Friends Welcomes New Faculty and Staff

Lisa Ammirati is joining Friends as an Upper School Chemistry teacher. Prior to coming to Friends, Lisa taught at Poly Prep and LaGuardia Arts High School. Lisa earned her BS in Chemistry from Haverford College, where she also played field hockey. She also holds an MA in Secondary Science Education from The City College of New York and an MA in Philosophy of Science from UC San Diego. Lisa enjoys travelling, cooking, cycling and yoga. She is a huge sports fan.

Nadim Bawalsa is our new Arabic teacher. He holds a BA in history from the College of William and Mary and an MA in Arab Studies from Georgetown University. He is also currently completing his doctoral dissertation in modern Middle Eastern History at NYU. Nadim has been teaching Arabic in different capacities since he arrived in the United States 10 years ago. He has also taught high school English and History in his hometown of Amman, Jordan and presently works part-time as a history instructor at NYU. Several of Nadim's relatives attended the Friends School in their native Ramallah, and he wishes he could have done the same. 

David Bell is our new History and Chinese teacher. David majored in Asian Languages and Civilizations at Amherst College and spent part of his junior year living and studying in Beijing. He holds a Master’s degree in History from National Taiwan University in Taipei, where he has lived for the past 11 years. While completing his MA and working on a PhD in Taiwan, he taught History and Academic Writing. David is an avid whitewater paddler, and the majority of his summers have been spent teaching paddling and other outdoor skills to kids at Camps Mondamin and Green Cove in western North Carolina. David and his wife, Joanna, have "dragon-phoenix twins,” a son and a daughter who are almost three-years-old this fall.

 

Jen Blum is our new Assistant Head of Upper School/Dean of Students. Her undergraduate degree is from Bates College in Geology and Education, and she studied abroad in New Zealand. Recently, Jen completed a Master’s in Organizational Leadership with a focus on private schools at the Klingenstein Center, Teachers College, Columbia University. Before coming to Friends, she worked in schools in Switzerland, Texas and Japan as a science teacher, a coach (softball, basketball and tennis), and an administrator. Jen grew up in Pennsylvania and enjoys running, cycling, rock climbing, skiing and yoga.

 

Steve Borowka is the new Drama Teacher and Production Director for Upper and Middle School. He received his BA from SUNY Binghamton in Comparative Literature and then went on to obtain his graduate degree from NYU in Educational Theater. Steve has taught and directed theater at The Winsor School in Boston, Hunter College High School in NYC and the McCarter Theater in Princeton. He is the proud co-director of Acting Manitou, a theater arts camp located in Oakland, Maine.

 

Kasey Bruns is our new College Counselor. She completed both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Tulane University. While pursuing her graduate degree, Kasey also worked as an Assistant Director of Admission in Tulane’s Office of Undergraduate Admission. She is excited to work more closely with the students and their families here at Friends. Outside of work, Kasey is an active volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and she is a member of the Junior League.

Andrew Domanico is our new assistant P.E. teacher. Andrew graduated from Kean University with an undergraduate degree in Health and Physical Education where he was also a member of the men’s lacrosse team. Since graduation, Andrew served as a substitute teacher and coach for The Wardlaw–Hartridge School in Edison, New Jersey. Andrew grew up on Long Island and continues to play sports such as lacrosse, basketball and baseball.

  

Isabel Dominguez is joining us as a new Art teacher. Isabel completed her undergraduate degree in Fine Arts at Boston University and holds a Master’s degree in art education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to coming to Friends Seminary, Isabel taught art at Rippowam Cisqua School, The Ross School and The Dalton School. She is a printmaker and a painter. Isabel was born in El Salvador and moved to Westchester County with her parents; she is fluent in Spanish. When she is not chasing her three-year-old, she is usually painting or trying to create art.

 

Jordi Dosaiguas is our new Upper School Spanish teacher. He completed his undergraduate degree in translation and interpretation at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain. He also holds a Master’s degree in linguistics and technological applications from the Pompeu Fabra University of Barcelona. Prior to working at Friends, Jordi was a lecturer for Catalan studies at the University of Massachusetts. Jordi was born and raised in Catalonia, Spain, where he played volleyball for many years until he broke his left patellar tendon in the summer of 2011, just two days after moving to the U.S.! A tough landing that has brought him only luck.

