There are two teachers in every Early Learning Program classroom, an Early Learning Teacher (ELT) and an Early Learning Teaching Fellow (ELTF). The Early Learning Teacher is the primary teacher in the classroom whereas the Teaching Fellow plays a support role to the Early Learning Teacher and often is in training to become a full teacher. Contrary to the rest of our program, the Early Learning Program classroom is self-enclosed. For certain courses, a Subject Expert Teacher will push into the room to deliver content.
Meet The
Teachers
Ms. Amy
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Ms. Amy
Early Learning Teacher
Ms. Amy graduated cum laude from Tulane University with a double major in History and Classical Studies, two subjects for which she has great passion. Thereafter, she earned her Master of Education in Elementary Education from the University of Florida.
After teaching stints in Florida, Ms. Amy moved to New York and worked as an educator at The Long Island Museum. There, she taught classes of elementary and middle school children about art and history when they visited with their schools.
As an Early Learning Teacher, Ms. Amy’s goal is to pass on her love of learning to her students while helping them build long-lasting friendships with their peers.
She chose BASIS Independent Manhattan due to the robust curriculum and focus on helping students become well-rounded. “It’s important for students to be challenged academically, but school should also contribute to their social and emotional growth as well”, says Ms. Amy.
In her spare time, Ms. Amy loves to read, spend time with her family, and travel. Fun fact: She has visited forty states and their capitals. She hopes to see the other ten in the years to come!
Ms. Andrews
Mandarin
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Ms. Andrews
Subject Expert Teacher Mandarin
Ms. Andrews hails from Minnesota, where she developed and implemented the Chinese program in Fergus Falls Public Schools in 2009 and has taught Mandarin ever since to students ranging from kindergarten to high school, and into college. Ms. Andrews attended the Startalk program in Fargo as a student in 2015 and returned as a teacher in the immersion program in 2016.
Ms. Andrews holds two Master’s degrees, one in English Linguistics from Shandong University in China and another in Publishing Management from Oxford Brookes University in the United Kingdom. She is
also a freelance translator and has published a number of books, including topics of second language acquisition and traditional Chinese cultures.
Ms. Andrew’s strengths include the design of interactive and multi-disciplinary curricula to meet the students’ needs, and integrating technology to maintain interest. She is thrilled to be joining the BASIS Independent Manhattan team as a Mandarin Subject Expert Teacher.
In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and traveling.
Ms. Como
Mandarin
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Ms. Como
Subject Expert Teacher Mandarin
Hui-yu Lu Como has been teaching Chinese for almost her entire adult life. After graduating from Soochow University in Taiwan with a major in Chinese literature, she taught American college and graduate students for many years at the Stanford Language Center in Taipei.
After moving to New York in 2005, Ms. Como taught at the first public bilingual Chinese-English school in New York City. Later she did graduate work in Chinese pedagogy and taught at Hunter College.
Since joining BASIS Independent Schools in 2016, she has never been happier with her vocation, mainly because it is such a joy to spend each day with the school’s talented, enthusiastic students and her dedicated co-workers. Ms. Como aims to teach her students Chinese language skills—whether reading, writing, listening or speaking—that can be used in daily life. Equally importantly, her classes also are designed to help the children appreciate and experience first-hand Chinese culture in such forms as food, festivals, board games, and even martial arts novels.
When Ms. Como is not at school, she loves reading Chinese poetry and novels, yoga, meditating, Chinese medicine and exploring the boroughs and neighborhoods of her adopted home.
Ms. Connor
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Ms. Connor
Early Learning Teacher
Ms. Connor received both a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (birth-6th grade) and a Master’s degree in Special Education (birth-6th grade) from Plattsburgh State University, where she graduated magna cum laude. Ms. Connor was an active participant in the Kappa Delta Phi honor society and volunteered her time regularly with organizations such as PBS Kids educational conferences, the Buddy Walk to support students with Down syndrome, and local elementary and middle schools.
Ms. Connor started at BASIS Independent Brooklyn as part of the Early Learning Program team, and is a founding teacher at BASIS Independent Manhattan. As an educator, her goal is to enhance the curiosity of students through hands-on learning experiences connected to real-life situations. She also strives to create and foster positive peer relationships in her classroom and within the larger school community.
