Staff Profiles

admin team

Shery-Ann Atkinson, Principal

My name is Shery-Ann Atkinson and it is my privilege to serve as the Principal of Ebbets Field Middle School. I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a school with such rich history both in and out of the classroom. We honor the legacy of trailblazer Jackie Robinson and instill the values that Determination + Perseverance + Resilience = SUCCESS.   

Ebbets Field has earned a reputation of academic excellence through the hard work of our students, teachers, parents, and staff. We believe that it takes a village to create well-rounded young people, and we are proud to connect our students with our school through positive relationships and a strong sense of community. Full message.

Phone: (718)-941-5097

Ms. Lisa Cummings, Assistant Principal

Welcome to Ebbets Field Middle School.  I work together with the Principal to support teachers in providing a high quality learning experience for students.   We welcome and  encourage Parents and families to join us in realizing our mission of instilling determination + perseverance + resilience to equal success for all our students.

Phone: (718)-941-5097

Ms. Ersell Mellis, Parent Coordinator

As the Parent Coordinator, my role is to enhance parent outreach through events and activities organized to distribute information to parents and help Ebbets Field Middle School continue to grow into an even better school than it already is. Family Engagement Is essential in helping students achieve success. Your participation is critical, as you are your child’s first teachers and have the most vested in their success.

You may direct any questions, concerns, or ideas to me that you may have. Throughout the course of the year, I will keep in contact with you by emails, personal phone calls, and flyers about school or community events and through our school messenger communication tool.

Phone: (718)-941-5097

Marlene Blair, Pupil and Payroll Secretary

I am Ms. Blair. The parent coordinator and I are the first faces you will see upon entering the EFMS 352 community. I welcome families and enroll new students into the school. Join us as we endeavor to create young leaders.

Phone: (718)-941-5097  

Davina Hamilton, New York Edge Director

Ashley Scott, Community Schools Director

teachers

Ms. Giselle Cortes, ICT Teacher

I am Giselle Cortes, I am a Special Education teacher in a Team Teaching classroom.  I believe students learn best when they have opportunities to work together--exchanging ideas and points of view.  I focus on a lot of peer collaboration in my practice.

Email Address: GCortes@efms352.org

Ms. Gloria Falcon, English-as a-New Language Teacher

I am an ENL teacher with 10 years of experience in Middle School. My strength is effectively delivering integrated and stand-alone services for ENL students. I work closely alongside the English Language Arts teachers to add scaffolds to support ENL students. I also pull students in small groups; these sessions focus on remedying and building specific language acquisition skills. I believe ENL students learn best through social immersion and discussion in a culturally responsive environment. This school year, I will continue to use Advance Literacy and Socratic practices to frame instruction.  I plan to advocate for wider use of the Imagine Learning program in tandem with I-Ready for emerging ENL students.       

Email Address: GFalcon@efms352.org

Ms. Tamika Francis, NEST ICT Teacher

I think there are certain things that must take place first so a child can learn.  In my classroom I start with setting structure and direction for everything I do.  Whether it is co-planning and executing a lesson with other teachers or facilitating student instruction-- I find that  maintaining  structure and clear direction yields success.   

Email Address: TFrancis@efms352.org

Ms. Shamani Harmon, ICT NEST ELA Teacher

I am Shamani Harmon, I am a NEST ELA and Math Teacher. I truly believe that students learn best by seeing and doing. This is why I deliver instruction through use of the explicit teaching model--demonstrating the idea and taking time to allow students to practice.

Email Address: SHarmon@efms352.org

Mrs. Basirat Henry, ICT Math /ELA Teacher

I am a licensed Special Education teacher with fifteen years of experience working in a variety of LRE settings including SETSS, inclusion, and self-contained environments. My strength is in providing small group literacy intervention for our students using evidence-based best practices. I strongly believe that all students learn best when instructional strategies cater to the unique learning needs and styles of each individual learner. Furthermore, I believe students need diverse opportunities to develop their individual and collective strengths. This year, I will serve as the ICT ELA teacher for grades six through eight, as well as continue on in the role of IEP Coordinator.

