Elizabeth Antczak    Dean of Students

Ms. Antczak returns to Kings Collegiate as the Dean of Students. After graduating from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology & Society and a Bachelor of Science in Urban & Regional Studies, Ms. Antczak worked for City Year in after-school and community service programs in Cleveland, OH. Before joining Kings, Ms. Antczak taught middle school science in the Bronx as a Teach or America corps member and completed her Master of Science degree in Teaching at Pace University.

Tatyana Bass    5th Grade History Teacher

Ms. Bass has been teaching sixth grade English Language Arts and Social Studies in a charter school in Manhattan for the past four years and is thrilled to join the Kings Collegiate team in Brooklyn. She also recently attained her masters’ degree at Hunter College in general education, grades 1-6. Ms. Bass is joining the network and is excited to have an opportunity to share her love for Social Studies and teaching with the fifth graders.

Katherine Biedrycki-Johnson    5th Grade Math Teacher and Grade Level Teacher

Ms. Biedrycki returns to Kings Collegiate this school year as one of the 5th Grade Math Teachers. Previously, Ms. Biedrycki taught K, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades in Washington, DC. Ms. Biedrycki earned a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from Michigan State University and a Masters of Arts in Elementary Education from American University in Washington, DC. She grew up in Michigan and is excited to continue working with great students, families, and staff this year.

Kristin Blagg    7th Grade Math Teacher

Ms. Blagg returns to Kings Collegiate as a 7th grade math teacher. Originally from Lenox, Massachusetts, Ms. Blagg received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Harvard University. After graduation, she moved to New Orleans where she taught high school math and science in the Recovery School District as a Teach for America corps member. Ms. Blagg is currently working towards a Masters in Education at the Teacher U Institute at Hunter College.

Stephen Cassady    7th Grade History Teacher and Grade Level Teacher

Mr. Cassady returns for his fourth year at Kings Collegiate Charter School as the 7th Grade History Teacher. Before coming to Kings Collegiate, Mr. Cassady taught two years at Edison-Fareria High School as a Teach For America corps member in Philadelphia, PA. Prior to that, Mr. Cassady received a Bachelor of Arts in History at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH and a Master’s in Childhood Education from Hunter University. Mr. Cassady is originally from Cincinnati and is thrilled to be working with the Kings community again.

Christie Chow    Director of Operations

Ms. Chow returns to Kings Collegiate as the Director of Operations. Ms. Chow joined Kings after working with Teach For America in their New York Regional office. While at Teach For America, Ms. Chow worked with Principals in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Brooklyn to identify and hire new teachers. Prior to Teach For America, she worked with Academic Studies Associates as the Director of United Kingdom Programs, where she oversaw and directed student study-abroad programs for four years. Ms. Chow graduated from Vanderbilt University with a B.S. in Special Education and Human and Organizational Development and began her career in the classroom teaching Deaf Education to middle school students. Ms. Chow is originally from Oklahoma City and is excited to begin another year at Kings Collegiate.

Cristy Cobb    Apprentice Teacher

Ms. Cobb is excited to join the many great faces at King’s as an Apprentice Teacher. Before joining Kings, Ms. Cobb received the Bachelor of Arts in English Arts from Hampton University in Hampton, VA. Here she served with various different groups such as TRIO Learning and Student Recruitment as she worked to encourage many students to prepare and attend college. A California native, Cristy has served as Assistant Instructor with both Summerbridge San Francisco, the founding Breakthrough Collaborative Program as we all Galileo Learning Academic Summer Camps. She is thrilled to join the likes of the many talented and driven faculty, students, and parents at King’s Collegiate.

Patrick Cooney    7th and 8th Grade Math Teacher

Prior to joining the staff at Kings Collegiate, Mr. Cooney taught 7th grade math at Roma Middle School in Roma Texas. In addition to teaching, Mr. Cooney worked at the Minnesota State Senate, interned with the New York City Department of Education, and served as an Education Pioneers Fellow with Chicago Public Schools. Mr. Cooney is a Teach for America Rio Grande Valley alum, holds an M.S. in Public Policy from the University of Michigan, and a B.A. in History and Economics from Boston College.

