Staff

As a Special Education Teacher at MS118 and my sixth year working for the DOE, I have learned and grow so much as a professional. The experiences with students and working with amazing teachers during these sixth year are the main reason of my growth professionally and personally. I believe Education should be a lifelong activity, and every individual should have the opportunity to pursue a quality education. To that end, it is my personal mission to continually improve my own teaching, in order that my students have the opportunity to receive an educational experience that prepares them for their future and to allow them become self-sufficient learners.

Many students are unsure of who they are and even more unsure of who they want to be. I believe that my job is to help cultivate the culture in the classroom that lends itself to the “ah- ha” moments. Whether it be that students are understanding a concept, a big idea or the fact that education is key to growth, I aim to maximize the moments in which students realize that they want to be educated, motivated, contributing members of society, and it is my strong belief that the path to that type of enlightenment lies in education.

When I started teaching 21 years ago, I never could have imagined that I’d be sitting here wearing a mask,  not worrying so much about engaging my students as I am about not letting them breathe on me.

A few years ago, I had a particularly difficult student who was an extremely reluctant reader. After reading “Of Mice and Men” and moving on to other aspects of the ELA curriculum, Reggie raised his hand and said, “Yo, Mr. Donohue, when are we gonna read more Steinbeck?” Since that day,  I’ve used that comment as both solace when I’m feeling unappreciated (does the word “effective” on an observation suck the life out of anyone else like it does me?) but also as motivation to keep doing what I know I do best, which is to open my students’ eyes to the reasons that great literature is called great literature, and to show them that a good book can compete with a good video game.

I have always had a deep love for sports and being active and that is why I believe I make a great physical education educator. I am hardworking and dedicated to helping students become more physically fit.  As an educator my goal is to promote a healthy lifestyle through physical education by providing a safe and fun environment.  My lessons allow students to develop character, responsibility, respect and healthy habits. 

Having come from a family of teachers, oddly enough I did not start my career in teaching until later in my life.  Leaving an unfulfilling career as a CPA, I had finally discovered my fascination with the human brain, how it functions, and how to nurture, correct and strengthen the process of learning in people of all ages.  I’ve been a full time Special Education teacher at MS 118 for the past 18 years, but I have also been an adjunct professor of education at Mercy College, as well as an Early Intervention Specialist with children ages 2- 3 years old.  I love unraveling the process learning for my students, and find it especially gratifying to help those who struggle to do so, which is why I love the field of Special Education.  You are given the opportunity every single day to make such a huge positive impact in the lives of your students, many times without even realizing it or it not being revealed until many years later when previous students come back “home” to visit.  This impact rarely stops at developing students academically, which is why out of all ages/grade levels I’ve taught, middle school students are what I am most passionate about.  So many life changes, new experiences and feelings to interact with and navigate through, especially in this current age of technology and social media – it can be and often is exciting as well as overwhelming for young folks to deal with without the support of strong, caring adults in their lives to bridge them over into rigorous demands of high school and live beyond.  Teaching truly is my passion, and it must be genetic – as we speak, my oldest daughter is a junior in college, following in her momma’s footsteps. . .

Hi, I’m Mr. Luongo, and I’m an English Language Arts teacher at MS118. As an educator, my greatest motivation is to inspire a love of learning in my students. I believe that all students are capable of developing their literacy and writing skills in order to maximize their access to opportunities in the future. As an international school teacher and an educational consultant, my career has taken me across the globe, and these experiences have helped me realize that all students are intelligent, hard working, and capable of greatness. My job is to stoke their desire to learn. 

Outside of the classroom, my insatiable drive for exploration and problem solving drives me to climb mountains and slay dragons. When I’m not working, you can probably find me scrambling over the rocks in Harriman State Park or hosting Dungeons & Dragons games and my local comic book store.

Yo hablo un poco de español.

我也學習中文。

My mission as a bilingual (Spanish-English) speech and language pathologist is to work with students, families, teachers, school administration and support staff to help my students become confident and effective communicators.  

