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Alexander Brunner
Principal "Tell me and i'll forget; show me and I may remember: involve me and i'll learn." - Chinese Proverb I am honored to be leading the Brooklyn Brownstone School, where I taught for 8 years as an art teacher, United Federation of Teachers chapter leader, teacher leader, and principal apprentice in the Leadership in Education Apprenticeship Program (LEAP) through the office of Leadership. Before becoming principal I served the Bedford-Stuyvesant community through district leadership as the Teacher Development Evaluation Coach working on the superintendent's team. I also worked for the Office of Arts and Special Projects as a professional development facilitator. Brooklyn Brownstone enters it's 10th anniversary and I am excited to engage with students, families, staff, and partners to serve the needs of this community and it's children. We will build on the legacy of former Principal Haskins as we begin to look forward to the future and craft a new vision for the Brooklyn Brownstone School. Please visit our ABOUT page and share your opinion on what Brooklyn Brownstone School should be! |
Amanda Richards
Assistant Principal, "Every child deserves a champion- an adult who will never give up on them." - Dr. Rita F. Pierson My name is Amanda Richards. I have been part of the Brooklyn Brownstone Family since the planning committee. We began the dream of this school in Brownstone Books on Lewis Avenue, when my now 11 year old son was less than one year old. My passion is to help all students obtain a quality education, regardless of any personal barrier. I believe that all students have been given specific strengths, and that as a teacher it is my job to help uncover those gifts. I emphasize the growth mindset, focusing on their strengths to grow their confidence in academics way beyond the classroom walls. My favorite past time is spending time at the beach relaxing, or at my son's basketball or baseball games cheering his team on. I also enjoy visiting my father's farm in Ohio any chance I get. |
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Charlayne Inniss
School Secretary |
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Mac
Therapy Dog “Everything I know, I learned from dogs” - Nora Roberts Hi, I’m Mac, that’s short for MacDonough! This is my third year at The Brooklyn Brownstone. I am a specially trained comfort dog who loves snuggling with kids! I am so excited to make new friends. My favorite toy is Mickey Mouse and my favorite T.V. show is “Game of Bones”. My favorite places to nap in are in Ms. Martin’s room and Ms. Samayoa’s room. |
Khadijah Suluki
Pre-K Family Worker |
Jacqueline Samayoa
Teacher, English Language Learner Coordinator “Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world” - Nelson Mandela "Hi, i'm Jacqueline Samayoa and I have been part of the Brooklyn Brownstone Family since it first opened its doors in 2008. My passion is in Pre-K, where I have been the lead teacher for 9 years. I believe that students learn through play, gaining personal experiences that will help shape the person they will become; My job, as an educator, is to provide the opportunities for them to gain these experiences. My favorite past-time is reading and traveling; I love to catch up on a great book while enjoying a wonderful sunny day at a beautiful sandy beach!" |
Chevron Cox
Paraprofessional |
Nicole Yancey
Teacher, Wellness Committee Co-President "The only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work hard for them" - Michelle Obama Hi, my name is Nicole Yancey. This upcoming school year will be my 5th as lead Pre-kindergarten teacher at the Brooklyn Brownstone School. As a pre-kindergarten teacher I believe that each child is a unique individual who needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere to grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically and socially. It is my desire as an educator to help my scholars reach their fullest potential in these areas by providing an environment that is safe, full of love and invites a sharing of ideas and experiences. |
Erica Lacey
Paraprofessional “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today." - Malcolm X My name is Erica Helms and I have been working at The Brooklyn Brownstone School since 2014. This school year I will be co-teaching Pre-Kindergarten. My goals for this school year is to give my students a quality education, positive interactions and tons of hands on activities. During my private time I love to spend time with my family. We love to play board games, cook and listen to music together. |
Nadine Abbott
Special Education Teacher “Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.” -Anthony J. D’Angelo My name is Nadine Abbott. This is my third year at The Brooklyn Brownstone School. I am passionate about building relationships with my students. I believe the only way to successful support and foster a love for learning is to know your students. My new found love is being a mother and writing poetry about this experience. |
Dominique Fraser
Teacher “When you learn, TEACH. When you get, GIVE.” - Maya Angelou Greetings TBBS Family! My name is Ms.Glover and I have been a part of The Brooklyn Brownstone Community for 10 years . I am currently teaching Kindergarten and we are known as the Gators. I look forward to creating many new learning experiences for the Gators in an environment that is welcoming and engaging environment for all. |
