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RUTH VINZ
Founding Director Endowed Chair, Morse Professor of Teaching Education Dr. Ruth Vinz taught middle and high school students for twenty-three years before coming to Teachers College. She is a Professor in the English Education Program and the Enid and Lester Morse Endowed Chair in Teacher Education. She directs the Center for the Professional Education of Teachers. Ruth is the co-author of several books, Inside Out, Recasting the Text, Learning the Landscapes and Writing Qualitative Research. Her book, Composing A Teaching Life, received the Richard Meade award for outstanding research published in English education in 1997. She is co-author of the Houghton Mifflin Daybooks, a new 6-12 grade series of reading and writing literature books used in thousands of secondary classrooms, both nationally and internationally. In the most recent book, Becoming (Other)Wise, Dr. Vinz collaborated with other Program faculty in an examination of multicultural literature education and cultural criticism as literacy events. Her research interests include cultural literacies, particularly focused on adolescent readers’ practices, constructed and constructing identities of teachers, and traditions and representations of research-in-practice. At CPET, Dr. Vinz serves as Director and Senior Advisor to all initiatives. RUTH VINZ
Founding Director |
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ROBERTA LENGER KANG
Executive Director Prior to becoming the Executive Director at the Center for Professional Education of Teachers (CPET), Dr. Roberta Lenger Kang was a high school English teacher for eight years in Denver, Colorado and New York City. She wrote several district wide curricula for Denver Public Schools and the NYC Department of Education before transitioning from classroom teacher to professional development coach in 2006. As a coach, Roberta has supported schools on instruction, assessment, systems and structures, literacy and accountability mandates. In 2015, Roberta completed her doctorate in English Education from Teachers College, Columbia University with a focus on the impact of mandated assessments on students, teachers and school leaders. In her role as CPET's Executive Director, Roberta supervises the professional development programs and initiatives projects across the Center. Roberta cultivates partnerships with schools, districts, and organizations, in critical areas such as developing academic rigor, refining literacy in high school, creating meaningful instruction for high-stakes assessments, and leveraging city and state mandates for authentic school change. You can reach her at [email protected]. |
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FERNANDA ALBUQUERQUE DE ARAUJO Lead Professional Development Coach Fernanda holds a bachelor's degree in Physics and a degree in Teaching Physics from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). She is currently enrolled at Teachers College, Columbia University in the Science Education Ph.D. program, building on her master's degree in the same program. Fernanda has extensive experience as a physics and mathematics tutor, as well as experience teaching high school physics in public schools in her hometown of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Her love for education was sparked at a young age, with respect and admiration from her teachers inspiring her to pursue this career. Today, her focus is on working with in-service teachers to increase their knowledge and confidence, aiming to help STEM teachers find joy and stay in the profession. FERNANDA ALBUQUERQUE DE ARAUJO
Lead Professional Development Coach |
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ADELE BRUNI ASHLEY Faculty Contributor Dr. Adele Bruni Ashley is a lecturer in the English Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She taught 8th through 12th grade English at the New York City Lab School, founding the Lab Theatre Company (LTC) in 2007. Prior to public school teaching, she received her M.F.A. in acting from the University of Washington Professional Actor Training Program (PATP) where she taught undergraduate theatre. As an educator, she is interested in structuring classroom spaces as laboratories for imaginative exploration and creation. ADELE BRUNI ASHLEY
Faculty Contributor |
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JONATHAN BELTRAN-ALVARADO Lead Professional Development Coach Jonathan is a second-year student in the M.A. program in Economics and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He holds a B.A. in Literature, a B.A. in Philosophy, and an M.A. in History from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia. He also obtained a graduate degree in Economic Evaluation of Projects at Universidad de Los Andes. His scholarly work addresses teachers' formation, quality, and leadership and the impacts of violence on educational inequalities. An experienced educator and school leader, Jonathan worked at a high school setting for six years as a Literature and Research teacher and the Head of the Literature Department. He believes that teachers' pedagogical knowledge and practice can be enriched and empowered in contexts that encourage building trust and sharing common ideals. For him, being a coach means engaging with colleagues in an honest discussion and constantly reflecting on what we consider valuable for our students' futures. JONATHAN BELTRAN-ALVARADO
