Our Team

Leadership Team

Andrea Zayas, Founder and Principal

Andrea serves as the Principal of La Cima Elementary Charter School, an independent public charter school she co-founded in 2007. La Cima is in its fourth year of operation, and currently serves 315 K-4 scholars. The driving purpose in creating La Cima was to develop an institution that produces positive evidence around a theory of social and political change grounded in developing students who have the intellectual capacity, social capital and emotional strength of character to attain academic and life-long success, and act as effective change-makers in their communities.

Before launching the K-5 school in central Brooklyn, Andrea served as Director of Accountability and Oversight for the Office of New Schools at the NYC Department of Education. Andrea began her work in education as a school start-up manager for LearnNow, a management organization that partnered with local CBOs to build community based charter schools, where she managed several school start ups, including schools in the Bronx, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Philadelphia. She also served as an elementary arts and literacy teacher and out of school time program director in NYC public charter schools, combining standards-based approaches and artistic methods to achieve extraordinary results.

Andrea earned her undergraduate degree from Rutgers University – Douglass College, in Visual Arts and an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Arts, Administration, Planning and Social Policy. She serves on the Advisory Board of Partners for Developing Futures, a social venture investment fund that primarily invests in the start-up of high-potential charter schools and charter school networks led by people of color.

Andrea lives, and works in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn with her 8 year old daughter, a founding scholar at La Cima.

Heather Caudill, Founder and Data Administrator

Heather Caudill is a member of the founding team at La Cima Charter School and is currently the Data Administrator. Prior to co-founding La Cima with Andrea Zayas, she served as the Director of Assessment and Instruction at the New York City Center for Charter School Excellence and consulted for several schools within the New Schools for New Orleans umbrella. Heather has worked with elementary, middle, and high school students in Atlanta and New York City. Before entering the teaching field as a Teach for America Corp member, she was an environmental consultant for private and public sector clients across the southeast. Heather received her undergraduate degree from Furman University and a Master's degree in Geology and Education Certification from Georgia State University.

Charles Glover, Learning Support Coordinator

Charles Glover, a founding member of La Cima Charter School, has returned as the Learning Support Coordinator. Born in Los Angeles and completing his undergraduate degree at UCSC, Charles moved to San Francisco and worked at several public elementary schools doing data analysis for bilingual programs, subbing, assisting with the upper grade literacy collaborative, as well as worked as a special-education paraprofessional. After six years in the bay area Charles moved to New York where he completed a special and general education masters degree at Bank Street College of Education, while he was working as a fifth and sixth grade teacher at The Bronx Charter School for the Arts. After two years at this school Charles saw the opportunity to be a founding member at a school with a sort of promise, idealism, vision, and determination that he had not encountered at previous schools. Charles is pleased to be returning to La Cima in order to continue this work that, for him started four years ago.

Christiana Cavaliere, Dean of Curriculum and Instruction

Christiana Cavaliere serves as the Dean of Curriculum and Instruction for La Cima Elementary Charter School. She joined our team last academic year as a literacy coach, working with Grade 3 teachers to build their teachers capacity in balanced literacy while using data to target small group instruction. This year, she looks forward to working with teachers of all grades. Prior to coming to La Cima, Christiana has taught K, 1, 2, and 5 over the last six years in both New York City and Chicago district and charter schools. She received her Bachelor’s in History at the University of Rhode Island, and a Master’s of Childhood Education at Brooklyn College through the NYC Teaching Fellows program. She was the recipient of two MetLife Teacher’s Network Leadership Institute Fellowships where she used action research to influence city-wide educational policies in Chicago and New York.
Currently, Christiana is in her residency year for New Leaders for New Schools and working towards a Master’s in Administration and School Leadership at Baruch College. Outside of La Cima, Christiana loves traveling, going to restaurants, watching movies, reading, and hanging out with friends and family.

Jamie Truman, Director of Operations

Jamie Truman serves as the Director of Operations at La Cima Elementary Charter School. Prior to joining the La Cima community, Jamie taught English Language Arts in Brooklyn at both the elementary and middle school level in Clinton Hill and Bedford-Stuyvesant. A passionate reader, she loved the opportunity to share book recommendations with her students. She thinks if you are older than 12, you should read The Skin I’m In by Sharon G. Flake if you haven’t already. Jamie is a 2004 Teach For America corps member and earned her Master’s degree at Pace University.

