MANHATTAN, NYC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MATH TUTORS

Dan has a passion for teaching math and uses kinesthetic/tactile strategies to reach all learners. Dan takes a game-like approach with the aim of eliminating any fear or anxiety that a student may experience. Dan brings a wealth of experience to teaching math and is able to seamlessly assess, plan and differentiate engaging instruction for all learners.

For students with math learning disabilities, Dan can adapt the tutoring sessions to meet the specific needs of the learner. Hedoes this by addressing problems with number sense by helping learners to master basic facts through intensive and interactive games, slow and systematic distributed practice, teaching reciprocal facts (ie. 3+4/4+3, 7×5/5×7) and using concrete representations to further solidify counting/cordiality concepts that are the basis of arithmetic. For students with problems remembering the steps of computational algorithms, Dan teaches number concepts in tandem with the steps involved for computing an algorithm, by making the steps as concrete as possible. Using tactile/kinesthetic place value manipulatives, while simultaneously teaching the algorithmic steps has helped his students to learn computations with the four operations, and has helped them to think flexibly about numbers as a whole.

Kirsten is especially adept at quickly targeting a student’s highest-need area and making an action plan to reach their specific goals. She has worked frequently with students requiring intensive support in math. She prides herself on getting to know each student on both an academic and personal level to not only best drive outcomes, but also to take into account that student’s preferences and interests. She is passionate about making learning engaging, relevant, and fun! Kirsten combines many modalities within her lessons to help students grasp each concept in interactive and age-appropriate ways. She focuses on teaching math conceptually so that students may unpack problems with many strategies and gain independence in their understanding. She highly values open communication with students and families to work together to best support each student as they progress. Kirsten works with students in grades 1-5 and is highly familiar with the NYS elementary math grade-level scope and sequence.

Types of Services: Multisensory Math Instruction & Individualized Intervention, Formal and Informal Math Assessments, and Interventions, Test Prep
Expertise: Individualized assessment and intervention in elementary math, targeting specific learning disabilities
Ages: grades 1-5

Elizabeth graduated from Marist College with a bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education & Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6) as well as she earned a master’s degree from Touro University in Childhood Education & Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6). She is a member of both the International Honor Society in Education and Psychology.

Elizabeth spent the first part of her career as a Special Education teacher within schools across New York City. As a teacher, she mentored new teachers, served as a grade-level team leader, and led several professional development training sessions for teachers and families. Elizabeth worked with a team of professionals to design elementary math curriculum aligned with NYS Common Core Standards. Elizabeth worked as an Assistant Principal at the elementary level where she worked with students to cultivate their love of learning while building their self confidence as they work to meet their individualized goals.

Elizabeth is a math instructor with years of experience in mentoring as well as tutoring children from diverse backgrounds with various needs. She has a passion for math and uses a tactile approach in order to meet the needs of every child. She has experience implementing TERC Investigations, Go-Math, and EngageNY.

Elizabeth will design individualized lessons to meet the needs of every learner therefore maximizing student outcomes. She uses various instructional tools such as math manipulatives to technological resources which all facilitate academic achievement. Not only does she value her work with her students, she values her partnerships with their families as well. Elizabeth will work together with the families and provide them with strategies to use at home to support their child.

Types of Services: Multisensory Math Instruction, Formal and Informal Assessments and Interventions, Behavioral Interventions
Expertise: Working with children with specific reading, writing, and math learning disabilities, working with children with ADD and ADHD, NYS Exam preparation, NYS common core tutoring.

Esther is a certified teacher with a Childhood Education/Special Education dual certification. She has a Masters in STEM studies and has her School Building/District Leadership certification. She has been teaching math at the middle school level in the NYC public school systems since 2014 where she has been teaching a multitude of populations including Special Education, English Language Learners, and enriched students. Her goal is to meet and support all students to help them reach their highest potential as a student and individual. Esther utilizes data to drive instruction for her students to identify areas of needs and growth.

Esther has experience in giving one-to-one support through tutoring for various goals such as study skills and testing taking strategies for standardized exams. She also has experience teaching different math curriculums such as Illustrative math and McGraw Hill.