Mi misión como patóloga del habla y el lenguaje bilingüe (español-inglés) es trabajar con estudiantes, sus familias y maestros, la administración escolar y el personal de apoyo para ayudar a mis estudiantes a convertirse en comunicadores seguros y eficaces.

I am here to support my students and to build a love of math, or at the very least a tolerance for it. I expect all students to put in their best efforts and will hold them to high standards. I strive to build independence in my students so they can transfer strategies from the classroom to the real world.

I teach to strengthen the minds and resolve of our future generations. I am committed to the success of adolescents through self-discovery and independence. I aim to guide students to be free thinkers and outspoken citizens who will one day contribute to taking impactful actions in the world.

I am a Charlotte, NC native. I graduated from Johnson C. Smith University with a BS in Business Administration/Management. My teaching career started as a Corp Member with Teach for America. I recently graduated with a Master’s in Teaching (Secondary ELA) from Relay Graduate School of Education. Starting Fall 2021, I’ll be pursuing a PhD in Literacy at St. John’s University. I love reading, writing, FOOD, basketball, football, and spending time with my family & friends

My classroom is a safe, positive environment that promotes learning, unity, teamwork, commitment, forgiveness, personal growth, and academic success. I believe all these things are components of educational equality and educational equity. My students’ success is a collaborative effort between me, the students, the school, parents, and the community. My purpose in life is to be the best educator I can be for my students and myself; to positively impact and change their lives while they change mine

Hello, my name is Mr. Barber.  I am a special education teacher at 118 and I currently teach English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Math to seventh and eighth graders.  I  have a passion for writing and helping students build their writing skills.  In addition to helping them meet their individual objectives each day in class  we will have a fresh start and an opportunity to enjoy the process of meeting or exceeding our goals.

One of the greatest contributions to society is a positive influence that can inspire a child to become the best version of themselves. For me, teaching students that look, sound but most importantly feel the way I do in the world today is an opportunity of a lifetime. I thrive to give these students hope by showing them an authentic version of myself and how I came to be, growing up in the same neighborhoods as they do. As an educator, my impact in the school is limitless because our students are the future. I take full advantage of my privileges in order to pay it forward to the next generation of leaders.

I believe that we have to teach and educate children at their own baseline. Students come to our school with a variety of academic skills and unique experiences prior to their educational journey at MS 118. It is imperative to foster a supportive, inclusive, and fun educational learning environment. Central to that philosophy is the relationship that we, as adults, create with our students, understanding the importance of patience, respect, and open/honest communication.

I am a Teach For America Corp. member, thats excited to be in my second year teaching here at JHS 118! I have called Queens my home for the past 25 years, and I have loved exploring NYC during my middle and high school years.I am dedicated to showing kids the fun of learning through technology, science, and math. There’s nothing that brings me more joy than creating meaningful relationships with my students. I truly believe that the next generation of scientists are here at JHS 118, and their journey can begin with me. I look forward to meeting you all some day!

I am a Bilingual Educator here at MS 118 and have the privilege of working with the newest arrivals to our country.  My love of education is born of my experiences in our community and the world and for that reason I try to always bring the world into our classroom.

I graduated from NYU’s Educational Theatre program in 2016. Since then, I’ve been working to bring theater, entertainment and storytelling skills and opportunities to the MS 118 community.

It’s the highlight of my year is when I’m able to direct our school plays! We’ve done one per year. They include 12 Angry Men, Hyper Focus and two originals called Twisted Tales and Listen.

Part of my mission is to train and enable students seeking to attend performing arts high schools, such as my alma mater, LaGuardia High School for Performing Arts.

As a theater teacher I try to bring a sense of fun and cooperative learning opportunities that enhance student cognition, problem solving, confidence and self-expression (to name a few).

    I believe that a classroom should be a safe, caring community where children are free to speak their mind and blossom and grow. During these challenging and unique times, I will use strategies to ensure our classroom community will flourish, instructing students on how to use inquiry and problem-solving skills, thus helping them to learn how to navigate the world we live in.