Nicole Blair Barzey, Dean of Students

Nicole Blair Barzey serves as the Dean of School Culture for 3rd and 4th grade. Prior to La Cima, Nicole served as the Dean of School Culture at Achievement First Charter School for four years and served within the NYC Department of Education as a 5th grade teacher, computer coordinator and staff developer. Outside of school, Nicole is a proud mommy of two children and can be found spending the majority of her free time with her children in parks, zoos, museums, beaches, and libraries.

April Gariepy, Director of Strategy and Planning

April Gariepy serves as the Director of Strategy and Planning for La Cima Elementary Charter School managing development, compliance, marketing, and board relations. April is thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to the school’s ongoing growth and success. Prior to joining the La Cima community, April was Director of Communications and Marketing for the NYC Department of Education’s Office of Teacher Recruitment and Quality. She is a National Urban Fellow with a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College’s School of Public Affairs and a BA in Communications Studies from Bridgewater State College. April is from Boston, MA and is currently living, working, and raising her daughter in Brooklyn.

Operations Team

Arian Halsey, Operations Manager

Arian Halsey is the Operations Manager at La Cima Charter School. She is a Brooklyn native and has spent the majority of her career working with students in her own, Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood. Arian graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Childhood Education from SUNY at New Paltz and is a current graduate student in the Childhood Education program at Brooklyn College. Arian is passionate about learning and doing everything she can to close the academic achievement gap.

Kyra Groves, Operations Assistant

Kyra Groves serves as the Operations Assistant, ensuring that all of the day-to-day needs are met. Prior to joining La Cima, she was Office Manager at the Child Center of New York at I.S. 43 in Far Rockaway, Queens. Kyra has spent most of her career working with children and in administration. She finds passion in her work and in helping our scholars climb high!

Kindergarten

Diana Bartley, Circles Teacher

Diana Bartley is a Circles kindergarten teacher here at La Cima Charter School. Before coming to Bed-Stuy, Diana grew up in Basking Ridge, NJ and studied at Bucknell University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree and teaching certification in Elementary Education. After graduating, Diana joined Teach For America as a 2010 corps member and began teaching on the La Cima team. She is extremely excited to meet this year’s Circles class and teach alongside Ms. Wassel!

Arlene Gonzalez, Triangles Teacher

Arlene Gonzalez is excited to start her second year as a kindergarten teacher at La Cima! She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, and worked as a preschool teacher for six years prior to joining La Cima. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from St. Francis College, Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Brooklyn College and her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Hunter College. In her free time, she likes to read, travel, play sports and spend time with family and friends.

Sorinel Morel, Ovals Teacher

As Ralph Waldo Emerson famously stated: “To leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded” In following Emerson’s lead, Sorinel strongly believes it is her purpose in life to educate students in a meaningful way. Sorinel’s main goal is to create multiple paths so that students of different abilities, interests or learning needs experience equally appropriate ways to absorb, use, and present concepts as part of the daily learning process. This method will prepare students with educational skills to act as critical thinkers who possess morals, attitudes, and ideas which allow for action in a constantly changing society. Sorinel received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the State University of New York at New Paltz, and is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Special Education at Hunter College.

Amena Obie, Triangles Teacher

Ms. Amena Obie comes to us as a native from Brooklyn who loves working with children. This is her first year at La Cima Charter School and she is very excited to be a part of the La Cima community. Ms. Obie graduated from Brooklyn College in the spring of 2010 with her Bachelor’s in Childhood Education. She plans to continue her education at New York University (NYU). Ms. Obie loves to play all kinds of board, family, and card games. She also loves to read, write poetry, and sing karaoke. If you wanted to find Ms.Obie outside of La Cima you will find her spending quality time with her family and friends.

Katie Wassel, Circles Teacher

Katie Wassel teaches Kindergarten at La Cima Charter School. Prior to teaching in Brooklyn, Katie taught in Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms in San Francisco, Manhattan, and the Bronx. Katie studied Studio Art and Painting at Connecticut College before she pursued her Masters in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College of Education. She still loves to paint, as well as read, do yoga, and cook. She loves to share these interests with her students, as well as learn about and incorporate the interests of her students into the classroom.

