Teacher in Residence, Technology Enrichment, Health & P.E.

James grew up in Brooklyn and is thrilled to be joining the BUGS team as a Teacher in Residence in Technology and a teaching assistant. After graduating from Swarthmore College with a dual degree in History and Computer Science, they worked as a software engineer for six years before coming to BUGS. James enjoys biking, walking and sitting around in Prospect Park, playing and listening to music, and reading about history and politics. James is excited to learn from the students at BUGS, and to grow our understanding of the world and our place in it.

Main Office Assistant

Jasmine was born and raised in New York City and is excited to support the staff, students and families of BUGS as the Main Office Assistant. Jasmine has attended institutions such as The City College of NY and LaGuardia Community college completing courses ranging from Theatre Arts to Writing/Literature. Although Jasmine has an extensive background in sales and hospitality, her true passion has always been teaching and mentorship. In 2013 she began working with children ages 5-14 as an Assistant Music Teacher at On Broadway: Performing Arts Training Program and volunteers with them whenever she can. Jasmine is committed to being in service to communities that are passionate about fostering a safe, inclusive and engaging environment for children and their families. In her spare time, Jasmine enjoys singing, dancing and spending time with her family and friends.

Living Environment Teacher & Science Department Chair

Jennifer is excited to be back as the science department chair and general education Living Environment teacher at BUGS. Jennifer received her Bachelor’s degree in psychology and her Master of Arts degree in education from the University of South Florida. Jennifer has been teaching science for more than 18 years and she makes sure that science at BUGS is hands-on, inquiry-based, collaborative, and fosters a lifetime love of science! Jennifer has a daughter who attends NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and a son who attended BUGS and is now a sophomore at Art and Design High School in Manhattan. Jennifer loves the cold weather in NY, enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and son, playing with her Golden Retrievers, Sophie and Henry, and cat Karma, and watching Crime Dramas.

7th Grade Social Studies Teacher & 7th Grade Team Leader

Jessica loves teaching at BUGS because of its reputation as a place where students' creativity and curiosity shine! Jessica is a graduate of NYU with a Master’s in Social Studies Education and of Ithaca College with a Bachelor's degree in Social Studies. Jessica has been teaching in NYC schools for 5 years as a 6th grade Social Studies teacher. She now contributes her enthusiasm and joyfulness to the 7th grade team as Social Studies teacher and Department Chair. Jessica also serves as the Instructional Technology Coordinator here at BUGS. Jessica is committed to understanding each of her students' individual learning needs and meeting them where they are with targeted, engaging instruction and opportunities to grow. On the weekends, she can be found cooking, pampering her rescue cat Louie, reading a thought-provoking book, or pursuing her passion for travel.

8th Grade Sustainable Design Teacher

John is new to BUGS this year after teaching in Upstate NY for the past 6 years. He received his B.S. and MsED from SUNY Geneseo. On top of teaching Sustainable Design, John is one of the advisors for the Nation Green Schools Society (NGSS). In his free time, John enjoys running, playing tennis, and hanging out with his dog Otis in Prospect Park. John is a passionate and dedicated educator who is excited to join the BUGS team.

8th Grade Social Studies Teacher & 8th Grade Team Leader

Julia grew up an hour north of the city in the Hudson Valley. Before coming to BUGS Julia previously taught sixth-grade humanities and reading in both independent and charter school settings. Julia holds a B.A. in Adolescent Social Studies education from SUNY New Paltz and Master’s degree in Technology Education from the Teachers College at Columbia University. When she isn’t teaching she enjoys tending to her small balcony garden or spending time with her 10 pound shih tzu, CC.

Associate Dean of Students & Creative & Performing Arts (C.A.P.A.) Enrichment Teacher

Kid Belle aka Mr. Kid started his professional career at the age of 18. Later on, he became a local NYC street performer and started booking professional jobs, such as a Stussy Clothing photoshoot, Jolly Rancher and Nickelodeon commercials, as well as appearing on BET, MTV, VH1, NBC, and other cable networks. Mr. Kid also realized the joy of teaching and in about a year, he grew from two classes a week to eight classes a week, and teaching at various studios around New York. He is now brought in as a special guest choreographer to various studios and conventions. His choreography has won multiple national titles and recognition. Mr. Kid is well known for not only his dancing, but also his community outreach work, such as motivational speaking at public schools, performing for the Department of Homeless Services and The Seton Foundation for down syndrome and special needs, and he has taught at the Crossroads Juvenile Detention Center in Brooklyn NY. Mr. Kid continues to inspire his colleagues and motivates his students.

English as a New Language (ENL) Teacher

Kimberly is over the moon about joining the BUGS team as an ENL teacher! Having been born and (partly) raised in Puerto Rico, she knows what it’s like to learn an unfamiliar language in unfamiliar territory. She comes to BUGS with a B.A. in Political Science, which she used as a political journalist in Albany, and will be receiving her M.S. Ed. for TESOL in the Spring. Throughout her life, Kimberly has always had an abundance of interests. She is passionate about performing arts and likes to spend her time singing, dancing, or acting. But she also has begun to practice calligraphy, play around with cooking recipes, and enjoys fashion photography. Kimberly uses her multitude of interests to enrich her English language lessons and connect with students in ways they enjoy. She looks forward to teaching and learning from BUGS students, as well as sharing pictures of her senior cat, Alex, with them.