     Teaching is a process of learning from your students, colleagues, parents, and the community. This is a lifelong process where you learn new strategies, new ideas, and new philosophies. Over time, my educational philosophy has changed, and that’s okay. That just means that I have grown in my craft and learned new things.

My background and experiences thus far, all play a major role as an emerging Physical Education teacher. It is my passion to teach and coach, to make physical education a positive, engaging, enjoyable experience where students can be challenged, be creative, be physically active and be themselves in a safe environment. I want to work with students to learn and understand concepts that they can utilize across a variety of sports they will encounter in life and assist them in their journey. I am not only an educator who educates, but also one who collaborates with other educators to equip students for their future successes.

I’m a teacher that likes to make science fun for the students. Hands-on activities are essential for the students I teach, who have a diverse set of learning backgrounds. I always believe that science is the subject that all the other subjects are built on because everything in the universe has some sort of scientific explanation. For the past 5 years, I’ve worked very hard at MS 118 to make that happen for my students.

“ Education will open doors for you” is a statement that I say frequently to my students. It certainly did for me and gave me opportunities I never dreamed were possible. I was born in the United Kingdom in the city of Liverpool (famous for its football team and for being the home of The Beatles) and was fortunate to have teachers who both inspired and encouraged me to become a better person, to aim high and to succeed.

Before arriving here, I taught in London for nearly twenty years and then had the opportunity through the Department of Education’s International Program to teach in the United States. As a result of my education, another open door was being opened to me. This is my fourteenth year teaching in New York. What is my aim, my goal for all of my students? I want them to be better readers, better writers and better thinkers. I want them all to grasp the importance of their education and to show them that, like it did for me, education can change your life.

My name is Patrick J. Rohan and I have been a teacher for almost twenty years. I am a former French and Religion teacher at St. Dominic High School on the island of Sint Maarten and have taught at the Dominico-Americano Institute in the Dominican Republic as an assistant ESL teacher. Presently, I am pursuing a Masters Degree in Bilingual Special Education at Adelphi University and will be doing my student-teaching internship year here at MS118.

I strongly believe that teaching and learning are a physical, mental and spiritual quest that I, as a teacher, and the community must ignite in our  students. In order to do this, it is important to meet the needs of our children not just in the classroom, but abroad as well. When children are healthy physically and mentally, the stronger they will become academically. It is really rewarding to see students grow academically.

I am looking forward to working with and learning from this awesome teaching staff at MS118, as well with parents and the community in order to ensure that the needs of our students are being met.

I’m here for the students. No two days are the same with each day bringing its own unique set of challenges and adventures, the spontaneity of teaching was too enticing to pass up. Every student is different, each with their own personality. Developing a positive rapport with each of them, as well as the staff, is extremely rewarding. Pushing the students to strive for more, while watching them feel the satisfaction of overcoming challenges and accomplishing their goals is rewarded with a huge smile on the faces of my students. All of this combined leads to a deep feeling of satisfaction.

Hello, my name is Mr. Thomas.  I teach United States History here at William W. Niles Middle School 118.   I am a part of a very select group of professionals in the United States. Only two percent of teachers in the United States is African-American and only a fraction of those work in middle or junior high schools like M.S. 118. My own teachers taught me that the greatest service one can have is to help each generation to achieve more than the previous one, and this is another reason why I teach.  I wanted to pursue a profession where I could not only impact a life, but I wanted to impact generations, and education has provided me with this opportunity. 

I truly love informing students about how history impacts their lives on a daily basis and how learning history can transform your life. My teaching philosophy is pretty simple “It’s Common Sense”. If you just take a moment before making a decision, it all comes down to “It’s Common Sense”. 

I am proud alumni of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia which is the only Historically Black College and University dedicated to educating African-American men.  Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays a former president of Morehouse College stated “It must be borne in mind that the tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy of life lies in having no goal to reach. Not failure, but low aim is sin.”

