KIPP NYC Shared Services Team >
Joseph A. Almeida – 6th Grade Mathematics
Joseph Almeida graduated from Georgetown University in 2005 with a degree in American Government. Upon graduation, he taught fifth-grade (self-contained) at PS/MS 278 as a Teach For America (TFA) corps member for 3 years in New York City. In 2007, he won the Sue Lehmann Award for Excellence in Teaching, TFA’s annual award for its national teacher of the year, and earned his Master’s degree from Pace University. In addition to teaching at KIPP Infinity, Joseph also coaches the hip-hop dance team after-school.
Amber Boies – 6th Grade Reading
Amber Boies graduated from The University of Texas, Austin in 2004 with a degree in Sociology. Upon graduation, Amber began a two year teaching commitment in Houston, Texas with the Teach For America organization, where she taught 6th grade reading, writing and social studies. Amber then joined the KIPP organization in 2006, teaching 5th grade science at KIPP 3D Academy in Houston, Texas. During her 3 years teaching at KIPP 3D Academy, Amber taught both 5th grade science and 7th grade reading and writing, was the science department chair, the 7th grade chair, Saturday school coordinator and an instruction coordinator. In 2009, Amber moved to New York City, where she joined the staff of KIPP Infinity in Harlem, teaching 6th grade reading.
Leyla R. Bravo – 5th Grade Nonfiction Studies
Leyla Bravo graduated from Harvard College in 2005 with a degree in Government and a Certificate in Latin American Studies. She joined Teach For America and taught a self contained 5th grade bilingual class for two years before joining KIPP Infinity Charter School. Her classroom was featured on an NBC special with Wendy Kopp, founder of Teach For America.
Thomas Brunzell – Dean of Students
Thomas Brunzell began his career in education as a Teach For America (TFA) corps member at P.S. 28 in the Bronx. In 2005, Thomas joined KIPP Infinity Charter School as the founding fifth grade writing teacher. He now serves as the Dean of Students at KIPP Infinity working with students and their families; and supervises teachers and guidance staff in the areas of management, culture, and discipline. He received his bachelor degree (B.A.) from Yale University, with a teaching degree (M.S.T.) from Pace University and a school leadership degree (Ed.M.) from the Bank Street School of Education. Thomas was the proud recipient of the 2009 KIPP Excellence in Teaching prize.
Adrianne B. Capaldi – 8th Grade Science
Adrianne Capaldi graduated Magna Cum Laude from Connecticut College with a degree in Government and American Studies. While at Connecticut College, Adrianne was a member of the cross-country and track and field teams, a PICA scholar (Program in Community Action) and studied abroad in Hanoi, Vietnam. Upon graduation, Adrianne joined Teach For America in New York City where she taught 6th grade science in the South Bronx at I.S. 162 for two years. In the summer of 2008 she joined the team and family at KIPP Infinity to teach Earth science.
Dilcia Ceron – Office Manager and Parent Coordinator
Dilcia Ceron was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States in 1989, when she was 16 years old. Dilcia is a graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School in the Bronx. She attended Lehman College and received her Associates Degree from TCI. After she graduated, Dilcia worked as an Administrative Assistant in Community School District Five, in the Office of Bilingual and School Leadership Teams, and was a Parent Coordinator in her local public school. In 2005, Dilcia became one of the Founders of KIPP Infinity Charter School. Dilcia is married, with two beautiful daughters, one of whom attended KIPP Infinity and is now attending KIPP NYC College Prep High School.
Peter S. Croncota – Director of Operations
Peter Croncota joined KIPP Infinity this year after serving as the Managing Director of Finance, Human Resources, and Recruiting for KIPP NYC for the past two years. Peter began his career in education as the CFO/COO and co-founder of Democracy Prep Charter School. Prior to this, he enjoyed a 20-year career on Wall Street. He retired in 2004 as a Senior Managing Director at Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc., where he was the Global Sales Manager for fixed income and credit derivatives. Peter received his BSBA from Georgetown University and his MBA from The University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Finance. He completed the 2-year Broad Residency in Urban Education in 2009. Peter currently serves on the Board of Regents of Georgetown University and the Board of Advisors for the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business.