Lead Professional Development Coach |
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COURTNEY BROWN Senior Professional Development Advisor Courtney Brown is a Senior Professional Development Advisor whose work is informed by her range of experiences as a high school and middle school teacher of English and the humanities. Grounded in the philosophies of project-based learning and literacy across the disciplines, Courtney supports school leaders and teachers to develop culturally relevant curriculum and practices in order to enable students and schools to thrive and achieve their potential. Currently, her work includes a focus on developing PLC's and school-wide practices to support struggling schools to leverage mandates and build on their strengths. Courtney has presented workshops for school districts, the Student Press Initiative, AERA, ATE, the Global learning Alliance, and the National Council of Teachers of English Convention. She feels privileged to work with educators in NYC and collaborate with her colleagues at CPET. COURTNEY BROWN
Senior Professional Development Advisor ARTICLES |
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CRISTINA COMPTON Director of Program Development Dr. Cristina Romeo Compton received her doctorate in education from Teachers College, Columbia University in 2016, with a concentration in the teaching of English. She began her career in education as a NYC Teaching Fellow, teaching in a Title 1 school, while completing her Masters in Childhood Education. Cristina serves as the Director of Program Development at CPET, overseeing a wide range of school-based projects and the Student Press Initiative, an initiative that supports teachers and students in developing projects that culminate in professionally designed, print-based publications. When working with schools, she focuses on areas of strength and opportunities for growth, in an effort to develop highly customized and targeted professional development plans. In her on-site work, she supports schools with curriculum design, unit planning, project-based learning, and developing literacy strategies that can bolster student achievement across the disciplines. CRISTINA COMPTON
Director of Program Development ARTICLES |
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DANIELLA DALSHEIM Professional Development Coach Daniella is currently pursuing a graduate degree in the Education Policy and Social Analysis department at Teachers College, Columbia University. She holds an M.E.d in Instructional Practice from Lipscomb University and a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Northeastern University. Prior to joining the CPET and Columbia community, Daniella served multilingual learners in Nashville, TN. At her school, she played a key role in the development and oversight of the English Language (EL) Program. She taught middle school English and intervention classes, facilitated meetings and workshops, and consistently engaged in one-on-one collaborations with fellow educators to strategize and evaluate comprehensive, school-wide instructional initiatives. Daniella served as an advocate, teacher, and liaison within her school to ensure that all learners and educators had what they needed to succeed. As an educator, Daniella is committed to cultivating safe learning environments, empowering growth mindsets, and celebrating small and big wins. Daniella identifies as a lifelong learner and solution-oriented thinker who enjoys working with others. She believes that education is one of the most powerful tools and is excited to partner with diverse teachers and leaders to support and create high-quality, inclusive educational opportunities that propel lifelong success. DANIELLA DALSHEIM
Professional Development Coach |
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TARA FERNANDES Morse Fellow for New Teachers Tara Maria Fernandes is pursuing a doctorate in English Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. She previously taught high school English in an international school in Bengaluru, India for seven years. Nothing excites her more than using book clubs, reading projects and field trips to introduce students to the magical world of literature! With a background in English Literature at the University of Delhi (B.A., M.A. English Hons) and University of Cambridge (MPhil in American Literature) before joining Teachers College, her current interests include a comparative study of teaching literature on the Indian and global stage. TARA FERNANDES
Morse Fellow for New Teachers |
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VICTORIA FERNANDEZ Professional Development Coach Victoria Fernandez joined Teachers College, Columbia University as a student pursuing a Masters of Education in Sociology and Education. Prior to arriving at Teachers College, Victoria taught middle school students in Special Education and Math in Raleigh, NC. She was a co-chair of the Special Education department and the Community and Family Engagement Task Force at her previous school. Victoria's favorite part of teaching is building relationships with students and their families, and she values connection and curiosity as a means to helping others become their best selves. VICTORIA FERNANDEZ