I believe that a teacher is morally obligated to enter the classroom with only the highest of expectations for each and every one of their students. Thus, the teacher maximizes the positive benefits that naturally come along with any self-fulfilling prophecy.  With dedication, perseverance, and hard work, their students will rise to the occasion.  I aim to bring an open mind, a positive attitude, and high expectations to the classroom each day. I believe that I owe it to my students, as well as the community, to bring consistency, diligence, and warmth to my job in the hope that I can ultimately inspire and encourage such traits in the children as well.

As an art educator for many years I have encouraged art expression and creativity for all of my students. It has been extremely rewarding to teach a subject that I have loved all of my life. In the art classroom we use a use a variety of materials and learn about artists around the world. 

Art has the ability to enhance the well –being of individuals, society and the environment. At M.S 118 we strive to instill a life-long appreciation for the Arts

Teaching is the ultimate calling. It is a profession that everyone should not do. One must genuinely care about the lives of the young people that you serve; and believe that they can achieve everything that they dream of achieving. As an educator, my job is not only to teach academic skills and assigned curriculum; it is to peddle hope. When my students leave me, I want them to believe they can conquer any obstacle that presents itself.

Hi, I am Mrs. Perez-Valencia the School Social Worker at MS 118.

I have worked at MS 118 for 13 years and I can honestly say I learned something new and different from all of my students. Every year I find it greatly rewarding meeting my students, seeing them flourish and learn the 3 years they are with us. 

Our school provides multiple gateways for students to challenge themselves. They will have an opportunity to succeed academically, socially, and creatively in our halls. 

I look forward to helping our scholars achieve their personal and academic goals during their school year.

Within the public school community, I have taught middle school special education for 4 years, all of which have been at MS 118. Teaching is a true passion of mine and helping children exceed their full potential is what keeps my passion burning. I believe it’s important to build relationships with students. No two children learn the same way and it is important to embrace their individuality. Becoming a teacher has allowed me to teach life lessons to my students that influences their decisions, behaviors, strengths and weaknesses. In return, I am challenged. I learn and grow from them each and every day and because of this, I see the world differently. I am thankful to have known some the coolest students ever!

As an English Language Arts teacher at MS118, I believe every child is a unique individual who brings something special to the world. My goal is to instill the belief in my students that they can achieve anything. I strive to encourage my students to be curious, seek answers, and become critical thinkers by providing them a safe and caring space. 

Over the past three years, it has brought me tremendous joy to hear students say, “I didn’t think I could love reading” and “can we please read the next chapter today, I can’t wait until tomorrow.” My choice of culturally responsive texts along with my deep love for reading and writing allows my students to discover reading genres that interest them and become successful writers.

As a Bilingual School Psychologist I believe that every child/person will learn when they feel supported, comfortable or liked. Relationship building is the foundation that needs to be in place for teaching and learning to occur. As a school community, from the bus driver to the lunchroom staff to the principal, every encounter with a child/person is a learning and/or teaching moment. Just as we are continuously learning through experience and from one another so are our students. “Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself ”-Eleanor Roosevelt

Hi!  My name is Ms. Bailey.  I am a 6th grade Math Teacher.  I enjoy teaching math.  I feel math allows you to plan and problem solve.  I teach because I feel education is the key to the future.  Education allows you to explore beyond your immediate environment; and grow socially, emotionally, and intellectually.  I also teach because I believe in giving back to the community. 

My philosophy for teaching is to instill wisdom, values, morals, and norms about everyday life as well as knowledge. Marian Wright Edelman, an activist, said, “education is improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.” As an educator, I completely agree with this quote. My plans are to assist my students in pushing them to develop their own individual’s life, but If I can help by changing one life, I come in contact with, then my mission is accomplished. Each child is different, but they all seek love.  I plan on providing this love through my teachings and life experiences. I stride to connect to my students on all levels, emotionally, mentally, intellectually, and socially.  I want to build a foundation with students to help them reach their fullest potential by including family involvement. I will present learning curriculums that will not only teach but will keep their interest. I plan on utilizing technology to incorporate themes. As an educator, I will always be prepared and provide a safe learning environment that is nurturing and healthy for children.

