading session with a group of second graders. We were exploring a story together when a student who had been struggling with reading found his voice. As he successfully read a sentence aloud, his face lit up with pure joy, and the entire class erupted in cheers and applause. Seeing his pride and the genuine support from his classmates filled my heart and reinforced my passion for teaching in a supportive and encouraging environment. Outside of the classroom, I find joy in reading, discovering new authors, and unraveling thrilling mysteries. I also have a passion for learning new languages, which expands my cultural understanding and helps me connect with people from diverse backgrounds. These hobbies not only provide me with personal fulfillment but also inspire me to bring creativity, empathy, and a love for learning into my teaching every day. I am thrilled to be a part of the Brooklyn Brownstone School community. The school’s dedication to excellence and its supportive environment make it an ideal place to grow as an educator and make a positive impact on students’ lives. I look forward to contributing to this wonderful school and collaborating with the amazing staff, students, and families. |
Kindergarten Special Education Teacher
Asante Edwards |
First Grade Superheroes Teacher
Sayward Robinson Ms. Robinson has been working in education for 17 years. This is her 7th year at The Brooklyn Brownstone School. Ms. Robinson’s love of travel and learning about new cultures brought her to Abu Dhabi and later Dubai, where she taught for 7 years. Her approach to teaching emphasizes hands-on learning, differentiated instruction, and critical thinking skills. She believe in building strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues to support the success of the school community. She can’t wait to meet her incoming superheroes! |
Paraprofessional
Renissa Richardson |
First Grade Captains Teacher
Theresa Riddick My name is Ms. Riddick. I am originally from New York, but I have previously lived in Kentucky for 12 years. This will be my second year at The Brooklyn Brownstone School. Prior to working at this school I taught in Frankfort, Kentucky. This will be my eighth year teaching first grade. I have a passion for helping students learn and grow. I'm looking forward to all of us working as a team to make this school year amazing! My approach to teaching elementary school kids is to create a positive, inclusive, and engaging environment where ALL students can feel successful. In order for students to want to be successful they must feel valued and inspired to learn. This can be achieved by having a strong classroom community, empowering students as individuals, and fostering a love for learning. I have a strong belief that ALL students can learn and achieve their goals if they have the tools necessary for them to grow. I always teach my students that teachers are there to support but a student must be willing to also put in effort to achieve their goals. Achieving a goal takes time but it can be done! My favorite teaching moments are always when students have "lightbulb moments." Lightbulb moments are the times when students finally get the material, and you can see the sparkle in their eye because they are proud of understanding the material and knowing that it may have taken some hard work to get there but they did it. These moments are also special when they want to spread their knowledge and help others understand too. I love spending time with my family. I also enjoy reading, watching movies, and traveling when I can. |
First Grade Captains Special Education Teacher
Jocelyn Testa My approach to teaching begins in the first moments of the school year, when we establish a positive learning environment with clear routines and expectations to support a safe and welcoming classroom for the duration of the school year. I know that all students can learn an extraordinary amount in my first grade classroom. Therefore, I focus on differentiating instruction and learning tasks to meet the unique needs of each individual students and the group. The emphasis on building strong first grade foundational skills for reading, writing, and math are essential to setting students up for success. However, I also use visual aids, hands-on manipulatives, collaborative learning projects, and incorporate opportunities for creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and social-emotional development to support students as well-rounded learners. Building a community in the classroom also includes parents and families, so ensuring that there is partnership in the learning process is important to a successful learning journey. I’m very lucky that my favorite teaching moment happens at least once a year. I love the moment where it clicks — when teacher and student have been working day in and day out on a tricky concept and finally I see my students’ eyes light up with understanding. They are so proud of the work that they put in and I am so proud of the focus and resilience they’ve shown. Additionally, with my linguistic background, I also am very passionate and excited about teaching phonics and love teaching new rules to my students. We lovingly call them “Ms. Testa’s Super Secret Phonics Rules.” Outside of the classroom, I am an avid runner, participating in marathon and half marathon races across the city and beyond — I love seeing TBBS faces out on the courses and LOVE going to cheer on TBBS scholars at their races. I also bring my passion for running to TBBS through the Road Runners program I lead for our students. I also knit and crochet many projects, read lots of books, travel to new places in New York City and around the world, and spend quality time with my friends and family. |
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