Professional Development Coach |
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JEN GOWERS Instructional Specialist Dr. Jen Gowers has served in New York City public and public charter education for more than 18 years. She has expertise in managing principals, assistant superintendents, and network teams, teaching young people in elementary school through graduate school, facilitation, curriculum design, instruction, professional development and assessment practices, as well as experience building and sustaining schools and networks from PreK-12. Jen holds two Bachelor degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Masters Degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a Doctoral Degree from Teachers College, Columbia University. Jen is passionate about working in solidarity to positively transform systems, to develop individual capacity and potential, and to make a brighter and better society. JEN GOWERS
Instructional Specialist |
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STEPHANIE GRASSO Instructional Specialist Stephanie’s journey in teaching and education started over fifteen years ago when she began a teaching apprenticeship at the University of California Los Angeles while she completed her Master’s degree in Spanish and Latin American Literature. She felt a calling toward public education and joined the NYC Teaching Fellows — and it was in her first year of teaching that she realized her passion was in working with Multilingual Learners. This passion led her to become a founding member of the ELLIS Preparatory Academy, where she also developed the ELA curriculum for newcomer MLLs. As a coach, she supports teachers and schools with culturally, linguistically and academically diverse learner populations using culturally reflective materials and methodologies that she has learned and developed over her years in education. Stephanie’s goal through her coaching work is to inspire teachers to use their innate creativity to support all learners. She holds a M.A. from the University of California Los Angeles, a B.A. from Tulane University, and advanced degree certificates from both CUNY Lehman College and Bank Street College of Education. STEPHANIE GRASSO
Instructional Specialist |
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KELSEY HAMMOND Lead Professional Development Coach Kelsey is currently a Ph.D. student in the English Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She holds a master's degree in English from the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences at Boston College and a bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education from Saint Anselm College. Kelsey has served as a middle school classroom teacher, curriculum reviewer, and education panel member. In addition, she has conducted archival research at the National Library of Ireland and at Trinity College, Dublin. Kelsey’s areas of interest include the writing process and poetry pedagogy, especially in middle and high school English classrooms. |
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G. FAITH LITTLE Initiative Director, 21st Century Learning Faith enjoys innovating processes and structures that connect to mission, vision, and services both for the Center and for educators in their own unique contexts. Her dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion for all students is the cornerstone of her commitment to education. She spent a decade working with MS and HS students in a supportive, social emotional learning setting, teaching in alternative school settings, and facilitating intensive retreats with parents. These experiences, alongside her English Ed background create a strong foundation to support coaching for educators outside of the traditional classroom setting. Faith continues to pursue professional growth in the Adult Learning & Leadership program at TC. Her most recent research interests include the role gender plays in pursuing higher education and high leverage literacy practices. Her work at the Center grows out of her focus on identifying barriers and building bridges as she supports individual and team growth with creative, compassionate leadership. She spends her time on contract and project management, workshop and course planning, conference design, special projects, social/emotional support, curriculum development, as well as on-site and remote coaching with teachers and leaders. |
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SHAUNE MARX Professional Development Coach Shaune is especially interested in writing instruction as a way to encourage students to find their voices, utilize logical reasoning, and practice critical thinking. In her classroom, she used project-based learning to engage students and forge connections between classroom instruction and the world beyond. She currently studies Cognitive Science in Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, with a focus on bridging the gap between education research and education practice. Shaune is passionate about coaching and professional development for teachers because she believes in empowering educators to craft inviting, challenging, rewarding learning experiences for their students. Shaune holds a degree in Creative Writing and Professional Writing with a Minor in Psychology from Carnegie Mellon University. A lifelong love of learning and language led her to Madrid, Spain, to teach English as a Foreign Language to lower elementary students. After that, she moved to Austin, Texas to teach AP English Language & Composition at a Title 1 charter school, serving a population of primarily ENL students and immigrant families. SHAUNE MARX