Vicki Yasuoka-Almon, Ovals Teacher and Grade Level Chair

Vicki Yasuoka-Almon is excited for another wonderful year at La Cima! Vicki received her Bachelor’s in Visual Arts from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and moved to Los Angeles, where she spent several years working in the film industry. After reflecting on her path, Vicki decided to get her Master's of Arts in Teaching at the University of Southern California and move back to the east coast to teach little people. In her free time, she enjoys photography, filmmaking, reading, and spending time with her family.

First Grade

Jennifer Brown, Squares Teacher

Jennifer Brown has joined our team in 2010 as one of our first grade teachers. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. She received her Master's Degree in Elementary Education from the State University of New York at New Paltz. Jennifer helped to organize many parent and school events and served on committees in her previous school. She also coached her school's Odyssey of the Mind team at the primary level. This will be Jennifer's fourth year of teaching as well as her fourth year of teaching first grade.

Marissa Fisher, Rectangles Teacher and Grade Level Chair

This will be Marissa’s second year teaching first grade at La Cima. This year she will continue her role as a Rectangles teacher and is excited to be co-teaching alongside Ashley Wiseman. Marissa joined the La Cima staff last year after having taught for two years as a third grade teacher at a public school in Brooklyn. Marissa graduated from Hofstra University with a degree in Elementary Education and continued on to receive her Masters in Literacy Education from Queens College. She looks forward to sharing her love of literature with her new students!

Katie Klein, Rhombi Teacher

Katie Klein is a first grade teacher in the Rhombi classroom. Born and raised in Queens, New York, Katie comes to us with a passion for social justice and diversity. While studying Sociology and Criminal Justice at the University of Delaware, she spent her free time teaching and tutoring in local elementary schools and high schools. When offered the opportunity to begin her Master’s work before completing her Undergraduate program, Katie jumped on the chance to attend Bank Street and pursue a degree in Elementary Education. After learning about La Cima at a conference on Urban Education, she is beyond excited to be a part of this dynamic and dedicated team of teachers.

Julián Padilla, Rhombi Teacher

Julián Padilla is a first grade teacher at La Cima Elementary Charter School, a position he has held since 2009. He earned his Master’s degree in Childhood Education at Hunter College and has previously taught first and second grade. Before coming to La Cima, Julián studied at Hampshire College in Amherst, MA, where he earned his Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts, studying social movements, Latin America, and contemporary art history. Born and raised in Austin, TX, Julián previously worked for Austin Voices for Education and Youth as a community organizer. He has also worked in a domestic violence shelter, a legal rights advocacy center, and an afterschool program for Latino youth.

Sasha Redlener, Rhombi Teacher

Sasha Redlener is very excited to join the team at La Cima this year. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology from the George Washington University, and recently completed her Masters in Childhood Education at Hunter College. Aside from education, she is passionate about music, reading, cooking, and animals. This will be Sasha’s first year as a 1st grade teacher. She is looking forward to sharing her love of learning with her students, and she can’t wait to see what she and her students will teach each other!

Ashley Wiseman, Rectangles Teacher

Ashley Wiseman is excited to join the La Cima team as a first grade teacher for the 2011-12 school year. Last year Ashley taught first grade and has taught third and fifth grades during her Master’s work at Columbia’s Teacher’s College. Ashley moved to New York City five years ago after completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Education at the University of California in Los Angeles and is thrilled to continue her career as a member of the La Cima community.

Second Grade

Nisah Brinson, Pentagons Teacher

Nisah Brinson serves as a 2nd grade teacher at La Cima Elementary Charter School. Prior to joining La Cima, Nisah taught 1st grade for 4 years in East New York, Brooklyn. She also was a high school English teacher in Japan for 2 years. Nisah loves studying about Japanese culture and she loves teaching her students Japanese. She believes that all students need to be exposed to different cultures. Nisah received her Bachelor’s degree from Spelman College in Child Development and her Master’s Degree from Columbia Teachers College in Curriculum and Teaching.

Rosalyn Jarvis, Trapezoids Teacher

Rosalyn Jarvis is a native of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn and proud graduate of Bedford Village Public School 3, Ronald Edmonds Learning Center Junior High School 113 and Brooklyn Technical High School. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and her Masters Degree in Education from Brooklyn College. Rosalyn is motivated by the belief that college is not an illusion, it is a reality to the students of Bedford Stuyvesant. She really enjoys traveling and sharing the experiences with her students.

