Faculty

Upper School Leadership

[email protected]	Marina Galazidis Principal, I.A. Bio coming soon.
[email protected]	Timothy Jones Upper School Assistant Principal Bio coming soon.

Upper School Faculty

[email protected]	Francoise Wernham 9th & 10th Guidance Francoise R. Wernham has had a myriad of experiences in the education sector centering around policy, advocacy, and mental health. Most recently, Francoise has worked as a psychological counselor with middle and high school populations. A native New Yorker and life long lover of the arts, Francoise is passionate about incorporating creative expression and exploration into the counseling process. Francoise holds a B.A. in Art History and Psychology from Sarah Lawrence College, a M.A. in Developmental Psychology with a Concentration in Risk, Resiliency, and Prevention from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a M.S. in School Counseling from Hunter College. Francoise believes that games proffer students with a unique space in which to highlight their strengths, experiment with ideas, consider environmental and situational influences, and bolster their emotional intelligence. Francoise conceptualizes that together, students, families, and the school community play a critical role in achieving these goals.
[email protected]	Erica Formosa 11th & 12th Guidance / College Advisor Biography coming soon…
[email protected]	Suzanne McMonagle School Psychologist Suzanne graduated from SUNY Albany in 2005 with an Undergraduate degree in Psychology. She worked as a paralegal during graduate studies at Mercy College and obtained her Masters in School Psychology in 2011. After two years at the Committee on Special Education, Suzanne began working at Quest to Learn at the start of the 17-18 school year. As a school psychologist, Suzanne consults with teachers, administrators, parents, and students regarding behavior, academic achievement, and other important issues that pertain to education. Suzanne became a school psychologist to help students understand their own areas of strength and need; she believes in encouraging students to advocate for themselves and take an active role in their education. She is dedicated to the success of Quest to Learn students and is glad to be part of such a wonderful school environment.
[email protected]	Phylicia Hoyt Pre-Calc, CUNY Math, AP Calc Phylicia Hoyt began her career as an educator through the New York City Teaching Fellows. For the past three years, Phylicia has taught mathematics at Innovation Diploma Plus, a transfer high school on the Upper West Side. During this time, Phylicia worked tirelessly to engage and inspire her students who had typically been disenfranchised in their past educational experiences. Phylicia earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Italian Studies with a minor in History from the University of Richmond. She earned her Master of Science in Secondary Mathematics Education from St. John’s University. Phylicia holds an unwavering belief in the growth mindset and the potential within each individual to embrace challenges and persevere. She believes that game-based, situated learning experiences empower students to become self-regulating individuals and that mathematical reasoning is the gateway to critical thinking.
[email protected]	Sophie Harris Algebra I, Geometry Sophie Lampiasi earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Binghamton University in Binghamton, New York. After graduation, she joined the New York City Teaching Fellows as a Math fellow and earned her Master of Science in Education in Secondary Mathematics from St. John’s University. Before becoming the Algebra teacher at Quest to Learn Upper School, Sophie worked with students seeking credit recovery and Regents help at the High School for Law and Public Service and taught 7th grade math at the Bronx Academy of Letters. Sophie believes that a strong mathematical foundation is vital to student academic confidence and success in and out of the classroom. Through an engaging and rigorous curriculum, she is able to foster student excitement and understanding while building a culture of self-awareness and acceptance.
[email protected]	Kaitlin Freewind Visual Arts Originally from Michigan, Kaitlin Freewind received a BFA from Hunter College before completing an MA in Art + Education at NYU in 2015. She spent nearly four years working in the Media Lab at the Children’s Museum of the Arts before arriving at Quest. In addition to working with other non-profits and school programs, she has taught extended day courses at Avenues and worked with school groups at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Kaitlin is excited to build off of Quest to Learn’s innovative approach to curriculum design as she guides students in exploring both traditional and new media in the arts. She is also eager to integrate contemporary art into classroom discussions as a way to foster curiosity and empathy, highlight interdisciplinary approaches, emphasize collaboration, and focus on social justice.
	Geometry, Alg 1 Bio Coming Soon.
[email protected]	Theresa Stanley Chemistry Bio Coming Soon.

