Our Educators
Meet our wonderful educators!
Our staff challenges our students to grow not only as learners but also as members of the community. The faculty possess the expertise, energy and engagement needed to deliver a BCCHS education.
English
Carolyn Castagna
9th and 10th Grade English TeacherI grew up in Queens but now live in Jersey City. I love to run, cook (and eat!), read, read to my kids, and cuddle with my dog, Judy. I have been teaching for 14 years, 8 of those at Baruch. I enjoy teaching because I love literature and language, and I get to share that with my students. Nothing makes me happier than when I give a student a book and they tell me they loved reading it!
Darius Lewis
9th and 10th Grade English Teacher John Downes Angus
11th and 12th Grade English Teacher
Rita Ross
11th and 12th Grade English TeacherI have been teaching for 16 years. I love reading novels and non-fiction, practicing yoga, baking gluten-free treats, and bike riding with my children. I love Baruch for its warmth, welcoming classrooms, love of ideas and learning, and its proximity to Gregory’s, whose green tea is the best.
If you would like to help buy books from my Classroom Wish List: https://bit.ly/BCCHSross
Email:ross.rita@bcchsnyc.net
Math
Amanda Benowitz
9th and 10th Grade Math Teacher Gloria Cao
9th and 10th Grade Math Teacher
Jocelyn Forman
11th and 12th Grade Math TeacherI am finishing my 3rd year as a teacher (3rd year at Baruch). I am from Newton, Massachusetts. I love to paint, my favorite book is The Help, favorite movie is the Parent Trap, and favorite food is Shakshuka. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in the 6th grade (so thank you all for letting me live my dream!). I love getting to know my students and trying to convince you all that math is cool and FUN!
Laird Jonas
11th and 12th Grade Math TeacherEmail:jonas.laird@bcchsnyc.net
Social Studies
Deborah Glick
9th and 10th Grade Social Studies Teacher Anthony Segreti
9th and 10th Grade Social Studies Teacher John Jacobs
11th and 12th Grade Social Studies TeacherEmail:jacobs.john@bcchsnyc.net
Aaron Sparrow
11th and 12th Grade Social Studies TeacherSpanish
Lori Nardacci
SpanishI’m from Rhode Island. I began teaching Spanish in 2006 in Massachusetts. Before coming to Baruch, I taught English in Quito, Ecuador for two and a half years. I have been teaching at Baruch for 8 years. I love traveling, especially around Latin America! I enjoy learning about other cultures and trying new foods. I never miss an opportunity to dance salsa, merengue, or bachata. I enjoy sharing my passion for Spanish and the cultures of the Spanish speaking world with students. I feel very fortunate to teach at Baruch with so many passionate and talented teachers. My colleagues and students inspire me every day!
Melody Kwan
SpanishEmail:kwan.melody@bcchsnyc.net
Maria Garcia
SpanishScience
Angela Oldenburg
9th and 10th Grade Science Teacher
Ashley Grey
9th and 10th Grade Science TeacherHi! I’m an Earth Science/AP Environmental Science teacher at Baruch College Campus High School. This is my fourth year of teaching and second year at Baruch. I was born and raised in Astoria, Queens, and as a student, I saw a lot of educational inequity in the school system. This experience ultimately led me into teaching and sharing my passion for science. I love working at Baruch and immediately felt welcomed into the community. When I’m not teaching or working on lessons, I like to run and spend time outdoors. (Favorite Book: Born a Crime by Trevor Noah; Favorite Movie: Erin Brockovich; Favorite Drink: Taro Bubble Tea!)
Email:grey.ashley@bcchsnyc.net
Ceren Kilic-Gonul
11th and 12th Grade Science TeacherHi, my name is Ceren Kilic-Gonul. I’m originally from Istanbul, Turkey, currently living in New Jersey! I moved to the United States when I was 18 years old to attend CUNY Queens College with an athletic scholarship. I’m a Chemistry teacher who is highly passionate about teaching science. I chose to be in education because I enjoy seeing my students realize their true potential. I love traveling, trying out different cuisines, and spending time with my family and friends. I’m very excited to be working at BCCHS and feel honored to be part of the BCCHS family.
Sam Zimmerman
11th and 12th Grade Science TeacherI’ve been teaching physics at Baruch since 1999. I earned my Master’s in Physics Education and my Bachelor’s in English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University. I love teaching at Baruch because the students and staff are amazing, hardworking people who never cease to impress me.
Clara Munoz
Forensic ScienceEmail:munoz.clara@bcchsnyc.net
Art
Aneta Hawrylewicz
9th and 10th Grade Art TeacherPhysical Education
Tedi Schaffer
Physical Education and Health Teacherr
Mike Breman
Physical EducationI have been a teacher at Baruch for 8 years. I have coached Soccer here for 7 years, wrestling for 8 years and Baseball for 5 years. Baruch is a special place with great staff, parents, and students.