Shawn McGibeny, Hexagons Teacher

Shawn enjoys spending her week days with second graders. Her aspiration to teach elementary school began during her two years of Americorps service with City Year in Boston. After her first stint on the East coast, Shawn returned to her home state of California to study Child and Adolescent Development at San Francisco State University. Upon relocating to New York, she worked as a site director and teaching artist through the Arts and Literacy Program. During this time, she aligned her passion for working with children and personal yoga practice as a yoga for children instructor. She trained and worked with Little Flower Yoga once she became a graduate student. Shawn completed her Education Studies and certification at Bank Street College of Education while student teaching in Brooklyn public and charter schools. Prior to joining the La Cima team, Shawn taught second grade at Little Red School House and fourth grade for the GO Project on Saturdays and over the summer. When not planning lessons, Shawn enjoys crafting, cooking, and biking around Brooklyn. She continues to deepen her yoga practice through the Iyengar method and studies Buddhism as a member of the Interdependence Project.

Zakiya Williams, Second Grade Teacher

Zakiya Williams is a 2nd grade teacher at La Cima Elementary Charter School. She is currently a first year apprentice as a part of the Urban Teaching Corps (UTC). Prior to coming to La Cima, Zakiya studied at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. As a native Chicagoan, Zakiya has showed her dedication to service over the years. She has volunteered with her home church, Habitat for Humanity, Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, Boys and Girls Club and the Harambee Project to name a few. She will be attending Hunter College in January to receive her master’s degree in Childhood Education.

Third Grade

Dagny Goldberg, Third Grade Teacher and Grade Level Chair

Dagny Goldberg is a third grade teacher at La Cima Elementary Charter School. This is her second year at La Cima, Dagny has a Bachelors of Anthropology from Boston University and a Dual Masters of Science in General and Special Elementary Education from Bank Street College of Education. Dagny previously spent two years working in 3rd grade at a private school in Manhattan. Before that role, she worked in a general education 2nd grade classroom and a collaborative team teaching 5th grade classroom. Dagny enjoys reading and traveling in order to get to know different children and their cultures better. She is excited to spend this year at La Cima working with third grade.

Sarah Haldeman, Nonagons Teacher

Sarah Haldeman teaches third grade at La Cima Elementary Charter School. She is originally from Trenton, New Jersey. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Temple University in Philadelphia. Currently, Sarah is working on earning her Master of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. Sarah has previously taught special education in Philadelphia and third grade in Trenton, New Jersey. In her free time, Sarah enjoys reading, movies, and music. Sarah is very excited to work with third grade this year!

Jo Jackson, Decagons Teacher

Jo Jackson graduated from Radford University in Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She then graduated from Winston Salem State University in North Carolina with her Master of Elementary Education. After teaching third grade for four years in North Carolina, she moved back to New York City where she began teaching third grade here at La Cima Charter School in 2010. When she is not teaching, Jo enjoys reading, photography, and snowboarding. She is so excited to be working with your child this year and help them develop a genuine love of learning and a strong academic foundation with which to build upon.

Allison LaFave, Third Grade Teacher

Allison LaFave is thrilled to be joining La Cima’s third grade team this year. Allison graduated from Harvard University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Comparative Religion. At Harvard, she served as director of a student-run homeless shelter. Allison is currently pursuing a Masters in Education at the Relay Graduate School of Education. Prior to joining La Cima, she was a legal assistant for a Civil Rights attorney in Manhattan. Over the years, Allison has been lucky to work in a variety of education settings. She has taught SAT prep courses to high school students in New York and Boston and GED curriculum to incarcerated juveniles. This past spring, she worked with third grade scholars at La Cima’s Saturday Academy. In the summer of 2011, she was a lead teacher for third grade summer school students at P.S. 86 in the North Bronx. Allison is a 2011 Teach for America Corps Member. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, listening to music, traveling, meeting new people, and exploring all corners of Brooklyn.

Fourth Grade

Laura Caito, Spheres Teacher

Laura Caito is the fourth grade humanities teacher at La Cima. She comes to the La Cima with a diverse background in education. These past two years she has been working in Botswana, Africa while serving in the Peace Corps. Her work there included training teachers and creating HIV and AIDS curriculums. Before leaving New York City, Laura taught 4th grade math and science at Community Partnership Charter School and 4th grade in the South Bronx at Public School 1. Laura is extremely excited to be back in New York City and eager to become part of the La Cima community.