[email protected]	Rosinna Aviles Spanish Bio coming soon.
	Living Environment
[email protected]	John Grant Economics & Participating in Government John graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a bachelor and masters degree in Secondary Education in Social Studies. Formerly of our state’s capital, Albany, New York, John has a passion for politics, civic engagement, and economics that he has been instilling in Quest to Learn’s seniors for the last two years. John recently began working with the Manhattan Youth After School Program at Quest and previously taught 7th grade United States History in the South Bronx for two years. One idea he hopes endures with all of his students is that “The government is us; we are the government, you and I”- Teddy Roosevelt.
[email protected]	Dan Nichols U.S. History Dan has worked in New York City’s Department of Education since 1998 as a special education teacher, a social studies teacher, a dean, and an administrator. He is passionate about connecting history to students through their concerns and interests. Dan received his Ed.D. from Teachers College, Columbia University in the field of social studies education, concentrating on teachers’ use of visual texts and images in order to enhance student learning of historical thinking skills. Dan, who grew up in upstate New York in Niagara Falls has also taught in Seattle, WA, Ithaca, NY, and the East African nation of Uganda.
[email protected]	Christina Blazej Global II, AP US History Christina Blazej (Post) started her teaching career here at Quest to Learn in our ninth grade Global History class two years ago, since then she has now added AP United States History and National honor advisor to her list of titles. Before moving to New York, Christina completed her student teaching and degrees in California. She received her Bachelors of Arts in History with honors in 2010. Since then she has lived in two different states, including Wisconsin and New York. While Christina completed her first year of teaching she received her Masters from California Lutheran University.
[email protected]	Eric Finkelstein 9th Grade Global 1 Eric teaches Global 9 at Quest to Learn Upper School. Originally from Monroe, NY, about 50 miles north of the city, Eric also lived in northern California for ten years where he began his college education at College of the Redwoods. In 2000 he got married and moved to Kenosha, Wi where he finished his BA in history. In 2004 Eric moved back to Monroe where he was a substitute teacher while working on his MA in secondary education. He eventually moved to Queens in 2008, substituted in NYC for a few years, then taught 8th grade Humanities at East Side Middle school for 6 years. This is Eric’s 6th year at Quest and 4th year in the Upper School.
[email protected]	David Micevic 10th English, AP Literature David Micevic graduated with a BA in English and Cinema Studies from the University of Iowa and a Masters in English Education from New York University. As an ELA teacher, David cleaves tenaciously to the notion that without literature there would be no empathy in this world, an axiom all the more relevant in these trying times. At Quest Upper School he teaches both 10thGrade English Language Arts and AP Literature & Composition where he immerses students in this shared passion for literary thought. It is through this exploration of literature that students learn to negotiate the limitless horizons of the human experience in a world fraught with flawed morals and usurped ideals as they come to understand their role within that system of thought.
[email protected]	Harmony Olaerts 11th Grade English, AP Lang, SGO Advisor Harmony teaches English Language Arts at Quest to Learn Upper School and is also the ELA Content Team Lead. Originally from Los Angeles, she received her BA in Theatre Education and her Teacher Certification in English from California State University, Fullerton. In 2012, she received her MA in Applied Drama: Theatre in Educational, Community, and Social Contexts from Goldsmiths, University of London, UK. As an educator, she sees a strong foundation in ELA as crucial to the development of self-efficacy and critical thinking enabling students to work together to positively shape their communities. As a theatre practitioner, she has a special interest in integrating Theatre Arts across the curriculum and helping other educators to utilize the power of theatre as a learning tool.
[email protected]	Joe Salina 12th English, Game Design, Maker Space Joe Salina is an educator, musician and freelance writer and editor. Aside from his years spent as an English teacher and as a member of the avant-garde video game collective and gallery space, Babycastles, he has taught everything from game design history to arcade cabinet creation to curatorial practice for public exhibitions to teens in NYC. He currently combines his experiences as the director of the Innovation Lab program at Quest to Learn.
[email protected]	Martin Gordon Upper School Physical Education Martin enters his 9th year at Quest To Learn. In 2011 Martin started teaching at Q2L as a substitute teacher. Martin was hired full time entering the 2012-2013 school year as the schools 8th grade Wellness teacher and Dean. He has coached Q2L’s High School and Middle School Basketball, Middle School flag football and baseball teams. Martin Gordon brings a wealth of career and life experiences to Quest to Learn. Since 1990, Martin served in the United States Navy onboard The USS Yorktown CG-38 during the First Desert Storm. Martin is an accomplished athlete, whose career included playing collegiate football for the University at Albany as starting quarterback. Martin also pitched and played outfield in the Hudson Valley Rookie League, which featured players from class A and class AA Pro baseball teams. Prior to the start of Martin’s teaching career, he worked for eight years in the Health and Fitness industry at various New York City health clubs including Reebok, Crunch, and Equinox. In 2002 Martin decided on a career change and enrolled at Queens College where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. Martin obtained his Masters of Science in Health Education from Lehman College. Martin taught at The Brandeis School in Nassau County, where he served as the school’s Athletic Director, Physical Education teacher, and after school sports coach. Martin also taught physical education at DREAM Charter School in East Harlem for two years for grades Kindergarten through third. He is an outdoor enthusiast who likes to golf, fish and hike. He lives in the Bronx with his wife and three children.
[email protected]	Mario Piscitelli Upper School Physical Education Mario earned a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Springfield College in 2011. He went on to graduate school at Hofstra University to earn a Master’s degree in Health Education in 2013. Mario has been teaching Physical Education since 2011, when he started his teaching career in the Franklin Square school district on Long Island. During that time, Mario created sports tournaments in which admission was to donate books, school supplies, sports equipment and toys, which were eventually donated to local charities. Mario also enjoys coaching and playing sports like baseball, football, and basketball. He believes teaching and coaching work hand in hand and games are a tactical approach toward expanding an individual’s knowledge and interpersonal skills. Some of Mario’s hobbies include spending time with family, lifting weights, running, umpiring baseball games, watching the Mets, Jets and Islanders, reading and listening to music.



