Spanish

Spanish Department Coordinator

Bio

I was born and raised in Panamá, 100% Panamanian, until I got married and moved to New York. I studied English for one year at Hostos Community College and after that, I received my Associate degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences as a member of the Teacher Academy Program. I attended Queens College of CUNY and got my Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Mathematics and Hispanic Languages and Literature where I received the Faculty Prize and I was elected to the Sigma Delta Pi, Spanish Honor Society. During my time at Queens College, I was part of the CUNY Service Corps and I was able to work on a research project at Columbia University called the YPAR program or "Youth Participatory Action Research". As part of my research, I worked with the Cyphers for Justice's team which included hip-hop artist and educator, Mikal Lee, who planted a passion for rap and poetry in me. A quick fact about me is that I have taught every single grade for the last 10 years from kindergarten through high school in Queens, Brooklyn, and The Bronx. Also, I am the only Mets fan in my entire family including my kids, my husband, my cousins, my siblings, and my dog.

Student Support Team

Director of Student Supports

Bio

Ms. Polanco is part of the Instructional Leadership Team at MESA and was born in Brooklyn, NY, but was raised in Lawrence, MA. She attended Umass Dartmouth and earned a BA in Sociology and a minor in African American studies and has Master of Education from Umass Boston. In her free time she enjoys sharing spoilers to her friends and family. Let just say they do not appreciate it. She is a dog mom to 2 pups Milo & Chaos. She also enjoys spending time with her family and friends, trying new foods and exploring the city. Her goal is to travel through all of Central and South America by 2025.

Science

Science Department Leader

Bio

Mr. Gill grew up in White Plains, NY. He went to a small college north of Pittsburgh, PA called Allegheny and then continued his education at Binghamton University where he earned his master’s degree in cell and molecular biology. He spent the last three years in San Jose, California soaking up sunshine and exploring the San Francisco Bay Area but is happy to be back home on the east coast. Mr. Gill has a deep love of hip hop, enjoys playing video games, and always strives to live up to his inner Batman.

Postsecondary Success & Workforce Development

Managing Director of Programs and Partnerships

Bio

Ms. Bloom grew up just outside of New York City. She attended Syracuse University where she majored in pre-medical studies and nutrition science and minored in psychology. After college, Ms. Bloom began teaching as a member of the 2011 Teach for America Corps where she worked as a Special education and science teacher with 9th through 12th graders. During this time she completed her master’s degree at Hunter College and participated in the Sci-Ed Fellowship where she gained additional experience in facilitating students’ active engagement in science, including participation in a science fair. During her free time, Ms. Bloom enjoys dance, yoga, and outdoor summer activities.

Operations

Director of Operations

Bio

Ms. Andrews is a Brooklyn native with a love for education, learning, and kids. She holds a B.A. in Secondary Education/History and M.S. in Special Education. As a proud member of the Teach for America New Jersey region, she spent three years at her placement school teaching History and students with exceptionalities, before transitioning into the world of operations! Ms. Andrews has served schools in Harlem, Newark, and the Upper West Side to implement strong operational systems in service of providing students a world-class education.

Social Studies

Social Studies Department Leader

Bio

Ms. Rubbins is a Vermont native but since leaving home has lived in Argentina, Canada and most recently New Orleans, Louisiana. She received her bachelor's degree in urban geography and communication studies from McGill University and a masters in education from the University of Vermont. Ms. Rubbins recently moved to New York City from New Orleans where she taught US History and IB History of the Americas. In her free time, she loves spending time with her three sisters, two of whom are also teachers! She is excited to explore her new home and is trying to visit every museum in the city!

Math

Math Department Leader

Bio

Jocelyn Peña is a Brooklyn Native. She was born and raised in the humble streets of Bushwick. She is a proud Puerto Rican who strives to educate generations to come. Ms. Peña, a first-generation college student, received her Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the City College of New York. Upon receiving her bachelor's, she dived into the rewarding world of teaching. She taught in an all-boys school in Bed-Stuy from 2018 to 2022. In the summer of 2022, Ms. Peña received her Master of Arts in Teaching with a concentration in mathematics. She is currently teaching Algebra 1 at MESA. If not found in the classroom, Ms. Peña can be found traveling the world, cooking something special in the kitchen, or singing along to the greatest artist of all time, Bad Bunny. This proud Latina is a co-founder of Educators for Justice, an organization that works towards creating a brighter future for the youth.

Instructional Leadership

Superintendent

Bio

Ms. Franzese was born in Paris, France but has spent the majority of her life on the east coast in Connecticut and New York. She studied Psychology and Romance Languages (French, Spanish, and Italian) at NYU and got her Master's from the Fordham University. She joined MESA in 2014 as the first Spanish teacher and has seen a decade of incredible MESA graduates pass through the halls and leave their mark on our community. When she's not at MESA, she's running long distance, reading, watching the NY Giants and NY Knicks, or spending time with her 1 year old, Valentina!

Founding Leadership

Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director

Bio

Formerly a high school math teacher in both NYCODE and charter schools, Cheung holds a B.A. from the University of Southern California and an M.A. in Secondary Math Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is an alumna of the Cahn Fellows Program for Distinguished Principals. She is a championship-caliber competitive eater currently accepting challenges.

Essentials

Athletic Director & Physical Education Teacher

Bio

Coach Seymore was born and raised in New York City and has lived in both Harlem and the South Bronx. He graduated from Lehman College with his Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Education and graduated from Emporia State University with his Master's Degree in Physical Education. He has been working in the school system as a basketball coach and teacher for over a decade. He enjoys playing and watching sports, and has a great passion for fitness. Coach Seymore strives to be the best at his craft and to be a positive role model for the youth in the inner-city.

English Language Arts

ELA Department Leader

Bio

Mrs. Cotton was born and raised in Brooklyn... Bushwick to be exact (yurr!) She graduated from the High School for Environmental Studies and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison through the Posse Foundation scholarship. It was there she discovered her deep passion for literacy teaching through an after-school program at a local middle school. Soon after, Bushwick called her back, and she has found herself teaching 9th grade ELA at MESA for the past 6 years. She has a deep love for inspiring students to read books from contemporary fiction to manga; all books are welcomed in the classroom! In her spare time, you can find Mrs. Cotton riding her bike throughout the city, finding hidden local gems in Bushwick and Ridgewood, and eating oysters.

Dean

Dean of Students

Bio

Mr. Velez was born in Brooklyn, NY. At the age of 17 he graduated from Dorchester High School in Massachusetts and enlisted in the Marine Corps just three weeks later. At the end of his military career, he moved back to New York and set his sights on the education field. He earned his Associates's degree in Liberal Arts and Science from Queensborough Community College and is currently attending Queens College for a degree in psychology. Mr. Velez secretly writes poetry, trains in mixed martial arts, loves Motown music, and is fascinated with astronomy.