Dermoth Mattison, Cubes Teacher

Dermoth serves as the fourth grade math teacher at La Cima. Prior to joining the La Cima community, Dermoth has taught grades one, three and four in New York City public schools. Through his actions and classroom instruction, he strives to instill in his students the importance of respecting and celebrating diversity. In addition to his classroom experience, he received his Masters of Science in Childhood Education and has New York State certification in elementary education. He looks forward to having a productive year at La Cima.

Mekeva McNeil, Fourth Grade Teacher

Mekeva McNeil is from Houston, Texas. She has lived in New York for 6 years. Her experience in education spans over six. She has acquired professional skills that have flourished within several challenging and effective learning environments. Mekeva holds a theatrical background, which also helps to enhance her teaching. She gained much of her expertise through teaching, writing, and directing in and around Houston and New York. This new La Cima community team player is looking forward to a productively positive year with the 4th grade scholars.

Specialists

Alejandra Alvarez, Spanish Language Arts

Alejandra Alvarez is excited to be joining the La Cima team for the first time this year! She was born and raised in Valley Stream, New York and just recently moved to Brooklyn. She studied History at Haverford College, and in 2011 she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. As a 2011 Urban Teaching Corps apprentice, she begins her work at La Cima and is currently one of two Spanish teachers. This year she will begin her graduate studies at Hunter College en route to completing her Master’s degree. She enjoys hanging out with friends and family, playing basketball and exploring new parts of the city.

Alaina Chipan, Learning Specialist

Alaina Chipman is the Learning Support Specialist at La Cima Elementary Charter School for grades Kindergarten and 1st. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development from Spelman College and Master’s Degree in Special Education from New York University. Prior to working at La Cima, Alaina worked with Teacher U as the Program Planning Coordinator for the Summer Teaching Fellows program. She coached fellows while teaching in high performing urban charter schools which lead to job placements. Alaina then became a 1st grade Special Education Teacher at Achievement First East New York Elementary school, where she enjoyed working with great scholars for two years. Alaina enjoys cooking, traveling and going to the beach in her spare time. She is very excited to work with an amazing team at La Cima and looks forward to getting to know all the children and families that she will work with!

Jacqueline Cullen, Visual Arts Teacher

Jackie joined the La Cima team in 2009, and is very excited to begin her new role teaching art to all scholars from Kindergarten through Fourth Grade! Jackie graduated from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor's of Art in Studio Art and went on to receive her Master's degree in Art and Design Education from Pratt Institute. As an artist, she likes to experiment with everything from collage, to silk screening and digital photography. Jackie’s focus is painting, primarily on pieces of wood she finds walking the streets of New York.

Latoya Devonish, Music Teacher

Ms. Devonish was born and raised in the Bronx NY. She attended LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts. Upon graduating, she attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. At Berklee, she earned a Bachelor’s in Music Education and Music Business. It is Ms. Devonish’s dream to one day open a non-for-profit community music center in New York City. In her spare time she loves to read, write songs, listen to music, and watch cooking shows. Ms. Devonish looks forward to her upcoming year at La Cima Charter School.

Abby Hollander, Spanish Language Arts Teacher

Abby Hollander is excited to serve as a Spanish Language Arts teacher for the 2011-2012 school year! Before coming to La Cima, Abby taught English in a public school in Granada, Spain for one year, and bilingual 2nd grade in Austin, Texas for two years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from SUNY New Paltz and is a 2008 Texas Teaching Fellows alumnus. She believes strongly in the ability of the performing arts to empower students to reach their goals both in and out of the classroom. In her spare time, she sings and plays music, performing in public whenever possible!

Felicia Turturiello, Guidance Counselor

Felicia Turturiello serves as the Guidance Counselor at La Cima Elementary Charter School. She provides school based counseling services using creative interventions to meet the needs of the whole child to support and promote academic, social, and emotional success. Prior to joining the team, she earned her Master’s of Science in Education focused in School Based and Rehabilitation Counseling from Hunter College, CUNY. Previously, she worked as a counselor at New York University’s Upward Bound Program and at a New York City public elementary school. She is a member of New York State School Counseling Association and American School Counseling Association.