My expertise and my passion is in teaching individuals to learn how to learn. I focus on study skills and raising students’ ability to recognize and overcome barriers to learning. I aim to foster reason and self-determinism in my students, emphasizing the importance of application above all. My viewpoint is that the real test is not in the classroom, but outside in the real world. I aim only to give students a chance to become independent, lifelong learners and to realize they can learn anything they want. I want them to be interested in learning. I want my students to think, to create and to go on and change the world.

Visual art is a visual form of communication and is integral to a child’s education as the arts nurture a sense of value and accomplishment. The processes of creating art,  student’s make decisions and problem solve.  In my art class, students explore art history and cultures from around the world as they investigate material and techniques to communicate their personal experiences, ideas,  culture, and identity through art.

As a current Middle School Dean of Students and former High School Dean, I believe that all students must have access to education that is free of bias and bullying. All learners deserve the opportunity to learn in a respectful and fair environment. Regardless of the school setting that I am in, I always strive to create a welcoming and positive school culture that values the academic and personal behaviors necessary for success.  I am committed to helping students learn even when they may face disciplinary challenges.

I’m a proud 24 year DOE teacher.  I have had the pleasure and honor of working with amazing teachers, students, parents and administrators that have guided and cultivated me into a caring and motivated educator.  ALL pupils in my class can and will gain personal growth not only as a student but also as a productive citizen that promotes a better society.  As Malcom X once said, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

I have worked at 118 for the last ten years and have had the privilege of teaching students in the Pace Academy and the Academy of Excellence. Over the course of my career I have learned that students excel when they can express themselves effectively, engage in meaningful discussion, collaborate productively, utilize appropriate organizational techniques, and challenge each others’ thinking.  

In my class, history is taught more like a series of stories that feature everyday people doing some extraordinary things.  We make connections to the past, not to only to learn from them but to remember those who came before us. 

My philosophy is based on the belief that education is a vital tool that can teach children the fundamental skills necessary to live successful lives as confident and informed citizens.  I chose to become a teacher to make a positive impact on the lives of children and to engage them in meaningful thinking and learning.  I believe that teaching is a highly rewarding profession that allows me to change the lives of students and to effectively provide them with the skills and attitudes necessary to build their character and achieve success.  It is my life-long mission to instill a love of life-long learning and to ensure that my students are thriving in today’s world.

My aim as an educator is to support individual growth and self-actualization through the content.  I try to provide an educational environment that is built on autonomy, trust, and cooperation. I incorporate as much group and project based learning as possible, where I can act as a facilitator in the learning process. 

While I aim for an understanding of the content, the bigger learning goals align with the 21st century learning standards. Students need to know how to think critically, problem solve, collaborate with others, and to express their ideas both verbally and in writing. Finally, I try to cultivate a sense of curiosity about the world and a love of learning.

I am an educator with six years of experience and this year marks my first year as a Guidance Counselor at MS 118. I began my educational journey as a paraprofessional back in 2014 when my son was just one year old. Later on, I became an attendance teacher and now I am proud to say I am a school counselor. When I was in high school, I spent a lot of my time in a middle school tutoring students and giving them “big sister” advice. I have always had a passion to talk to students and share my own story so they know there will always be a light at the end of the tunnel. I strongly believe every student should have the opportunity to be heard and express themself. I also believe that in providing students the opportunity to be heard it will open up ways to build trust and communication that will ultimately benefit the school community as a whole.

I teach because I enjoy teaching. Teaching gives me a purpose for waking up in the morning and keeping my brain occupied throughout the day. It affords me the opportunity to “pour” into my students’ lives and at the same time meet /interact with parents and colleagues. It also keeps me “young at heart”. For me, teaching is more than a job: it’s a vocation. 