Culture, DEI, and Family Engagement

Director of DEI, Culture, and Family Engagement

Bio

Ms. Kante holds her Masters of Social Work through the lens of advanced generalist practice and programming from Columbia University. Before Columbia, she spent years working within the social service fields such as mental health, women's rights, and international education. Mariame has held multiple titles within urban education: elementary school teacher, grade team leader, dean of students, and most recently, director of DEI. Mariame has a special place in her heart for urban students and has a special interest in creating access to world-class education and experiences for marginalized populations. Her core belief is that working within a social justice lens is the key to reshaping the narrative for marginalized populations. She has a deep belief in radical education and the power it brings to each student's story, ultimately creating an accepting space for them in society. Mariame earned a B.A. in Social Science with a Psychology concentration from Touro College in New York.

Counseling

Counseling Department Leader

Bio

Ms. Lagombra was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Brooklyn. She witnessed her mother working with older adults and she realized she wanted to help others as well. She attended Stony Brook University where she graduated with a degree in Psychology and Sociology then went on to get an MSW degree from Fordham University School of Social Service. She has been working with youths and their families ever since in various social service agencies throughout NY. She believes that adolescents have a voice that needs to be heard and empowered and hopes to provide a space where students feel comfortable in discussing their feelings, concerns and goals while realizing their potential and strength. She loves trying different foods, arts and crafts, and hiking.

College and Career Counseling

Director of College and Career Counseling

Bio

Ms. Lewis is originally from Stamford, Connecticut and moved to New York to attend Fordham University. After earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology and women studies, she interned at the Office of Disability Services and decided to pursue a degree in education. After completing her master’s degree in counseling and personnel services at Fordham University, she began working as a college counselor at a non-profit organization and later became the College Counseling Program Manager at Harlem Village Academies High School. Ms. Lewis has been a college counselor for over 10 years and loves helping students move into the next phase of their lives. When Ms. Lewis is not counseling, she enjoys traveling, pretending to work out, dancing, and playing with her doggies, Lily and Sasha.

Board of Trustees

Chair

Bio

Arun Yang is the Senior Director for Professional Services at Salesforce. Arun joined the MESA Board of Trustees in 2023.

Spanish

Spanish Teacher

Bio

Ms. Pollard was raised between Alabama and the Dominican Republic. She is a third generation teacher and a first generation Spanish speaker. For her undergrad, she attended the College of Charleston for the main purpose of the Cuba study abroad program. At CofC, Ms. Pollard was an active member of her rugby team and sorority. After undergrad she worked as a school interpreter in the Outer Banks in North Carolina before moving to Boston, MA to receive her Master's in the Art of Teaching World Language. In Boston, she worked as a high school Spanish teacher and an instructional designer. She is passionate about language, specifically the sounds and development of language. Outside of the classroom you can find her creating new recipes, attending dance classes, and performing stand-up comedy.

Social Studies

Social Studies Teacher

Bio

Ms. Caudill grew up in Oklahoma City, smack dab in the middle of the country. She attended Oklahoma State University where she majored in Sociology and minored in Middle East Studies. She then went on to graduate school at the University of Oklahoma where she completed a Masters in Public Health and her Juris Doctorate. After working for various federal agencies and in Los Angeles as a comic book editor, she decided she loved school too much and needed to go back. She began teaching US History and Government, and went to Hunter College for her teaching certification. She's happy to be out of school for the moment and have free time again. She spends that time rock climbing, camping, reading, taking improv classes, playing petanque (it's like bocce), and volunteering with various civic groups and campaigns.

Science

Science Teacher

Bio

Mr.Cruz-Garcia (or C-G) was born and raised in South Jersey shortly after his parents immigrated from Mexico. He received his B.A in Neuroscience from Amherst College, MA. In school, he loves talking about science, particularly Chemistry & Brain-related topics. He also loves talking to students about college and helping them figure out the most effective ways to study. Outside of school Mr. Cruz-Garcia likes to take some time to try new things, learn all types of games, and practice music.

Postsecondary Success & Workforce Development

Manager of College Matriculation and Persistence

Bio

N’Teajiedd Alli is a higher education professional with 7+ years of colorful experience in financial aid and other higher-ed administrative roles. She is also a certified Transitional Life Coach. The passion and zeal she has to help others succeed is what drives her work. With that being said she is super excited to join the MESA Team.

Operations

Senior Manager of Operations

Bio

Ms. Diaz was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She moved to New York in 2016. She earned a B.A. in Business Administration from UASD University and a Postgraduate in Human Resources from APEC University. She has started her work at MESA three years ago as Operations Associate, and was recently promoted to Operations Manager. She is passionate about doing community service and helping others, that's why she is an active volunteer teaching for children every Sunday at St. Brigid Formation Program. Ms. Diaz is a fluent Spanish speaker. She is married and a proud mom of two beautiful daughters which are her world!. In her free time she enjoys spending quality time with family, also loves dancing and exercising with zumba and yoga!

Math

Math Teacher

Bio

Ms. Cingari was born and raised in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn... also born and raised a DOE public school kid. Ms. Cingari attended Midwood HS ('13) & John Jay College ('17), and she JUST graduated with her MS in Secondary Mathematics Education from Touro College! Science was always something that piqued her interest but never something that she could follow through with. MATH and all things numbers was were she was the most happy! Math was always the one but she never knew what to do with it. Ms. Cingari's passion to teach stemmed from practicing Taekwondo for 20 years. She started when she was 5 and hasn't stopped yet! Her instructor groomed her to be a leader... an instructor... and educator. So it only made sense to her to combine these gifts together, to become a math educator, this will be her 3rd year at MESA, teaching Algebra 2.

Instructional Leadership

Principal

Bio

Ms. Mieschberger, otherwise known as "Ms. Mish" has been at MESA since 2015! Before moving to Brooklyn, Ms. Mish grew up in Suffolk County, Long Island. During her time there she graduated from Hofstra University with a double major in both Mathematics and Mathematics Education. Since 6th grade, Ms. Mish has been inspired to be a mathematics teacher and has continued to follow that dream by teaching, coaching other teachers & furthering her own education. Ms. Mish graduated with her Master's Degree in 2017 from Touro University where she also served as an adjunct professor. Ms. Mish is passionate about all things education and loves watching MESA students evolve not only themselves but our schools' visions. When Ms. Mish is not at MESA, you can catch her enjoying a fabulous meal or playing with her dog and kitten, Lexi & Ollie!

Founding Leadership

Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director

Bio

Samuels is a former teacher, college counselor, and youth baseball coach. He holds a B.A. from Brown University, a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a Master of Arts in Education Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University. He is a 50Can National Voices Fellow for 2021. His educational rap videos has been viewed over 150,000 times on YouTube.