Professional Development Coach |
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EDITH MIDDLETON Professional Development Coach Edith is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in English Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, with a focus on exploring teacher education and mentorships. Edith embodies fifteen years of high school English teaching and teacher leadership via Fairfield Public Schools and Hawai’i Public Schools on the island of Maui. She has been honored with Pulitzer Center and Hawai’i State teaching fellowships that provided proxies for publishing, teacher support groups, and collaboration with statewide stakeholders and policymakers about education policies and practices. Edith was also esteemed with a Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms honorarium that merged local pedagogy, policy, and practice with global travel to explore indigenous approaches to education. The pursuit of knowledge pulled ten-year-old Edith from a crumbling Transylvanian orphanage and opened an incredible myriad of global opportunities. Education is not only a lifelong passion, but the beacon that guides every aspect of Ms. Middleton’s life. EDITH MIDDLETON
Professional Development Coach |
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LAUREN MIDGETTE Lead Professional Development Coach Lauren is a Ph.D. student in English Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, with research interests involving racial and ethnic literacy in the secondary English classroom. She previously earned her M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction at UCONN's Neag School of Education, where she had the opportunity to teach in London, United Kingdom. After returning from her experience abroad, Lauren taught high school English in Hartford, Connecticut for six years. During her tenure, Lauren was the English Department Lead, led curriculum teams, provided professional development both at the school and district level, and earned her TESOL certification to better serve her EL students. She draws on a set of diverse experiences to inform her practice. Lauren also coaches pre-service teachers during their student teaching experience and in-service teachers during their first few years in the classroom. She has had experience in public, magnet, and charter schools, along with adult education, and utilizes these experiences in her work. |
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KAYDIE MILKS Director of Operations Kaydie arrived at CPET after earning an M.A. in Psychological Counseling and an Ed.M. in School Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her time as a crisis management counselor and her lifetime of experience as a planning and organization-obsessed problem-solver have helped shape her current role at the Center. As the Director of Operations, Kaydie plays many parts - she created this website, is responsible for creating promotional materials and strategies for the Center, and as the person who oversees the Center’s finances, you can usually find her dealing with anything and everything that involves a dollar sign. KAYDIE MILKS
Director of Operations |
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JAMEON MOSS Lead Professional Development Coach Jameon Moss is a highly dedicated educator and researcher with an impressive background in the field of education, particularly in arts education and teacher development. With nearly a decade of experience in charter school music classroom instruction and leadership, he has developed a wide range of skills and expertise in areas such as instructional coaching, executive coaching, curriculum design, and the creation of coaching materials to support teachers' growth. He is an alumnus of Morehouse College (BA), where he was awarded a Talent Award in voice. Additionally, he has earned degrees from Northwestern University (MM), where he was honored with the Eckstein Fellowship in Operatic Literature and Performance, and Harvard University (M.Ed.), where he received the Urban Scholars Fellowship. Currently, he is fully engaged as a doctoral student and fellow at Teachers College, Columbia University, where his research focuses on in-service arts teacher evaluation, professional development for arts teachers and instructional leaders, and the unique context of charter arts instruction. Mr. Moss's passion for professional development in education is evident in his commitment to learning from and collaborating with a diverse professional learning community of teachers, coaches, curriculum developers, and instructional specialists. His goal is to leverage this collective expertise to enhance his own knowledge and insights while contributing to the growth and development of others in the field of education. JAMEON MOSS
Lead Professional Development Coach |