My philosophy is that every student can learn. My role as an educator is to challenge them to maximize their potentials. However, I am conscious of the fact that my students’ potentials, interests and learning styles are as varied as their finger prints. This helps, though challenging at times, to meet them where they are and guide them in the direction they need to go. Education is more than academics and I endea

As a teacher my goal encourage mastery, competency, transformational learning, as well as encouraging lifelong learning. In my class I use case studies, group work, simulations, interactive lectures to expand my students learning. I offer many opportunities to demonstrate mastery. I believe that a classroom should be a safe, caring community where children are free to speak their mind and blossom and grow. Teaching is a process of learning from your students, colleagues, parents, and the community. This is a lifelong process where you learn new strategies, new ideas, and new philosophies.

I’ve been a teacher for 12 years and on my second year as an ENL teacher at MS 118. All ENL students feel encouraged when they are provided a class space that is consistently organized and containing rich resources that they can make connections with their diverse backgrounds.  Also, knowing each student’s interests, learning styles and needs is an opportunity to prepare fun and creative ways for them to become great learners of the language. I was born and raised in another country and know 2 other languages, so I share similar experiences with my students. I’m committed to fulfilling my teaching beliefs and ENL practices at MS 118. I’m thankful to be a part of this wonderful school community.

As a former Caseworker in preventative services, I realized that the focus of most of my cases was education. Family heads sought assistance to stabilize and monitor the academic progress of their children. My caseload included families at the brink of homelessness , individuals with mental health issues and women in shelters. There was a common thread that intensified with the arrival of each new case—in each situation, children were negatively impacted.

As I visited families, each client became more than just a name on a file—they all told stories, meaningful ones and the most popular theme was bettering themselves in order to strengthen their children.

Why do I teach? I teach because your stories matter. The healthy development of children matters. It is a great privilege to teach and a reward to know that perhaps, somewhere along the line, my words might echo in the background of a meaningful story.

I am a proud product of my environment. 

I’ve always had a passion for advocating for my community and impacting change on a local level. This drive and passion would not have been possible without the values I learned in school from my teachers.

Teachers possess the unique ability to change minds and change lives. They seamlessly combine students’ assets, funds of knowledge, community and cultural values in their pedagogy in order to spark a flame of curiosity and resiliency in their students’ minds. To me, this is the biggest form of advocacy, and it is the reason I became a teacher. 

I graduated from M.S 118 in 2004, and it has been the privilege of a lifetime to teach at the place where that original flame was sparked in me.  I want my students to know that they too can become a proud product of their environment, as long as that spark never fades.

I teach science because it is fun, exciting and thought provoking. My passion for the subject is evident in my approach as well as in my results. My lessons are well prepared and interactive whenever possible, utilizing hands on activities. I teach through inquiry, which means that students have opportunities to explore different scientific phenomena before I “teach” them the content. 

Many people believe that scientists “look” a certain way, but a scientist can be anyone! By opening my students’ eyes to new ways of observing things they have already seen, I help them to awaken their inner scientist!

I believe there is always a way to reach out to students. Each child has uniqueness that make them who they are. Providing students with differentiated instruction is helpful for unlocking their potentials as all children deserve the opportunity to learn in ways that display their strengths and help them improve their weaknesses. 

 I also highly value right mindfulness because attentiveness  can cultivate diligent awareness of activities of the body, sensations or feelings, and activities of the mind.

I am a caring and enthusiastic teacher. I believe that the students deserve compassion and respect and therefore must be shown patience and understanding.

My goal is to encourage my students to critically think about the world around them. They must be provided with the time and tools to explore.

It is important to engage with the past to understand the present and plan for the future. The students will be that future and need to develop the self-autonomy and confidence to shape their world.

My students must strive to be ready to learn, responsible for their actions, and respectful to those around them.