Outside of school, Esther loves to give back to her community in Toy Drives and Thanksgiving Drives. She also enjoys being active. She has run the NYC and Boston Marathon.

Types of Services: Individualized math instruction and remediation for grades 3-7, Standardized test strategies (i.e. NYS Math Test, SHSAT)
Expertise: Math Instruction for grades 3- 7
Ages: 3rd through 7th

Julia graduated from State University of New York at Fredonia with a Bachelor of Science in Childhood and Special Education (Grades 1-6). She then received her M.S.Ed. in Literacy Education (Grades 1-6) from Nazareth College. Julia has over nine years of experience working with students with ASD, ADHD, processing delays, and learning disabilities. During this time, she has taught in a general education setting (ages 5-12), special education settings (ages 4-14), and as a literacy specialist (worked with ages 4-14). Throughout her years of teaching, she has utilized a multitude of programs including: Orton Gillingham, Wilson Fundations Program, Fountas & Pinnell, Reading Street, Wonders, SPIRE, GoMath, and Math Expressions. 

During her individual reading sessions as a literacy specialist, she first assesses the student’s decoding, encoding, fluency, and comprehension skills, and uses the assessment results to guide future sessions. Once she has a full picture of the student’s abilities and has built a relationship with them, she then chooses a curriculum that best suits the needs of the student.

She believes in using a well-balanced approach that encompasses the Five Pillars of Reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency). Individual math sessions follow the same trajectory and include the use of manipulatives and hands-on learning techniques to give the student a multi-sensory learning experience. 

Julia’s personal teaching philosophy is rooted in creating an environment where students feel comfortable celebrating their successes, challenging themselves, and becoming life-long learners. She believes that all students have unique learning styles and through individualized instruction that supports different learning styles, they can reach their full potential. 

Beyond the classroom, she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, exploring new neighborhoods in NYC, and reading. She also has experience tutoring and prepping multiple students aged 12-15 (including students with disabilities) for their ISEE exams. 

TYPE OF SERVICES: Individualized reading and math instruction, developing study skills, support with homework, New York State ELA exam prep
EXPERTISE: Working with students with disabilities to improve reading comprehension, phonemic awareness, decoding, and encoding skills. Has experience writing and implementing IEP documentation.
AGES: Literacy and Math ages 5-12

Julia graduated from Colgate University with a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies. She then joined the Teach For America Corps, where she taught grades kindergarten- fourth grade, while obtaining her Dual M.S.Ed in General and Special Education for grades 1-6. Julia has 4 years experience teaching whole group and small group instruction. During this time, she has taught SEL, writing, math, science and guided literacy in both the General and Special Education setting. She has experience with reading programs like Amplify, CKLA, iReady, NWEA, STEP tool and F&P. In math, she has used tools like Zearn, iReady, NWEA to analyze and target instruction to student needs.

In her most current role, she is a Learning Specialist in which she solely focuses on students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs), for students with processing disorders, learning disabilities and Speech/ Language delays. She uses consistent data tracking to tailor instructional plans that will achieve a student’s IEP and personal goals. Julia progress monitors all of her students frequently to understand what concepts they can grasp and which they need more at bats.

Julia believes in enhancing student’s strengths to target their weaknesses. She knows all learners learn differently, regardless if there is a classification or not. Because of this, she believes students need multiple ways of learning to make concepts stick. This begins with the reteaching of foundational skills that are personalized to the student. To introduce new standards and topics, Julia uses: manipulatives to enhance tactile learning, visuals with graph paper and colored pencils to draw out word problems, audio tools like rhythm and music to access problems through auditory processing, diagrams and colored pencils, and games using real life scenarios to encourage authentic engagement and understanding of math and reading concepts.

She has used Fundations and Wilson’s to target students’ fluency and phonemic awareness needs at the elementary level. It has helped provide a set curriculum that includes hands-on resources for students to engage with while learning the fundamentals of reading and writing.

In her free time, Julia loves seeing theater in NYC, reading, trying new restaurants, and photography.