[email protected]	Suzanne Pillsbury Pupil Accounting Secretary Born in San Francisco, Suzanne moved East to go to Brown University. After graduation, she came to New York to attend NYU film school and begin a 20-year career in film editing. When she had her son, Sam, she decided to become an educator and attended Bank Street College where she got her degree in Early Childhood Education. After six years teaching pre-K/K classes at Corlears School, she decided to move into administration and now works in the office at Quest to Learn. She looks forward to supporting the community of teachers, staff, family and students at this visionary school.

Learning Strategists

[email protected]	Sine Bayar Learning Strategist, Algebra I Sine received her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Upon being selected for the New York City Teaching Fellows program eleven years ago, Sine began teaching at the Bronx High School for Visual Arts while earning her Masters Degree in Special Education from Hunter College. As a classroom teacher, Sine is very dynamic and has taught grades 9-12 in all subjects including global studies, US history, sciences, mathematics, English language arts and advisory. Valuing real-world experiences for students, Sine has coordinated community partnerships with museums and banks, internship programs with Ecko Unltd, and after-school clubs such as the Gay Straight Alliance, New York Cares, Film Club and the Manga Club. She believes that every child can learn, that all students learn differently, and that project or game-based learning provides multiple access points for learners of all levels and abilities.

[email protected]	Ulysses Montague Learning Strategist Bio coming soon.
[email protected]	Jen Murck Learning Strategist Bio Coming Soon.
[email protected]	Amy Sklar Occupational Therapist Biography coming soon…
[email protected]	Mei Chen Learning Strategist Mei graduated with a B. A in Mathematics from Brooklyn College and earned a MS degree in General Education and Special Education from Touro College. Before joining Quest, Mei worked as a paraprofessional for 10 year in NYCDOE. Mei loves to see the growth of students by providing then individual help.