Caroline Terzino
Teacher “Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” — Proverb Hi! My name is Caroline Terzino and I am very excited to be joining the Brooklyn Brownstone School family this year! I love to teach because it allows me to learn and share positive experiences for children and young people. I believe in a classroom that integrates the values of culture, self-expression, and self-confidence for creativity. I love to create lesson plans that reflect growing cultures and interests. I love to integrate art and design into activities that promote mutual understanding and growth. I grew up in New York City and I have a background in Early Childhood Education, English, and Fashion Advertising & Marketing Communications. As a kindergarten teacher, my goal is to provide each student with the treasure of learning to build the social, emotional, and intellectual capacity to be lifetime learners. In addition to teaching, my interests include fitness and nutrition, yoga, fashion, and R&B music. |
Crystal Sears
Model Teacher, Wellness Committee Co-President “Teachers, I believe, are the most responsible and important members of society because their professional efforts affect the fate of the earth.” - Helen Caldicott Hi i'm Crystal Sears and I have been a part of the Brooklyn Brownstone School for seven years. My love is teaching Kindergarten. I have been teaching Kindergarten for nine years. I believe that all students can learn with the help of a great teacher. I also believe that each child is a unique individual who needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially. It is my desire as an educator to help students meet their fullest potential in these areas by providing an environment that is safe, supports risk-taking, and invites the sharing of ideas. My favorite past – time activities are shopping, traveling and spending time with my family. |
Judith Martin
Teacher, Walking Club Coach Hi. I'm Ms. Martin and I have been teaching first grade at The Brooklyn Brownstone School for 7 years. I also taught in district 19 for 13 years and Tampa. Florida for 3 years. My goal as a teacher has always been to teach with love. I want my students to enjoy learning and have positive experiences. My personal goal is to travel with my family and see the world. |
Jocelyn Testa
Teacher "A well educated mind will always have more questions than answers.” — Helen Keller Hey there! My name is Jocelyn Testa and I am thrilled to be joining the Brooklyn Brownstone community this year! One of my favorite things about the teaching profession is getting to watch each and every child grow as a learner and community member throughout the year. My job is to teach, but I also hope to learn as much as I possibly can from my students. Every student is smart and capable and I want to help them reach their full potential. I look forward to watching them grow. In my free time, I love to read books, go for long runs, and eat ice cream with my friends and family. |
1st Grade Teacher "One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world." - Malala Hi! I'm and I'm so excited to be joining the first grade team at the Brooklyn Brownstone School this year! My teaching career started in Long Island, where I grew up, and where I worked my first four years in education. My passion for teaching and travel brought me to the United Arab Emirates where I taught Kindergarten in Abu Dhabi for four years, and then taught mostly 1st Grade in Dubai for three years. I've gotten to share my love of philanthropy by being our school's Chairperson for "Dubai Cares." I've also coached our school's U11 girls basketball team, as well as taught several after-school clubs. My goal is to inspire, encourage, and support students by providing a safe, loving environment to educate them socially, emotionally, and cognitively, so they can continue to build a foundation for life-long learning. |
Adrienne Troupe
Teacher "A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination and instill a love of learning." - Brad Henry Hi I'm Mrs. Troupe. My teaching career began in 1993 and I am proud to say I have 24 years under my belt. I have been a second grade teacher at TBBS since 2015. My goal as an educator is to help every student discover and work to their full potential. I continue to be inspired by the transformation and advancement of STEM in our N.Y.C. schools. I look forward to all our students have to offer the world! |
Samantha Coulson
Teacher "You must never feel badly about making mistakes... as long as you take the trouble to learn from them. For you often learn more by being wrong for the right reasons than you do by being right for the wrong reasons" - The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster Hi, my name is Samantha Coulson and I'm thrilled to be joining the Brooklyn Brownstone Family as a Second Grade ICT teacher. This is my ninth year teaching, having previously worked in Harlem, the South Bronx and Phoenix, AZ. I am a passionate about building inclusive spaces and fostering a love of learning in order to help all my students reach their full potential. I believe in a classroom that is a nurturing, encouraging space to explore, learn and make mistakes. When I'm not teaching, I enjoy practicing yoga, baking delicious treats and traveling. |
Safiya Toussaint
