Meet Our Teacher Leader Cadre Members

Areas of Focus: Middle and High School Science (Biology (Living Environment), Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, and Environmental Science)

Kirsten Abbott is currently teaching High School Chemistry and serving as a Coach for Tier 1 Math/Science Instruction at Geneva High School in Geneva, NY. Kirsten has been an educator within the district for 9 years. She has always believed that questioning, investigating, discovery, and communication are all part of authentic science learning. Therefore, learners actively participate in these practices to encourage their growth and confidence. This sets the stage for curiosity to flourish and for building a scientific community.

Areas of Focus: High School Science (Biology (Living Environment), Chemistry, Environmental Science)

Andi’s teaching and leadership are driven by the values of curiosity, belonging, and growth. She has taught science at East Upper School since 2015 and served in the role of Teacher Leader since 2019. To Andi, an equitable and justice-oriented science classroom must include investigation of questions that are relevant to students as well as prioritizing student voice in how things run.

Andi’s previous work with the Phase II Noyce Master Teacher Fellowship and with the Get Real! Science program at the University of Rochester have facilitated their exploration of how building students’ academic confidence through explicit feedback to group work strengths, having students reflect on their own values and how they enact them, and how discourse can support engagement in the science practices.

Areas of Focus: High School Mathematics (Algebra – Pre-Calculus)

Jennifer is a dedicated high school mathematics educator with nearly 17 years of classroom experience. Throughout her career, she has taught a range of courses including Algebra I, the two-year Algebra sequence, Geometry, and Pre-Calculus. Jennifer is passionate about fostering a classroom environment where students of all mathematical abilities feel valued and supported.

Her approach to teaching emphasizes depth over memorization, encouraging students to engage in meaningful mathematical thinking. Through the use of rich tasks and inquiry-based learning, she helps students build reasoning skills, explore problem-solving strategies, and make sense of mathematical concepts in a way that feels both accessible and challenging.

Jennifer believes that every student deserves the opportunity to thrive in math, and she works each day to create an inclusive and engaging learning space that reflects that commitment.

Area of Focus: Intermediate (Grades 3 – 5) Mathematics

Nicole Charles is an educator and teacher leader with 24 years of experience in the East Irondequoit Central School District, the second most diverse district in New York State (outside of New York City).  She has held roles as a special education teacher and fifth-grade classroom teacher and is currently a mathematics interventionist.  She works daily to employ reform-minded math practices that yield equitable outcomes for her students.  Nicole is committed to being a lifelong learner and has presented locally, regionally, and nationally and some of her leadership work has been highlighted in the book, The Power of Teacher Leaders: Their Roles, Influence, and Impact. 

Area of Focus: Primary (Grades K – 2) Mathematics

Driven by a mantra of “Success for ALL students!”, Jenn has been teaching for 33 years, with the last 28 years in the Geneva City School District. Jenn’s teaching roles have included: Special Education teacher, General Education teacher, AIS teacher, STEAM teacher, and Math Coach. She believes in a classroom community in which students feel safe, cared for, nurtured, and respected as contributing members of the learning community. Achieving this with her 1^st grade students has been with an eye towards equity and inclusion, social emotional learning,  and a platform of strong discourse in which we all succeed, learn, and grow together. Viewing herself as a lifelong learner, after 20+ years of teaching, Jenn participated in the NSF NOYCE MTF STEM program from 2016-2020. During this time, she completed the MTF program, received certification in Program Evaluation and Teacher Leadership, as well as engaged in doctoral work. Reflecting on her career and learning, Jenn would find Julia Child’s words applicable to my view on education: “Find something you are passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it!!”

Area of Focus: Primary (Grades K – 2) Mathematics

Former Theatre Geek, Maria Frey held many positions before falling on her true calling as a Second Grade teacher and Math Leader with East Irondequoit Central School District. In 2023, she completed the five-year, Noyce Master Teacher Fellowship, through which she earned certificates of Advanced Study in K-12 Digitally Rich Teaching and Learning and Teacher Leadership from the Warner School of Education at the University of Rochester. Maria has been responsible for writing curriculum for the district, embedding computer science standards, reformed based and culturally responsive practices for math, literacy, science, and social studies. In addition, she has acted as a new teacher mentor, content-focused coaching for grades Pre-K through 2nd grade, and provided job embedded professional learning in areas of digital literacy and mathematical discourse.

Maria Frey forms relationships with her students and their families breaking boundaries to communication, giving voice to her students through individual or group discourse and including them in goal setting and reflection. She believes in providing opportunities for students to authentically apply their knowledge and skills. She encourages students to be resourceful and independent learners through careful scaffolding and inquiry into their own methods for learning.

Area of Focus: High School Mathematics

Jen Garay is a dedicated and experienced math and computer science educator entering her 15th year of teaching. She has spent the last 12 years teaching in Boston Public Schools, following three years at a vocational high school. Throughout her career, Jen has taught across a wide range of educational settings, including general education, inclusion, Sheltered English Immersion, and Advanced Placement courses. Jen restructured the AP course pathways to broaden and diversify enrollment and increase preparedness for AP Calculus and AP Computer Science.

A core focus of Jen’s work is the adaptation of curriculum materials and scope and sequences to better align with student needs. Her approach ensures that content remains rigorous while also being accessible, meaningful, and relevant to all learners. She is known for her thoughtful integration of engaging, student-centered lesson plans that promote deep understanding and critical thinking.

Jen plays a key role in developing new educators, serving as both a mentor to beginning teachers and a supervising practitioner for graduate students. Her leadership in this area helps cultivate reflective teaching practices and strong instructional foundations.  Jen is passionate about developing the next generation of mathematics teachers.

