“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to old dimensions.” - Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. Zipporiah Mills’ journey as an educator began as a third grade teacher in September 1984. After 25 years of teaching she says she still enjoys the look on a student's face when they “get it.” It is for that look that Zip Mills expects excellence from every member of the PS 261 community every day. Zip’s educational mission is to create a place where every child is greeted every day with a smile, a caring glance, and supportive words; where high academic goals are realized for our students through hands-on exploration; where all students are exposed to various arts media; and where teachers, parents and administration support each other for the good of our children. Zip became principal of PS 261 in September 2005.

Ms. Allen-Joseph first came to PS261 as a parent of Sasha & Julian during the late 80's. Both her children graduated from PS261 and are now performing artists. During that time she served as a Steering Committee co-chair and class parent to many PS 261 classrooms. She later joined the staff as a classroom teacher. She has taught grades K-5 but her passion was the 4th grade. She taught at PS261 from 1992-2004. Ms. Allen-Joseph went on to become a Literacy Coach at PS230 and The Hamilton Heights School for the past 4 years, where her responsibilities were implementing the literacy needs for the school along with providing instructional support to classroom teachers. Jackie has a BFA in Dance Performance from City College and an MS in Early Childhood from Bank Street College. She obtained her School Building Leader Certificate in Administration from The College of Saint Rose. She is a strong believer in building a community of lifelong learners where school is a place to stretch and become excited about each other's growth as educators. She is a lover of the arts! She spends most of her spare time listening to live music or attending the Joyce Theater! Jackie is very excited to be "home!"

Carmen Perez started at PS261 as a volunteer in 1993, when her daughter Rita Started Pre-Kindergarten; a year later she was hired as the Family Worker for the Pre-K program, where she remained for 11 years. In 2006 she became the first PS261 Parent Coordinator, and in 2008 became Office Manager. Mrs.Perez lives in Staten Island with her husband Raymond and three children Raymond Jr., 26; Rita, 20; and Michelle, 19 (all graduates of PS261).

This is Jerry's 4th year as Parent Coordinator at PS261, and was a parent here for 11 years. He really enjoys engaging the school community. "I try to make myself as visible as possible, to let parents know that I'm here to help improve communication between the parent body and the school," he says. The father of three PS261 graduates - now in 11th, 8th & 6th Grades - he tries to bring his experience as a public school parent to bear in his day-to-day responsibilities. Jerry holds a BA in Chemistry from Indiana University.

Miss Vivian, a veteran teacher of nearly two decades, earned a Bachelor's in Developmental Drama and Early Childhood Education from Hunter College. She has a Master's in Elementary Education with a specialty in English as a Second Language from Adelphi University. Miss Vivian has taught pre-K since 2004, but she has spent most of her career teaching kindergarten, as well as first and second grades, and much of it at PS 261. At home she keeps busy surfing the Internet, swimming, biking, doing arts and crafts and working on home projects.

Ms. Robyn started at PS 261 in 2005. She received her Bachelor's in Child and Family Studies from Syracuse University and her Master's in Childhood and Special Education from New York University. Recently she has also obtained her Early Childhood Education certificate. Ms. Robyn has just started her 7th year at PS 261 and has taught both 2nd grade CTT for two years and Kindergarten for the past 4 years. This year she will be starting out on a new adventure in Pre- K and is very excited. PS 261 has a great community of teachers, parents and students! When Ms. Robyn is not working at PS 261 in the summer she works at a camp on Long Island where she has been for the past 14 years!

Mandy came to PS 261 from The Churchill School in Manhattan, a special education school. This is her seventh year at 261. She taught 3rd grade here for 2 years, has worked as an intervention teacher as well as a SETTS teacher. This is the third year as a kindergarten teacher here and she absolutely loves this age group! She lives in Fort Greene with her husband, her dog Harry and her 4 year old and a 1 year old daughters, Charlie & Willa. A Manhattan native, she received her Bachelor's in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin and her Master's in Special and General Education from Bank Street College. In the classroom she likes to "have fun while learning, connect with the kids and encouraging them to become independent thinkers!"

