We're excited to announce: As we welcome new members to the GVS community, we take pride in sharing a bit about their backgrounds and experiences. We are equally excited to share more about those who have been a part of our community and have contributed significantly to our school's success over the years. |
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JENNA AIOSA Nursery Assistant |
I am a recent graduate from Adelphi University’s Scholar Teacher Education Program. In my time at AU, I have volunteered at Alice Brown’s Early Learning Center, participant-observed in a 1st grade classroom at Baylis Elementary School in Syosset, and a second grade classroom at McVey Elementary School in East Meadow. Most recently, I had a wonderful year-long student teaching experience at Floral Park-Bellerose School in both first and fourth grades. I am someone who has a passion and love for photography, reading, music, and writing. When I am immersed in one of these four things I feel the most in tune with myself!
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| SARAH MURPHY Nursery Assistant |
My name is Sarah Murphy and I am an Art Education professional with a Masters from The School of Visual Arts in NYC. My journey began with teaching and developing innovative art tools for an integrated Kindergarten program in NYC, followed by teaching Pre-K in San Francisco and then at Washington Market School in Tribeca. The sheer curiosity, boundless joy, and endless creativity displayed by children in their early stages of development captivate me. More recently as a stay-at-home mother to my three children, I’ve witnessed the profound impact of an enriching preschool experience, further fueling my passion for education. I have continued to nurture my own artistic side, exploring various forms of expression such as painting, collage, pottery, and found object sculpture. I am looking forward to returning to the classroom and I’m excited to join the Green Vale School community.
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| JENNIFER MALVINO Nursery Assistant |
I am a mother of three children: Brianna is 20 attending Western Connecticut State University, Brooke is 18 attending Manhattanville College and Robbie is 16 and a junior in High School. I have been married for 22 years to my husband, Richard. I previously worked at St. John’s Little Learners in Locust Valley and have over 20 years of experience in the corporate travel industry. I am passionate about teaching and reading, I love seeing how much children grow. I am very excited to be joining The Green Vale School in September.
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| DENISE ST. JEANOS Pre-Nursery Assistant |
I graduated from Oneonta State College with a psychology degree in 1991, I then went on to earn a Masters degree in Public Health from Hofstra University graduating in 1996. I worked for Cigna healthcare as a Provider Relations Representative for many years. I left the healthcare industry to start and raise my family. I have four children ranging in age from 26 to 17. I live in Manhasset where we raised our children for the last 18 years. I’m really excited to join the staff at Green Vale!
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| KRISTIN JOHN Pre-K Assistant |
Hello Green Vale Families! I’m Kristin John and I am thrilled to be joining your community. My family and I live in Port Washington by way of Los Angeles, where I received my B.F.A and M.A.Ed. I began my elementary school teaching career at Santa Monica Blvd. Community Charter and later at Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts. In my spare time I enjoy painting and reading, and I especially love spending time with my husband, son, and daughter. Together we enjoy hiking, traveling, kayaking, and any activity that gets us outside.
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| SUSIE KIRK Kindergarten Leave Replacement |
I’m Susie Kirk and I’m excited to be the Kindergarten leave replacement this fall. I have been a resident of Locust Valley since 1975. Shortly after we moved to Long Island I became a Real Estate Salesperson and subsequently a Real Estate Broker. My four children attended The Green Vale School during the eighties and nineties and loved their time there. With a strong educational foundation off to various high schools and colleges they went. I became a substitute teacher at Green Vale in addition to selling Real Estate during those years. My formal education includes an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a minor in English. Later I completed a Masters of Social Work at Adelphi University including an internship at Hempstead Union free high school. My focus for the next several years was on elder care and substitute teaching kids of all ages. After the Covid Pandemic my substitute teaching experiences were broadened to include opportunities at Friends Academy, Portledge School, and presently The Green Vale School.
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I have been a teacher for over 14 years starting in public school and then transitioning into independent schools. For the last 9 years, I have worked at Buckley Country Day School as a teacher as well as a Social Emotional Learning Coordinator. I love spending time with my daughter Harper and my husband Matt, and I love everything Disney related. |
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I began my elementary teaching career in 2004 with the acclaimed NYC Teaching Fellowship Program. Since then, I have worked with children from a wide range of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds in various schools throughout New York City. During my years in education, I’ve had experience as a classroom teacher, physical education teacher; and most recently, a science teacher for students from Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. I love to incorporate my personal passions for food, dramatic arts, and music into my teaching style whenever possible. I am also a happy wife and active mother of two. I am delighted to join the Green Vale community this year!