TYPE OF SERVICES: i.e. Individual tutoring in math and reading, group (2-3 children), state exam test prep
EXPERTISE: i.e. Learning Disabilities, Speech-language delays, Special Education
AGES: i.e. Kindergarten through 6th grade

Maribell is a fifth grade classroom teacher with six years of experience teaching at elementary schools. She has five years of experience in New York City schools and one year abroad. She graduated with honors from the University at Albany with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Soon after, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Certificate in Special Education from Hunter College. To earn her New York State Teaching License, Maribell was a part of the East Harlem Teaching Residency. This residency focused on effective, data-driven teaching practices for elementary-aged students.

Maribell has used CGI (Cognitively Guided Instruction) to teach mathematics in the past and has now shifted her focus to Singapore Math at her current school. Taking on the Singapore Math curriculum has driven her to focus on in-depth understanding around mastery-based problem-solving. She strongly believes that if students are not engaged, they will not retain what they are taught. This view is the center of Maribell’s practice as she routinely uses engaging icebreakers, manipulatives, music, kinesthetic movement, and a multitude of visuals to teach her students.

Maribell has experience teaching students of different socioeconomic backgrounds and academic levels. She also has three years of experience creating lesson plans with the NYS Common Core Standards woven into them. All in all, she is a flexible and determined educator who is eager to meet students where they are01 and help them grow exponentially.

TYPE OF SERVICES: one on one tutoring, Small group tutoring (2-3 students), test prep
EXPERTISE: Elementary math, CGI, Singapore Mathematics, math vocabulary, problem-solving, study and testing skills
LANGUAGES: English and Spanish (fluent, reading, and writing)
AGES: Grades 1 – 6

Jana Ulanoff is an educator who has B.A. in English Literature and Spanish from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
and an M.A. in TESOL at Hunter College where she honed her craft at developing multisensory instructional methods and social-emotional skill-building practices. She prides herself on forming real connections and creating a nurturing space where students can comfortably grow and learn.

Jana has worked in both the public and private educational sectors, offering a unique educational perspective as an ENL [English as a New Language] classroom teacher in NYC’s DOE supporting self-contained classes of 1st-graders, 7th-graders, and 10th-12th graders. Throughout her time as a classroom teacher, she promoted accessibility and acquisition by tailoring the curriculum to promote her ELLs’ [English Language Learners] differing proficiencies.

Tailoring the curriculum and connecting with her students led her to private tutoring for 5+ years and she is absolutely loving it! Jana has experience working with students with varying learning differences such as math, reading, writing, attention, social-emotional, and behavioral skills, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and Executive Functioning Disorder. Currently, she thrives in remediating 4th and 5th graders who have dyscalculia through playful yet strategic multi-sensory exercises via manipulatives, color-coding, base ten blocks, and 100s charts. She is currently doing dyscalculia research to better support and level-up her students’ learning. To ensure students’ confidence and comfortability with the content, she likes to preview material beforehand.

Additionally, Jana has experience working with neurotypical students from ages 4 to 11. Her experience in tutoring varies from preparing preschoolers      for their kindergarten interviews which include phonological and phonemic awareness and early math skills e.g. identifying patterns and number recognition. She uses multisensory reading and writing techniques via Orton-Gillingham and Handwriting Without Tears; for her lower and upper elementary students, she uses real-world math examples via manipulatives e.g. math-link cubes to make content more accessible and meaningful.
Jana has also taught ELL adult students at Brooklyn College. There she promoted learning through interactive, role-playing activities based on everyday life skills that varied from introducing greetings to writing professional emails.

Jana’s teaching methods are constructed upon positive reinforcement and interactive exercises to promote whole-child education.
Jana believes every student has untapped potential waiting to be unlocked. She takes pride in igniting students’ passions through a mix of research-based tools and strategies that work for them, so they can seize their potential. While Jana is an advocate for her students, she also serves as a partner to her families she works with by being transparent and supportive.

Lastly, when Jana is not supporting her students, she loves to engage her mind with reading and puzzles. She loves to explore NYC with her friends, go on long walks which vary from relaxing to rigorous hikes, bake, and play with her two beautiful cats!

EXPERTISE: i.e. Math reading, writing, attention, social-emotional and behavioral skills, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and Spanish.
AGES: i.e. Pre-K (ages 2.5-4) through upper elementary school (ages 5-12).