Susan Crandall    Dean of Student Support

Ms. Crandall returns to Kings Collegiate in her 5th year, currently as the Dean of Student Support, coordinating academic and behavior supports for students. After earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Policy Studies from Syracuse University in 2004, Ms. Crandall worked to recruit new teachers for the Teach for America program. She then taught 8th grade 12:1 special education in Bedford-Stuyvesant as a 2005 Teach for America corps member. She earned her Master’s of Science for Teachers in Middle Childhood/Students with Disabilities from Pace University in 2007.

Timothy Cummings    5th Grade Science Teacher

Mr. Cummings is more than excited to join Kings Collegiate Charter School teaching his favorite subject, Science! Before moving to New York, Mr. Cummings taught in various elementary grades in St. Louis. When not in the classroom, you will find Mr. Cummings exploring the city in search of good music and new learning opportunities. Mr. Cummings is an alumnus of Teach For America St. Louis and received his B.A. in Political Science and Music from the University of Notre Dame and his M.Ed. from the University of Missouri - St. Louis.

Ayana Daley    Social Worker

Ms. Daley returns Kings Collegiate as the School Social Worker and Counselor. Prior to joining Kings, she served as an adoption social worker for the Government of the District of Columbia, Child & Family Services Agency. Ms Daley’s other social work experiences include roles at Benjamin Franklin Middle School (Baltimore, MD), Baltimore States Attorney’s Office, Division of Felony Family Violence, and the Government of the District of Columbia, Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the Pennsylvania State University and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Maryland @ Baltimore, School of Social Work. She is a Brooklyn native, and excited to be back home!

Bryon Eagon    6th Grade History Teacher

Before joining Kings Collegiate to teach 6th grade Social Studies, Mr. Eagon received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Communication Rhetoric from the University of Wisconsin. Mr. Eagon came to New York City as part of Teach for America and loves spreading his Badger pride in the classroom and throughout the Big Apple. Prior to joining Teach for America, Mr. Eagon served as an Alderperson on the City of Madison Common Council. He is currently working toward his Masters Degree in teaching from the Relay School of Education, a graduate program developed in part by Uncommon Schools.

Casey Fleming    8th Grade Writing Teacher

Ms. Fleming joins Kings Collegiate this year as an 8th grade-writing teacher. Prior to arriving in Brooklyn, Ms. Fleming spent the summer in Rwanda as a teaching fellow following three years as an 8th and 10th grade English and writing teacher in Miami, Florida. Ms. Fleming fulfilled her commitment to the Miami Teaching Fellows by helping her students achieve academic success through engaging lessons and positive encouragement. Ms. Fleming graduated from Loyola University New Orleans with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Latin American Studies. Ms. Fleming loves all things cultural, and while she will miss her home in Miami Beach, she is eager to collaborate with her colleagues at Kings to ensure every student receives a phenomenal education!

Jessica George    6th Grade Reading Teacher

Ms. George is thrilled to teach 6th grade Reading at King's Collegiate for the 2011-2012 school year. Prior to Kings, she served as a 2009 Teach for America Corps Member, teaching 6th Grade Reading and ELA at Frank Black Middle School in Houston, Texas. During her second year at Frank Black, she served as the 6th Grade-Level Chair and PLC Leader, as well as the Cheerleading Coach. Ms. George attended the University of Florida, earning a Bachelors Degree in English Literature with minors in Classical Studies and Education.