Douglas J. Dukeman – 7th Grade Science
Douglas Dukeman came to KIPP Infinity in 2007 from C.I.S. 303, a public middle school located in the Bronx where he primarily taught sixth grade life science for three years. At KIPP Infinity, he teaches a comprehensive seventh grade science curriculum which covers the scientific method, lab tools and safety, physics, chemistry and biology. He has taught an honors science class at Infinity and coordinated a joint science program between the City College of New York and KIPP Infinity where seventh and eighth graders worked in the laboratories at City College with the head of its biology department. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2004 and his Masters of Science in Teaching at Pace University in 2006. In 2008, he received the Dana Brain Fellowship. He is very happy to teach at such a collegial and well-run school as Infinity and looks forward to teaching science to the young minds of Harlem for years to come.
Angela Fascilla – 5th Grade Mathematics
Angela Fascilla (5th Grade Mathematics) graduated Cum Laude from Long Island University at C.W. Post in 1999 with a degree in Special Education. Upon graduation, Ms. Fascilla spent a year working at Springhurst Elementary School in Dobbs Ferry, New York. She then spent 6 years working as a 4th Grade teacher at P.S. 85 in the Bronx during which she received her Masters of Education from Hunter College in Literacy Education. In 2006, Ms. Fascilla joined KIPP Infinity as a 5th Grade Math teacher.
Nakia L. Graham – Student Mentor
LuQuan Graham has a 10-year record of accomplishment in the areas of assisting in organization building, arts, music, holistic wellness, and financial literacy education. He started his career as a K-8th grade Mentor/Counselor for boys and girls at the Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy in Brooklyn N.Y. in 1997. In 1998 he went on to attend the C.H.A.N.G.E. University Research Science Center in Harlem, NY where he majored in Business Development and Humanomics. Since then he has worked with numerous New York City schools (public and private) as well as prestigious institutions like the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, developing and facilitating afterschool programs. In addition, he hosted a nationally recognized poetry program called the Hottest Poets Radio Satellite Network which consisted of a weekly poetry showcase and radio broadcast from ABC studios in Manhattan NY with the focus on building literacy through Hip-Hop and poetry. He has also worked with such artists as Alicia Keys, KRS-1, Gill Scott Heroin, and the list goes on. Mr. Graham has been with KIPP Infinity Charter School for the past two years where he now works as a Mentor/Counselor for boys in 5th-8th grades.
Gerard D. Griffith – 8th Grade History and Director of Special Projects
Gerard began his teaching career as a Teach For America corps member in 1995. He has taught eighth through twelfth grades in both the public and private school sectors. Gerard served as the Director of the Breakthrough Program for seven years before becoming the founding math teacher of KIPP Infinity in 2005. As the Director of Special Projects, he coordinates trips and special events. Gerard also coaches two sports and teaches an SAT class for high school students.
Brian A. Johnson – 8th Grade Mathematics
Brian Johnson joined KIPP Infinity Charter School in 2008 as a founding 8th grade math teacher. His educational background includes a B.S. from the University of Kentucky in Marketing and a Masters degree from Pace University. Before teaching middle school math, Mr. Johnson has taught grades K-12 ranging from ELA to mathematics. Mr. Johnson was also a 2006 NYC corp member for Teach For America. One of his favorite activities is math team because "Math is Life".
Julia Lee – Speech Pathologist
Julia Lee (Speech-language pathologist) graduated from New York University in 2005 with a B.S. in Teaching Students with Speech and Language Disabilities and a minor in Education. Upon graduation, Ms. Lee worked in the Department of Education for about a year as a speech-language therapist in an elementary school in Chelsea. She then attended Teachers College, Columbia University where she received her M.S. in speech-language pathology in 2008. She currently works as a speech-language pathologist for KIPP College Prep, Infinity, and Star.
Lynn Liran – 8th Grade ELA & Intervention
Lynn Liran grew up in NYC and attended PS 217 through fifth grade followed by the Spence School. After graduating from Spence in 1999, she attended Union College where she received her degree in History in 2003. Upon graduation, she joined the NYC Teaching Fellows program and taught second grade for two years in the Bronx. While teaching, she earned her Master’s degree in childhood education from Mercy College along with NY State Certification in teaching students with disabilities. Lynn Liran joined KIPP Infinity in 2006 and has served as an ELA and Special Education teacher for the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades.