Email Address: BHenry@efms352.org 

Mr. Nigel Henry, ICT Social Studies/Science Teacher

I am a Special Education teacher with experience in the self-contained and integrated team teaching settings. My strength is in small-group and targeted instruction. I utilize explicit models of teaching to engage students and deliver instruction. I believe students learn best through doing. An effective curriculum is centered on the experiential. Cross-curricular projects and activities should be commonplace in the classroom with an equal focus on process and outcome.

Email Address: NHenry@efms352.org

Ms. Dafreisy Morel, Social Studies Teacher

I am a Social Studies teacher for grades 6-8 students. Our focus is on the Eastern Hemisphere for Grade 6 and the United States for the 7th and 8th grades. My philosophy stems from a firm belief that it takes a village to raise a child. In essence this means that if all parties involved in the education of a child are fully committed, every child can learn successfully.

 Email Address: DMorel@efms352.org

Mr. Jonathan Neira, Physical Education/Health Teacher

I am a Physical Education and Health teacher here at Ebbets Field Middle School. I believe students learn best when they can clearly see the idea or physical movement and can explain or demonstrate it. The explicit model is the best way to deliver instruction in Health and Physicial Education.

Email Address: JNeira@efms352.org

Ms. Kira Ollivierra, Special Education Teacher

I am a Special Education teacher with a specialization in English Language Arts. I have experience working with students with disabilities and general education students. My strength is scaffolding for student-led instruction and small heterogeneous grouping. By doing so, I employ the "I do, we do, they do" model through activities that inspire discussion and stimulate critical thinking/learning. I strongly believe the best tool for student learning is collaboration and differentiated instruction. This year, I plan to have each student create a digital narrative weaving together transferable skills learned throughout the school year.

Email Address: KOllivierra@efms352.org 

I am a Special Education Teacher in ELA and Social Studies. My strengths include providing one-on-one support that targets students needs in Reading and Writing. I believe that all students have special gifts and can succeed.

Email Address: SPride@efms352.org

Ms. Susan Pride, Special Education Teacher

Ms. Kimberly Gardenhire, ELA Teacher

Hello! My name is Ms. Gardenhire. I teach 6th and 7th grade English Language Arts. My strengths include providing a supportive but rigorous learning environment for my students. I believe students learn best when they work together and when they work hands on. Mistakes are expected and encouraged.

Email Address: KGardenhire@efms352.org

Ms. Kemeisha Barrett, Math Teacher

I am a 7th and 8th grade Math Teacher at Ebbets Field Middle School. My aim is to equip students with the tools to become problem-solvers and independent learners. Math is often seen as a challenging subject but I believe all students are capable of being successful with Math. Students respond well when they are able to make connections between their academic encounters and cultural backgrounds. As such, I have challenged myself to establish a culturally responsive classroom environment for ALL of my students. 

Email address: KBarrett@efms352.org

Kseniya Rojas, Speech Pathologist

I am a Speech Language Pathologist and have been privileged to have worked in a variety of different settings the last few years. While providing speech therapy, I utilize various evidenced based therapeutic methodologies in order for each student to achieve their optimal potential. I like to incorporate students’ interests as well as current events into my lessons. Personal experience has proven to me that working efficiently  and diligently as a team leads to the most positive and favorable outcomes. My goal this year is to incorporate more technology into my lessons while addressing both academic goals and providing possible vocational skills for the future. 

Email Address: KShinkevich@efms352.org

Gabrielle Fernandes, Speech Teacher

I am a Speech teacher and have been privileged to be working with the Nest Students. While providing speech therapy, I utilize various evidenced based therapeutic methodologies in order for each student to achieve their optimal potential. I like to incorporate students’ interests as well as current events into my lessons.

Email Address: GFernandes@efms352.org

Jodian Thomas, Math teacher grade 6,7

Nadine Knight, ELA Lead Teacher grades 6,7

Olivene Nelson, Special Education Teacher, Science

Marissa Henry, Math Teacher 7, 8

Anthony Nicolletti, Music Teacher

Makenna Athanassiou, Science Teacher

Shirleen Odom, Special Education Teacher- Self Contained (Math and Science)

Paraprofessional

Ms. Qin Duong, Paraprofessional

I am Qin Duong.  I am a paraprofessional, I mainly provide academic support to students in the self-contained classrooms.  The EFMS 352 community does extraordinarily well with its students in the small classes.  I believe this is because all students thrive in an environment where they are known, recognized and encouraged.  This belief is part of how I interact and relate to students.