Lauren Vance    Associate Managing Director, Collegiate Network

Prior to serving as Associate Managing Director with Uncommon Schools, Lauren Harris co-founded Kings Collegiate Charter School in 2007, and served as Principal from August 2007 – June 2010. Before moving to New York City to join Uncommon Schools, Lauren taught 7th and 8th grade mathematics at Roxbury Preparatory Charter School in Boston, MA, and Ferndale Middle School in High Point, NC. During her last year at Roxbury Preparatory Charter School, her students ranked #1 out of all districts statewide on the 8th grade Math MCAS exam. While at Roxbury Prep, she also served as Grade Level Team Leader and Numeracy Inquiry Group Facilitator. Ms. Harris earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Grades Education at Appalachian State University in North Carolina and a Master of Education degree at the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University.

Kathryn Harvey    6th Grade Math Teacher

Ms. Harvey is excited for her fourth year at Kings Collegiate as the 6th grade Math teacher. After graduating from John Carroll University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Middle Childhood Education, Ms. Harvey spent three years teaching at Piedmont Open IB Middle School in Charlotte, North Carolina. At Piedmont, Ms. Harvey taught 6th grade Math and served as team leader, lead math teacher, student council advisor, and IB Area Leader. She is certified as a level two IB Math teacher and presented at the NCTE conference in New York City in Fall of 2008 on “Data in the Classroom.” Ms. Harvey earned her Master’s in Education from Hunter College.

Kevin Hausmann    Special Education Teacher

Mr. Hausman is excited to join Kings Collegiate’s Student Support Team. Mr. Hausmann brings several years of experience teaching special education classes to Kings, most recently at from the Stanely G. Falk School in Buffalo, NY. Kevin received both his B.S. and M.S. in Special Education and Literacy from SUNY Buffalo and his M.S. in Literacy. He is an avid Buffalo Bills fan but is excited to see if he can support New York City teams.

Kris Hirsch    Dean of Curriculum and Instruction

Mr. Hirsch, who was the founding 5th grade History teacher at Kings Collegiate, returns to Kings as the Dean of Curriculum and Instruction. Mr. Hirsch comes to Uncommon Schools from Buffalo NY, where he received his Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York at Fredonia in Secondary Education. Mr. Hirsch also has a Master’s degree from Hunter College, Teacher U program. Mr. Hirsch taught high school Social Studies (9th, 10th & 12th grade) at Frewsburg Central Schools in upstate New York for six years before coming to Kings. Mr. Hirsch is also the proud coach of the Kings Collegiate soccer team, the 2011 champions of the Charter School Athletic Association.

Alonte Johnson    7th Grade Reading Teacher

Mr. Johnson is excited to join Kings Collegiate as a 7th grade Reading teacher. Originally from Fort Worth, TX, Mr. Johnson received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Morehouse College. Mr. Johnson worked as a teacher-intern with Breakthrough Collaborative in Miami, FL as an eighth and ninth grade Science teacher and speech and debate coach. Mr. Johnson is working towards his Masters in Education at the Relay School of Education.

Sarena Maron-Kolitch    Special Education Teacher

Ms. Maron returns to Kings Collegiate as one of the Special Education teachers. A native New Yorker, Ms. Maron graduated from Colby College, where she studied Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies and Education. She is a 2010 Teach For America Corps Member and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree from CUNY Hunter. She is ecstatic to continue with the Student Support team and begin working with the incredibly talented and dedicated students, families, and staff of the Kings community!

Marnella Lambert    Office Manager

Ms. Lambert returns to Kings Collegiate's Operations team as the school's office manager. Ms. Lambert is a graduate of Hampton University with a BS in Marketing with a concentration in Business Management. During her college career at HU, Ms. Lambert held a position as a mentor/tutor for elementary and high school students with A+ Ability Plus Tutors. Ms. Lambert is ecstatic to continue at Kings Collegiate Charter School.

Kate Latta    7th Grade Science Teacher

Ms. Latta returns to Kings Collegiate as the 7th grade Science teacher this year. Ms. Latta graduated from Boston University with a B.A. in Chemistry, and is currently working towards her Masters of Science in Teaching from Fordham University. Prior to working at Kings, Ms. Latta worked as summer staff for Teach for America and managed an after-school program in Boston, MA. Ms. Latta is a member of Teach for America and is truly excited to be living in Brooklyn.