External Affairs and Communications

Communications Associate

Bio

Carlos was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and grew up in Bushwick. After graduating MESA, Carlos attended Yearup and Pursuit in order to develop his skills in Software Development. Carlos then attended the Full Funnel Growth x MESA's digital marketing course where he found his passion for working with social media platforms. When Carlos isn't behind a computer, you'll find him going out for walks at the piers in Williamsburg, eating at Korean BBQ, and traveling back to Puerto Rico often to ground himself and appreciate the small victories in life.

Essentials

Physical Education Teacher

Bio

Mr. Casado isn’t your typical teacher—he’s a high-energy coach with a serious passion for flag football, basketball and education! Raised in Harlem and moving to the Bronx at twelve, he carries a vibrant connection to his Dominican and NYC roots that fuels his work. After years of teaching younger kids in elementary school, he’s excited to be stepping into his new role as a high school PE teacher. His goal? To spark enthusiasm and push students to new heights in sports. Outside the classroom, Mr. Casado is all about enjoying his favorite shows and enjoying the latest anime and manga. Plus, he’s a talented videographer who enjoys capturing cool moments and creating engaging content. With his mix of interests and approachable personality, Mr. Casado is excited to bring a fun, engaging twist to physical education and connect with students and families in memorable ways.

Dean

Lead Senior Associate Dean

Bio

Born and raised in Washington Heights, Derek Jackson Isaac knew early on that his place in life was to help people. While attending Lehman College, he pursued a career in law enforcement but felt there had to be a different way to serve others. This decision led to work as a youth coordinator and a paraprofessional. Mr. Isaac has had multiple roles at MESA Charter High School and continues to do his part to support students and keep things running smoothly.

English Language Arts

ELA Department Coordinator

Bio

Ms. Akter came to America when she was five years old and has been living in NYC since then. She loves to read, write, bake, do arts and crafts, and work out. She graduated from Hunter College with her bachelor’s in English Adolescent Education and her master’s in Adolescent Literacy. You can talk to Ms. Akter about anything books, Marvel, ATLA, or Disney related (this is how you make it onto her list of favorite people). Lastly, when Ms. Akter isn't teaching, she is actively promoting her YA novel or spending time with her family.

Culture, DEI, and Family Engagement

Manager of Culture and Family Engagement

Bio

Ms. Soto was born and raised in the Dominican Republic where she attended the University Autonoma of Santo Domingo and received a degree in cinematography. She later moved to the United States and is a resident of Bushwick. Ms. Soto is a fluent Spanish speaker and provides much of MESA’s translation services. She has two sons, Aaron and Steven, who are honorary MESA Warriors.

College and Career Counseling

Career Connected Learning Coordinator & Attendance at Risk Specialist

Bio

Ms. Martinez was born and raised in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, NY. Ms. Martinez graduated with a B.S. degree in human services and Master’s in public administration specializing in public policy and inspection/oversight. Before coming to MESA Charter High School, Ms. Martinez worked for the New York City Law Department where she investigated abuse, neglect, and excessive force cases that were committed by the New York Police Department and the Department of Corrections. Ms. Martinez then worked in the New York City Department of Education (DOE) as an Equal Opportunity Investigator investigating sexual harassment and discrimination cases. While working for the DOE, Ms. Martinez realized that she wanted to interact more with children to guide them during their most important years. Ms. Martinez has found that working at MESA has been such an amazing experience and she enjoys building relationships with her students. Ms. Martinez believes that the best part of working at MESA is being called “Mom” by many of the students.

Counseling

Guidance Counselor

Bio

Ms. Koehler was born and bred in a small beach town in Sweden (yes, the ocean is deliciously warm off the Swedish West coast!). As an adolescent she did not have access to a school counselor, nor was there an adult in her life who was able to guide her through her options, or help her apply to college. As a result, she has had many jobs; has lived and worked in several countries (Sweden, Egypt, Serbia, Italy, Ecuador, and the UK) until eventually, she found her calling as a school counselor. She received a BA from Antioch Colleges in Interdisciplinary Cultural Studies and later went to Teachers College, Columbia University where she earned an MA in Psychology, an Ed.M in School Counseling, and an Advanced Certificate in College Counseling. Ms. Koehler is passionate about talking to students about mental health and self-discovery. Ms. Koehler strives to increase students’ abilities to advocate for themselves and to map out constructive solutions to both their problems and ambitions. In her free time, she loves reading and listening to storytelling podcasts, caring for her human children, and plant babies, as well as working on crafts.

Board of Trustees

Vice Chair

Bio

Jacques Pierre is the General Counsel of the U.S. Retirement & Benefits Partners. Jaques joined the MESA Board of Trustees in 2018.

Student Support Team

Special Education Coordinator & Social Studies Teacher

Bio

Michael Testa started his MESA journey teaching Global 10. He is so excited to be the Special Education Coordinator. As a history lover and student himself, he cannot wait to share his love for history with his students at MESA. Prior to joining MESA he spent time working at other Brooklyn schools while re received his Master's and then began taking classes at St. John’s University Law School before running back to the classroom! He loves theater, community, and the Yankees and hopes to share his passions and interests with the MESA community this year!

Spanish

Spanish Teacher

Bio

Ms. Vinas was born and raised in the Dominican Republic and moved to the Bronx, New York at the age of 13. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Spanish Literature from Hunter College just a year ago. Before joining MESA Charter School as a Spanish teacher, Mrs. Vinas worked as a tutor for children with special needs. In addition to her teaching career, she has a passion for organizing and decorating events such as weddings, birthdays, and baptisms, a job she pursued during her college years. A devoted baseball fan, Ms. Vinas cheers for both the Yankees and Las Águilas Cibaeñas. Outside of work, she enjoys playing dominoes with her family, reading poetry, and cooking a variety of dishes.

Student Support Team

ELA Teacher

Bio

Ms. Cintron is a proud mom of two black cats named Ryder and Star. (So be kind to her or else she will cast a spell on you!) She grew up in New Jersey and moved to NY once she started college. At Fordham she majored in English with minors in Spanish Language and Women's Studies. And at NYU Steinhardt she earned her Masters in Teaching ELA for alomost a year. Before working at MESA, she taught English to young adults in the Dominican Republic. Her "cool" hobbies include dancing and improv theater. Her "regular" hobbies include cooking, bingeing shows, and reading.

Social Studies

Social Studies Teacher

Bio

Ms. Cooper has had quite a diverse and enriching educational journey! Her background in Grenada, enriching Caribbean culture and educational experiences in both Oklahoma and Florida have given her a unique perspective in the classroom. Her transition to MESA and enthusiasm for embracing its culture suggest her passion and openness to her new role. This year, Ms. Cooper is eager to blend her experiences and adapt to this new environment.

