Jeannie Ferrari
Principal
jeannie@humanitiesprep.org
Jeannie Ferrari taught Language at Humanities Preparatory Academy for 10 years before transitioning to Principal in 2012. She has her B.A. from University of Michigan and her M.A. from Columbia University, Teachers College. Principal Ferrari has worked hard to create a warm, caring and inclusive culture where all students are known and cherished. She believes that students learn best through authentic inquiry and discovery.
Georgieann Ramsudh
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
georgieann@humanitiesprep.org
Georgieann Ramsudh taught Mathematics and Science at Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School before becoming an Assistant Principal. She believes that one's instructional strengths, organizational skills, reflectiveness and ability to develop strong relationships with students, colleagues, community members, parents and other stakeholders are very essential to educating the whole child.
Alisa Dutkiewicz,
Social Studies
alisa@humanitiesprep.org
Alisa is entering her second year at Humanities Prep and her 21st year as an educator. A native New Yorker, she holds degrees from St. John's University and Brooklyn College. She enjoys working at Prep because she is fueled by the energy and ambition of its students. She hopes to inspire them to be active members of their communities and nation. Alisa also loves exploring the unknown through travel and dining.
Ilan Harris
Social Studies
ilan@humanitiesprep.org
Ilan is in his 6th year of teaching U.S. History and is excited to be entering his first year at Prep. He studied at Oberlin and Bard colleges and believes in the power of social studies education to build leaders, change-makers, and critical thinkers. Ilan enjoys reading fiction, growing fruits and vegetables, and exploring the city on his bike.
Chin-a Panaccione
Social Studies
chin-a@humanitiesprep.org
Chin-a has been teaching at Prep for over a decade. Before joining the team, she studied at the University of Delaware, CUNY Baccalaureate Program and Columbia's Teacher's College where she received her Masters in Social Studies' Education 9-12. Before she entered the field of teaching, she worked in the music industry and for an elected official in Brooklyn, NY. She is the Sustainability Coordinator at HPA and has spoken in front of the NYC City Council on behalf of climate change education. She is an avid cook and hopes to compete on Master Chef one day.
Cara Barnes
English
cara@humanitiesprep.org
Cara Barnes has worked in education for 8 years. For the past five years, she has taught both English Literature and Social Studies in New York City's Public Schools. Prior to teaching in New York, she taught English in Japan for three years through the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. As an educator, Cara, truly believes in the words of Bell Hooks (educator and social activist), “when everyone in the classroom, teacher and students, recognizes that they are responsible for creating a learning community together, learning is at its most meaningful and useful.” In her courses, Cara places emphasis on analyzing literary works that not only nurtures her students’ reading, writing, and communication skills, but their connection with the world at large.
Christina Kemp
English
christinak@humanitiesprep.org
Christina Kemp is one of the founders of Prep and teaches humanities--a blend of history and literature. In her classes, students become analytical thinkers and creative writers as historical and fictitious characters come to life through art, film, psychology and discussion.
Dorian Herron
English
dorian@humanitiesprep.org
Dorian has been an educator for 20+ years and is in his sixth year at Prep. He firmly believes in the integration of arts and academics in an effort to foster deeper understanding and allow for multiple ways of thinking critically. He is an amateur musician and scholar-athlete. Dorian loves the phrase "basketball is life" because so much from playing and practicing the game can be applied to life for success.
Gabriella Weisberg
Mathematics
gabriella@humanitiesprep.org
This is Gabriella’s 11th year at Prep. She teaches mathematics and AP Computer Science Principles. Prior to becoming an educator, she worked as an art director for advertising agencies and governmental institutions both in New York City and Italy, her native country. Gabriella holds an M.A. in Economics and Business from the University of Rome, Italy, and M.A. in Math Education 7-12 from Adelphi University. She believes in inquiry based learning: by investigating, questioning and analyzing problems, students discover why and how mathematics works and make sense of the world around them. Gabriella has presented her original coursework and led workshops at various national mathematics conferences. She is a Peer Collaborative Teacher whose role is to support educators in the school.
Evelyn Israel
Mathematics
evelyn@humanitiesprep.org
Evelyn has been teaching math for the past 4 years. This is her first year teaching at Humanities Prep and she is really excited to be here! Evelyn loves teaching math because of its ability to help students use the logic skills they have to solve challenging problems, find patterns, and make connections. She does various arts and crafts and likes figuring out how machines work. Evelyn is a Master Teacher Fellow through Math for America.
Amber McCravy
Mathematics
amber@humanitiesprep.org
Amber has been teaching Algebra for 3 years. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and St. John's University. A native of Charlotte, NC, she enjoys cooking, exploring NYC, and singing karaoke.
Gijon Polite
Biology
gijon@humanitiesprep.org
Gijon is in his 13th year of teaching biology. He hails from Newton, MA where he graduated from University of Massachusetts with his Masters in Science Education. Gijon is a Master Teacher Fellow through the Math for America. He loves Prep because it offers him the opportunity to change lives every day. When not in our labs or hallways, Gijon enjoys time with his family, traveling the world, watching and participating in sports and riding his bike. He longs to see an okapi in the wild.
Dr. Dorothy Cupka
Chemistry
dorothy@humanitiesprep.org
Dorothy is starting her first year of teaching at Prep. She studied at Purdue University and UT Southwestern Medical Center, graduating with a PhD in cell and molecular biology, before earning an MA in education at Teachers College. She is excited to support her students in authentic research experiences! She also enjoys singing, reading fiction, and sewing her own clothes.