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ANNA GRATSIAS US Math & 8th Grade Advisor |
My name is Anna Gratsias and I am so thrilled to be working at The Green Vale School this year! I was previously an eighth grade math teacher at a middle school in Queens and am so excited to be making this transition to such an incredible school. I grew up in this area and now live here with my husband and two daughters ages two and three. The older one, Kiki, is starting Nursery this September here as well. My free time and hobbies are consumed with my children. We like to go on walks, to playgrounds and have playdates! I can’t wait to see what this year has in store for us!
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| JERE ANDREWS US French & 7th Grade Advisor |
I’m so happy to be joining the Green Vale staff this fall. I’m originally from Trinidad and Tobago. I am passionate about education and have completed degrees at Université de Caen in France (A.A. Applied Foreign Languages), Université des Antilles in Guadeloupe (B.Sc. Tourism), Institut National Universitaire Jean-François Champollion in France (M.A., European & International Studies) and graduate diplomas in FLE (Teaching French as a Foreign Language, Université de Grenoble) and ELE (Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language, Universidad de Salamanca). I have taught French, Spanish and English in my native Trinidad & Tobago, France and in the USA. I’m passionate about educational technology in the classroom, I’m proud to share that I have created an award-winning video game to support language acquisition called “Caribbean Treasures.”
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EMILY VOLPE US English & 6th Grade Advisor |
My name is Emily Volpe and this is my 10th year as an English Language Arts Teacher. I spent the last four years teaching 9th & 10th grade English at Sacred Heart Academy and I am excited to be joining the GVS family. I have a daughter who is about to turn 1 this August and I have loved spending the summer with her. I am a sports enthusiast and have coached both JV and varsity basketball at Sacred Heart as well as JV soccer. I am also a passionate equestrian and a certified riding instructor. I have been working at the Thomas School of Horsemanship since 2016 and currently ride at North Shore Equestrian Center on the CW Post Campus of LIU. I am excited for a great year ahead!
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| NYDIA AGUIRRE Coordinator of the Language Department |
In addition to continuing to teach Upper School Spanish, Nydia Aguirre-Calderon will take on the role of World Language Coordinator. In this new capacity, Mrs. Aguirre-Calderon will be responsible for overseeing the language program ensuring that across-the-board students will receive a comprehensive and high-quality language learning experience. Nydia Aguirre-Calderon has been at Green Vale since 2008 and her two children, Alberto and Ana Sofia are proud graduates.
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STEPHANIE BRODER Coordinator of Teaching and Learning, 1st-5th Grades |
Stephanie Broder will move out of the classroom and join the Lower School administrative team and will work on facilitating teacher coaching and professional growth opportunities while sharing specific techniques and strategies to strengthen teaching and learning. Additionally, she will develop programs and policies to support student academic wellness, growth, and achievement. Mrs. Broder was a Faculty Dean and Team leader at her prior schools and is working on an Emerging Leaders Certificate through NYSAIS.
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CELINE COLES Early Childhood Administrative Assistant / After-School Enrichment Coordinator / Movement Teacher |
Celine Coles who has been a Nursery Assistant for the last three years will be taking on a diverse role in the Early Childhood building. She will be the Early Childhood Administrative Assistant, and she will also be teaching Pre-N and Nursery movement classes. She will also manage the after school enrichment program. |
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CHELSEA DOUGHERTY Development Manager |
Chelsea Dougherty who has been the Development Assistant for the last three years at Green Vale will now hold the position of Development Manager. In this elevated role, she will be responsible for community building, development-related communications and marketing, alumni relations, as well as database management and administration. Additionally, Chelsea is a contributing member of the school’s Advancement team. Chelsea’s positive nature, strong work ethic and skill set are well suited for her success in this role.
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| HEEJUNG EOM Coordinator of Mathematics, Pre-K - 3rd Grade |
Heejung Eom will be moving from first grade to teaching PreK through third grade in a weekly Math Lab that is focused on enhancing our youngest mathematical minds through a variety of engaging and hands-on instructional approaches. Math Lab will bolster critical thinking skills and encourage flexible thinking while developing a love of learning math. Ms. Eom attended the Erikson Institute training this summer in Meaning-Making in Early Mathematics and a course through Bank Street College of Education on Developing your Inner Mathematician.
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LINDSEY HALLMAN Director of Marketing and Advertising
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Lindsey Hallman, who joined us in 2021, will now be Director of Marketing and Advertising. Lindsey will execute the overall marketing and advertising strategies to enhance the School’s brand, attract prospective students, and engage with the community at large. Lindsey will collaborate closely with admissions, communications, and academic departments to align marketing efforts with the School's mission and values. She will also remain as an admissions liaison. Lindsey brings with her 10+ years of experience in communications and marketing at nonprofit schools and is excited to take on this new chapter.
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