Gabrielle attended the University of Rhode Island for her undergraduate degree, equipping herself with the knowledge and skills necessary to impart education effectively. She continued on to get her masters in Special Education at New York University. While getting her masters, she worked as a teacher at Chelsea Piers Kids. Since the start of her career she has been teaching first grade in a DOE public school and has experience with students in Kindergarten – 2nd grade, as well as being a part of many after school programs.

As a tutor, Gabrielle specializes in phonological awareness, phonics, decoding, spelling, fluency, reading comprehension, and elementary math. Gabrielle assists students in various ways to help them in their studies, making the learning process more accessible to students with specific needs. Gabrielle is trained in the Wilson method of literacy and has administered the program in both whole group and small group settings, using it’s evidence-based processes for intervention for students.

Gabrielle explains math concepts in a clear and concise manner. She also helps students develop number sense and provide word problems that are culturally relevant for them to have a better understanding.

Christopher is an experienced tutor who received his Bachelor’s degree, with honors, in Sociology and his Master’s degree in Special Education and Literacy from The State University of New York at Albany. Christopher is a New York State certified Literacy Specialist, Special Education Teacher, and General Education Teacher. He has been teaching students in grades K-5 in New York City Public Schools for the past twelve years in many capacities including Schoolwide Literacy Specialist, Special Education Teacher and Movement Teacher, and has taught and tutored students of all ages. Within the field of Special Education, Christopher also continues to develop and design specialized instruction and facilitate professional development seminars to support the professional growth of fellow New York City educators.

According to Christopher, there is no one-size-fits-all learning method. Whether one learns best with visual, auditory, kinesthetic or tactile supports, Christopher is prepared to support every student’s individualized needs and to meet them at their current level of performance. Christopher employs an asset-based, social-emotional and growth-mindset approach to learning that incorporates and highlights each student’s strengths and interests.

Megan graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education and Human Development/Applied Psychology, with a minor in Special Education, and with a Division I Athletic Scholarship to play softball for four years. She then received her Master’s Degree in Special Education & Childhood Education, and a NYS Teaching Certification from Fordham University. Megan received Certification in the Orton-Gillingham method to teach reading to students with reading difficulties.

Throughout Megan’s seven years of lead teaching experience, she has taught in various educational settings across Manhattan, meeting wonderfully diverse students. For three years, Megan taught in a general education setting and is experienced in the Common Core curricula while working with General Education students, English Language Learners, and students with disabilities, teaching core subjects (e.g., reading, writing, math, social studies, science) to second through fifth graders. For the last four years, Megan has been a Special Education Head Teacher at a private special education school.

Michelle is a learning specialist who received her Bachelor of Science degree in Cognitive Science with minors in psychology and disabilities studies from the University of Delaware. She went on to complete her Masters in Speech and Language Pathology at Hunter College, and in 2020 she received her Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School intending to pursue Education Law in the future. During tutoring sessions, Michelle helps students develop skills from a variety of subjects including reading, math, and writing. Regarding reading skills, Michelle has provided in-home tutoring to assist students in developing their phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, vocabulary, and reading comprehension skills.

Rachel is a New York State licensed teacher, with a dual certification in early childhood and childhood education. She earned her Masters of Education in Literacy at SUNY Oneonta and holds a Bachelor of Science from SUNY Cortland. Rachel is a tenured teacher and has been teaching for the Department of Education for five years. Rachel currently teaches in an ICT first-grade classroom and has previously taught kindergarten as well. She has worked with diverse groups of students, working to meet the needs of English language learners, students diagnosed with learning disabilities, and general education students. Rachel is responsible for creating and implementing individualized instruction across academic domains to meet the specific needs of students with a variety of learning and physical disabilities. She uses multisensory-based teaching methods to teach phonics, reading, writing, and math to her first graders. Rachel believes in an explicit approach to teaching students to read using tools such as decodable texts, play-doh, sound boxes, and magnet chips.