Ms. Connor was attracted to our program by our talented and determined teaching faculty, and says she is grateful to be part of a program that supports students’ academic fulfillment, and supports students socially and emotionally.
When not in the classroom, Ms. Connor enjoys taking cooking classes, spending time with her puppy Chloe in Central Park, traveling internationally, and going hiking upstate with her family.
Ms. Correa
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Ms. Correa
Teaching Fellow
Ms. Correa graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Romance Languages (Spanish and Portuguese). She joins the BASIS Independent Manhattan team to further her passion for teaching in the field of early education. As a Teaching Fellow, Ms. Correa looks at each day like a new adventure where she is present to make learning enjoyable for our youngest students.
“I chose BASIS Independent Manhattan,” says Ms. Correa, “because I believe in the school’s mission, and like to work in a place where I can help students push themselves to reach their highest potential in a nurturing environment. After all, a desire to learn, progress, and persevere are imperative in adulthood.”
Outside of teaching, Ms. Correa loves exercising, going for walks, reading, and playing video games with her six-year-old nephew! A fun fact about Ms. Correa, too, is that she loves learning about different cultures and trying new foods. Some of her favorite cuisines are Greek and Brazilian!
Ms. Delaney
Art, Engineering
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Ms. Delaney
Subject Expert Teacher Art, Engineering
Ms. Delaney graduated from Scripps College with a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Neuroscience and a minor in Studio Art. In 2016, she studied architecture and art history at the Chelsea College of Arts in London, UK.
During the summer of 2015, Ms. Delaney’s interest in architecture led her to complete the Career Discovery Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Design where she studied design under Harvard professors and graduates. After completing her undergraduate degree, Ms. Delaney worked as a junior architectural designer at Kenneth Boroson Architects in New Haven, Connecticut.
Navigating her career towards education, Ms. Delaney is thrilled to be a Subject Expert Teacher who teaches Engineering and Art at BASIS Independent Manhattan. She loves having the opportunity to bring her knowledge of architecture, science, and art into the classroom. “I am excited to encourage my students to make connections between ideas and concepts across different disciplinary boundaries.”
It was the collaborative model that initially drew her to BASIS Independent Manhattan. She believes that one of the biggest barriers to interdisciplinary study in education is the necessity for collaboration of educators. BASIS Independent Manhattan offers an unmatched learning environment for students comprised of interconnected subjects and the unique teaching partnership of Learning Expert Teachers (LETs) and Subject Expert Teachers (SETs).
When she is not in the classroom, Ms. Delaney enjoys visiting her family’s lilac farm in Bridgewater, Connecticut, trying out new recipes, and boxing.
Ms. Du
Mandarin
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Ms. Du
Subject Expert Teacher Mandarin
Ms. Du is originally from Beijing, China. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in International Marketing from Baruch College of the City University of New York in 1991. Ms. Du then spent a number of years working in finance with an international bank, but realized that teaching Chinese language and culture was closer to her heart. To that end, she obtained a Master’s degree in Foreign Language Education from New York University in 2008.
While in New York, Ms. Du taught Chinese at the City University of New York and to children in grades 5-12 at a Heritage School on Long Island. She subsequently taught at Xiamen Huxia University and worked for the Ameson Education and Culture Foundation in Shanghai. In addition, she has been an AP Chinese Language and Cultural Examination Assessor for seven years.
Ms. Du is a proud member of the BASIS Independent Manhattan founding faculty. Her enthusiasm, passion and caring, along with her student-centered philosophy, allow her to enjoy teaching while successfully engaging her students and nurturing their academic growth. In her spare time, she enjoys singing, dancing, ice skating, and playing volleyball.
Mr. Figueroa
Spanish
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Mr. Figueroa
Subject Expert Teacher Spanish
Mr. Figueroa holds a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Economics. He also obtained a Masters in Childhood Bilingual Education. He aims to use his expertise to educate students in a joyful learning culture where they grow to be as passionate as he is about the subjects he teaches! In his spare time, Mr. Figueroa enjoys reading graphic novels and manga, watching sports, and traveling. He also likes to go sightseeing and go out to New York City restaurants.