Associate Dean of Students

LaTonya is a dedicated professional who has been part of the BUGS community for many years. Recognizing the importance of caring adults in children's lives, Tonya endeavors to be a supportive figure that students can turn to for guidance and mentorship. With a focus on educational leadership, she is committed to empowering both students and educators to reach their full potential and to foster a culture of well-being and happiness. She believes in the philosophy of "teach one, reach one," aiming to positively impact the lives of those around her and build a community that everyone can take pride in.

Founding Teacher & Sustainability Program Manager

Ms.Laura is a founding BUGS teacher and brings a broad range of experience to the BUGS team. She has worked in many facets of the environmental field over the past 20 years in the areas of education, local food production, green architecture and sustainable large-scale agriculture. She received her B.A. in Environmental Science from Drake University with a focus on Latin America and minored in Spanish. After completing her undergraduate work she spent a year studying at the University of Costa Rica and working with local environmental organizations. During her work in agriculture, she led research trips to Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Growing up bicultural and bilingual (traveling between Iowa and Mexico City) has given her a unique perspective inside the conversation of sustainability. She is looking forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the BUGS team to bring her many passions together in the service of igniting a spirit of global citizenship and local action within our future BUGS sustainability leaders!

People Operations Manager

Leah comes to BUGS with nearly 20 years of experience in education as an arts educator, curriculum developer, and administrator. She holds a BA in Psychology from Salem State University and an MFA from the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at New York University’s Tisch School Of The Arts. Her work as a playwright and musical theatre writer has been produced across the U.S. She is the proud recipient of the Best Concept for a Play Award for her play, Entangled and the Linda LeRoy Janklow Teaching Award for teaching artists. She is inspired by the BUGS C.A.R.E.S. mission of sustainability and looks forward to collaborating, learning and building with the staff and students in the coming years!

8th Grade Math Teacher & Math Department Chair

Momo was born and raised in Queens, NY. She graduated from CUNY Hunter College with both her Bachelor’s degree in Math and her Master’s degree in Secondary Education and she has been teaching math for 8 years. Her favorite type of math is Geometry. Her favorite thing about teaching is watching students get that “aha!” moment when they finally understand a challenging topic after a lot of eort. During her free time, Momo likes to read, paint, and hangout with her 4 cats, Bruce, Caly, Shiba and Iko.

6th Grade Writing Teacher & 6th Grade Team Leader

Monica is thrilled to return to BUGS as a 6th Grade Writing Teacher and now 6th Grade Team Leader! Born and raised on a vegetable farm in New Hampshire, Monica has deep roots in the garden and has continued to explore environmental justice and sustainability throughout her life. She holds a B.S. in Health Policy and Management and a B.A. in Public and Community Service Studies from Providence College. After serving as a garden and nutrition educator with AmeriCorps, Monica taught fourth-grade special education for four years in Brooklyn and earned her M.S. in Childhood and Special Education Grades 1-6. She is passionate about supporting diverse learners and fostering an inclusive and brave community of writers! In her free time, she loves crafting, hiking and walking outside, spending time with family and friends, and cooking.

6th Grade Math Teacher

Luisa is a first-year teacher from Portland, OR. She is excited to share her love of math puns and jokes with anyone who will listen! Luisa began her path to being a teacher as an outdoor educator and summer camp counselor/director. Luisa loves connecting math to real-world situations and teaching students about how they can utilize their math skills to be impactful global citizens! She graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Education with a concentration in middle school mathematics. When Luisa isn’t at school she is adventuring with her chiweenie Corndog.

6th Grade Reading Teacher

Ms. Victome is excited to be a 6th-grade reading studies teacher and advisor! Patricia grew up in Long Island and holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from SUNY College at Old Westbury. Before coming to BUGS, Patricia previously worked as a paraprofessional and spent the past 4 years teaching core content subjects to students across grades (K-8) in both independent and charter schools. Patricia loves the creative arts, cooking, and exploring new places. Patricia is committed to inspiring her students to become confident, passionate learners with the courage and skills to lead their lives with integrity.

8th Grade Math Teacher

Paula is excited to teach sustainability indoors and outside in the BUGS garden with students! She has been teaching Living Environment and Sustainable Architecture for over 25 years in NYC public schools and she loves working with students on creative green projects. Paula is a political cartoonist with WW3 and was the first female editor of this publication in 1984, now the longest-running political art magazine in the world. She has published books and articles on subjects ranging from Skateboarders and Public Architecture to Worms. She has a Fine Arts degree from Cooper Union, a Bachelors in Visual Art from SUNY Empire State, a Masters in Science from LIU and she is currently studying Neural and Behavioral Science with a focus on Adolescent Development.

7th Grade Social Studies Teacher

Coming Soon!