Laura Lee McGovern    Chief Operating Officer

Laura Lee McGovern is the Chief Operating Officer of the Collegiate Network of Uncommon Schools. Ms. Lee joined Uncommon Schools in 2007 as the Founding Co-Director of Operations at Kings Collegiate Charter School. Ms. Lee helped establish the systems, processes and cultural foundation that has led Kings to early outstanding achievement and parent/student satisfaction. Ms. Lee also worked as a Summer Fellow and Education Pioneer with Uncommon in 2006. In this capacity, she helped develop school inspection and performance measurement processes. Previously, Ms. Lee worked as a management consultant at Katzenbach Partners LLC, advising companies on strategic and organizational issues, and also served as the founding Director of Analytics in student enrollment at the New York City Department of Education. Ms. Lee received her MBA from Harvard Business School, where she was a Baker Scholar and co-leader of the Education Leadership Group. Ms. Lee earned her A.B. in Social Studies at Harvard College and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

Julie Meyer    6th Grade Math Teacher

Ms. Meyer is returning to Kings as a 5th grade Math teacher. Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Ms. Meyer graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with majors in journalism and psychology. She spent the next three years working in a variety of educational settings in Boston, Massachusetts as well as in North Carolina, and is very excited to be working with this year’s 5th grade class at Kings.

Alyson Morse    8th Grade Math Teacher and Grade Level Teacher

Ms. Morse returns to Kings for her third year. She grew up in Wichita, Kansas and graduated from Georgetown University in 2007, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and International Business. Ms. Morse joined Teach for America, where she taught high school mathematics in Eastern North Carolina at Northwest High School in Halifax County. She is currently working towards her Masters in Middle School General Education with Hunter University’s Teacher U program.

Brett Peiser    Founder

As Managing Director of Collegiate Charter Schools, an Uncommon Schools network of middle and high schools in Brooklyn, Mr. Peiser is the Founder of Williamsburg Collegiate, Kings Collegiate, Bedford Stuyvesant Collegiate, Brownsville Collegiate, and Uncommon Charter High School. From 1998 to 2005, Mr. Peiser was the Founder, Principal, and Executive Director of Boston Collegiate Charter School, a college preparatory middle and high school serving 500+ students. Prior to this, Mr. Peiser taught History at Midwood High School in New York City. Mr. Peiser received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University and a Master of Public Policy degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Alisha Ragan    6th Grade Science Teacher and Grade Level Teacher

Ms. Ragan returns to Kings Collegiate this year as the 6th grade Science teacher. Ms. Ragan previously taught 8th Grade Physical Science in Watts, in Los Angeles, CA. Prior to moving to Los Angeles, Ms. Ragan attended Seattle Pacific University (SPU) in Seattle, WA where she majored in Biology and Chemistry. She also played in an orchestra for 4 years. Her music scholarship played a huge part in how she afforded to go to college. She is excited to meet all of the Kings students and can’t wait to start the upcoming school year.

Kurt Sarsfield    Director of Special Projects

Mr. Sarsfield is returning for his fourth year at Kings Collegiate. Mr. Sarsfield holds a B.A. in English Language and Literature from the University of Michigan. Before coming to Kings, Mr. Sarsfield taught middle school in Austin, Texas for two years. He also spent a year teaching 7th, 8th, and 9th grade English and Social Studies in Honduras through the non-profit organization Bilingual Education for Central America. Prior to his experiences in the classroom, Mr. Sarsfield worked with youth as an outdoor educator in New Mexico, teaching backpacking skills and group dynamics.

Scott Schuster    Principal

Prior to becoming principal at Kings Collegiate, Mr. Schuster taught 6th and 7th grade Math at Kings, second and third grade at P.S. 42 in the Bronx, and sixth grade English Language Arts at KIPP Summit Academy in Oakland, CA. In addition to teaching, Mr. Schuster has served as grade leader, lead teacher, intervention consultant, and intervention specialist in various settings. Mr. Schuster is a Teach for America New York City alumnus and received his B.A. in Political Science from Colgate University and his M.S. in Teaching from Pace University.