Area of Focus: Middle School Mathematics (Grades 6 – 8)

Michaela Marino is currently working in the Rochester City School District as a 7^th grade mathematics teacher.  Before returning to the classroom full time in 2023, Michaela served as the lead teacher for the middle school at East High School for 7 years.  The foundations to her daily practice are high expectations, high support and inquiry-based mathematics teaching.  This is her 15^th year working in the Rochester City School District.  She is most proud of the connections she has made with students over the years.

Areas of Focus: Middle and High School Science (Biology (Living Environment), Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, and Environmental Science)

Jonathan Pragle is a science teacher in Marcus Whitman Central School District, which is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes in Upstate New York. He teaches Living Environment, Earth Science and Gemini Environmental science. Jonathan has focused his efforts on teaching curriculum through the use of local flora and fauna and the use of local ecosystem services and ecosystem capitol in STEM. His graduate thesis focused on the appropriate use of Field Experiences and Studies in Earth Science Education.

Over the past 12 years Jonathan has received grants and awards that has helped bring students to the environment, and the environment into the classroom. This includes vermicomposting setups for the elementary and high school, new canoes to use on the school property and Canandaigua Lake, Trail Cameras for a biodiversity study on the school property, a fish tank and supplies to raise Brown Trout in the Classroom which are then released into Canandaigua Lake, and most recently was a co-recipient for funds to support the building of a Maple Sugar Facility on campus that uses the latest technology in Maple Syrup Production. His efforts have been highlighted in Life in the Finger Lakes, New York Agriculture in the Classroom, New York Farmer’s Bureau, and local newspapers. Jonathan believes that the proper mending of the environment and technology helps students engage in science education.

Areas of Focus: Elementary (Grades K – 5) STEM (including coding and robotics)

Marie Rice is an urban educator and teacher leader within the Rochester City School District.  Over the past 24 years, she has held roles as an elementary teacher, instructional coach, mentor, International Baccalaureate teacher, and professional development provider. While currently serving as a kindergarten teacher, she has taught all grades from K-5 while also providing a wide array of professional learning opportunities for her colleagues. She is also a facilitator for several professional learning opportunities through the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education on topics including Computer Science and Digital Fluency, Coding in the Elementary Classroom, Integrating Science and Engineering Practices, and Content Focused Coaching. She was a Phase II Noyce Master Teaching Fellow at the University of Rochester where she received her Doctorate of Education in 2020. Her dissertation work centered on the importance of teaching computer science and coding beginning in kindergarten.  Marie is passionate about harnessing the power of teaching and learning STEAM in order to provide all learners with the support and challenge needed to become successful in school and beyond. Much of her work is focused on the importance of providing students with opportunities to engage in authentic learning experiences, rich discourse, and cultivating self-directed learners.

Area of Focus: Middle School Mathematics (Grades 6 – 8)

Samantha Sewpersaud is a 6th grade math teacher with the NYC Department of Education and has been part of the DOE community for 18 years. She believes that collaboration between teachers and students is the foundation of great learning—when we work together, we learn from each other, share ideas, listen, and push our thinking forward. Her favorite part about teaching math is when students are talking, exploring, and doing the thinking themselves—because everyone brings something valuable to the table. Samantha has proudly served as a model teacher for over eight years and is currently earning her Master’s in Mathematics Leadership from Bank Street College.

Areas of Focus: High School Mathematics (Algebra, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Transition to College Math and Statistics)

Brittany has been teaching math at East Upper School for the past 9 years in the City of Rochester. She participated in the Phase II Noyce Master Teacher Fellowship through the University of Rochester during which time she developed a strong passion for providing equitable opportunities for all students in STEM education. Brittany believes that learning is social and it is important for students to engage in mathematical discourse to deepen their understanding of mathematics. The foundations to her daily practice are grounded in an inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning in which students explore and construct their understandings. She believes it is important to embrace mistakes as opportunities to learn and to develop a growth mindset in her students. Brittany has a core belief that all students are able to learn and do math at the highest levels and it is her job to help her students live up to their potential.

Areas of Focus: High School Mathematics (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calc, IB Math, AP Statistics, and Calculus)

Kevin has been teaching 9-12 mathematics in an urban setting since 1998. He has taught at all levels of high school math from Algebra 1 through Calculus and Statistics. Kevin earned his MAT in Math Education from American University in Washington DC and taught for 3 years in Montgomery County, Maryland before moving to the Rochester, NY area. He worked at Wilson Magnet High School for 14 years where he taught courses in the International Baccalaureate Programme. While at Wilson, Kevin participated in Phase I of the Noyce Master Teacher Fellowship through which he earned his Ed.D in Teaching and Curriculum from the University of Rochester. In 2015, Kevin started teaching at East High School where he is currently a math teacher and has been the Upper School Math Teacher Leader for the last 3 years. Kevin believes that learning happens when you can connect new learning to student prior knowledge and encourage students to be the ones doing the thinking.

Areas of Focus: Middle and High School Mathematics and Computer Science (Algebra, Algebra 2, General Computer Science, and AP Computer Science Principles)

Fred has been teaching 7-12 mathematics in the rural district of Dansville, NY for over 25 years. He has been in many leadership roles within the district and has taught nearly all levels of secondary math from math 7 to Pre-Calculus.  As a NOYCE Master Teacher Fellowship alumnus, Fred has sought to create a digitally rich classroom where all students can thrive through investigative teaching and learning.

Over the last 5 years Fred has brought into being a 3 course computer science pathway at the high school level that opens up various coding opportunities and offers students the ability to challenge the AP Computer Science Principles course.  He has also led professional learning opportunities for fellow educators within Dansville CSD on tuning up lessons and assessments to be more engaging and digitally rich.