Science

Computer Science Teacher

Bio

Greetings, everyone! I'm Andrew Enoe, Born and raised in Brooklyn to Grenadian and Jamaican parents. After completing a year-long technical software engineering immersive program at the Marcy Lab School, I currently teach computer science. When I'm not immersed in the world of code, you can find me at Barnes & Noble, lost in the pages of a good book. I'm also an avid traveler, exploring new places and cultures, and a bike enthusiast. In addition to my academic pursuits, I serve as the coach for the high school step team, "Against All Oddz." I’m dedicated to honing my skills to make a positive impact on the world through software engineering and education. Looking ahead, my goal is to continue inspiring and empowering young minds to think outside the box and explore new horizons. I believe that by encouraging creativity and innovation, we can shape a brighter future for all.

Postsecondary Success & Workforce Development

Director of Postsecondary Success and Workforce Development

Bio

Julie Kwong is a proud daughter of Chinese immigrants born and raised in Rockville, MD. She is a low-income first generation college graduate with a B.A. in Psychology and a certificate in secondary math education from Princeton University. After graduating, she taught Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and AP Calculus at MESA for close to 5 years before working as product manager and Chief Product Officer at SubjectToClimate, a climate education nonprofit. This past year she also served as the NYC program facilitator for ImmSchools, a nonprofit focused on creating safe and welcoming spaces for immigrant and undocumented students. She is so excited to be back at MESA to support alumni with their college and career pathways. During her spare time, you can find Ms. Kwong taking long walks, sampling new cuisines, and traveling.

Operations

Data and Analytics Manager

Bio

Ms. Tuch was born and raised in the SF Bay Area but has been on the east coast since her time at the University of Pennsylvania. Moving away from home hasn't changed her sports allegiances though – she's a Warriors fan through and through. Prior to being MESA's Manager of Data and Analytics she was a middle school math and science teacher in Harlem. While no longer in the classroom, she's loves to support the students and staff at MESA in all things data! When not looking at spreadsheets, Ms. Tuch can be found training for her next marathon, listening to her favorite podcasts, or sitting on her couch with a cup of tea and a good book (please send book recs her way!).

Math

Math Teacher

Bio

Mx. Miller resides here in Bushwick and loves spending time in the local parks. They are passionate about playing soccer, skateboarding, playing pool, and MATH! Mx. Miller studied Economics and Chinese in college, but their love of math goes all the way back to high school. They also really enjoy learning Mandarin, and started studying the language in middle school. In college, they spent some time living in Beijing, China to learn even more. In their down time, Mx. Miller loves to play a round of Mario Kart or take long walks around the neighborhood.

Instructional Leadership

Principal of MESA 2

Bio

Ms. Spoden was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee but has been in Brooklyn since 2013. She is new to MESA this year! She will be on the MESA 1 leadership team for the 24-25 school year and is the principal of MESA 2 opening August 2025. Before MESA, Spoden worked as an Assistant Principal in high schools in Harlem and Brooklyn, and was a Special Education, ELA, and history teacher before that. Ms. Spoden has her BA in Global Studies and Sexuality Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill, her MSEd in Special Education from Brooklyn College, and her MSEd in Educational Leadership from Hunter College. Spoden loves all things school culture and gets so excited when she hears students and staff talking about bringing fun and celebration into the school space. In her spare time you will find her hanging with her dog Shishito, traveling to go hiking, and watching embarrassing reality TV.

Culture, DEI, and Family Engagement

Director of Staff Recruitment and Retention

Bio

Originally from Princeton, New Jersey, Ms. Sun majored in English at NYU and received her Master's in Teaching at Relay Graduate School. She started teaching ELA 14 years ago when she founded Domus Middle School in New Haven as a TFA Corps Member. She has since taught grades 5-12 in Harlem, Brownsville, and here at MESA for the past 8 years! While no longer in the classroom, she has the awesome responsibility of finding, interviewing, and bringing even more great teachers into the MESA community. She spends her spare time goofing around with her 1 year old baby, keeping up with former students, and biking to the best taco spots in the city.

Essentials

Physical Education Teacher

Bio

Coach Cunningham is a PE and health educator as well as a soccer and track coach. He was born in Jamaica W.I. and migrated to the US at age 16. After completing high school, he attended New York City Technical College where he studied architecture. During college, he worked as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. Months after graduating, he realized that his love for fitness exceeded working as an architect, so he continued working as a trainer. To improve his knowledge in fitness, he pursued a degree in exercise science at Brooklyn College. Upon completing his studies, he realized that inner-city youth were in need of proper health and fitness programs and he worked in after school enrichment programs for a few years. His dream is to teach inner-city youth the importance of health and fitness.

English Language Arts

ELA Teacher

Bio

Mr. A holds a degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University and a Masters in Education from Johns Hopkins University. A proud New Yorker for more than a decade now, Mr. A previously worked in television news and edited comic books! He is an avid soccer and football fan (GO BUFFALO!) and enjoys spending his spare time with his wife, his cat Gus, and his two godchildren.

Dean

Associate Dean of Students

Bio

Mr. Huggins has lived in the Bushwick neighborhood since he was two. His mother has been a special education teacher for over 25 years and inspired him to enter the education field. He graduated from St. Johns University in Queens, NY with a degree in psychology and from Sacred Heart University with a master's in applied psychology. Before coming to MESA Charter High School, Mr. Huggins worked at Capital Prep Harlem and at the Achievement First Network. He has held several roles throughout his career, ranging from school counselor to science teacher and behavioral specialist. He enjoys working with kids from inner-city communities because he can relate to a lot of the challenges they face daily. His goal is for all students to get equal opportunities to succeed in school and in life. He is ecstatic to get a chance to work in the community he grew up in.

Culture, DEI, and Family Engagement

Culture Intern

Bio

Ms. Ramos is a recent graduate of MESA Charter High School.

Counseling

Guidance Counselor

Bio

I am Giselle Tejada, born in the Bronx, New York but raised in Queens. My parents were born in the Dominican Republic and have always encouraged me to pursue my dreams in anything I set my mind to. The journey was never linear for me as I had to go through many life experiences to decide my true passion. I began my college year at Borough of Manhattan Community College to get my associates in liberal arts, attended City College of New York to earn my bachelor's degree in Psychology and minor in Sociology, and finally earned my master's in school counseling to become a School Counselor. I was the first of my family to pursue higher education and will continue to break barriers to motivate future students to reach their goals to their fullest potential no matter what hurdles they come across. In my free time, I enjoy riding my bicycle, going to escape rooms, and trying new restaurants all around the city!