 

Kristina Flores is our new Grade 1 assistant teacher. She completed her undergraduate degree at The College of New Rochelle and is completing her Master’s degree in early childhood education and early childhood special education at Lehman College. While completing her education program Kristina taught at Riverdale Country School and Hackley School, Kindergarten through Grade 2. In both schools, she was actively involved in diversity and global sustainability committees. In her free time, Kristina enjoys reading, writing, cooking, bike riding and traveling with her husband.

Victoria Ford is a new Grade 6 Science teacher. She graduated with a BFA in Film from New York University. Victoria holds a Master’s Degree in Middle School Science Education from City College. She previously taught Grade 6 Science and co-taught Grade 9 Earth Science at Brooklyn Prospect Charter School in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn. When not in the classroom, she can be found traveling to foreign lands and seeking adventure on her bicycle.

 

Samantha Goldberg is a new Grade 1 assistant teacher. Samantha completed her undergraduate degree at Syracuse University in Child and Family Studies, played on the Club Tennis Team and was an active member in her sorority. She is currently completing her Master’s degree in General and Special Education for Grades 1-6 at Hunter College. Prior to graduate school, Samantha student-taught in a preschool and elementary school in Syracuse, and this past year, Samantha served as a substitute teacher at Friends and Spence. Samantha grew up on Long Island, loves to read and cook and continues to enjoy playing tennis, golf and skiing.

 

Ernie Grigg is our new Director of Communications. Ernie earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Notre Dame, where he studied film production and performed in a sketch comedy group. He also holds a graduate degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communication from NYU, and he has taught in that program since 2008. Prior to joining us, Ernie was a social media consultant for nonprofits, and he has also worked at The Allen-Stevenson School. This summer, Ernie and his wife became connoisseurs of local playgrounds after their baby daughter discovered her love of swings. 

 

Jason Craige Harris is our new Writing Instructor in the Academic Center. He majored in religion and African-American studies at Wesleyan University. While earning a Master’s in religion, ethics and literature at Yale University Divinity School, Jason began working as a senior editor and advisor at a nonprofit focused on global justice and cross-cultural literacy. A published writer, sought-after public speaker, and experienced writing coach, Jason is passionate about creative writing, spirituality and wellness, social justice, social media, and youth empowerment. In addition to nutriblasting and singing, he spends much of his free time gobbling up the works of artists, critics and cultural workers of many stripes.

 

Will Hopkins is our new Academic Dean. Will earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and a MS degree from University of California. He specialized in Environmental Science and Forest Ecology. Prior to joining Friends Seminary, Will worked at The Dalton School where he taught science, chaired the Science Department, served as President of the Faculty Association and was the Director of Sustainability Initiatives. Before moving to NYC, Will taught at the Urban School of San Francisco for four years. Will tries to spend lots of time outdoors, including biking to work and summer canoe trips in the Canadian wilderness.

Nyesha Hunt is our new Recess Supervisor for Lower School. Prior to accepting this position, she has already worked within the Friends community in the Friends After Three program and Summer Friends. She completed her undergraduate degree at the first historically Black college to be founded—Lincoln University, where she obtained her BS in General Science. She is the youngest of three siblings and a native of Brooklyn where she enjoys traveling and sampling new and urban eateries.

 

Leah Johnson is our new Payroll and Benefits Coordinator. Leah received her BA in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and her MS in Human Resources Management and Labor Relations from New York Institute of Technology. Prior to joining us at Friends, she worked at the New York City Opera where she managed the payroll and benefits program. Leah is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, and participates in fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure. She is passionate about education and is heavily involved in the academics of her four children.

 

Philip Kay is our new Upper School English teacher. He holds a PhD and an MPhil in Communications from Columbia University, where he was also a Charles H. Revson Fellow on the Future of the City of New York in 1994-1995. Prior to that he earned an MA in Latin American Civilization and a BA in Dramatic Literature, Theatre History, and Cinema, both from NYU. He has taught Journalism and Media Studies at the City University of New York as well as Spanish language classes at NYU and, briefly, Grade 4 at a bilingual school in East Harlem. He enjoys New York neighborhoods and lore, film festivals, roller skating, cycling and paddling his kayak around New York Harbor and along Catalonia’s Costa Brava. He was born and raised in the city.

Teresa Kiliveros is our new Technical Support in IT. Teresa completed her undergraduate degree at Fordham University in Computer Science. Prior to coming to Friends Seminary, Teresa provided technical support at Convent of the Sacred Heart School. Teresa grew up in New York, enjoys comic books, fitness, yoga and Pilates.