This is Jen's 14th year teaching, and 5th year teaching K. She's called PS 261 home since 2004. Jen grew up in Vermont, where she received her BA in American Literature from Middlebury College. Jen also has her Masters in Early Childhood from Hunter College. When not at PS 261, Jen can be found in NJ biking with her family, knitting or trying to kick her crafty blog reading habit.

This is David's fourth year teaching Kindergarten at P.S. 261. He received his Bachelor Degree in Political Science from S.U.N.Y. Buffalo and holds Masters Degrees from both Queens College (Social Studies in Secondary Education) and Touro College (Childhood and Special Education). David loves to play gourmet chef in the kitchen for his wife and amazing 5 year old daughter.

Marisa has taught in the early grades for 15+ years, half of them at our school. She received her Bachelor's in Special Education from SUNY Geneseo and her Master's in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College. She brings her love of music to her classroom. She says the children are the best thing about her job, and she encourages them "just to be themselves."

Yvonne has been at our school since 1996. Before this she worked on Wall Street for 10 years. She received her Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education, Master's in Elementary Mathematics, and a Master's in Educational Leadership, from Brooklyn College. Yvonne has taught Kindergarten, First, Second, and Third grades, and she was the "Math Games" teacher specialist. Yvonne, who is from Panama, speaks Spanish fluently. She enjoys attending performing arts events, and likes being with children. She says, "I love the company of the little ones."

Nadya Robinson is a Brooklyn native. She is a graduate of the Nightingale Bamford School and a survivor of Prep for Prep. Ms Robinson holds an A.B in Classics from Cornell University and an M.S. from Touro in Special Education. She loves children and has been teaching since 1999 where she worked with special needs children at the Cardigan Mountain School in Canaan, N.H. She enjoys travel abroad and time with her family. She currently resides with her husband and son in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

Mrs. Lopez has been teaching a Bilingual English/Spanish Special Education Class at PS 261 for 25+ years. She is a Native New Yorker who graduated from Brooklyn College with a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education, and from Hunter College with a Special Education Master's Degree in Learning Disabilities. It gives Mrs. Lopez great pleasure to see her students grow and become independent learners. Away from school, she enjoys traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Yasmine has been teaching at P.S. 261 since 2008. Yasmine loves teaching at P.S 261! It was the elementary school she attended as a child and she gets to work alongside her wonderful first grade teacher, Millie! Yasmine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education (grades 1-6) with a concentration in Children’s Studies and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2) from Brooklyn College. She enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her baby boy, Dean.

Millie, who is originally from Cobble Hill and is bilingual in Spanish and English, has been teaching at PS 261 since 1990. She received her Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education and her Master's in Early Childhood Education from Brooklyn College. Millie brings her love of art to the classroom; in fact, she studied at the School of Visual Arts. She also loves cooking, reading, crochet, needlepoint, walking, dance, figuring out her computer, and spending time with her grown son.

Jamie began teaching at our school in 2002. With a Bachelor's in English from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a dual Master's in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from New York University, Jamie is happy to be at PS 261. “I absolutely love this school! We have an amazing community here!” She enjoys living in the neighborhood with her husband and son. Jamie loves to cook, read, and travel.

Jamie has taught at PS 261 since 2004. Prior to joining the PS 261 staff, she worked as a pre-school teacher, a second grade teacher and held many other odd jobs. Jamie has a bachelor's degree in Children's Literature and a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education, both from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Jamie's favorite pastimes are bicycling, reading, and hanging out with her daughter, Charlotte. Jamie lives in Sunset Park with her husband, her daughter and her fat cat, Albert.

Jenn has been at PS 261 since 2002. She originally taught kindergarten and she moved to first grade in 2006. She has her Bachelor's in Elementary Education and her Masters in Elementary Mathematics from New York University. One of her favorite things about PS 261, Jenn says, is all the great people she works with.

Originally from California, Boramy received her BA in Communications and History at the University of California, San Diego. She moved to New York in 2007 to attend New York University where she received her dual MA in Elementary and Special Education. This is her third year at PS 261. A lover of knowledge, she hopes to instill the same kind of love in all of her students. She loves to cook, travel, and spends too much time at the Paper Source and Etsy for all her crafting addictions.