Danny Madden – Chorus Director
John Danny Madden displayed exceptional musical abilities as a child and by the age of ten he played the drums, flute, saxophone, trombone, cello and piano. As a child Opera singer, Danny performed with music legends Duke Ellington and Leonard Bernstein. Later, he went on to study at The Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Ohio and at The Juilliard School of Music, N.Y.C. He’s performed at the Metropolitan Opera, N.Y.C. and The John F. Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C. As an R&B Pop singer, Danny recorded his own CD which he co-wrote and produced for Giant/Warner Bros. Records entitled “These Are the Facts Of Life”. His music has been featured in movies and T V shows Including Warner Bros. “New Jack City” and Fox TV’s “Melrose Place”. He’s produced, written or arranged for some of the music industry’s top selling artists ranging from NSYNC to Mariah Carey. As one of New York’s most sought after Voice Teacher’s, he’s had 2 students as American Idol TV Show Finalists. As Choral Director for The KIPP Infinity Charter School and The Prep for Prep School, Danny’s has created and developed a school performance empowerment program called “Find Your Voice”. At The KIPP: Infinity Charter School, he created and developed a mentor/performance program called “The KIPP: Concert Series”. As a Big Brother in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City Mentoring Program, he founded a grass-roots African-American mentor recruitment organization called BIGS UNITED. He’s been honored by BBBSNYC for his outstanding work as a volunteer and he’s been honored by the Mayor of New York City at Gracie Mansion, New York City.
Joseph R. Negron – Founding Principal and 5th Grade Mathematics
Joseph Negron graduated with honors from Harvard University with a degree in Chemistry and also has master degrees from Teachers College and National Louis University. He joined Teach For America in 2001 as a 6th grade math and science teacher in Washington Heights, where he was the recipient of the Sue Lehman Award for Excellence in Teaching. After three years in the classroom, Joseph was accepted into the KIPP Fisher Fellowship where he spent a year in school leadership training. In July of 2005, KIPP Infinity opened its doors - Joseph has been the school’s principal and taught a section of 5th grade math since its opening.
Paul M. Novick – Band Director
Paul Novick was a music major at the University of Miami his first year of college where he played in the percussion ensemble and in the drum line of the Band of the Hour, performing at the 2003 Fiesta Bowl National Championship. His following years in college were completed at the University of Virginia where he continued his love for music by playing in the percussion ensemble and Cavalier Marching Band but graduated with a degree in Foreign Affairs in 2006. He then joined Teach For America for two years in Helena, Arkansas teaching music at J.F. Wahl Elementary School and drum line at KIPP Delta College Preparatory. Mr. Novick is now in his 2nd year directing the KIPP Infinity Band.
Ekene A. Nwokoye – 6th Grade Intervention
Ekene Nwokoye graduated from Tufts University in 2000 and completed the New York City Teaching Fellows program at Hunter College in 2005. Ms. Nwokoye spent four years teaching 4th grade General Ed at P.S. 206 in Manhattan, and 1 year teaching ex-inmate youth from Rikers Island before joining KIPP Infinity in 2007. She currently teaches 6th Grade Reading & Nonfiction Research Studies Inclusion, SETTS and Writing Intervention.
Frances Olajide – 6th Grade Writing
Frances-Victoria Olajide is joined the KIPP Infinity team and family in 2009 as a 6th Grade writing teacher. Before coming to KIPP Infinity, Ms. Olajide taught 6th, 8th and 9th grade ESL and Humanities at The Urban Assembly School for Applied Math and Science in the Bronx. Ms. Olajide has taught Literacy and English as a native and second language in New Orleans, LA and in Ghana. Ms. Olajide holds a B.S. from Xavier University of Louisiana and completed her MS in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages at City College. She is excited about the instruction, growth and fun she is able to lead as a teacher at KIPP: Infinity.
Theresa Pletchon McCaffrey – 5th Grade Reading
Theresa Pletchon McCaffrey graduated with high honors from Rutgers University with a BA in Liberal Arts and then later from Harvard University with a MFA in Acting. After working in the arts for several years, she joined Teach For America and taught in the Bronx for 2 years. This is Ms. McCaffrey's third year teaching 5th grade reading at KIPP Infinity in NYC.
