Faculty & Staff

Who We Are

CMCCS uses a trauma-informed Sanctuary approach to educational and supportive programming that cultivates a trauma sensitive environment in which at-risk youth can maximize their potential to learn, heal and grow.

Only the Best

We Know How to Make Learning Fun For Kids

Give us a call to set up a tour to visit our school. Let’s explore your child’s education possibilities together.

Leadership

Board Members

James McCarthyChairperson
Angel AudiffredVice Chairperson
Jennifer VasquezTreasurer
Dr. Reva Gershen-LowyBoard Secretary
Dr. William Ursillo
Sr. Patricia Broderick
Carolyn Telesmanich

Committees

Dr. Reva Gershen-Lowy, Finance Committee Chair
Dr. William Ursillo, Academic Committee Chair
James McCarthy, Governance Committee Chair

Leadership

Jennifer Fedele
Founding Principal
jfedele@cmccs.org

Dr. Mary Anne DeVivio
Chief Academic Officer
mdevivio@cmccs.org

Zully Fernandez
Assistant Director of Curriculum & Instruction
zfernandez@cmccs.org
Leadership

Christian Adamkiewicz
Director of Operations
cadamkiewicz@cmccs.org

Grace Bendick
Director of Special Populations
gbendick@cmccs.org


Our Teachers

Faculty and Staff

Angel Contreras

Teaching Assistant

Mr. Contreras served as a translating assistant for teachers and parents as well in additional educational support capacities. He attended the Borough of Manhattan Community College pursuing Secondary Education. He is a member of The National Society of Leadership and Success at BMCC. Mr. Contreras believes that a quality education equates to a better future for all.

Carlos Diaz

Parent & Community Coordinator

Mr. Diaz has been a music teacher for almost 10 years but now serves as the Parent and Community Coordinator at CMCCS. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Music – City University of New York and Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership – Concordia University Nebraska. He graduated summa cum laude from Concordia University. Mr. Diaz believes that all students are able to learn and succeed if teachers and families work together with that goal in mind.

Colleen Corrigan

Teacher

Ms. Corrigan has been a teacher for 15 years, teaching in a preschool for many years and at Cardinal McCloskey for the past few years. She attended Mount Saint Mary College – Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary for Education and Master’s of Science in Education. Ms. Corrigan believes that all students need to feel safe and respected within their classroom and that they have the freedom to express themselves in an appropriate manner.

Daisy Morales

Teaching Assistant

Ms. Morales served middle school students in an afterschool program and summer school over the past few years. She also has experience working with toddlers at a daycare. She attended Hostos Community College – Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education.

Desiree Mahmoud

Curriculum Assistant

Ms. Mahmoud has been working with children for over 15 years in afterschool programs as well as mentoring students in the Bronx and Manhattan. She has an Associate’s degree in Human Services. She is a member of the community service-based sorority, Zeta Phi Alpha Philanthropic Sorority. Being born and raised in the Bronx, she enjoys being able to learn with, grow and teach the students in her community.

Genesis Flores

Teaching Assistant

Ms. Flores served children ages three to eight-years-old for over 10 years before arriving at CMCCS. She started her work with children in daycare and preschool. She earned a CDA in Early Childhood and a teaching assistant certification.

Jaime Martinez

Head of Maintenance

Mr. Martinez served as Director of Facilities at Aquinas High School for 48 years. Prior, he served as head custodian at the high school as well as custodian at Saint Raymond’s School. He became a New York licensed refrigeration technician in 1973 and received certification for the operation of residual fuel oil burners and incinerators in 1977. He also holds certification for supervision of fire alarm systems and other related systems.

Jasmine McCaskill

Teacher

Ms. McCaskill has been working in education for close to 10 years. She graduated ASA College as an AOS Pharmacy Technician and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Monroe College. She believes that everyone wears both, the teaching and student hat.

Jeffery Chanin

Reading Specialist

Mr. Chanin started off his career in education teaching 5th grade. He has been a reading specialist for over 10 years. He received his B.S. degree in Elementary Education from The State College of New York at Oneonta and his M.S. degree in Teaching Literacy (B-12) from Mercy College.

Jesse Ronda

Data Specialist

Mr. Ronda worked for four years at a test prep company writing and editing test prep workbooks. He also worked for one year teaching SAT math to sophomores and juniors at a community center in Brooklyn, and for over five years tutoring math one-on-one. He earned an A.S. degree, Liberal Arts at SUNY Rockland, and a Bachelor of Science degree, Mathematics, at Liberty University. He earned Designations from the Society of Actuaries, and a Legacy Full Stack Certification.

Kenroy Morris

Teaching Assistant

Mr. Morris served as a STEM instructor that helped students design and build realistic computer models. He attended Digital Animation & Visual Effects School. Mr. Morris believes that a classroom should be a safe, caring community where children are free to speak their mind. He assists his students in expressing themselves and accepting themselves for who they are.

