Cary Finnegan, head of School
Head of School Cary Finnegan leads the Founding Team and brings extensive educational experience from a variety of roles. She has been a teacher, curriculum developer, nonprofit consultant, program director, and teacher developer working in Hartford, Boston, New York, and Washington, DC. In addition to her work in the classroom, Ms. Finnegan has experience in education policy, curriculum development, and teacher professional development. Ms. Finnegan is joined by a diverse Founding Team, with a variety of skills and perspectives, whose members all have a steadfast conviction to design and oversee a school that increases access to high-quality education and provides students with the academic and social-emotional supports that will place them firmly on the path to college.
AKilah bond, Assistant head of school
Akilah has worked in education for over a decade; she has held teacher-leader positions in grades K-3 and supported school and district-level leaders across the United States as a consultant. Akilah’s core values drive her passion, strengths, and commitment to education:
1) An unwavering belief in all children
2) A thirst for collaboration; learning with and alongside others
3) Curiosity and the principle that teaching and learning have no endpoint; there is always more to know and people (and literature!) to learn from
Akilah earned a BA in Government from Hamilton College and an MS in Education from Hunter College. She brings energy, passion, and an open mind to BRCS and is excited to be part of the Founding Team.
Chantal Zúñiga, Head of Operations
Head of Operations Chantal Zúñiga began her career in education after earning her BA in Psychology and Sociology from Fordham University. Ms. Zúñiga has experience in school operations, student enrollment and data, family engagement, community outreach and education advocacy. She has worked on operations teams for founding elementary schools in Harlem and Coney Island. Ms. Zúñiga has worked on building family and community engagement programs for schools in Central Brooklyn as well as supported families in advocating for more high-quality school options across the city. Born and raised in Sunset Park, she is most excited about bringing her experience and commitment to education to her hometown.
Angela Arias,
Family OPERATIONS Coordinator
dina cantoR, Family Operations Associate
Bremda Acosta, Business Operations COORDINATOR
Danielle Blair,
Director of Curriculum & Instruction
RACHEL SHIN,
Director of curriculum & instruction
Shelby Everett, Director of inclusive Learning
Shelby joined the Founding Brooklyn RISE Team as a kindergarten teacher in her 4th year of teaching, she then transitioned to the role of Student Supports Coordinator, and now serves as our Founding Director of Inclusive Learning. She is originally from Indiana where she attended Indiana University and studied Religious Studies and Sociology. Shelby found her way to NYC and teaching through a wonderful friend and mentor, and has since fallen in love with the profession! Shelby completed her Master's Degree at the Relay Graduate School of Education with a dual certificate in Special Education. Shelby is passionate about supporting all students and providing differentiation to support all learners. Shelby is passionate about the opportunity to collaborate colleagues. In her spare time Shelby enjoys a good book, karaoke, and spending time with her 3-legged cat, Mouse.
Hollis hunsberger,
special Education Coordinator
Hollis Hunsberger is excited to be joining the Brooklyn RISE team this year. She is originally from Massachusetts but attended college in Ohio and studied Sociology & Anthropology. She found herself interested in teaching after graduating college and has worked as a teacher for the past 5 years in the Bronx, NY. Hollis completed her Masters Degree at Hunter College School of Education. She loves making meaningful connections with students and families as well as celebrating creative and diverse learning in the classroom. Hollis can often be found reading outside on a sunny day and soaking in the sunshine!
Amanda martell, LMsw, School Social Worker
School social worker Amanda Martell grew up in Sunset Park, where much of her family still resides. The eldest sibling with 9 younger brothers and sisters, the passion for working with children was instilled in her at a young age. Always knowing she wanted to help people, Amanda obtained her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Medaille College and Master's in Social Work from the State University of New York. Amanda has worked with children and families in various settings - including schools and after school programs, through her 3 service terms with AmeriCorps, at a homeless shelter for homeless youth and runaway teens, and through her work as a family therapist. A Licensed Masters Social Worker, Amanda understands the importance of education and its impact on future success, the importance of families being involved in children's education, and the importance of family needs being addressed in order for a child to succeed in the classroom. Amanda is very excited to be working on these key components and more here at Brooklyn RISE.
Leona Cai, MultiLingual Learner Coordinataor
Aundrea Dykema, kindergarten teacher
Aundrea Dykema was born and raised in North Carolina. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for her undergraduate degree, where she majored in Child Development and Family Studies. After graduating, she moved to Brooklyn, New York and taught kindergarten and 1st grade in Bed Stuy for 4 years. During that time, she earned a Masters in Special Education from Hunter College. She is an avid reader and loves bringing that passion into the classroom. She hopes to foster a curious spirit and a love of learning in her students. She is incredibly honored to be a part of the Brooklyn RISE community!
Michelle Lotz, First grade teacher
Deanna keeling, first grade teacher
terisita cora, second grade teacher
Terisita Cora is excited to start her first year of teaching at Brooklyn RISE. Terisita was born and raised in Brooklyn where she attended John J. Pershing (I.S. 220) Junior High School in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. She is happy that life has come full circle and she will now be teaching students whose parents she may have gone to school with as a child. Terisita has a Bachelor's Degree in Early Education and Special Education from Brooklyn College, (Go Bulldogs!) and is currently finishing her Masters in Early Education and Special Education at Brooklyn College. Terisita has always been passionate about working with students, especially those who have different learning abilities. As someone with a mild case of Cerebral Palsy, she understands the dedication and hard work that is necessary to help students, with or without challenges reach their full potential. Terisita believes every child should have the same opportunities for a good education no matter their background, sex, ability or Socio Economic Status (SES). In her spare time, Terisita enjoys spending time with family, raising her daughter, playing with her Pug named Spike and salsa dancing with her husband.
India francis, second grade teacher
Jessica Sivin, Fourth Grade Teacher
Kaitlyn Mulligan, Fourth grade teacher
teddie davis, Director of Enrichment
Javier Riveros, art grade teacher