Asiya M. Razvi – Social Worker
Asiya Razvi graduated with her BA in English Literature in 2001 and her Masters in Social Work in 2003, both from UCLA. In Los Angeles, she worked with teenagers affected by the court systems and mentally ill older adults. Upon graduation, Ms. Razvi moved to New York and worked at the Bronx Defenders in criminal defense and parent representation for 4 years. Ms. Razvi joined KIPP Infinity in 2007 as a member of the Guidance Team.
Rebecca C. Rosario – Guidance Counselor
Rebecca Rosario (Guidance Counselor) graduated from Hunter College in 2005 with a degree in School Counseling. After spending a year as a Guidance Counselor and Special Education Coordinator at Washington Shores Elementary School in Orlando, Florida she returned to New York City. Ms. Rosario began working at KIPP: Infinity in August of 2006 as a Guidance Counselor and Special Education Coordinator. She currently wears the single hat of Guidance Counselor, giving up her position as Special Education Coordinator in order to meet the ongoing counseling needs of a larger population.
Annica M. Schroeder – 5th Grade Intervention
Annica Schroeder graduated Summa Cum Laude from The University of Illinois in 2005 with a degree in Advertising and a degree in sociology. Upon graduation, Ms. Schroeder joined Teach For America, moved to New York City, and fell in love with being in the classroom. She taught fifth grade inclusion at PS/MS 218 in the Bronx before coming to KIPP Infinity.
Sayuri L. Stabrowski – 7th Grade Reading & Writing
Sayuri Stabrowski graduated with High Honors from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in History. After graduating, Sayuri joined Teach For America and taught 4th and 5th grades at PS 241 in Harlem for two years. In July of 2007, Sayuri joined KIPP Infinity as a member of the 7th grade team. In addition to teaching reading and writing, Sayuri also coaches volleyball, serves as the yearbook advisor and is the humble servant of the 7th Grade Reading Blog at: http://stabookski.wordpress.com.
Steven Thomas – Band Director
Steven M. Thomas hails from Baltimore, MD and graduated cum laude in Music at Howard University, where also was section leader of the Showtime Marching Band and lead trumpet player of the Howard University Jazz Ensemble. Following his graduation in May of 2006, he furthered his education by attending Penn State University where he also studied music and directed the Outer Dimensions Jazz Ensemble. Immediately after his graduation from Penn State, he was awarded the music position at KIPP Infinity.
Michael A. Vea – 7th Grade Social Studies & Writing, Journalism
Michael Vea (7th Grade American History) graduated from Northwestern in 2001 (B.S. Education and Social Policy), and from Pace in 2003 (M.S. Elementary Education). After Northwestern, he joined Teach For America and taught 5th grade at PS 128 in Washington Heights, Manhattan. In 2005, he joined the KIPP Infinity Family as its 5th grade Nonfiction Studies teacher. Outside of KIPP, he enjoys exploring new restaurants and supporting the Broadway community.
Ian C. Willey – 5th Grade Writing
Ian Willey (5th Grade Writing) graduated Magna Cum Laude from The College of Wooster in 2005 with a degree in Political Science. Upon graduation, Mr. Willey joined Teach For America in New York. He taught English and Social Studies at I.S. 129 in the Bronx for three years, and was chosen to deliver TFA’s ‘05 Corps Member Address. He joined KIPP Infinity in 2008.
Madeleine Witter – Director of Instruction
Madeleine Witter graduated Summa Cum Laude from New York University in 2002 with a degree in philosophy. After graduation, Mrs. Witter joined Teach For America where she taught ELA and History to grades 6 and 8 in Washington Heights. She then served as a literacy coach for M.S. 328. Afterwards, she became a founding teacher for KIPP Infinity in 2005, where she taught 5th, 7th and 8th grade ELA and helped as Director of Instruction.
Michael S. Witter – 8th Grade Reading, Writing
Before joining the staff at KIPP Infinity, Mr. Witter was a Teach For America corps member at P.S. 128 in Washington Heights, New York, from 2003-2005, teaching fifth grade self-contained. In 2005, he continued a third year at P.S. 128 in addition to working in part time at KIPP Infinity as a guided reading teacher. In 2006, he began teaching full time as KIPP Infinity’s sixth grade reading teacher. This is his first year as Infinity’s eighth grade reading and writing teacher. Mr. Witter has also previously acted as the sixth grade level chair and is currently the seventh and eighth grade level chair. Mr. Witter received a B.A. in anthropology from the University of Chicago and a Master’s in teaching from Pace University.