Middle school can be an exciting and a scary time in the lives of our students. I believe that it is my job as a Middle School Dean to help guide them on the right path. I talk to our students about critical values that should be displayed in every facet of our school and explain why they are important. I impress upon our students these values should not only be displayed in school but should be adopted into their daily lives and I hold them accountable when they fall short. Five critical values that I talk to my students about are being honest, being respectful and respectable, being responsible, being accountable , and being compassionate. If I can have my students understand these values, then their behaviors can mirror what these values teach them.

I believe that I have to be a positive adult role model that our students see on a daily basis. I was once told at a very young age by a wise man that “little eyes are always watching,” and I have taken that expression and try to live it out by my actions in my everyday life.

As a speech language pathologist at MS 118, it is my professional mission to support students with communication disorders. I am committed to helping to promote effective communication skills so that students are able to express themselves in the academic setting and beyond while reaching their maximum potential. It is my goal to help students succeed in a supportive, respectful, fun, learning environment specific to individual needs and development.

I believe that learning is not confined to just the classroom. We all are  life long learners and mistakes are teachable moments.

Teaching for me means empowering young minds and giving them opportunities and spaces where they can be their most authentic selves. Our children need to be taught that regardless of who they are and where they come from they have the power within them to succeed. I take pride in knowing that I am teaching in the same community that taught me.

It is my belief that every individual is capable of being the best version of themselves. With effort and a growth mindset, progress is guaranteed. When embarking on something new, proceeding with confidence in being able to succeed, kindness and strong work ethic, there is no limit to what one can do as themselves.

-”To thine own self be true” – Polonius (Hamlet)

In my 15 years of teaching at MS 118, I have learned so much from my students. It’s what keeps me coming back to the profession year after year. I think every student has the potential to be great. It is paramount to have parents involved in their child’s education and it’s my priority to involve and communicate with them as often as possible. As a middle school educator, I am sensitive to the social/emotional issues students are experiencing on a daily basis and I feel this has to be accounted for when planning curriculum and instruction. Children need a safe haven at school and I do my very best to provide that for them with a positive and inviting learning environment free from bullying behaviors and prejudice. I am one of the co-creators of the culturally responsive curriculum for 8th grade ELA here at 118 and I believe this will help students grapple with these times of racial injustice in our country. 

My name is Claire Osinoff. I’ve been a New York City teacher for 23 years. My career started in a middle school in East Harlem and I plan to finish my career here at MS 118!  I am state certified in both English and Social Studies so I enjoy bringing elements of both into my teaching.

I have loved middle school students since the day I started teaching in 1990! I believe that in order to be a good citizen, children need to have a clear knowledge of American history and an understanding of how our democratic government works, both locally and at the federal level.

My goal is to ensure that my students feel confident, so they can become an active part of our democratic system. I strive to consistently present the curriculum in an honest way that is culturally sensitive and gives a genuine picture of our country’s history.

I have been teaching for 13 years, across all grade levels (from Kindergarten all the way through college!), many subjects and many roles!  But my favorite place to be is with 7th graders – reading and writing.  While working at MS 118 for the past 7 years, I have worn many hats.  My teaching philosophy is to “Be who you needed when you were younger.” Adults often forget that they were kids, too.  And being a kid is hard.

My passion for what I do is a part of who I am. I work to be the change I wish to see in the world by believing and investing in our future generation’s education and wellness. Young people need advocates to be a projection of their voice when theirs cannot be heard. Children in schools need leaders who can create unique paths for all students that suit their individual needs and abilities academically, emotionally and mentally. When there are obstacles that inhibit the path to success for some students, I work to create new paths for them to overcome those hurdles.

My mission is to provide a challenging and accelerated course of study in science grounded in high academic standards. This isn’t just my mission, it’s also what I do. I work to nurture an environment that fosters creativity to support and develop student growth and self-actualization. My children are treated with care and respect. I value diversity and citizenship. My family atmosphere, designed to encourage and motivate is apparent in everything I do.