Geny Kimbrell is our new College Counseling Assistant. Geny obtained her undergraduate degree from Mississippi State University in Psychology, where she served as an intern at the Wesley Foundation helping all incoming college freshman get acclimated and acquainted with college life. She then moved on to study Religion and Sociology at Drew University and worked in their graduate admissions office as an admissions counselor. Geny is originally from Alabama, where she developed a deep love for Cajun food, and enjoys yoga, spinning and exploring new places whenever she can!

Ariel Kitch is the new Middle School Technology Coordinator. She received her undergraduate degree in Politics from Whitman College and her Master’s degree as an Educational Technology Specialist from Columbia University Teachers College. Prior to working at Friends, she taught Technology at Quest To Learn, a middle and high school in Chelsea. She has also worked in radio, web development and video production. Ariel grew up in Portland, Oregon and loves cycling, printmaking and learning to sew in her spare time.

Julia Larmore is our new Middle and Upper School Latin teacher. Julia was raised in New York City and Chicago, and graduated from Moses Brown School in Providence, Rhode Island. From there she attended Brown University, majoring in Greek and Latin, and then earned an MA in Classics with Teaching Licensure at Tufts University. When she is not teaching, Julia enjoys swimming, running and improving her mind with extensive reading.

Geneva Manley is our new part-time Middle School Dance instructor. She is a member of the faculty at her alma mater, NYU Steinhardt’s Dance Education Master’s Program, where she received honors as salutatorian. Geneva has taught and performed various genres throughout Uganda, New York, New Orleans, Chicago and Philadelphia. She has presented at conferences hosted by NDEO, NYSDEA, and NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and choreographed for NYU’s annual faculty concert.

Benjie Messinger-Barnes ’05, a Friends Seminary alumnus, is returning to Friends as a Math teacher in the Middle School. He completed his undergraduate degrees in Mathematics and Economics at Wesleyan University. Since graduating, Benjie has taught high school Math and Economics at Rutgers Preparatory School where he also coached the Varsity Tennis Teams and advised the Ski & Snowboard Club and Euro Challenge club. This summer, Benjie completed his Master’s Degree in Mathematics Education at Rutgers University. Born and raised in New York City, Benjie loves to snowboard, run, golf, play tennis, and anything else that will keep him outdoors and active!

Kary Norton is our new Staff Accountant in the Business Office. Kary received her BS and Master’s in Accounting and Information Systems at Virginia Tech where she also attended all football games, served as a tour guide and taught accounting courses. Prior to joining Friends, Kary obtained her CPA and worked at the public accounting firm, KPMG. When she isn’t busy with debits and credits, Kary likes to play sports, go to the beach and hang out with family and friends.

Julie Stein is a new Grade 1 assistant teacher. She received her undergraduate degree in Child Studies at Syracuse University, where she student taught in two schools in the Syracuse area. She also completed her Master’s degree in Early Childhood General Education from Bank Street School of Education. Since graduating Syracuse University in 2010 Julie has taught at Temple Emanu-El Preschool, working with four- to five-year-olds. She was born and raised in Manhattan and attended The Dalton School. Julie enjoys staying active, playing with her two dogs, and of course, working with children!

Madeleine Stern is happy to join the Art Department as a Lower School Art teacher. She earned an MFA at Pratt Institute and a BA at Oberlin College. Madeleine is coming to us from Voice Charter School in Long Island City. She grew up in Washington, DC and attended Sidwell Friends School. Madeleine has a great book club and loves to bike and swim.

Alfrida Tozieva is our new part-time Middle School Strings teacher. Alfrida completed her undergraduate degree in Viola Performance and graduate degree in Culture and Art Management at the Faculty of Music Arts (Ss. Cyril and Methodius University) in the Republic of Macedonia. She is also a graduate of the Teachers College, Columbia University where she earned her Master’s in Education in Music. Alfrida was violist at the Macedonian National Theater (Opera House) and Macedonian Philharmonic while recording and touring extensively with the alternative rock band, String Forces and the Macedonian traditional chalgia ensemble, Kaldrma. She is passionate about ethnomusicology, she enjoys volunteering, making music with very young children and biking. 

Susan Wilen is our new Capital Campaign Director. Susan has a 20-year career in development and school leadership. Most recently she served as Interim Director of Development for Women For Women International, a non-profit organization whose mission is to help women survivors of war rebuild their lives. Since 2002 she has worked as a fundraising consultant for a number of organizations including the Courtauld Institute of Art, the International School of Zurich, the International School of Brussels, and the Abbey School. Susan is a graduate of the Westminster Schools in Atlanta and received her BA from Temple University in Mathematics.