This is Aryn's 9th year teaching 1st Grade at PS 261. Before teaching and throughout college, Aryn worked as a Chanel make-up artist. She holds a Bachelor's in Elementary Education and Art History, as well as a Master's in Literacy, both from NYU. Aryn lives in the Bronx with her husband Sal and her baby boy Jace. She has fallen in love with Brooklyn, especially its restaurants. Aryn enjoys good food, baking, the beach, and spending time with her friends and family.

Alexandra is one of the Special Education teachers at PS 261. She values her class’ small size and the unique talents and strengths each child brings to the classroom community. She appreciates parent involvement and welcomes them in the classroom. She also encourages her students to share what they like to do and learn about. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology and has a Master’s Degree in School Counseling.

Ms Miriam started at PS261 in 1998. She received her Bachelor's in Elementary Education from Brooklyn College and her Master's in Literacy from the College of Staten Island. She taught 1st grade for seven years and has worked as a 2nd grade reading intervention teacher. This is her second year as a 2nd grade teacher. Ms Miriam lives in Marine Park, Brooklyn. She has twin sons who attend PS261 and are now in 2nd grade. Her hobbies are entertaining her sons, reading with them and spending time with her family.

My name is Louis Mulryan and this is my 3rd year teaching at PS 261. I have taught 2nd, 3rd, and now back to 2nd! I am looking forward to the new school year. I have several big changes that deserve mentioning; I moved, and sadly, the kitties could not move with me and now are living with my dear old dad out in Long Island. But I got two new roommates in Long Island City, Queens: My wife, June, and our new baby boy, Luke Oliver Mulryan, born the 23rd of August. All else is the same, as in loving music, the Yankees and when I have the time, reading and writing. Still Colombian, and I live the life I love, love the life I live, to quote Muddy Waters....Go 2011-2012 school year!

Melissa has been teaching at P.S. 261 for 6 years. This is her third year teaching 2nd grade. Melissa has a Masters in Education from Temple University. She likes teaching, Melissa says, because, "I like helping students realize just how brilliant they are." When she's not teaching, she enjoys going to Monday Night bingo, visiting museums and making handmade stationary.

Jocelyn has been teaching at PS 261 since 2004. She spent the first four years teaching kindergarten, and this is her fourth year teaching 2nd grade. Prior to moving to Brooklyn, Jocelyn taught for three years at an elementary school near Seattle. Jocelyn has a Bachelor's degree in Drama, and a Master's degree in Educational Theatre, both from New York University. Jocelyn spent many years as an actress, but finds teaching to be even more inspiring and rewarding. She spends her free time reading, traveling, and exploring New York City with her daughter, Emily, who graduated from PS 261 just last year.

While this is Joyce's 5th year of teaching at PS 261, she was a parent here since 2003. After practicing law for 20 years (15 at Legal Services), Joyce is living her fantasy of being a public school teacher! Joyce received her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, her law degree from Georgetown University and, her Masters in Childhood and Special Education at Brooklyn College through the NYC Teaching Fellows Program. Joyce lives in Flatbush, Brooklyn with her family and pets.

Anne has been teaching at PS 261 since 2005. She previously worked in Washington Heights where she taught both third and fourth grades. She grew up in Massachusetts and received her Bachelor's in History from Wellesley College and a Master's in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from New York University. She loves teaching for the interesting discussions, the privilege of helping kids become productive citizens, and the totally unexpected. Anne lives in Ditmas Park with her husband, dog, and 2 year old son Paul.

Ms. Nicole, a native New Yorker who lives in Brooklyn, started at PS 261 in 2005 after three years teaching third and fifth grades at PS 158 in Brooklyn. She was previously a case manager in a domestic violence shelter for five years. Ms. Nicole is a NYC Teaching Fellow. She has a Bachelor's in Sociology from City College and a Master's in Childhood Education from Brooklyn College. Ms. Nicole finds teaching important because she believe she is investing in the making of our future. She enjoys reading, dancing, and listening to music.