Email:breman.mike@bcchsnyc.net
Administration
Alicia Perez-Katz
PrincipalI have been a teacher for 22 years, with 21 of those years at Baruch. My hometown is Ridgewood, NJ, but I grew up as an expatriate (Ecuador, South Korea, Brazil) and have lived the last 20 years in Brooklyn, NY. My favorite hobbies are writing and cycling. My favorite book is 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Favorite food: Vaca Frita and maduros. I love being an educator because of the connections you make with your community. I love Baruch because we are a tight-knit community and everyone is known!
Douglas Keijzer
Assistant PrincipalI started my career in 2004 as a Middle School special education teacher. I joined Baruch CCHS in 2015 as a tenth grade special education teacher. I appreciate working in a school community like Baruch because virtually every student and teacher knows one another. I live in the city with my wife, daughter and son. I enjoy reading classic literature and history in my quiet free time. I also enjoy board sports like surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding.
Diana Di Rico
Assistant Principal and Athletic DirectorSafety
Samantha Riley
School Safety Agent Tyra Shields
School Safety AgentMain Office
Carol Kei-Jiang
FinanceEmail:kei.carol@bcchsnyc.net
Janice Salmeri
Parent Coordinator Shannon Chen
School Nurse Manveer Singh
CUNY Technology InternCustodial
Jaffet Candelaria
Custodial Engineer Vinnie Prendi
Custodial EngineerGuidance
Stephanie Smith
GUIDANCE 9th/10th
Julie Ougheltree
Guidance 11th/12th; College Counselor
Bonnie Phillips
Director of College OfficeI have been a counselor for 24 years. I have worked at Baruch for 20 years. I am from London. I love art, the book, Jude the Obscure, the movie, Daughters of the Dust, and my favorite food is Sushi! I love working to help others to be their best selves!
Chelsea Rissner
Social Worker Barbara Ray
Bilingual Guidance CounselorEmail:ray.barbara@bcchsnyc.net
9/10 Special Education
Tazia Whitfield
9/10 ELA Katherine Vargas
9/10 Social Studies
Haley Hunter
9/10 ScienceHello! My name is Haley Hunter and I am excited to be joining the BCCHS community! I will be teaching ICT Biology, AP BIology, and AP Environmental Science this year. I am originally from North Carolina, but have been calling NYC home for the past four and a half years. I studied Exercise Science for my undergraduate degree at University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and I am currently finishing up my final year in graduate school at Hunter College. When I am not studying or working, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, going to a yoga class, or taking a trip to the beach. I can’t wait to meet my students and start the school year here at BCCHS!
“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”- Aristotle
Michelle Mistretta
9/10 MathI am originally from Montvale, New Jersey. I was a Math major in college and worked in Finance before becoming a Teacher. I have been a teacher for 5 years, 4 of which have been at Baruch. I love that we are a small and supportive community! The students at Baruch make teaching fun and rewarding experience.
11/12 Special Education
Claudia Lifson
11/12 ELA
Jennifer Gumina
11/12 Social StudiesI grew up in Detroit, Michigan, and explored several different career paths before deciding to become a special education teacher. In Detroit, I taught at a high school for students with emotional impairments and trauma for two years. I co-taught various humanities courses at a high school in Hell’s Kitchen for 7 years before coming to Baruch, where I’ve been since 2017. I love teaching because it is never boring, and being around young people keeps me feeling young at heart! It is a satisfying career on both a personal and professional level. I enjoy the community feel of Baruch and being surrounded by so many ambitious people. Summer is my favorite season because I love the hot weather, going to the beach, and traveling.
Dawn Shum
11/12 Science Erez Needleman
11/12 MathSpecial Education
Joanna Lamb
Speech PathologistI have been working for the DOE since 2010 and have been at BCCHS since 2016. I got my master’s in speech-language pathology from Adelphi University. A lover of theater, I also hold a BFA in Drama from NYU and run the Drama Club here at Baruch. When not working, I love listening to podcasts, doing The NY Times Crossword puzzle, seeing movies and plays, and am currently learning to play the piano.
Email:lamb.joanna@bcchsnyc.net
Yaacov Dazinger
School Psychologist
Vanna Marmo
Special Education Instructional SupportI have been a teacher for five years, four of which have been at Baruch. I am originally from Long Island, NY. I would say my favorite foods are french fries & ice cream and my favorite thing to do in my free time is travel!
As a ninth-grade teacher, my favorite part of the job is knowing all the students in the building. I am able to say hello to students of the past and present each day. It’s amazing to watch students grow from young 9th graders to college-bound seniors. Best part of the job!