Ms. Fitzsimmons
Performing Arts
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Ms. Fitzsimmons
Subject Expert Teacher Performing Arts
Ms. Fitzsimmons, who says she is very excited to be working at BASIS Independent Manhattan as the theater teacher, received her Bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College in Theater and Spanish Literature. She has earned two Master’s degrees: an MA in Educational Theater from New York University, and an MFA in Theater for Young Audiences and Puppetry from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She is the recipient of the Winifred Ward Memorial Scholarship Award in 2016 for her demonstration of intellectual and artistic excellence in the area of theater for young audiences.
At BASIS Independent Manhattan, Ms. Fitzsimmons hopes to develop a strong ensemble in which students foster a deeper and more empathetic understanding of the world through theater.
Ms. Fitzsimmons chose BASIS Independent Manhattan for its dedication to the arts and its focus on having a well-rounded community where critical thinking and problem solving are top educational priorities.
When not in the classroom, Ms. Fitzsimmons is a professional puppetry artist. She has performed all over the world, in places including Taiwan, Israel, Austria, Holland, and Germany. Ms. Fitzsimmons grew up on a farm, and still loves to ride horses.
Ms. Gingell
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Ms. Gingell
Teaching Fellow
Ms. Gingell graduated summa cum laude from Flagler College with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a minor in Psychology. During her undergraduate studies, she earned educational endorsements in reading, science, and English for Speakers of Other Languages. Ms. Gingell currently attends Teachers College, Columbia University, where she is working towards her Master of Arts in International & Comparative Education with a focus in language, literacy, and culture.
As an Early Education Teaching Fellow, Ms. Gingell strives to teach BASIS Independent Manhattan’s youngest students to explore, reason, and discover. She is excited about contributing to a positive and stimulating environment where our youngest learners will gain skills that will become the foundation for all of their future learning.
Ms. Gingell chose BASIS Independent Manhattan for its outstanding reputation, international-mindedness, and most importantly, for its belief that all students can excel.
Outside the classroom, Ms. Gingell enjoys traveling, researching other countries and cultures, as well as trying new restaurants and exploring different neighborhoods in New York City.
Ms. Glanzer
Music
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Ms. Glanzer
Subject Expert Teacher Music
Ms. Glanzer (also known by the children as Ms. Dylan) is very happy to be beginning her second year at BASIS Independent Manhattan. She is the Subject Expert Teacher for Early Childhood Music. Her goal as a music educator is to create an atmosphere of wonder and curiosity in the classroom so that children feel empowered to participate. Says Ms. Glanzer, “I believe that if children are excited, inspired, and engaged in what they are doing, they will experience the joy that inherently comes with making music.”
Ms. Glanzer has a Bachelor’s degree in Theater from Syracuse University and a Master’s degree in Teaching from Montclair State University. She is also the owner and creator of “Parties by Miss Dylan & Company” for which she provides musical entertainment for young children. She has produced and recorded two children’s albums, “Sing Along with Miss Dylan” and “Roller Coaster Ride.” The latter CD won a 2013 Parent’s Choice Approved Award.
Ms. Glanzer has been married for 25 years to her amazing husband and lives in New Jersey. Her daughter attends the Culinary Institute of America and her son will graduate from The George Washington University next year.
Ms. Hadzibrahimi
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Ms. Hadzibrahimi
Ms. Hadzibrahimi graduated from the University at Buffalo with Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and Early Childhood Education. While earning her Bachelors, she worked at her university’s early childhood research centers, where she enhanced her knowledge of childhood development and curriculum design. After graduating, Ms. Arlinda continued to work with children in private school settings within New York City.
As an Early Learning Program Teaching Fellow, Ms. Arlinda strives to support children while they embark on a journey to making discoveries about themselves and the world. She believes children do this best through play. It is Ms. Arlinda’s goal to incorporate play within a challenging, and hands-on curriculum, to foster children’s curiosity and creativity.
“I am very excited to join the BASIS Independent Manhattan team,” she says. “The joyful learning culture reflects why I am so passionate about teaching. Learning is fun! With this attitude and some hard work, any child can excel.”
Outside of the classroom, Ms. Arlinda enjoys doing yoga, reading, traveling, and spending time with family.
Ms. Hendrickson
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Ms. Hendrickson
Early Learning Teacher
Ms. Hendrickson graduated cum laude from Quinnipiac University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. Her major was Film, Video and Interactive Media with a minor in Sociology. She is currently completing a Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Hunter College.