Kim Tulloch began working for NYC schools in 1988 and has been a member of the PS 261 school community since 1992. She has also taught in Red Hook and Washington Heights. Kim has a BA from Hunter College in Dance Education, a Master’s in Childhood Education from Hunter College, and Master’s in Literacy K-6 from CCNY. Kim'’s children, now 25 and 21, are graduates of PS 261. Kim recently became a Gateway National Park camping teacher and wants to prevent nature deficit disorder in children. In her spare time Kim hikes with her 2 dogs, enjoys reading, dances, and does lots of yoga.

Katy has been teaching for more than a decade, mostly at PS 261. She loves watching the children's many changes. She especially enjoys working with other teachers and praises her colleagues' cohesiveness. When she's not at school, Katy likes to spend time with her incredibly cute son Owen, her husband and their friends and to travel whenever possible. Katy, a native Californian, received her Bachelor's in Religion from Bard College and her Master's in Elementary Education from Smith College.

This is Ms. Sharon's third year full-time at PS 261, but she's no stranger to our school. She has twins who attended PS 261 and are now in their first year of high school! While Ms. Sharon's children were in school here, she spent 4 years substituting at PS 261. She is a native Brooklynite with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Baruch College. After 10 years in the business world, she went to Hunter College to get her Master's degree in Education. Ms. Sharon has been a Clinton Hill resident for over 20 years. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

Ms. Scarborough came to PS 261 in 2006. She is in her 14th year in the classroom with 6 years prior experience as a substitute teacher. She has a B.A. in Psychology from UCF and a Master’s in Education from Rollins College. Ms. Scarborough teaches her students the importance of living an extraordinary life, which includes a lifetime of learning and philanthropic endeavors. She has a daughter, Cody, who attends NYU and three dogs. For fun she enjoys spending time with her daughter, visiting museums, painting portraits of her dogs, and photography. Check out her classroom website at www.steach4fun.com.

This is my first year as a classroom teacher, but I have worked as a SETSS teacher at Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School through a private agency. I hold BA in Economics from Hunter college, and I'm in my final semester at Touro College where I will receive MS in Gen./Sp. Ed. in Grades 1 through 6. I enjoy watching children discover that there are no limits to their abilities; and that they can accomplish their goals. This pushes me to give more of myself, so that students can become successful in their studies. I reside in Queens and enjoy traveling to different countries with my family.

This is my 3rd year at P.S. 261 and it has become a 2nd home to me! I love watching my fifth graders grow into young adults and see the progress they make throughout the year. In my free time I enjoy helping out my community by involving myself in food drives and clothing collections.

This is Stacy's seventh year of teaching in New York City. She grew up in South Carolina with parent's of Brooklyn pedigree. When she graduated from the University of South Carolina, she moved to NYC. After a year of working in the fashion industry (in publicity, not fashion) she went and received her Masters at Teachers College, Columbia University. She student taught at PS 321 and taught at PS 94 in Sunset Park. This is her second year at PS 261. She currently lives in Lower Manhattan where she enjoys sitting at the waterfront with her dog, Oreo, and reading The New York Times.

Ms O'Shea, the teacher formerly know as NAN, has worked at P.S. 261 since 1997. She has taught 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders and has survived to tell the tales! Ms O'Shea works in room 324 with her two turtles Click & Clack and a revolving tank of goldfish.

Brian Jones has been an elementary school teacher in Harlem for eight years. In that time, he has taught almost every grade 2 through 6, and created a drama program in which students wrote and performed their own plays. Brian has performed Howard Zinn's one-man play, Marx in Soho, all over North America since 1999. He is also a member of the Grassroots Education Movement, and is featured in the new film, The Inconvenient Truth Behind Waiting for Superman. In his spare time, Brian enjoys reading and writing about African-American history. He lives in Washington Heights with his partner and daughter.

Ms. Danielle, who came to PS 261 in 2002, has taught 4th grade for 3 years in addition to Kindergarten and Library. Ms. Danielle has a Bachelor's degree in Dietetics from the University of Delaware and a Master's in Elementary Education from C.W. Post. Originally from Long Island, she now lives in Carroll Gardens with her husband, 2 year old son Liam and her cat Hunter. She enjoys traveling, reading a great book and spending time in Vermont.