College and Career Counseling

College and Career Counselor

Bio

Mr. Green is a Brooklyn native who grew up in the handball courts and football fields in Bushwick. After he graduated from Canarsie High School, he attended Morrisville State College where he discovered his love for teaching as a Math tutor. He later graduated from the University at Albany with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics, then became a 2014 TFA Chicago corps member where he developed the curriculum for the founding Algebra II class. He recently moved back to NYC to teach students who grew up in the same community to help eliminate the fear of Math. Some of his hobbies include running, traveling, playing sports, and dancing salsa.

Board of Trustees

Treasurer

Bio

Agatha Patterson is the Senior Account Executive at Microsoft. Agatha joined the MESA Board of Trustees in 2020.

Student Support Team

ELA Teacher

Bio

Ms. Spinabelli grew up outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She attended Penn State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English and her master’s in Creative Writing. She also taught freshmen writing composition class at Penn State for two semesters. A writer as well as an educator, Ms. Spinabelli has been published in The New Yorker, McSweeney’s, Luna Luna Magazine, Yes Poetry, and others. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked for five summers as a camp counselor for teens and led 100-mile canoeing trips down the Allegheny River. In her free time, she likes to write, read, roller skate, and rock climb.

Social Studies

Social Studies Teacher

Bio

Mr. Estevez is a Brooklyn, New York native. He attended CUNY Hunter College, where he double majored in Africana Studies and Political Science, and minored in Philosophy. He is currently completing his Master’s in Adolescent Education 7-12 Social Studies at the Relay School of Education. Mr. Estevez has had the privilege of teaching in his native Brooklyn, New York, since the inception of his teaching career, where he finds huge gratitude in being able to educate the communities that have made him the person he is today. Outside of MESA, you can find Mr. Estevez indulging in literature, music, concerts, taking long walks, or traveling the world!

Science

Science Teacher

Bio

Mr. Hussey is a native of the south shore of Massachusetts, but has made Brooklyn his new home! He studied Applied Physics and Economics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in upstate NY, where he competed in Track & Field and worked as a Freshmen Resident Assistant. He has cultivated a passion for Dungeons & Dragons, video games, folk music, and learning how our universe works since he was a little kid, and he tries his best to help others find their own passions. Mr. Hussey has taught all kinds of science in Massachusetts, Washington DC, and Connecticut, and is fortunate and thrilled to be teaching Earth & Space Science at MESA!

Postsecondary Success & Workforce Development

Senior Clinical Social Worker

Bio

Shannon is a second-generation immigrant born to a Filipino father and Chamoru mother. She grew up as a military kid and after graduating from high school, attended Virginia Commonwealth University and New York University. Shannon is a SIFI certified LCSW and is honored to have spent the past 15 years working with young people in schools, drop-in centers, shelters, communal residences, and therapeutic spaces. A lover of animals, she is a proud dog mama and cat auntie. Her other loves include: exploring nature, bingeing sci-fi movies, reading poetry, admiring jewelry, and spending time with family & friends.

Operations

Office Manager

Bio

Ms. Ortega was born in Caracas, Venezuela. Her parents moved to the Dominican Republic when she was 9 months old. She moved to Brooklyn from The Dominican Republic and grew up in Bushwick. In 2002, her parents moved to Florida and she attended Palm Beach Community College. She moved back to her hometown in Brooklyn and loves being part of the MESA family. Ms. Ortega is passionate about helping her community and serving as a role model. She is a proud mother of three beautiful children.

Math

Math Teacher

Bio

Mr. Jewell was born and raised in Queens, New York. He received his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Columbia University. Thereafter, Mr. Jewell acquired a TESOL teaching certificate and embarked on an adventure teaching English language in South Korea for over a decade. He has recently returned to New York and his passion for teaching, along with a desire to reconnect with his first love, math, has led him to a career teaching math at MESA. Mr. Jewell is an avid New York Knicks and boxing fan. He enjoys traveling to new countries and bicycling. He is also the father to two adorable cats.

Instructional Leadership

Senior Assistant Principal of Instruction

Bio

Mr. Willett was born in a small town in the outback of Australia where he spent his school years. Upon graduating from high school, he attended the University of Newcastle, balancing his love of mathematics with his love of sports and travel. Since becoming a teacher, he taught in both England and Australia before joining the MESA team in 2016. In his spare time, you will find him searching the country for amazing outdoor activities.

Essentials

Music Teacher

Bio

Mr. Haggerty was born in Long Island, New York, and grew up in Valley Stream. Shout out to Green Acres Mall! His father started his own DJ company while Mr. Haggerty was very young. He started working for the company at the age of 8, and became a seasoned professional at the age of 16. While becoming a DJ extraordinaire, he practiced his mastery of the trombone and music theory. Mr. Haggerty's musicality was woven together while studying Music Production and Music Anthropology at New York University (NYU). He has produced various genres of music including hip hop, EDM, pop, etc. He has performed all over the east coast, and was featured in Miami Music Week's Moombahton festival.

English Language Arts

ELA Teacher

Bio

Ms. Autar was born in Guyana and raised in Jamaica, Queens. After a long stint in Columbus, OH she’s back in NYC and so excited to be teaching high school, which is her passion. She reps The City College of NY where she earned a Bachelor of Architecture and Ohio State University where she earned a Master of Education. When not teaching, Ms. Autar reads a lot, enjoys being a couch potato and spending time with friends and family, and makes art!

Dean

Junior Associate Dean

Bio

Mr. Ty is a MESA alumni and is now pursuing his social work degree at BMCC college. He was born and raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn NY. He now works at Mesa as the 9th grade Dean where he helps students grow professionally, academically and all while maintaining high expectations for all students. He loves to cook, travel and try out new activities!

Counseling

Social Worker

Bio

Mr. Totimeh was born in Waukegan, Illinois, and raised in Philadelphia. Growing up as a creative he has always had a passion for bringing individuals together and creating spaces for joy. He attended Temple University for his B.A. in advertising, account management. This is where he learned the deeper importance of understanding individuals. After, he got accepted into a teacher’s program in New York and received an M.S. in Special Education & General Education from Brooklyn College. Mr. Totimeh has been a teacher for 8 years; teaching is where he learned his true passion. He learned that he did not only want to help scholars learn but also to understand and regulate their emotions and behavior to become the best scholars they can be. While teaching he went back to school to obtain his M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Touro University. He believes we all can be the best version of ourselves and that everyone needs someone that will listen and understand them. In his free time, he enjoys the gym, planning events, sneakers, and spending time with his son.

College and Career Counseling

College and Career Counselor

Bio

Ms. Valentin was born and raised in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She attended Brooklyn College and graduated with a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master's in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Prior to coming to MESA, Ms. Valentin worked in afterschool programs, taught workshops for the summer youth employment program, and worked at Williamsburg Charter High School for 13 years. She has been doing college counseling for over 7 years. Ms. Valentin loves bodybuilding, writing poetry, cooking, and dancing.