Phone: (718)-941-5097

Ms. Jennifer Guillaume, Paraprofessional

My name is Jennifer Guillaume I am a paraprofessional in the self-contained classroom.  I am also the advisor for the student government.

Phone: (718)-941-5097

Davilyn Campbell, Paraprofessional

I am Davilyn Campbell, I work collaboratively with the general and special education teachers to support students in the Integrate Team Teaching classrooms.  I believe all our students are capable to magnificence and I work to help them recognize and realize it--bring it to the world.

Phone: (718)-941-5097

Kamau Clement, Paraprofessional

My name is Kamau Clement.  Most everyone here calls my Mr. C.  I am a paraprofessional and the school's SPOC.  I work in the NEST Program with a 1:1 arrangement.  I  help the General and Special education teachers execute specially designed instruction in the Team Teaching environment.

Phone: (718)-941-5097

Mr. Matthew Smith, Paraprofessional

My name is Mr. Smith. I am a paraprofessional. I support students in the self-contained and ICT settings. I work alongside lead and co-teachers in realizing the best lessons for our students.

Phone: (718)-941-5097

Vanti Jones, Paraprofessional

Counseling TEAM

Ms. Rasheida Walker, Guidance Counselor

I am a school counselor certified by the New York State Department of Education and licensed by the New York City Department of Education. I am trained to service the entire K to 12 school communities including students, families, staff and school leadership. I work with school administrators in advocating for programs and services that positively impact student academic success in alignment with New York State Learning Standards, social emotional development and higher education and career readiness.

Phone: (718)-941-5097

Mx./Mr. Elle Day, Mental Health Counselor

I am a licensed mental health provider from Interborough Developmental and Consultation Center, providing support services to students and families at Ebbets Field.  My approach is getting to know each student, and understanding their preferred means of relating and self-expression.  I acknowledge that students face challenges that are not just personal but also systemic.  I believe that every student is ready to learn and grow, and that everyone benefits from being recognized as a unique individual within a supportive community.   My goal for this year is to meet with students individually and in groups to aid in adjusting to these uncertain times while they grow and develop as young people. 

Phone: (718)-941-5097

Ms. Oriel Best, Social Worker

I am a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW).  My goal is to ensure students and families have access to resources that will benefit them in school and in the community. I assist in developing and implementing educational programs for students with disabilities.  I also assist with mental health and behavioral concerns as well as provide academic & classroom support while consulting with teachers, parents, and administrators.

Phone: (718)-941-5097

Ms. Ann Brenkert, School Psychologist

I am Anne Brenkert, the school psychologist for Ebbets Field Middle School. I collaborate with parents, teachers, and students in an effort to maximize a student with a disability's potential for learning. I help develop plans/services that will help these students be successful. This year I will be trying to ensure this happens in whatever learning option a family chooses.  

Phone: (718)-941-5097

Ms. Anisah Akade, Social Worker

As the licensed school social worker my role is to support ALL students with the social and emotional skills needed to function both inside and outside of the classroom. Now more than ever, young people need the support from not only their parent/guardian, but the school community. In my role, I conduct safety assessments, provide short term individual and group counseling based on the need(s) of the student and once consent is received by their guardian, intervene when there is a crisis and make the appropriate referrals, provide workshops to support caretakers in supporting their child or children’s social and emotional needs, support families in temporary housing, and serve as an advocate for both parents and their children.

Phone: (718)-941-5097

Support Staff

Ms. Marie Washington, School Aide

I am Marie Washington, I know all the students in my building and I support them in coming to school and support students with attendance

Phone: (718)-941-5097

Ms. Margarita Quinones, DC 37 Para Family Associate

I am Margarita Quinones -- I am known as "Miss. Q" I support students and families in a variety of ways from attendance, immunization and access to social services.

Phone: (718)-941-5097

Grace Fowles, School Aide

Raisha Rashid, Youth Advocate - Child Center of New York

Ivory Ford (Coach E), Dean

Sonia McLeod, Family Worker

Hector Castro, Suicide Prevention Specialist

Danasa Howard, Youth Advocate