Ms. Hendrickson started at BASIS Independent Brooklyn as part of their inaugural Early Learning Program team. Last year, she joined the BASIS Independent Manhattan family as a Learning Expert Teacher. She is excited to be back in the Early Learning Program where she can share her creativity and love of learning with her students. Ms. Hendrickson loves to incorporate her love of art, animals, and nature into the everyday joys of the early learning classroom.
Ms. Hendrickson was drawn to BASIS Independent Manhattan for its impressive curriculum and the talented and welcoming staff. She is proud to be part of a program that helps create curious and independent learners while supporting both academic and social-emotional growth.
When outside of school, Ms. Hendrickson enjoys going to the movies, trying new restaurants, traveling to new countries and spending time with her family by the ocean.
Ms. Hodges
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Ms. Hodges
Early Learning Teacher
Ms. Hodges attended The New York City Lab School for collaborative studies for middle and high school. In 2008, she graduated from Connecticut College with a Bachelor’s degree in American Government. In 2006, during her junior year of college, she studied abroad in Mysore, India. In 2013, Ms. Hodges earned her Masters of Science in Early Childhood Special and General Education at Bank Street College of Education. After receiving her Master’s degree, she was a founding member of a Manhattan public school. While teaching for the Department of Education, Ms. Hodges was nominated for the Big Apple Teaching awards two consecutive years.
“I am privileged to be joining the BASIS Independent Manhattan team as Lead Kindergarten Teacher,” she says. “As a BASIS Independent schools educator, I strive to instill a love of learning in all of my students and provide them with an environment where they are comfortable taking risks and discovering their passions.”
“BASIS Independent Manhattan is a place where a student’s hard work and enthusiasm for learning is encouraged and celebrated. I am excited to join a community of teachers who are passionate about providing the best educational experience possible for their students,” says Ms. Hodges.
“I am a proud native New Yorker. I grew up in Greenwich Village and now live in Brooklyn. I love the excitement of the city and the serenity of the country. To stay healthy, I pursue Yoga and cycling,” she says. “I have always had a love for nature and animals that I love to share with my students!”
Mr. Laga
Drama, Movement
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Mr. Laga
Teaching Fellow Drama, Movement
Mr. Laga graduated from Five Towns College with a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts. He is currently enrolled in the educational theatre graduate program at The City College of New York, where he will be receiving his Master’s degree in educational theatre in 2018.
Mr. Laga’s goal as an educator is to help develop strong, positive, and creative individuals whose hard work is applicable to the real world, and who will succeed both inside and outside of the classroom.
He says he chose to join the founding faculty at BASIS Independent Manhattan due to the strong community. He says, “the idea of ‘support’ plays a huge role in growing to be successful. I feel that our school truly understands that. We ensure that there is support by faculty for each and every student. But we also have a community of support and respect among faculty and staff – and make sure that students support each other, as well.”
Ms. Pierce
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Ms. Pierce
Early Learning Teacher
Ms. Pierce studied Psychology at Williams College, where she enjoyed taking many classes in English and Anthropology. Ms. Pierce was a member of the swimming and diving team for four years at Williams, and took part in winning four team conference championships and a second place team finish at the Division 3 National Championships. Ms. Pierce also won five individual NCAA Division III Championships in her four years, and was a 15-time All-American swimmer.
Ms. Pierce is delighted to be part of the founding faculty at BASIS Independent Manhattan and is excited to work with young students in a collaborative and challenging environment. Her goal is to motivate her students to always be ready and excited to participate, and to love learning. Says Ms. Pierce, “I chose BASIS Independent because I believe in the innovative BASIS Curriculum, as well as the high-achieving attitude of the staff, students, and families. I am also excited to help develop the extracurricular activities in Manhattan. I hope to inspire students to be both the best people and students they can be in their time at BASIS Independent — and I am thrilled to be a part of the founding team.”
When not in the classroom, Ms. Pierce enjoys swimming, reading, and watching sports.
Mr. Rodriguez
Physical Education
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Mr. Rodriguez
Subject Expert Teacher Physical Education
Mr. Rodriguez graduated from St. Francis College with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. During his tenure as an undergraduate, he was a classroom observer at several schools and a student teacher at Jamaica Gateway to the Sciences High School.