Board of Trustees

Trustee

Bio

Maureen Ryan is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at The Gateway School. Maureen joined the MESA Board of Trustees in 2013.

Social Studies

Social Studies Teacher

Bio

Mr. Christopher is a Southern California native who has recently moved with his brother from their small rural town of Chino to explore the wonders of New York City. He attended Cal Poly Pomona, pursuing an undergraduate degree in Philosophy, and is currently working toward his master's degree in Bioethics at New York University. During his free time, he loves to read classic fiction, watch and quote movies, play guitar and sing, write screenplays for feature films, and nurture the intellectual growth of his students and friends.

Science

Science Teacher

Bio

Ms. James is an enthusiastic computer science teacher dedicated to making learning both engaging and enjoyable. A 2023 graduate of The Marcy Lab School's software engineering fellowship, she also proudly participates in programs like Baddies in Tech, Girls Who Code, and Black Girls Code, championing Black women in STEM fields. Outside the classroom, Ms. James loves expanding her horizons by learning new languages, such as Korean and Spanish. She has a wide range of passions including music, fashion, and beauty, in addition to enjoying gaming, reading comics and Webtoons, and staying updated on the latest films and series. Her diverse interests and vibrant approach make her a valuable member of our school community, where she inspires students to explore and excel in technology.

Operations

Operations Coordinator

Bio

Ms. Abreu was born and raised in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She graduated from Norman Thomas High School in 2000 and at this time began working in retail banking. In 2008 she started on podcasts, with friends, as a hobby. This later led to her working with various radio stations and other podcasts, both in NYC as well as in the Dominican Republic. Ms. Abreu later went back to College and took up a major in Journalism, graduating from CUNY in 2018. Ms. Abreu joined MESA in June of 2022.

Math

Math Teacher

Bio

Mr. Lazaro was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. He’s taught in the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and even in China for a few years. During his spare time, he can found playing baseball, watching Dragon Ball videos on YouTube, or cooking/baking.

Instructional Leadership

Director of Math and Science Instruction

Bio

Mr. Chervin holds a degree in Philosophy from the University of Maryland and a Masters in Secondary Science Education from Relay Graduate School of Education. Originally from Georgia, Mr. Chervin became a teacher in 2011 with Teach for America in Washington, D.C. before eventually joining MESA in 2016. He is passionate about planning and implementing rigorous curriculum. If students leave our classrooms rubbing their heads saying, "That was hard! My head hurts!" Mr. Chervin knows we've done something right. In his free time Mr. Chervin enjoys making tortillas, salsa verde, and other Mexican recipes. And when the weather is right he's an avid surfer in the Rockaway's.

Essentials

Staff Support Teacher

Bio

Mr. Kirk grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has been in New York for 5 years, and he’s loved finding his new home here. He earned his Bachelor’s in Psychology from Hofstra University. He is passionate about helping students reach their full potential. When not at school, Mr. Kirk can be found at the rock climbing gym, or at home with a good book and the company of his two cats.

English Language Arts

ELA Teacher

Bio

Ms. Becerra was born and raised in the Sacramento, CA area. She moved to New York City after high school to complete her bachelor's degree as a double major in Business and Psychology at New York University. Directly after undergrad, Ms. Becerra pivoted into teaching and pursued her Masters in Education at Hunter College. Outside of MESA, Ms. Becerra enjoys watching films at the movie theater, spending time with friends, and seeing her favorite artists perform in the city.

Counseling

Intern

Bio

Mr. Rodriguez was born in the Dominican Republic and came to the United States at a very young age where he grew up in Brooklyn. Overcoming challenges faced as an immigrant, Mr. Rodriguez gained a huge amount of respect for the professionals who work in the human services field and helped him and his family get the services they needed. While in school, his favorite subject was science which led him to attend Stony Brook University in hopes of becoming a biotech engineer but through different life experiences and meeting new people, he pursued and graduated with a degree in Social Welfare. He believes that society should focus more on investing in the lives of young adults to push them to be the best versions of themselves to be able to lead the future society in the right direction. Additionally, with the help of counselors and mentors, Mr. Rodriguez learned the importance of being able to express your emotions and having someone to talk to. This has empowered him to work with young adults to pass down the same lessons of compassion and expression to help them realize the potential they have within themselves. In his free time, Mr. Rodriguez loves watching movies, listening to music, exploring the hidden gems of NYC, and playing video games with his friends.

College and Career Counseling

College Intern

Bio

Ms. Liz is a MESA alumni and is now pursuing her psychology degree with a minor in counseling at Queens College. She was born in the Dominican Republic and came to New York when she was 4 years old. She now works at Mesa as a college counselor intern where she helps seniors during their college process and she has so much fun doing so. She loves to go shopping, trying new foods & traveling to her home town, Santiago RD !

Board of Trustees

Trustee

Bio

Melissa Sexton is the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) at BNY Mellon Wealth Management. Melissa joined the MESA Board of Trustees in 2023.

Social Studies

Social Studies Teacher

Bio

Ms. Newsome was born and raised in Alexandria, VA, and spent the past seven years living and studying in New Orleans, LA. In New Orleans, she earned her Masters in Teaching through the Norman C. Francis teacher residency program at Xavier University of Louisiana while teaching ELA at Frederick Douglass High School in New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward. In her free time, Ms. Newsome can be found eating tacos, researching new places to travel, and spending time outside with friends and her 14 year old Westie, Max.

Science

Science Teacher

Bio

Ms. Merrick was born in Panama City, Panama but grew up in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. She attended the Georgia Institute of Technology aka Georgia Tech where she studied chemistry and chemical engineering and continued her education there to earn her master's degree in chemistry. She loves research and is extremely passionate about encouraging young women and men of color to pursue a career in STEM fields. After a career as a chemical engineer, she continued her education at NYU earning a master's degree in chemistry education. Ms. Merrick loves learning, especially if it relates to science or culture which explains her love for traveling. She also loves engaging in science research during the summers, exploring the outdoors and swimming.

Operations

Operations Intern

Bio

Mr. Rivera has lived in the Bushwick neighborhood since he was born. He is a Mesa alum graduating in 2018. He is a former MESA basketball player, playing all four years at the school. Mr. Rivera recently graduated from LaGuardia Community College and is now attending Baruch College to complete his bachelor's degree. His hobbies include playing sports, riding bicycles, working out, and eating. He is also a proud Boricua!

Math

Math Teacher

Bio

Habib Rahman is a dedicated mathematics educator with extensive experience in both middle and high school settings. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Habib has a passion for teaching that stems from his diverse experiences in education. He earned his Bachelor's degree from York College (CUNY) and a Master's in Mathematics Teacher Education from Queens College, where he also contributed to curriculum writing for after-school programs and led student teams in math and coding competitions. Habib's teaching philosophy centers on creating engaging and accessible math lessons that empower students to see mathematics as both a valuable tool and a subject to be mastered. When not in the classroom, Habib enjoys photography, biking, playing chess, and diving into video games. He is also always up for a good stand-up comedy show, which helps keep his sense of humor sharp. Fluent in Bengali, Hindi and English, Habib is committed to fostering inclusive, supportive learning environments for all students.