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GISELE NASSIF Instructional Specialist Gisele is currently in her 25th year as an assistant principal in the New York City Department of Education. During this time, Gisele has supervised and mentored teachers in all disciplines. She developed the math department at her school into a learning lab for other schools in NYC to visit and learn from. She also designed and started the special education program at the school. Before becoming an administrator, Gisele was a math teacher. In that role, she was invited to serve as a consultant in San Diego and Pennsylvania. San Diego State University published videos of her classroom to be used in educational classes in San Diego and at NYU. Gisele loves the opportunities that allow her to support the development of teachers through coaching and the building of relationships. She is an avid believer in intellectual student engagement, student discussion/ visible thinking, and powerful-co-teaching. She empowers teachers to engage in critical thinking, reflection, and inquiry through a growth mindset. She believes that an educator is a life-long learner, and can only serve students best when he or she embraces continual research and collaboration. Gisele earned her Bachelor of Science and her Masters of Arts in Mathematics Education from New York University. She received her School Administrator and Supervisor Certificate from Baruch College. She has a NYS Permanent Certificate in Administration and Supervision, a NJ School Supervisor Certificate, and a NJ Principal Certificate. GISELE NASSIF
Instructional Specialist |
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LANCE OZIER Extended Learning & Literacy Specialist For nearly 20 years, Lance has been a classroom teacher and literacy coach in elementary, middle and secondary public schools in Atlanta and NYC. Lance was the Senior Literacy Specialist at the Institute for Student Achievement, a division of the Educational Testing Service. There he led a Carnegie Corporation pilot program to include growth mindset and non-cognitive skills in the academic core. Lance has also been a consultant for Stanford University’s Center for Assessment, Learning and Equity (SCALE). Lance holds a BA in Elementary Education from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, a MA in Sociology and Education, as well as his M.Ed and Ed.D in English Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Lance has taught courses at Teachers College and Bank Street College, and is currently on the faculty at the City University of New York. LANCE OZIER
Extended Learning & Literacy Specialist |
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GREGORY PETERSHACK Professional Development Coach Gregory has always been passionate about telling stories and helping people discover their humanity through them. After graduating from Texas A&M University with a BS in Psychology and a BA in English, he spent a year substitute teaching and long-term subbing for a pre-calculus teacher, as well as being a one-on-one student success/SAT/ACT coach. Spending this time with students motivated him to learn more about how to engage them and their stories more purposefully, leading to his pursuit of an MA in Literary Theory and Pedagogy from Boston College. Gregory has continued to develop his skills as both a writer and coach alongside students — including a semester teaching at Massachusetts Correctional Institute in Shirley, MA. He is currently pursuing a PhD in English Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, focusing on games and narrative as a way of engaging students holistically. His areas of expertise include literacy, prison work, podcasting, and narrative. GREGORY PETERSHACK
Professional Development Coach |
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POOJA RAJAN Professional Development Coach Pooja Rajan is a current Ed.D. student in the Curriculum and Teaching program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She holds a master’s degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood from Rutgers Graduate School of Education and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rutgers University. Prior to her transition to Teachers College, Pooja taught 3rd and 4th grade in Robbinsville, New Jersey and was the 2022-23 Educator of the Year. During her teaching career, she served as her school’s K-4 Social Studies coach, was an active member of the district equity committee, and worked on multiple passion projects, including spearheading school-wide professional development sessions and piloting newly discovered curriculum programs. Her interests include school and curriculum reform, leadership, teacher education, inquiry-based learning, curiosity, and equity in education. Her love for partnering with teachers to inspire creativity and innovation is strong and she enjoys the process of bridging theory and practice while pursuing her doctoral studies. POOJA RAJAN
Professional Development Coach |
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LAURA RIGOLOSI Curriculum & Literacy Specialist Dr. Laura Rigolosi earned her M.A. and Ed.D. From Teachers College, Columbia University, where she also taught in the English Education department. Her doctoral research focused on the ways we teach reading in Title 1 high school classrooms, and she continues to research the best literacy practices at the secondary level. Before beginning her doctoral studies, Laura taught English in a District 2 high school; this sparked her interest in the most effective ways to teach reading and writing to diverse learners. For the past 15 years, Laura has worked with teachers in all disciplines and continues to help teachers increase their literacy practices in classrooms, thus increasing engagement and understanding within content area classes. She has led literacy-based workshops for teachers in NY, NJ, PA, CT, CA, and OH. LAURA RIGOLOSI