Prior to coming to BASIS Independent Manhattan, he worked for two great organizations: Kids in the Game, and Sports and Arts in Schools Foundation. At Kids in the Game, he experienced many different school environments, each with vastly different student populations. With Sports and Arts at Queens Gateway Middle School, he started the sports program, and coached both the flag football and soccer teams.
As an educator, Mr. Rodriguez says his goal is to weave relatable life skills into fun games and sport activities—while making it inter-curricular. “Physical education encompasses science, mathematics, geography and history, while affirming confidence and enjoyment,” he says. “I chose BASIS Independent because of its high-achieving and rewarding curriculum, and our school’s belief in balance, in both challenging and supporting the students to turn out the best results.”
When not teaching, Mr. Rodriguez enjoys reading leadership books, writing poetry, listening to music, and watching comedy shows and movies.
Mr. Smith
Art
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Mr. Smith
Subject Expert Teacher Art
Mr. Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and Art Education Certificate from the University of Iowa. Since 2013 he has been teaching art to young children, and moved to New York City in 2015 to join the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning as the Education Associate.
As a teacher, Mr. Smith’s goal is to create an environment that allows students to become the architects of their own education, and that fosters their love for learning.
When he is not in the classroom, Mr. Smith is in the studio sharing his passion for pottery with a Wednesday after-school ceramic workshop for kindergarten–grade 6 students. An avid sports fan, Mr. Smith enjoys biking, the outdoors, cooking, and finding great food with his partner Lindsay.
Mr. Thomas
Music
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Mr. Thomas
Subject Expert Teacher Music
Mr. Thomas, a Philadelphia-born musician and educator who began his musical journey at a very young age, is thrilled to work at BASIS Independent Manhattan as the Music Subject Expert Teacher! Mr. Thomas received a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Composition and Arranging and a Masters of Music in Music Education plus Certification for PreK-12 from the Esther Boyer College of Music & Dance at Temple University in his hometown of Philadelphia, PA. Prior to joining the faculty at BASIS Independent Manhattan, Mr. Thomas proudly held music teaching positions with Temple Music Prep, Settlement Music School, Tune Up Philly of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, Education Through Music, Inc., and the New York City Department of Education.
As the Music & Movement Subject Expert Teacher at BASIS Independent Manhattan, Mr. Thomas has ambitious hopes for himself and his classes. His goal is to inspire students and further their passion for learning by building and refining their personal character through musical study. He wants his students to use music as a tool to academically excel and help them realize the scope and depth of music as an intersection of innumerable experiences great and small. Mr. Thomas says, “I am thankful for this school community for allowing me the opportunity to teach to the immense affective impact of music on humanity as well as its intellectual benefits for all learners.”
When he is not teaching, Mr. Thomas maintains an active performance career, serving as Personnel Manager for the Kings County Community Band of Brooklyn, New York (a division of the non-profit Metropolitan Music Community); flutist and piccolo player for the TriBattery Pops of Manhattan; a reserve member of the exciting L Train Brass Band based in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bushwick, and a freelance jazz and popular music performer throughout New York City and the tristate area. Mr. Thomas also serves as President of the New York City Alumni Association of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the nation’s oldest music fraternity. Mr. Thomas enjoys all manner of comic books, films, sweaters, and of course music!
Ms. Yu
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Ms. Yu
Teaching Fellow
In 2013, Ms. Yu graduated cum laude from New York City College of Technology, CUNY, with a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics–Science and minor in Computer Science.
With her passions in teaching mathematics and research, Ms. Yu is furthering her education in the Mathematics Education field. Currently, Ms. Yu is a doctoral candidate enrolled in the Mathematics Education program at Montclair State University. During her doctoral study, Ms. Yu received a four-year assistantship from the university.
Ms. Yu has experience teaching preparatory mathematics courses to incoming college freshmen. She also has experience teaching mathematics courses to middle and high school students at a summer camp for two summers.
Ms. Yu values the importance of interdisciplinary instruction and students being active participants in their learning, which is why she was drawn to the BASIS Independent Manhattan community. As a Teaching Fellow, Ms. Yu believes that she learns just as much from her students as they learn from her. She hopes to inspire students to be creative thinkers and problem solvers. She is thrilled to contribute to and grow with BASIS Independent Manhattan.
Outside of the classroom, Ms. Yu enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and singing.