Instructional Leadership

Director of Teacher and Student Development

Bio

Mr. Sullivan grew up on the beaches of Central New Jersey (no he did not go to high school with any cast members of the Jersey Shore). He has recently moved back to the NYC area after five years of teaching at a charter school in Massachusetts. Prior to that, he was a founding teacher at the Williamsburg Charter High School. In his free time, he enjoys going on day trips and adventures with his wife and two sons. He enjoys hiking, snowshoeing and having a healthy obsession with meteorology. Urban planning, architecture, street design, and neighborhood observations fill the rest of what little time he has left each day. As a huge believer in what communities can accomplish, cooperation and compassion, he is very excited to be a part of a team that displays so much of both!

Essentials

Art Teacher

Bio

Mr. Nosworthy was born and raised in Far Rockaway, Queens. He attended The High School Of Art And Design in Manhattan and later went on to earn a film degree from Brooklyn's Pratt Institute. After spending years in advertising, film production and editing, Darrian discovered that what brought him the most gratification was teaching, coaching and impacting children and you adults. Since then, Mr. Nosworthy (Mr. Nos) has taught physical education and art in schools across NYC and enjoys the challenge of finding new ways to connect with his students. Mr. Nos can be found on the beach in the summer with his wife and his Dogo Argentino named Drogo.

English Language Arts

ELA Teacher

Bio

Ms. Bigelow is a New Jersey native at heart (Jersey Strong!), but she feels right at home in New York City. She loves all things reading and writing related-- especially nonfiction. Ms. Bigelow was a student-athlete at Brown University and received her Masters in Fine Arts in creative nonfiction writing at Columbia University, where she taught creative writing workshops. Prior to Columbia, Ms. Bigelow taught 10th grade English in San Jose, California. She is a massive football and women's soccer fan. In her freetime, Ms. Bigelow enjoys watching sports, going to the movies, biking around the Lower East Side, and walking her dachshund Harvey.

Board of Trustees

Trustee

Bio

Angel Cortes is the Gas Operating Mechanic at Con Edison as well as a MESA parent. Angel joined the MESA Board of Trustees in 2015.

College and Career Counseling

Career Connected Learning Intern

Bio

Ricardo has been a New Yorker since birth and was raised in Bushwick. After graduating from MESA 2 years ago, he is now attending Hunter College, intending to major in Developmental Psychology and Childhood Education. Although he always expressed interest in working with younger children and has worked with them for years, He decided to come back to MESA to intern as a Career Connected Student Engagement Intern to offer students and alumni any resources necessary to explore their career interests. Being a recent graduate, he understands how difficult it is to be sure of what one wants to do for the rest of their life, so he wanted to team up with the Career Connected team for guidance and his own career exploration experience to help others. A few things Ricardo enjoys doing in his free time are cooking and baking new things, playing instruments, and being a tourist in his city.

Social Studies

Social Studies Teacher

Bio

With over five years of experience in the education sector, Ms. Williams has built a distinguished career marked by her commitment to student success and innovative teaching practices. Before joining MESA, Ms. Williams taught 7th Grade English Language Arts, where she effectively integrated technology and creative lesson plans to engage her students and foster a dynamic learning environment. Her extensive background also includes serving as a Lead History Teacher at Ascend Charter School and an multi-subject teacher at Success Academy Charter School. In these roles, Ms. Williams demonstrated her ability to make complex historical and social concepts accessible and engaging for students, using current events and critical thinking exercises to enrich her lessons. Ms. Williams is passionate about addressing systemic issues and promoting social justice within her classroom. She is known for her dedication to creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment. Outside of teaching, she enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, and pursuing creative writing projects.

Science

Science Teacher

Bio

Ms. Mowatt is from a small town in the Poconos where she grew up being surrounded by family. She then went on to study Secondary Education with a focus in Biology at Penn State in State College, PA. After graduation, Ms. Mowatt taught at the Milton Hershey School for one year before finding out about MESA! She recently moved to NYC and is so excited to continue exploring our community. In her spare time she loves to listen to music, cook with friends, and tend to her collection of houseplants.

Math

Math Teacher

Bio

Mr. Tankersley hails from the great state of South Carolina, where he earned his degree in mathematics for the University of South Carolina (Go Gamecocks). He came to teach in NYC after joining Teach For America and completing his master’s in Education at Relay Graduate School. He is now in his fifth year of teaching high school. A passionate football and basketball fan, he’s also coached basketball for the past three years. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, spending time with his two adorable cats, and cheering for his (and his wife's) hometown teams.

Instructional Leadership

Director of Humanities

Bio

Mr. Tibbals is New York City born and raised - a proud product of the NYC public education system. He attended the University of Michigan for his undergraduate degree, where he double majored in Political Science and English. After undergrad, Mr. Tibbals came back to his hometown in NYC to teach English through Teach For America. During his two first years of teaching, he earned his master's degree in the Arts of Teaching at Relay Graduate School of Education. He continues to teach English to 10th graders and leads the English Department here at Mesa. In his free time, Mr. Tibbals loves watching, playing, talking, and breathing basketball.

Essentials

Dance Teacher

Bio

Mr. Pirtle was born and raised in Nashville, TN where he received the foundations of his dance training at Nashville School of the Arts. After high school, he attended THEE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY where he studied Communications and furthered his education receiving his Masters in Teaching from Relay Graduate School. In addition to being a life long student, Mr. Pirtle is also a professional dancer and choreographer with experience in both the concert and commercial dance worlds. Mr. Pirtle is excited to join the MESA Family and help develop his students into great movers with an appreciation and respect for the art of dance.

English Language Arts

ELA Teacher

Bio

Ms. Catherall is a proud Bronxite, New Yorker, and Yankees fan, and is so excited to begin the 11th year of her career in education at MESA. After a ten year stint in Massachusetts and Boston, where she earned her undergraduate degree at the College of the Holy Cross, M.Ed at Boston College, and taught English at the same 7-12 school for 7 years, she decided to move back to her roots in NYC. She was an academic Dean for three years prior to coming to MESA, but missed the joy of watching students learn about themselves and grow in their skills through reading and writing. She loves all things literacy, as well as running, baseball, music, live shows, traveling, writing, and spending time with loved ones.

Board of Trustees

Proposed Trustee

Bio

Adele Doyle is the Adjunct Assistant Professor for the CUNY System.