Curriculum & Literacy Specialist ARTICLES |
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MEG DAVIS ROBERTS Morse Fellow for New Teachers Meg is a National Board Certified Teacher and a current student at Teachers College, Columbia University, pursuing her Ph.D in English Education. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Secondary Education and a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Over the past six years, Meg taught high school English in the western suburbs of Chicago and in East Jerusalem where she sponsored Key Club, yearbook, and ornithology club; organized student publications and poetry events; and led student travel abroad. She is interested in poetry pedagogy, creative writing, and practices that invite imagination more wholeheartedly into the English classroom. Meg is energized by working with the teachers and students of NYC schools. MEG DAVIS ROBERTS
Morse Fellow for New Teachers |
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JACQUI STOLZER Senior Professional Development Coach Jacqui is currently pursuing a P.h.D. in the English Education department at Teachers College. As a former New York City public school teacher, Jacqui has taught in a wide range of English classrooms, from specialized classes for students with disabilities, to inclusion classrooms, to AP Language and Composition. At CPET, Jacqui has partnered with middle and high school teachers to develop engaging Common Core-aligned ELA curriculum, differentiate for students with disabilities, and cultivate productive co-teaching relationships. She looks forwards to another year of supporting hardworking and passionate teachers! |
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MARIA GARCIA UNDERWOOD Instructional Specialist Maria has served as a teacher, instructional coach/staff developer, and program/district administrator. She was the Director of the Multicultural Education Center (diversity training), Bilingual Education Technical Assistance Center (bilingual program development), and worked at Central Offices for the New York City Department of Education. She works with teachers in the areas of literacy, second language acquisition, student engagement, rigorous instruction/assessment, technology-embedded instruction, and standards alignment. Maria loves having the opportunity to support the development of teachers’ literacy competencies through coaching. Maria has created culturally responsive UbD curricula, participated as a reviewer for Head Start programs nationally, and served as a Quality Review Team Member for New York State. She has made presentations at the national level at ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum), NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) as well as at NABE (National Association for Bilingual Education). Maria received her B.A. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University; an M.A. in Special Education with a focus on Learning Disabilities and an Ed.M. in Reading and Bilingual Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is currently a doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education with a focus on learning design. Maria resides with her husband and twin adult daughters in the Bronx and enjoys dancing, traveling, and activities such as hot air ballooning. MARIA GARCIA UNDERWOOD
Instructional Specialist |
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MARISOL UY Administrative Coordinator Marisol, who holds a B.A. in Political Science from Barnard College, is motivated by building connections with students, supporting them as they navigate the world around them. Prior to joining CPET, she volunteered as a College and Career Advisor, providing mentorship to middle school students. With a keen interest in education and politics, Marisol also interned with her hometown councilwoman, deepening her understanding of the intersection between these fields and fostering a passion for creating educational opportunities. She is committed to promoting teacher and student growth and advocating social equity in and through education. MARISOL UY
Administrative Coordinator |
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CHENXIN WU Professional Development Coach Chenxin is currently a graduate student at Teachers College, Columbia University, majoring in Curriculum and Teaching. Prior to coming to Teachers College, she began her journey as a middle school social studies teacher and received her undergraduate degree in social studies education from New York University. As an educator, Chenxin is dedicated to creating a welcoming environment in her classroom, and empowering students from diverse backgrounds in their learning. She is also committed to the inclusion of project-based learning in the classroom, helping students to learn through interactive and immersive experiences that promote engagement for all types of learners. CHENXIN WU
Professional Development Coach |