Colleen Greto earned her Bachelors degree from Syracuse University, graduating from their Elementary Inclusion program. She holds her masters in literacy from Hunter College. Colleen is the Special Education teacher in P.S.261's third grade Collaborative Team Teaching classroom. She has been teaching in Brooklyn since 2004. Growing up in Connecticut, she always worked with children and knew that this was the profession for her. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, live music, and art.

Miss Megan received her Bachelor's in Visual Arts with a concentration in Ceramics from the State University of New York at New Paltz. She grew up in Brooklyn and lives in Queens. Miss Megan has also taught art in afterschool and weekend programs. She has been at PS 261 since 2005.

This is Ms. Ayala's fourth year at P.S. 261. Her twin daughters graduated from the school three years ago and are now in high school. Ms. Ayala was an attorney in private practice for a decade before she became a New York City Teaching Fellow. She has her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Illinois in Chicago, her law degree from Rutgers University in Newark, and a dual Master's in Childhood and Special Education from Brooklyn College. She lives in Brooklyn and enjoys spending time with her family.

Marissa started her teaching career in NYC in 2002 in Washington Heights as a student teacher of SUNY Cortland. She completed her field studies abroad in London, England where she taught upper elementary students and studied at the University of North London.  Upon returning, Marissa taught in Sunset Park, Brooklyn at PS 94 for 2 years before taking her service abroad again as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nicaragua.  Marissa did her graduate work at Teacher’s College at Columbia where she studied TESOL and received a Masters degree. After teaching at Hamilton Heights School in West Harlem for 4 years, she comes to PS 261 eager to connect with the community. Marissa loves to read and dance in her free time and is interested in working with and creating integrated curriculum rooted in social justice and the arts.

Ellyn began teaching at PS 261 in 2007. This will be her fifth year teaching the 5th grade. She received her Bachelor's in Communications and History of Art at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. After graduation she worked in Advertising for three years before she decided to get her Master's in Education from New York University. Ellyn is originally from Chicago and currently resides in midtown Manhattan. Ellyn loves to travel, cook, draw and take walks throughout the city.

As a teacher, Jook "facilitates ways for children to discover for themselves." He finds the upper grades a turning point for children as they start to think beyond elementary school. In addition to being with his wife and two children, Jook enjoys cooking, reading, and photography. He received his Bachelor's in English Literature from Stony Brook University and a Master's in Elementary Education from Bank Street College. Jook has worked at PS 261 since 1995.

This is Marie's first year as a classroom teacher but she worked at PS 261 for the two previous years as a paraprofessional. She has a B.A. in Psychology from Medgar Evers College and is working on dual certification in Special and General Education in the Master's program at Tuoro College. A Brooklyn native, Marie lives in East Flatbush now and enjoys tennis and reading in her spare time.

Dana Levy began her adventure at ps261 in 2006 as a student teacher in 3rd grade CTT. She has taught 4th grade inclusion for 2 years, and will be teaching 3rd grade inclusion this year. She loves having interesting and honest conversations with her students. Dana did her undergraduate work at Rutgers university before moving to Manhattan to pursue her Masters Degree in childhood and special education at New York University. Dana loves the collaborative and supportive environment PS261 is known for. She lives in park Slope and enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with friends.

Jamie started her career at 261 as a student teacher in the spring of 2009 and began teaching 5th grade that fall. She received her masters at NYU and holds a degree in Elementary Education and Students with Disabilities grades 1-6. Jamie says her favorite thing about teaching 5th grade is "watching her 5th graders come in as elementary students in September and leave ready to conquer middle school by June". Jamie is an avid reader who especially enjoys reading children's books. On Sundays, you can find her watching football and cheering for her Jets. You can often find Jamie walking over the Brooklyn Bridge or eating ice cream on Smith Street.

Karyn has been teaching for nearly two decades. She has taught Physical Education and Dance primarily but also taught Art and grade 2. Karyn joined the P.S. 261 family in 2002 and is happy to share her former professional dance experience with her students. Hobbies include dance, gardening, horseback riding and taking care of her menagerie. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and will be receiving a Masters degree in Childhood Ed. from Brooklyn College.