Science

Science Teacher

Bio

Ms. O'Connor is from Boston, Massachusetts; and though she doesn't know much about Boston sports, she loves pretending to be a die-hard fan when Boston teams win. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a BS in Biology (and once took a class dedicated to climbing trees!) Before coming to MESA, Ms. O'Connor was a program administrator for an afterschool program in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is excited to be a part of MESA! Outside of school, she enjoys cooking for herself and her friends, discovering new places near and far, diving into a good book, and going to the movies.

Math

Math Teacher

Bio

Ms. Yuquilima is a proud Brooklyn native and daughter of Ecuadorian immigrants. She holds a degree in Applied Mathematics from Fordham University and currently serves as an Algebra 1 teacher at MESA. Outside the classroom, Ms. Yuquilima enjoys spending quality time with her family, traveling (especially to Ecuador), city walks, concerts, and cooking.

Essentials

Physical Education Teacher

Bio

Born and raised on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1983, Hector is a dedicated physical education teacher with a rich background in sports and design. After graduating from the High School of Graphic Communication Arts, Hector pursued studies in photography and graphic design. However, a passion for athletics and education led Hector to shift focus and become a physical education teacher for high school students. With a diverse coaching background, Hector has worked with individuals of all ages, from children as young as four to adults. Their extensive coaching experience spans various sports, including baseball, basketball, hockey, softball, and pickleball. Hector has been involved with numerous organizations, including the Volo Kids Foundation, New York Giants Youth Baseball League, Youth Sports NYC, The Boys Club of New York, Our Lady of Sorrows Little League, Felix Millan Little League, and NYC Parks and Recreation. Through his work, Hector has demonstrated a commitment to fostering physical fitness and sportsmanship in the community, blending his artistic background with a dedication to shaping the next generation of athletes.

English Language Arts

ELA Teacher

Bio

Mr. Corson was born on the Crow Reservation in Montana. He grew up bouncing around Montana and Colorado before his family finally moved to the Washington D.C. area. He attended Sarah Lawrence College where he played soccer. After graduating, he spent a couple of years stacking boxes at UPS, coaching soccer, working as a translator, and hunting with his dad and uncles before moving to Brooklyn. A proud Crow, or Apsaalooke, Mr. Corson goes back to Montana as much as he can to spend time with his family and reconnect with his culture (ask him about Crow Fair). In Brooklyn he spends his free time reading, playing soccer, and going on runs across the Brooklyn bridge.

Board of Trustees

Proposed Trustee

Bio

Christian Montoya is the Vice President (VP) at JP Morgan Chase.

Science

Science Teacher

Bio

Ms.Sun, born and raised in Yunnan, China, embarked on her academic journey in the United States at the age of 17. She pursued her academic studies at the University of Colorado Boulder and Columbia University, driven by a passion for science and a love of challenges. Throughout her academic path, Ms. Sun consistently sought to expand her horizons and push beyond her comfort zone. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys hiking, where she finds peace and inspiration in nature. Her passion for cooking and nutrition also reflects her holistic approach to life, emphasizing the importance of balance and well-being. Whether she’s exploring a new trail or experimenting with a new recipe, Ms. Sun is always seeking opportunities to grow, learn, and share her experiences with others.

English Language Arts

ELA Teacher

Bio

Mr. Gibbs was born in northwestern New Jersey, where he spent most of his early years on the family dairy farm. Mr. Gibbs went on to attend The College of New Jersey and graduated with a degree in Political Science and Economics. From his experiences and studies at TCNJ, Mr. Gibbs acted on an opportunity to pursue his passion in teaching and coaching. For his first five years of teaching, Mr. Gibbs taught ELA and History at a middle school in Red Hook, Brooklyn. He also had the pleasure of coaching the boys' and girls' middle school basketball teams and continues to build his coaching resume at MESA. If you happen to run into Mr. Gibbs in the hallways of MESA, he’s either talking ball, books, or social issues. He may also be looking for his next city or country to visit and appreciates a good recommendation!

Science

Science Teacher

Bio

Mr. Talesfore (or Mr. T) is from the Bay Area of California. He went to college at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, after which he moved to Southern California for two years to attend the University of Southern California. However, it did not take long for him to realize that he missed the Northeast, and needed to come back. He loves being outdoors, exploring nature and geologizing with his trusty rock hammer, but also loves video games and watching basketball (and is unfortunately a Golden State fan). Being from a family of teachers inspired him to continue the tradition and become one himself, so that he can help students to reach their educational and lifelong goals. Ask him about his cats!

English Language Arts

ELA Teacher

Bio

Mr. Jorian grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, and obtained his M.Ed from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Prior to MESA, he taught in Bedstuy, East Harlem, and the East Village. Ben believes the classroom is a microcosm of society, and that through studying literature, students can become thoughtfully engaged citizens both inside and outside of their communities. When Ben is not at MESA, he is either spending time with his family, riding his track bike, or catching up on classic films from the 80s and 90s--nothing beats Back to the Future!

English Language Arts

ELA Teacher

Bio

"Teaching is something which helps light the world: it takes energy and focus to help bring something joyful to our future leaders: today's students! Mr.Rodriguez has been teaching for 3.5 years in Queens and Brooklyn and have had the honor of serving communities who seek to build their futures and uplift their kids. Mr.Rodriguez is a book nerd at heart, as most ELA Teachers are, and loves to see student growth in their writing and comprehension over the course of a school year. When Mr.Rodriguez is not teaching, Mr.Rodriguez plays Apex Legends, Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Links and Pokemon GO. Mr.Rodriguez is also learning to paint, which he finds to be a calming creative outlet. Hope we have an opportunity to connect this year as I join MESA!"

English Language Arts

ELA Teacher

Bio

Ms.Rodriguez grew up on the Central Coast of California, where mostly all of her family is still currently located. Rodriguez also attended college in Southern California at California Lutheran University. In both high school and college, Ms.Rodriguez ran cross-country and track and field and hopes to help coach the track team here at MESA. Rodriguez has always had a passion for reading and writing since High-School and is more than happy to begin her high school teaching career here at MESA. Before MESA, Ms.Rodriguez taught Middle School ELA for the past 3 years, while also coaching middle school track for one year. In her spare time, you can find her exercising, whether it's a walk/run in Prospect Park, or dancing at one of her many concerts, as music is her second passion among teaching.

English Language Arts

ELA Teacher

Bio

Ms. Salazar is a dedicated and passionate educator with a lifelong curiosity for literature. A Dominican-born, Queens-raised woman, she believes in understanding the world through storytelling. Becoming an English teacher was a meaningful choice for her, driven by the desire to empower young voices and create a strong sense of community. With a bachelor's degree in English literature from Queens College, she aims to inspire her students at MESA, nurturing their curiosity and love for literature and knowledge. Ms. Salazar also plans to empower them to work together, fostering an environment where they can learn from each other, grow collectively, and thrive as a united community.