Jurga is an early childhood special education teacher. She has been teaching since 2009 as a SEIT, an Early Intervention teacher, reading specialist, special education teacher in an ICT classroom, as well as a teacher in a self-contained special education classroom. She is experienced to work with students from kindergarten through middle school. Jurga has completed the Orton-Gillingham training, practicum, and certification through Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE). She has extensive knowledge of Wilson Fundations, Eureka Math, Go Math, and Teachers College’s reading and writing curriculum. Jurga has experience working with students with speech and language disabilities, autism, ADHD, executive functioning difficulties, dyscalculia, and learning disabilities. Jurga’s knowledge of a variety of approaches helps her find the right activities for each student. She works at the student’s functional level and progresses in sequential order from basic to more complex skills. Jurga loves to use literacy or math games whenever possible to make learning fun.

Alyssa is certified in General Education and Special Education for birth through sixth grade. She received her Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland and her Master’s Degree from Manhattanville College. Alyssa teaches within the NYC DOE and is going on her fifth year as a Kindergarten Special Education teacher in an Integrated Co-Taught (ICT) class.  She also has experience as a Pre-kindergarten enrichment teacher, and in first and second grade.  Alyssa has worked as a Grade Team Lead, where she differentiated lesson plans for all types of learners based on data and led development sessions for teachers.  She has also worked as a New Teacher Coach, helping new teachers plan engaging and meaningful lessons.  Alyssa has experience working with children who are English Language Learners, have autism, ADHD, behavior disorders, speech and language disorders and other learning differences.

Alicia holds a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of New Hampshire. She has worked as an educator in various settings, from public and independent schools to tutoring small groups and providing 1-on-1 services within students’ homes. Alicia specializes in teaching young children, toddlers through 3rd grade. Within her repertoire of experience, she has learned how to differentiate instruction, create safe learning environments, and assess and support students across all domains of development.

When teaching math, Alicia incorporates manipulatives such as ten frames and double-sided counters. She uses follow-up questions in response to a student’s work to further support their understanding. Equally important are the discussions she leads on math topics, which create connections across different concepts, support greater retention, and encourage reflection on one’s learning (metacognition). Alicia has utilized the Math in Focus and Bridges in Math programs.

Alicia incorporates multisensory reading activities that use sight, hearing, and touch for deeper learning. Furthermore, these multisensory activities often feel like play for a child, allowing them to engage and connect with their learning naturally. Alicia supports every child by curating book collections that motivate and inspire them. Alicia wants children to develop a love for reading and does so by finding fiction and non-fiction books that her students relate to and find interesting. She has utilized the Wilson / Fundations phonics program and Heggerty’s phonemic awareness program.

She takes the time to build a rapport with every child, getting to know their interests and guiding them to find confidence in their skills. Alicia holds space for the child to let their curiosity, fascination, and inquisitive nature guide the lessons, creating an engaging, unique, individualized experience for every child. She prioritizes fostering strong and positive relationships with families and her students. Alicia believes all children are curious and eager to learn, and she loves to facilitate learning in ways that support their needs and foster their interests and skills.

Alicia currently teaches at an independent school in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. She specializes in reading, writing, phonics, and math instruction. Alicia has experience working with students with learning differences and knows how to best benefit those students by structuring individualized education plans. She is passionate about education and finds working with her students and their families to be deeply fulfilling.

TYPE OF SERVICES: Tutoring, homework help
EXPERTISE: Personalized instruction; Multisensory reading, phonics, writing, and math instruction; Early emergent literacy; Executive functioning skills coaching
AGES: Toddlers – 3rd grade

Dana is a special education teacher specializing in working with students who have special needs, specifically students who have developmental and academic delays, as well as behavioral challenges. She is knowledgeable in social emotional development, ensuring children are given the appropriate tools to better cope with conflicts and problem solve more effectively.

Dana graduated from West Virginia University with a BS in Early Childhood Development and Family Studies, with an endorsement in Special Needs. Dana received her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education Curriculum and Instruction from William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey. She holds two certifications in the state of New Jersey: Teacher of Students with Disabilities and Teacher of Preschool through Grade 3.