Rocco began teaching at P.S. 261 in 2007. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he began studying piano seriously in high school. He holds a Bachelor's of Arts in Music at Queens College, where he was an active member of the Queens College Chorus and Choir, and a Masters in Music Education at Brooklyn College. In 2009, Rocco became certified in the Kodaly method from the Kodaly Institiute at NYU, which is an approach to music education that was developed in Hungary. In his spare time, Rocco enjoys traveling, working out, and hanging out with friends and family.

Ms. Williams thinks teaching music is groovy. She especially loves working with students in the Beginning and Advanced Bands and third grade Recorder Ensemble at P.S. 261. Ms. Williams graduated from Westminster Choir College, and holds a Masters degree in Music Education from Lehman College. In addition to teaching, she enjoys singing, knitting, reading and being outdoorsy in her native state of Vermont. Ms. Williams has been teaching at P.S. 261 since 2007 and lives with her husband and dog, Baxter, in Gowanus, Brooklyn.

Don has been teaching at 261 for 12 years. For seven of those years he was a fifth grade teacher and is currently our Phys. Ed. teacher. Don graduated from Brooklyn College and earned his Masters from Adelphi University. He has three daughters. His oldest is a fourth grade teacher who has a 20-month-old baby girl named Jordyn. Don's twin girls are nurses at New York Methodist Hospital in Park Slope.

Mr. Scott loves teaching because he likes "the chance to be able to really get to know another person who's younger than me." He has a Bachelor's in English and Sociology from the University of Michigan and a Master's in Elementary Education from Columbia University. Mr. Scott has been at PS 261 since 2002. He grew up in Rochester, plays the piano and he loves to ski.

Carmelo, "the Science Fellow," has taught science at PS 261 since 1996. Teaching science is his calling. With a Bachelor's in Elementary Education and Nutrition from Brooklyn College and a Master's in Environmental Education, Carmelo is committed to encouraging more science in the classroom. Carmelo is getting married this fall.

Haya is in her second year at PS 261. Previously she taught art to Elementary and Middle School students in private schools in NYC and High School students in the Bronx. She graduated from Brooklyn College and went into advertising, and fashion, and, worked for several years as a prop and wardrobe stylist for film and photography shoots. Haya always knew she wanted to teach art and went to Pratt Institute to earn a Masters in Art and Design Education. Haya feels that art is vital to a child's development and thinking processes. She loves witnessing her students communicate through their art and watching what they will produce. When Haya isn't teaching she enjoys going to museums and galleries, working on art projects and spending time with friends.

Tanya is in her 3rd year at P.S. 261. She loves seeing the creative side of her students develop and having the joy of getting to know them better year after year. Since an early age, Tanya has enjoyed making art. Ceramics, printmaking, and drawing are her areas of specialty. She received her Bachelors in International Business and Marketing from The University at Buffalo. After a few years in the business world, it became clear that working with children and teaching art was her true calling. Tanya earned a Masters in Visual Art Education from New York University. In her free time, she loves to be with friends and family, read, travel, explore the outdoors, and of course make art. She lives in Brooklyn and is happy to be a part of the P.S. 261 community.

Ms. Evelyn Aleman has been teaching in the Department of Education since 1979 in a public school located in Nararnjito, Puerto Rico. She started at P.S. 261 in 1992. She has a Master's in Elementary Education with a specialty in TEOSL.. She says, "As a teacher I feel it is my responsibility to do my best in the transmission of essential data to these children in order for them to acquire the intellectual knowledge that they need to confront the different careers in their future lives." She is fluent in Spanish and enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends at church. She also enjoys dancing salsa.

"All students can thrive in a supportive school environment; it is our responsibility as a community to work together to make this a reality." Judy Salazar is a teacher of special education. She has been teaching at P.S. 261 since 2004. She taught the first Collaborative Team Teaching class that was introduced to P.S. 261 in 2004. Presently, she is teaching students in the Resource Room or SETSS program. Judy received her Bachelor's degree at Smith College where she majored in Latin American Studies. She studied Spanish literature in Spain, and earned her Master's degree in Special Education from New York University. Presently, she is working on a second Master's degree in School Administration at Baruch College.