Lynette Pizaro-Collazo

Teacher

Ms. Collazo has been teaching at CMCCS since its founding year. She has a B.A in Sociology, an M.A in Liberal Arts and graduated with summa cum laude honors. Ms. Collazo believes every child has the potential to exceed in their goals and accomplishments.

Marcia Cambell

Teacher

Ms. Campbell previously worked with disabled students and has taught from Pre-K to 8th grade. She attended Nova University – Bachelor’s of Science: Elementary Education, and Mercy College – Master’s of Science: Childhood Education with a minor in Students with Disabilities. Ms. Campbell believes that every child can learn and excel.

Mellenia Blake

Teacher

Ms. Blake has experience teaching students from kindergarten to second grade in remote settings as well as in person. She attended Monroe College – Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Blake believes that, as a teacher, she is able to influence her students to be the best version of themselves. She wants her students to feel heard and understood and be given equal opportunities to succeed regardless of their learning needs.

Rosely Espinoza

Teacher

Ms. Espinoza has taught students ages 3-7 years old, teaching Pre-K for 10 years and currently teaches first grade at CMCCS. Ms. Espinoza attended Mercy College – Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Early Childhood Education. She currently holds Initial Certification in Early Childhood Education / Professional in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Espinoza believes in creating a cultural, safe, healthy and educational environment.

Santa Vasquez

Teaching Assistant

Santa Vasquez earned an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education from the Borough of Manhattan Community College and a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Disabilities Studies from The New York City College.

Shakira Stockhausen-Smith

Teacher

Ms. Stockhausen has been teaching for over ten years and has taught every grade in elementary education. Ms. Stockhausen-Smith attended Bronx Community College – Liberal Arts/Paralegal Studies, The College of New Rochelle – Bachelor’s in Sociology and The College of New Rochelle – Master’s in Dual Education (1 – 6). She believes that every child can learn given the necessary tools and that children gain success in their own time and way. Learning is a lifelong experience.

Shari Rose

Teacher

Ms. Rose has been teaching for over 10 years and has taught first grade at Cardinal McCloskey Community Charter School since its founding. Ms. Rose attended BOCES for Cosmetology, Rockland Community College earning an Associate’s degree in Business Administration, St. Thomas Aquinas College – Bachelor of Science, Natural Science and Pace University – Master of Science and Teaching, grades 1-6. She is a member of Pi Gamma Mu and the Honors Society at St. Thomas Aquinas College.

Sheneka Gumbs

Social Worker

Ms. Gumbs has been mentoring adolescent girls in middle school and high school for many years. Ms. Gumb’s attended BMCC – Associate’s Degree in Human Services, Medgar Evers College – Bachelor’s in Psychology minor in Child Welfare and Hunter College – Master’s in Social Work. She is honored to work at addressing the social, emotional and developmental needs of students and families and in helping them access appropriate services and resources.

Sibel Alioska

Teaching Assistant

Ms. Alioska has worked with many different grade levels. She is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in health service administration. She aims to establish and keep a dynamic climate that cultivates inventiveness, empowers an individual with expert development and showcases the presentation of administration guidelines.

Stephany Gonzalez

Office Manager

Ms. Gonzalez earned a B.S in Human Services with a minor in Psychology from Monroe College. After receiving numerous President’s List recognitions from college, she graduated magna cum laude. Ms. Gonzalez aims to encourage students to go against all stereotypes. CMCCS scholars have the ability to exceed academic goals and enhance their understanding by being part of our school community. We all work tirelessly to motivate curiosity in our students.

Symone Wright

Teaching Assistant

Ms. Wright served as a teacher with Everbrook Academy Learning Center for 12 years, working with children ages birth to three. She is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree at Grand Canyon University in Early Childhood Education. She currently holds CDA certification. Ms. Wright believes that not all children learn the same way.

Verki Santana

Behavior Interventionist

Ms. Santana’s role is to assist children while they cope with challenging situations and help them self-regulate their emotions. She brings to CMCCS sixteen years of experience of working with children who have dealt with trauma and neglect. Ms. Santana has extensive knowledge of The Sanctuary Model which she is able to use in assisting students. Ms. Santana enjoys working with children and showing them new positive ways to cope with challenging situations.

Wildalis Moreta

Teaching Assistant

Ms. Moreta is a founding member of CMCCS who has worked with students from kindergarten to third grade. She attended BMCC – Associate’s degree: Bilingual Childhood Education and currently attends The City College of New York – Bilingual Childhood Education with a Co-major in Spanish. She is a member of The National Society of Leadership and Success at BMCC in addition to holding the distinction of making the dean’s list.