Teacher One of my favorite lyrics that I would dedicate to each student is “I know I can be what I want to be if I work hard at it I’ll be where I want to be”- Nasir Jones My name is Safiya Toussaint. This year will be my sixth year at The Brooklyn Brownstone School. As a second grade teacher, my goal is to create a classroom that embraces creativity. It is my belief that creativity promotes confidence and ownership. I enjoy creating lessons that are fun across all subject areas,that ignites students’ interests, make them think, laugh, feel relaxed, and most importantly have fun when learning. I love to take long walks and admire the beauty of nature. |
Deborah Paul
3rd Grade Math and Science Teacher, Computer Science Coordinator, Robotics Coach, United Federation of Teachers Chapter Chairperson |
Meshach Smith
3rd Grade Special Education Teacher “Knowledge will bring you the opportunity to make a difference.” – Dr. Claire M. Fagin Hello, my name is Meshach Smith and I am thrilled to start my teaching career at the Brooklyn Brownstone school. I was a former substitute teacher for two years, mainly substituting at various schools across Brooklyn. I believe that education is the key to unlocking the many doors that life presents to us. My goal is to inspire students to not only achieve within the classroom but wherever else life may take them. In my free time I enjoy cycling, long walks, and playing basketball. |
Sheryne Jackson
3rd grade ELA and Social Studies "Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace." - Confucius Greetings, my name is Sheryne Jackson and I am honored to be joining the Brooklyn Brownstone’s school community. This will be my fourth year teaching, having previously taught in historic Harlem and most recently here in my hometown of Brooklyn. It is my belief that students learn best when their environment empowers them to be confident in the pursuit of their dreams. It is my goal, to produce the space in which students can be the best versions of themselves. |
Adeola Carter
English Language Arts Teacher “When you learn, teach when you get, give.” - Maya Angelou I am Adeola Carter and I’ve been working at the Brooklyn Brownstone School for the past seven years. I teach 4/5th grade ELA/Social Studies. The goal each year is to make school exciting and to enjoy each moment with my students. On any given Sunday, I am rooting/hollering for the NY Giants! |
Thomas Consiglio
Science and Social Studies Teacher "Through my education, I didn’t just develop skills, I didn’t just develop the ability to learn, but I developed confidence." - Michelle Obama My name is Thomas Consiglio. I have taught for the past 13 years in East New York Brooklyn and I am extremely excited to be joining the Brooklyn Brownstone family this year. My goal as an educator is to teach children how to explore their passions and work toward their full potential. My goal for my students is for them to teach me how to do the same. I believe that all children have unique talents and a unique way of learning. My favorite past-time activities are strumming my guitar, traveling to scenic and remote places and enjoying the outdoors. |
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Visual Art
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Music
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Jennifer Saftler
Teacher “If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.” - Edward Hopper My name is Jennifer Saftler and I am the Visual Art teacher at the Brooklyn Brownstone School. As an educator and fine artist, I have always believed that the visual arts play a pivotal role in every child’s personal and academic development. Students learn how to take this visual language and use it to conceptualize, problem solve, express their own ideas and perspectives, and just think differently. My goal is to educate and work with my students in order so that they may feel empowered Through art. In my free time I do my best to always create- whether it be painting, drawing, knitting or baking. When not doing that, I enjoy reading, traveling and finding adventures with my 11 year old son. |
Rhonda Cole
Teacher “Music enhances the education of our children by helping them to make connections and broadening the depth with which they think and feel.” - Yo Yo Ma My name is Rhonda Cole and I’ve been part of the Brooklyn Brownstone Family since 2013. I pursued a career in musical theater, have my Actors Equity card and was fortunate enough to be a theater gypsy. As a child I loved to sing and was encouraged by my family, particularly my grandmothers, to sing and my family supported my dreams. I believe that all children are natural music makers and they need a variety of opportunities in a nurturing environment that is fun to express themselves. I enjoy dancing, riding my bike and going to shows. |
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Physical Education
Sang Choi
Teacher, Basketball, Lacrosse, and Soccer Coach “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” - Aristotle Hello. My name Sang Choi and I teach physical education here at The Brooklyn Brownstone School. I am also the head coach of Brooklyn Brownstone Eagle Basketball, Lacrosse, and Soccer team. In my previous educational role, I taught martial arts to young children. As a Taekwondo instructor, I emphasized promoting the moral development which enables children to develop proper attitudes and behaviors towards others. I believe that self-discipline and self-confidence are keys to creating an effective learning environment. |
Spanish Language and World Heritage
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