Lamar Shambley    6th Grade Math Teacher

Mr. Shambley is excited to join Kings as a 6th grade Math teacher. Mr. Shambley graduated from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia in May 2010 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Modern Languages and Literature. He previously worked as a Program Assistant for a non-profit organization that focuses on creating the next generation of teenage community leaders and developers. He’s also currently working towards his Master’s Degree in Middle School General Education with the Relay Graduate School of Education.

Tahsina Siddiqui    8th Grade Writing Teacher

Ms. Siddiqui joins Kings Collegiate this school year as the 8th grade Writing teacher. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from CUNY Queens College with a major in English and a minor in Secondary Education. Mrs. Siddiqui was a Summer Teaching Fellow with Uncommon Schools. Prior to her Summer Teaching Fellowship, she worked as a Reading and Writing Curriculum Developer and also taught for two summers at Breakthrough New York, a six-year college access program committed to getting high-potential, low-income students to four-year colleges.She also spent one semester student teaching Accelerated Reading at Thomas Edison Career and Technical High School in Jamaica, Queens. She originally hails from Atlanta, Georgia and is thrilled to join the Kings Community.

Rachel Taylor    8th Grade History Teacher

Ms. Taylor is thrilled to return to teach 8th grade History at Kings. She grew up in Hartford, Connecticut, and graduated from Harvard College where she majored in Social Studies with a focus on race and urban studies. Ms. Taylor spent three years teaching U.S. and Modern World History and African Diaspora Literature at a high school in Connecticut. After that, she spent a year expanding her horizons by traveling to 17 countries around the world, bringing her grand total to 31. She is currently working toward her M.A. in Teaching of Social Studies and M.Ed. in Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Flosha Tejada    6th Grade Writing Teacher

Ms. Tejada, a Dickinson College ’11 graduate, was born in the Dominican Republic and reared in New York City. Summer 2010 she joined Uncommon Schools’ Teaching Fellowship (STF), acquiring a wealth of knowledge surrounding urban public education reform and the charter school movement. Prior to Uncommon, Ms. Tejada’s passion for education is evident in her investment to a variety of schooling-related programs ranging from on campus courses and extracurricular activities while abroad in England, to her Resident Teaching Assistantship at Columbia University in 2009. Assisting in the process of constructing a future of prosperity for all urban students is her hope, in addition to changing historical patterns of underachievement side by side with like-minded individuals.

Jillian Wasick    5th Grade Writing Teacher

Ms. Wasick is very grateful for the opportunity to work with students, families and staff in her third year at Kings as the fifth-grade writing teacher. Ms. Wasick studied History at McGill University where she also served as a volunteer ESL literacy tutor. After college she was a youth organizer in New Mexico before moving to California to teach sixth-grade Humanities. Ms. Wasick is originally from New Jersey and thrilled to be living in Brooklyn. She has her Master’s in Education from Hunter College.

Kyle Wasko    8th Grade Science Teacher

Prior to beginning at King's Collegiate, Mr. Wasko has taught Physics, Chemistry, Math and Aquatic Ecology at North Haven Community School on the island of North Haven, Maine. A native to the greater Philadelphia area, he has earned his B.A. in Geography at Millersville University in Lancaster, PA, and is pursuing his M.A. in Environmental Education at Arcadia University just outside of Philadelphia. He is very excited to be a member of Kings and is looking forward to sharing the year with all of you.

Sabrina Williams    7th Grade Literacy Teacher

Ms. Williams has been teaching middle school Language Arts and Reading for five years. She served four years at Steele-Collins Charter Middle School in Tallahassee, Florida where she lead four consecutive 8th grade classes to 100% mastery on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) Writing exam, with at least one student from each school year scoring the coveted “6”. Ms. Williams, a graduate of Florida A&M University, holds a M.Ed. in English Education and will be starting her first year with Kings Collegiate in the fall.