Tim Tschurjumov
Physics
tim@humanitiesprep.org
Tim has been teaching physics for five years. He attended Binghamton University and Relay Graduate School of Education. Tim has been awarded the Early Career Fellowship with Math for America, which strives to recognize and retain highly-talented NYC public school math and science teachers. He loves coming to Prep everyday because each day offers him a completely new and unique experience. He enjoys cooking, traveling, and reading fiction. He lives in NJ with his wife Sara and cat Stewart.
Marwa El-Turky
Foreign Language
marwa@humanitiesprep.org
Marwa is entering her 4th year teaching. She teaches French and Arabic. She recently just finished her Master's of Education from Brooklyn College in May 2018. She also aims to start an after-school meditation program.
Sergeant Francisco Viera Pereira
Physical Education
francisco@humanitiesprep.org
Francisco is in his first year teaching at Humanities. He graduated from LIU Post with B.S. in Physical Education. Currently he's attending Graduate School to earn his M.S. in Health Education. Francisco has a wide experience in a multitude of sports. He was a member of several sport teams in High School and proceeded to wrestle at the collegiate level.
Michael Hill
Paraprofessional
michael@humanitiesprep.org
Michael Hill is a 10 year veteran of Prep. His primary responsibility as an Educational Paraprofessional is to help individual students to whom he is assigned successfully navigate their high school years. Michael is also a musician who has released 7 albums of original music while extensively touring the U.S. and 30 other countries. His work in both music and education have taught Michael that relationships are essential to the success of any endeavor, and he loves working with his deeply committed colleagues in the uniquely caring, creative, nurturing and compassionate environment of Humanities Prep.
Leslie Martinez
Special Education
leslie@humanitiesprep.org
Leslie is in her fourth year of teaching. She graduated from Hunter College and Bank Street College of Education. Leslie comes with more than 10 years of experience in the museum field where she created programs for youth and families. Leslie is an inclusion educator co-teaching in multiple subjects. She runs Bookworms, the Humanities Prep book club that meets weekly after school. She also heads the author series in advisories where students read a book followed by an author visit.
Alexandra Menicucci
Special Education
alexandra@humanitiesprep.org
Alexandra is in her 6th year of teaching high school. She teaches both Algebra and Geometry in the ICT setting. Alexandra hopes to create a classroom where students can develop a love of mathematics and learning! Aside from teaching, Alexandra’s passions include architectural and interior design, plant based cooking, and Pilates!
Maureen Michael
Special Education
maureen@humanitiesprep.org
Maureen is in her 7th year of teaching. She has several Professional teaching certifications; Social Studies, Special Education and Teaching Students English of other Languages. Prior to teaching, Maureen was a Executive at AMC Television.
Jenny Navasky
Social Worker
jenny@humanitiesprep.org
Jenny Navasky has been at Humanities Prep since March 2010 and has been a social worker or a social work administrator for 20 years in schools, clinics, community health, and non-profit community based organizations. She graduated from Smith College School for Social Work with a Masters in Social Work and also has her license in social work.
Jamali Moses
Restorative Justice Coordinator
jamali@humanitiesprep.org
Jamali has worked in schools for almost fifteen years and is a proud Brooklynite. She received her Masters degree in Social Work from NYU and looks forward to her third year as Prep's Restorative Justice Coordinator.
Hilda Oquendo
Parent Coordinator
hilda@humanitiesprep.org
Maria Tetzlaff, College Counselor
mariat@humanitiesprep.org
Maria comes to Prep after serving for more than a decade at Columbia University’s Community Impact and Double Discovery Center as a Student Advisor and Counselor, while she earned her Masters in Applied Linguistics (Teachers College, ’12). Her professional background includes work at international corporations including CBS-TV, Wolter Kluwers, Euro RSCG as a Marketing Representative, Sales Trainer and On Air Production Coordinator. Maria is a proud mama and (grandmama-to-be!) -- Edward, University of Vermont, BA ’02; Andrew, University of Rhode Island and Men’s D1 Soccer Team, BA ’15, Daniel, Northeastern University, MS Mechanical Engineering ’19). She loves the process of learning about student’s aspirations and facilitating their college and exploration.
Barry Komitor,
Music
barry@humanitiesprep.org
Barry Komitor is the Music Artist in Residence at Humanities Prep trough the non-profit Art for Progress. Mr. Komitor studied art at Middlebury College in Vermont, and classical and jazz bass, voice and jazz guitar with trumpeter and arranger Ray Brown at Cabrillo College in Aptos, CA. Komitor is a rock and blues vocalist and plays guitar, bass, drums, and piano. He is dedicated to helping students find and learn to make the music that they love. His specialty is teaching the inner workings of music so that students gain cumulative knowledge.
Gladys Pasapera,
Art
gladys@humanitiesprep.org
Gladys is excited to join the Humanities Prep community, entering her 6th year of teaching. She attended the School of Visual Arts, The Cooper Union School of Art, and graduated from Moore College of Art and Design with a BFA in Fine Art and Education. She is currently working on her Master's degree at NYU for Art Education and Social Justice. Gladys is also a member of ASTEP - Artists Striving to End Poverty, a non-profit committed to empowering youth through the arts on a global scale. She has taught art in NYC, Philadelphia, India, and Peru.