My curiosity and interest in the natural world is infectious to everyone who crosses my path. I model to facilitate learning by using fascinating materials to foster a love of science discovery, I distribute beautiful and interesting materials to spark curiosity, and I motivate children throughout the day. I encourage exploration to make learning accessible for all children. With me, students become active complex problem solvers by reflecting on experience from experimentation, where their ideas are made relevant in their community or world. I provide choices based on personal interests, and self-evaluation is commonplace. I use technology to meet diverse students’ needs to increase engagement and raise knowledge retention. 

We all know that children learn best when they engage in provocative, hands-on experiences that bring far-away places, fascinating creatures, and abstract concepts to life. …teachers like me share those experiences with students and their adults, making science memories that change lives, launch careers, and nurture future caretakers of our planet.

My drive and passion have always centered around helping families and children. I am very passionate about empowering the youth to look beyond their scope through the lens of strength perspective. 

 My name is Frances Rodriguez, and I am the Students in Temporary Housing Bridging the Gap Social Worker at William W. Niles School. As such, I am here to help support our scholars with their social, emotional, physical, and academic needs. One of my main priorities is to bridge gaps that exist between home, school, and community in order to foster a positive learning environment.  I believe it is essential that every scholar and family should have adequate access to resources that will benefit them in school and society.  I look forward to working with our scholars and their families this new school year.

I believe that every classroom has its own unique community. My role as the teacher will be to assist and encourage each child in developing their own potential and learning style.

I am an educator because it is my passion to work with the youth to help them see that they can as well be a productive member of society if disciplined. My career at MS118 has been nothing short of a surprise. Working with the special education and bilingual population makes my work much more fulfilling as we try to navigate new ways to teach and empower our youth.

As a school counselor, I strive to foster resiliency, social/emotional preparedness, educational equity, access, & educational success amongst my scholars to ensure that all graduate from high school with the proper tools necessary to succeed in higher education and in life.

I believe every child is unique and brings a special component to the school environment. Every child has the ability to learn and become the best version of themselves through perseverance and nurturing from their families & educators.

This is the philosophy I have led with during my 14-year career as a school counselor for middle school students. I am proud to have served 13 of those years served here at M.S 118, and I look forward to serving many more alongside our students and families.

My DNA is made from a father who was  Licensed Master Clinical Social Worker who became a Supervisor of Probation for Family Court and a mother who was an Unlicensed Social Worker that wasn’t compensated for her services. It is in my blood and was instilled in me to HELP OTHERS, especially children. 

I take pride in being the voice for the underdog and helping them build their social emotional coping skills while attempting to provide them with as many resources available to becoming a productive citizen. 

Although I am a product of the projects, I am not the projects. I am relatable to children who are being raised in the same kind of environment and instilling in them that there are more successful people coming out of those environments,  which gives  the students I interact with  hope for a better future. 

As a counselor, transforming lives has been my greatest victory especially when it is a child that comes from a home where positive feedback isn’t often present. My greatest joy is  verbalizing constantly and consistently to that child  my belief in them that they are GREAT and will become GREATER! Success for me as a counselor has been listening actively and never taking anything that a child may say personally!!!!

After nearly 20 years of working with students I have learned that adaptability, acceptance, and compassion are the most important aspects of my job. My goal is to increase my students’ communication skills, by assisting them  with their ability to express themselves and their capability of interpreting the world around them.

As a teacher I create a classroom that emphasizes the role of analytical thinking in learning.  I believe all students can learn.  It is my job to motivate, inspire and challenge students to reach their full potential.  My passion and the enthusiasm for the students, as well as the subject matter, helps to motivate and excite the students within the classroom.  Students must be engaged in critical thinking and developing problem solving skills that they will not only use in the classroom, but all areas of their life.  I understand that it is imperative to accommodate, adapt and differentiate learning based on varying learning styles.  It is my role as an educator to also collaborate with other staff and all family members to fully support the progress of the student.  When teachers, families and the student are fully invested in the cognitive, intellectual and social development of the student, they will succeed.