Carlos is a resolute, multilingual educator with seven years of teaching experience. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton in French and Francophone Studies, a DUEF level C1 diploma from the Université de Rennes II, and an M.S. ED from City College in Bilingual Education. Carlos prides himself in accommodating the varied learning styles and aptitudes of his students in his sessions. He believes students learn best when they are understood and when learning materials are adjusted to meet their needs. This has prompted him to cultivate a safe space so students can openly discuss the content of the sessions and solidify their learning. He consistently makes use of visual aids and varies the amount of structured and creative assignments so students have ample opportunities to exercise their creativity and formulate their arguments. Carlos designs his instruction around student interests and provides them with engaging assignments that speak to them.

Carlos has taught fourth grade in French in a dual-language program for seven years. His instructional expertise covers all elementary subjects including math, writing, grammar, fluency and comprehension, and state test-prep. He has experience working with students with ADHD, behavior disorder, and anxiety. Beyond the elementary level, Carlos has provided students with language instruction in French and Spanish to target the areas of oral expression and comprehension, fluency, composition, and the study of literature. Carlos has also taught English as a new language to children and adults.

Maggi is a multi-certified teacher with over 20 years experience teaching students in New York City. Maggi teaches in general education classes as well as integrated co-teaching classes as the special education provider. Maggi also has over ten years experience as an English as a second language provider. In this role, she has successfully worked with a variety of learners with both language acquisition needs as well as reading deficiencies. Maggi trained in the Orton Gillingham approach to reading as well as Fundations, Leveled Literacy Instruction, and SIPPS (Systematic Instruction in Phonological Awareness, Phonics, and Sight Word). She has worked extensively on developing her students reading comprehension while working on fluency, phonics, phonemic awareness, and sight words recognition. She believes all aspects of reading needs are addressed during literacy instruction. In addition to instruction, Maggi is experienced using both formative and summative assessments to determine next steps for her students. These assessments include TC running records, timed fluency passages, and comprehension checks. Using this comprehensive approach not only helps her keep track of her students goals, but it also increases their interest in learning literacy.

Julia graduated from Colgate University with a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies. She then joined the Teach For America Corps, where she taught grades kindergarten- fourth grade, while obtaining her Dual M.S.Ed in General and Special Education for grades 1-6. Julia has 4 years experience teaching whole group and small group instruction. During this time, she has taught SEL, writing, math, science and guided literacy in both the General and Special Education setting. She has experience with reading programs like Amplify, CKLA, iReady, NWEA, STEP tool and F&P. In math, she has used tools like Zearn, iReady, NWEA to analyze and target instruction to student needs.

In her most current role, she is a Learning Specialist in which she solely focuses on students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs), for students with processing disorders, learning disabilities and Speech/ Language delays. She uses consistent data tracking to tailor instructional plans that will achieve a student’s IEP and personal goals. Julia progress monitors all of her students frequently to understand what concepts they can grasp and which they need more at bats.

Lillian has been teaching for twelve years teaching both 5th and 6th grade ICT for students with mild to moderate disabilities, in a 2nd-3rd grade self-contained classroom for students with moderate disabilities, and currently math and reading intervention for general education students. She is currently the Special Education Liaison and Lead IEP teacher at a public elementary school in Manhattan. She holds a BA from Tufts University in Peace and Justice Studies and a dual MA from New York University in Child Education and Special Education.

Lillian believes that all students have the capacity to learn, and it is the job of educators to use research-based methods partnered with compassion, understanding, and games. She supports students with reading, writing, and math skills, as well as executive functioning strategies. By getting to know students on a personal level, Lillian is able to connect the material to the individual learner and find the best methods to strengthen areas of need. When tutoring in math, Lillian focuses on building number sense and fluency with number talks and games, while simultaneously strengthening conceptual understanding using math manipulatives and tools. For literacy, Lillian focuses on building strong phonics and phonological awareness through multisensory appraochess to grow students’ decoding and encoding abilities. Self-perception is often a significant piece of learning challenges, so she also focuses on building student self-confidence and advocacy.

Lillian has experience working with students with many different types of learning challenges including: Specific Learning Disabilities, ADHD/ADD, executive functioning needs, ASD, dyscalculia, and other learning issues. She has proficiency with Fundations, TC Reading and Writing Workshop, Heggerty, SPIRE and other literacy programs. For math, she participated in the Algebra For All NYC initiative and has proficiency with EngageNY and Metamorphosis strategies.

