Advisory Board
Carmen Alvarez, Gail Gaines, Margaret McNamera, Dania Vasquez
advise@essence-school.com

   

Ms. Lisa Auslander
Social Studies - 8th Grade
auslander@essence-school.com

Born & Raised in Jacksonville, FL

Education: BA, Florida State Univ., MA, New School, NY

Extracurricular: self-defense Teacher

Interests: martial arts, cooking.

   
 

Ms. Erica Blackwood
English
Blackwood@essence-school.com

Born & Raised in Brooklyn, NY

Education: BA, Elementary Ed, MA, Elementary Ed

Extracurricular: Choir Director

Interests: reading, singing, dancing.

   
 

Ms. Romi Clements
Family Lodge Coordinator
clements@essence-school.com

Born & Raised in Brooklyn, NY

Education: BA, Psychology

Extracurricular: Articulation Coach

Interests: travel, music, cooking (I love to eat). My favorite rapper is Jay-Z.

   
 

Ms. Pamela Diaz
Math/English/Reading Specialist
diaz@essence-school.com

Born in San Jaun Puerto Rico & Raised in Port of Spain, Trinidad

Education: BS, Science U.W.I, Teacher's Diploma V.T.C., MS, Education, Brooklyn College

Extracurricular: Graduation Coordinator, 8th Grade Team Leader, Drama Club Director

Interests: dance, theathre, food preparation

   
 

Ms. Chamwantie Fredrick
Math - 6th Grade
chamwantie@essence-school.com

Born & Raised in Demerara. Guyana

Education: BA, Queens College, NY

Interests: sewing, floral arranging. Married, mother of two adult children.

   
 

Ms. Gail Gaines
Director
gaines@essence-school.com

Born & Raised in New York City/Brooklyn

Education: BS, Elementary Education, MS, Education, Professional Diploma, Administration & Supervision

Extracurricular: Supervision of all school activity

Interests: collecting antiques

   
 

Ms. M. Kennedy
History - 7th Grade
kennedy@essence-school.com

Born & Raised in Ohio, MA, NJ

Education: BA Political Science, Montclair State Univ., MA Caribbean Studies, NYU.

Extracurricular: Law Class

Interests: reading, watching baseball, travel.

   
 

Mr. Damon Klein
Mathematics
klein@essence-school.com

Born & Raised in Brooklyn, NY

Education: BA, Mathematics

Extracurricular: Photography Club

Interests: rock and mineral collection

   

 

Ms. Charlene S. Oseni
French
oseni@essence-school.com

Born & Raised in Jackson, MS

Education: BA, French, MA Education (second language Ed)

Extracurricular: Softball Coach, Color Guard, Step Team Coordinator, Drama Teacher

Interests: cooking, playing the piano; listening to jazz, gospel & classical music.

   

Ms. Chris'Ana Paul
Language Arts - 7th Grade
paul@essence-school.com

Born & Raised in Brooklyn, NY & Albany, GA

Education: BS Marketing, Morgan State Univ.

Extracurricular: "Essence Times" school newspaper

Interests: reading, cooking, sewing. I love to travel with my spouse and two children.

   

Ms. Niomi Plotkin
Art Instructor/Project Arts Coordinator
plotkin@essence-school.com

Born & Raised in Hartford CT

Education: BA SUNY Empire State Metropolitan Ctr.
MFA Rutgers Univ.

Interests: I am a working artist with a studio. Music, hiking, travel, reading, filmmaking. I love going to films, some of my favorites involve children protagonists such as Solom Bombay, Frankie Starlight, Ponette, Careful He might Hear You, My Life As A Dog.

   
Ms. B. Rademaker
English
rademaker@essence-school.com

Born & Raised in Brooklyn, NY

Education: BA, Education, MA Reading, Brooklyn College, NY

Extracurricular: Test Coordinator, Literacy Liaison

Interests: traveling, reading, music, movies, theater
   
 

Ms. Roberta Reiner
Assistant to the Director
reiner@essence-school.com

   
 
Ms. F. Sanchez
School Aid
sanchez@essence-school.com

Born & Raised in New York City

Education: High School

Extracurricular: participant in all parent/school activities and fund-raising

Interests: cooking, sewing, walking, interacting with student
   

Ms. Sekinah Smith
Science/Special Education
smith@essence-school.com

Born & Raised in New York City

Education: BA, Early Childhood Education, MS Special Education, Additional Science training

Extracurricular: School Treasurer, Leadership Team, Senior Graduation Committee, Chapter Leader

Interests: reading mysteries, Broadway shows, jazz concerts, museums. My biggest mission now is to work as a Teacher Recruiter!

   
 

Ms. Christine M. Vega
Social Studies - 6th Grade
vega@essence-school.com

Born & Raised in Corona, NY

Education: BS, Psychology, Manhattan College; MA, Education, Queens College

Extracurricular: school calendar, 6th grade Team Leader, School Planning & Management Team, Book Fair Coordinator

Interests: reading, writing poetry, spending time with friends

 

 

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