This is Maura's first year at P.S. 261, after working in a District 75 school last year. She received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where she majored in English Literature. After graduating, Maura worked briefly in law, followed by a research position at Columbia University. While working, she completed her Master's at Columbia in Speech Language Pathology. A native Brooklynite, Maura enjoys reading novels and the NYT, hanging out with her cats Scrappy and Trixie, vegetarian cooking, and running outside.

Lindsay began her career as PS 261's resident Spunky Speech Language Pathologist in the Fall of 2004. This was the first job she accepted after graduating from her beloved University of Florida (GO GATORS) with a Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2002 and her Masters from New York University in 2004. The best part of this job is being responsible for 50 unique, creative, and wonderful children with whom she shares a very special bond. Contrary to popular belief, "Speech Teachers" don't spend all day correcting lisps. Our 261 speech days are filled with phonemic awareness games including Willaby Wallaby, responding succinctly to "wh" questions, but most importantly helping to improve the overall communication skills of our students so that they can more readily participate and access their classroom curriculum. Her free time would ideally be spent taking beach and European vacations. In reality, daily life includes taking gym, pilates, and dance classes, spending time (mostly eating and laughing) with friends and family, and relaxing with favorite dog in the whole world, Madison.

Hello. I have taught many grades and for many years, so I know that there is nothing like the sheer energy of Kindergarten. Spending the day with five year-olds is teaching me the most elementary lessons about schooling. My students tire me out but, in another way, they slow me down to taking one little step at a time. We will walk on together into knowing letters and numbers but also into knowing and caring about who we each are.

Osdilia became a part of PS261 in 2007 as a Family Worker for the school's Assessment Team. Born in Brooklyn, she moved to Puerto Rico with her family at the early age of seven. After graduating from high school, she went on to study at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico where she majored in Biology. After briefly attending college she moved back to New York in 2000 and has been here ever since. She is fluent in both English and Spanish which makes her a major asset to the School Assessment Team, teachers & parents as she uses her abilities to interpret. Osdilia enjoys writing, spending time with her daughter Layla and her Pomeranian dog Precious.

Renee began her career with the Department of Education in 1998. She has been the PS261 School Psychologist since 2001. Renee is thrilled to be working in the elementary school she attended as a child! She received her Bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College, where she majored in Sociology. A strong desire to help children with learning difficulties led Renee to pursue a graduate degree in School Psychology. She holds and M.S. Ed in School Psychology from Long Island University. In addition, Renee is a New York State Certified Special Education Teacher and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Renee enjoys spending time with her husband Adam and son Benjamin, as well as with extended family and good friends.

I started at PS261 in 1989, 20 years ago, as a Family Worker. I assisted young parents with their Pre-K-aged children, helping to make medical appointments in order for the child to attend Pre-K. I have worked in Kindergarten, First, and Second grades. I have been trained by Jill Bernato in Literacy for Early Readers. I have also worked as a One-To-One para and health para. I work with Ms. Vivian as a co-teacher in Pre-K. I love cooking, dancing, gardening and being with my grandchildren.

Ms. Linda Gaffan has worked for the Dept. of Ed. since 1986, in both General and Special Education classes in Kindergarten, 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. She enjoys working with children of many different skills - "It's an inspiration to watch my students learn and laugh." Ms. Linda enjoys swimming in the ocean, and has been a swimmer since she was 12 years old. Other interests include traveling, listening to music, reading, and hosting parties with family and friends. Kickboxing is also part of her exercise routine.

Marcy Mattera has been part of the PS 261 community for 14 years. After extensive training in mathematics education through Math in the City, Marcy became the school's Math Coach. In this role, she works with teachers to continue to strengthen mathematics instruction at PS 261. Marcy hosts the Math Team for students in grades 3-5 and is the liaison for various mathematics programs run by New York Cares. Marcy really believes that children love math when presented with rich mathematical contexts - math makes more sense when it can be explored in real life situations. Marcy enjoys educating PS 261's community about mathematics and hosts parent workshops throughout the year.

Robin Durawa, who has a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Masters in Social Work from Boston College, came to PS 261 in January of 2010 to pilot the Relationships Are Elementary Program. Prior to coming to PS 261, she worked at an elementary school in the South Bronx and a high school in Queens. Robin enjoys the work she does here and hopes to help the whole community build healthier relationships. She has two children and lives in Manhattan.