Melissa graduated from Binghamton University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development. She later received a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education from Hunter College. She holds a Certificate for Students with Disabilities aged from Birth to Grade 2 and specializes in Applied Behavior Analysis as a teaching method for children with Autism. 

Melissa has worked in the classroom as a Teacher’s Assistant, Lead Instructor, and Co-Teacher for 7 years and previously worked as a SEIT (Special Education Itinerant Teacher) providing 1:1 services for preschool-aged children who have an IEP. Her passion is working with children with special needs with a diagnosis of Autism, Down Syndrome, and ADHD. 

Sohayla graduated from Saint John’s University with a Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education and a Masters of Science in Special Education. She is certified in New York State to teach 1st through 6th grade and also has extensive experience working with students all the way up to the doctoral level. Sohayla built her academic career and gained leadership experience during her 5 years as a Saint John’s student. While being an after school teacher, and a graduate assistant at Saint John’s University’s Writing Center, Sohayla has learned the skills necessary to facilitate a culturally responsive and inclusive learning environment for all her students. Her experiences as a Writing Consultant have allowed her to view learning through multiple interconnected perspectives. She has held writer’s workshops for elementary age students. Sohayla has an ability to work with students with various ranges of abilities and she is known for her patience and creativity. Sohayla has worked in various classroom settings including self-contained, inclusive, ICT, and general. Within these classroom settings, Sohayla has taught students using literacy and mathematics programs/strategies including Teachers College, Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD), Go Math, and enVision Math.

Jessica is an elementary school teacher who has three years teaching experience in Ireland where she taught the 4th grade, 1st grade and special education. She has been teaching the 2nd grade for the past two years in a New York City school. Jessica received a Bachelor of Social Science degree from the University College of Cork, Ireland. She graduated with a Master of Education degree from the University of Limerick, Ireland. She has had the opportunity to educate students with various educational needs from different backgrounds. She focuses on assessing children’s learning styles and needs and strives to find the best approach to boosting their grades and confidence. Jessica utilizes various suitable teaching strategies and resources in order to cater to children’s individual needs. She is extremely passionate about educating children by establishing a positive and safe learning environment. Jessica utilizes technology, visual aids, games, inquiry based activities, manipulatives and graphic organizers in order to ensure children’s understanding. Jessica has four years experience tutoring children individually and in small group settings ranging in ages from 5 years old to 12 years old.  She supports students struggling with mathematics, reading and writing.

Jana Ulanoff is an educator who has B.A. in English Literature and Spanish from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
and an M.A. in TESOL at Hunter College where she honed her craft at developing multisensory instructional methods and social-emotional skill-building practices. She prides herself on forming real connections and creating a nurturing space where students can comfortably grow and learn.

Jana has worked in both the public and private educational sectors, offering a unique educational perspective as an ENL [English as a New Language] classroom teacher in NYC’s DOE supporting self-contained classes of 1st-graders, 7th-graders, and 10th-12th graders. Throughout her time as a classroom teacher, she promoted accessibility and acquisition by tailoring the curriculum to promote her ELLs’ [English Language Learners] differing proficiencies.

Michelle is a professionally certified Special Education teacher (Birth – 6th grade) and works as a Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT) with over 10 years of experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and a master’s degree from Mercy College. Michelle has also worked with many students 1:1 to support their individualized needs in their home setting.

Michelle currently resides in Manhattan where she works as a SEIT for families throughout the east side neighborhoods. In her 10+ years of experience, Michelle has had the opportunity to work with many different types of children with their individual, unique needs. Due to her diverse professional experience, Michelle possesses a strong background in working with students with learning delays, speech and language development, processing difficulties, ADD/ADHD, as well as, children on the Autism spectrum and emotional/behavior disorders. In addition to working with a diverse range of learners, Michelle has supported parents and teachers on behavior management strategies and utilizing positive behavioral interventions both at home and in their classrooms. Given her extensive experience in special education, she is able to effectively differentiate /modify instruction, provide various scaffolds to assist students, and utilize positive reinforcement strategies to help children stay on task throughout instruction and routines.