8th Grade Writing Teacher

Mr. Elliott was born and raised in Brooklyn and is excited to join the BUGS team as an 8th-grade writing teacher. He believes the rich school culture that emphasizes sustainability, inclusion and equity will help create the next generation’s agents of change. At SUNY Oswego he majored in Creative Writing and received his BA in 2013 and a Master’s from St. John’s University in Education in 2022. He believes that developing effective writing skills provide students with lifelong benefits. He brings a decade of experience working with students in a variety of roles. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys playing chess and jogging in Prospect Park.

8th Grade Living Environment Teacher

Raven is excited to be returning for her 5th year at BUGS, as the SPED 8th grade Living Environment Teacher. Raven has over eight years of experience working with children, in both the elementary and middle school setting. Raven is looking forward to contributing to the academic growth of our students and assisting them to be sustainable participants in our society. Raven is a native Brooklynite and holds a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies of Childhood Education and History from Nyack College. Raven received her Master's Degree from Mercy College in both Childhood & Special Education during the Pandemic. On her spare time, she loves diving into a really good book, traveling with friends and family, and enjoys trying new foods.

Spanish Teacher

Rebeca is excited to be part of the BUGs community. She holds a Bachelors in Elementary School Education & Spanish and is currently pursuing her Masters degree to be a literacy specialist. As the daughter of Dominican and Ecuadorian parents, she hopes to share her love for her culture with her students through language and other aspects of the culture. She has four years of experience working in her community as a youth leader. On the rare occasion when she has free time, Rebeca loves discovering new restaurants, playing her instruments, or catching up on sleep.

Learning Specialist

Roxanne is thrilled to join BUGS as a learning specialist. Prior to coming to BUGS, Roxanne taught Visual Art, English Language Arts, and Math in South Bronx. She holds her Bachelor's in Psychology from Wagner College and her Masters's in Dance Education in K-12 from Hunter College. She loves spending time outside with her dog named “Baby”, going to Prospect Park, and on hikes upstate. Roxanne loves painting, drawing, dancing, and being creative. She is excited to work at BUGS because she believes in its mission to teach sustainability through real-world problem-solving.

Academic Program and Data Manager

Shinelle was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and came to BUGS from the higher education sector and holds a BS in Information Systems and a Master's in Human Resource Management from Long Island University - Brooklyn. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring new cuisines, traveling to warm locales, watching crime dramas, and spending time with her family. Shinelle enjoys supporting the BUGS community and its mission.

6th Grade WritingTeacher

Stephanie brings to BUGS a passion for student learning with a talent for providing engaging and enriching educational activities that meet the needs of diverse learners. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Master of Arts in Secondary Education at Brooklyn College. Stephanie strives to create a classroom environment where her students feel welcomed, valued and inspired. Her goal for her students is that they leave the classroom not only academically, but also emotionally and socially empowered and where they learn empathy, kindness and respect for others. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys exploring new places, trying new restaurants and reading. She hopes to write a book one day!

Director of Marketing & Outreach

Susan is excited to be a member of the Brooklyn Urban Garden Charter School team and increase awareness about the school’s commitment to sustainability and its innovative approach to learning. Previously Susan was the deputy director of marketing and communications at East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP) where she was responsible for programs and strategies to strengthen the organization’s brand and deepen understanding of its progress and accomplishments. Before joining EHTP, Susan was the director of communications and community outreach for Ascend Charter Schools and senior manager of EPIC Communications for New Leaders for New Schools. She began her career at Symphony Space in New York City, developing strategies that would yield record attendance and ticket revenue. Susan is a graduate of Wesleyan University and Columbia Business School.

6th Grade Sustainable Design Teacher

Teddy grew up in Ithaca, NY, and is excited to be teaching at BUGS! He graduated from Stanford University with a BS in Computer Science and spent 4 years as a software engineer before following his passion for teaching. He believes all students can excel in math and is always looking for connections between the curriculum and students' passions. He enjoys dancing, cooking for big groups, and learning about where our stuff goes when we're done using it.

8th Grade Reading Teacher

Tim brings over eighteen years of educational experience to BUGS as an 8th-grade Reading teacher. Tim is also the 8th-grade team leader. He has taught in the public, private, and parochial school settings at varying grade levels from Pre-K to high school. Tim graduated from Colgate University in Hamilton, NY with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Studio Art minor. He holds a K-12 special education teaching certification in New Jersey. He has also taken master's level courses in Education and Special Education at Rutgers University, Rowan University, and Saint Peter's University and is currently pursuing a Masters' degree in Curriculum and Instruction. After ten years of teaching (focusing mainly on high school English), taking graduate courses, and coaching varsity high school football, he spent several years as a stay-at-home dad to his three children. After starting and running a successful frozen yogurt business, Tim realized he was missing his passion for teaching and became a fixture as a "permanent" substitute teacher at P.S. 10 here in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Tim is passionate about reading, writing, music, art, and the theater. He lives in Brooklyn with his beautiful wife, son, two daughters, and two dogs, Odin and Loki.