District Team

Born in St. Thomas, Jamaica, Dr. White migrated to America when she was 8. She attended IS 383 G&T and John Dewey HS. She earned her Bachelor’s, Master’s Degrees and Advanced Certificate in Supervision and Administration from Brooklyn College. In 2018, Dr. White earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at the Sage Colleges and published her dissertation, "Psychological Safety and English-Speaking Caribbean Students in NYC Public Schools.” An educator for 24 years as English Teacher, Dean, AP, 9-year Principal, Director of Continuous Improvement, she most recently served as the proud Deputy Superintendent of Brooklyn North High Schools. She is a lifelong leader supporting individuals to find their true potentials.  On September 29, 2025, Dr. White was named Interim Acting Superintendent of Brooklyn North High Schools.  Continuing and expanding upon the legacy of Brooklyn North High Schools, Dr. White looks forward to advancing our shared goals in amplifying student voice, strengthening partnerships with parents and communities, and expanding college and career pathways so that every student has a strong plan toward economic security. Together, BKNHS will deepen culturally responsive instruction, strengthen literacy and math outcomes through targeted interventions and professional development, and widen business partnerships that give students real-world learning opportunities by "centering students, leading with love, and innovating for tomorrow."

Dr. Harris is a proud graduate of New York City Public Schools. He began his teaching career in 2004 as a special education teacher in Brooklyn North and, in 2007, was appointed as Assistant Principal. In 2010, Dr. Harris became the principal of Transit Tech High School. In 2013, he took a position as Director of the New York City Teaching Fellows program at Long Island University. In 2018, he returned to NYCPS as a principal to transform the historic Automotive High School into the innovative A-Tech High School.

Terrence has worked in the field of education and community development for 30 years, first receiving his bachelor's degree from Baruch College for Industrial Organization and then a master's degree from Columbia University for Social Work Administration and Education.  He began his career providing psychotherapy to children, families, and mentally ill adult populations across NYC.  In 2003 he co-founded the HS for Service and Learning and proudly served and collaborated as a co-principal. Starting in 2007, he has since worked for the DOE in several capacities: Senior Manager of Youth Development, Director of Youth Development & Organization, Deputy Network Leader of Operations, Field Support Liaison, and currently Chief Operating Officer for Brooklyn North High Schools Superintendency.

Ainsley is an accomplished educator and clinical social worker. He held various leadership positions in the NYC government,  including the Department of Education, Administration for Children Services, and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Additionally, as a licensed clinical social worker specializing in child and adolescent psychotherapy, Ainsley is skilled in child and adolescent mental health evaluation and treatment and has previously worked at several of NYC’s premier child welfare agencies, including the Children's Aid and the Staten Island Mental Health Society. In addition to earning a Master of Social Work degree from New York University, he also earned his Doctor of Education degree from Fordham University.

Andrada Frunza started her career with the DOE in 2004 as a Teaching Fellow and worked for 13 years as a math teacher at Wadleigh Secondary School in Harlem where she also served as a mentor supporting teachers across disciplines, led multiple teams , developed professional learning, and supervised after-school programs. She joined the Brooklyn North High School Superintendent team as a TDEC in 2016 to support the district's talented and dedicated principals with instruction and professional learning for math educators and new teachers.  Andrada earned her BAs in Math and French from Manhattan College, went on to obtain her first Master's degree in Math education from the City College of New York, and received her second Master's in Educational Leadership from Fordham.

Continuing 12 years of community-driven cultural work across all five boroughs, Andy Waldron brings a critical eye and engaging M.O. to the Brooklyn North High Schools team as Administrative Associate. He is a Stevens Institute of Technology alumnus, where he earned a B.A. with Honors in Music & Technology, alongside minors in Visual Arts & Technology and Literature. Andy has since been trusted to rigorously support his neighbors in a variety of roles: from giving testimony at our City Hall with the Union of Musicians and Allied Workers, contributing to the copyedit of an investigative report commissioned by the Vietnam Veterans of America, and thoughtfully connecting international event organizers via DoDIY.org. Andy is proud to have joined the Office of the Superintendency in September 2025, creatively problem-solving alongside his dedicated coworkers and helping to amplify the voices of our Brooklyn North community – all from his office phone and headset.

In 2001, Alicia began her teaching career at Boys and Girls High School. She continues to serve Brooklyn North, bringing a wealth of expertise in curriculum development, teacher team development, professional learning, and ELA. In addition to serving as a thought partner and providing strategic support to schools, Alicia currently serves as the Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction, supporting the district’s vision for strong teaching and learning.

Throughout her 28 years in the classroom, Bernadette has served students across Staten Island, Manhattan, and Brooklyn, most recently at George Westinghouse CTE High School. Her deep commitment to teaching and learning has been shaped by the many students, colleagues, and school communities she has worked with throughout her career. In addition to her classroom experience, Bernadette has served as Assistant Principal of English at Art and Design High School. Her leadership, instructional expertise, and dedication to supporting both students and educators make her a valuable addition to our district team. A lifelong learner, Bernadette earned a B.A. in English and an M.S.Ed. in Secondary Education from Wagner College, as well as an Ed.M. in English Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is passionate about literacy, teaching, and the power of meaningful learning experiences.

Former Elementary, Middle & High school teacher, Testing Coordinator

College of St Rose: Certificate in School Building Leadership (SBL)

College of St Rose: Certificate in School District Leadership (SDL)

Touro College: Master of Science  Education/Special Education

University of Guyana:  Bachelor of Arts (BA) English

Cyril Potter College of Education : Trained Teacher's Certificate

Cynthia Garvin is an extremely accomplish member of the Finance and Human Resource team at the Department of Education, with twenty-nine years of experience in all areas of finance and Human Resources, currently serving as the Operations Associate.  Prior to joining us Cynthia served as the Operations Director at the Children First Network 408. Through her experiences and academic background, Cynthia has acquired the skills necessary to serve in a highly functioning operational setting.  Cynthia received her BA from the College of New Rochelle and her Master in Special Education from Concordia University.  With such talent and skills, we welcome Cynthia Garvin to the Brooklyn North HS Superintendent team.

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Desiree has proudly worked for the New York City Department of Education for the past 16 years. In her time with the department, Desiree has held several roles both at the school level and Citywide. Prior to joining the Brooklyn North High School team, she worked as a Director of Enrollment, Assistant Director of Enrollment, School Counselor and Parent Coordinator. Desiree is a lifelong Brooklynite who attended NYC Public Schools. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and a Masters of Education in Bilingual School Counseling from Long Island University. She also holds a Masters in Educational Leadership from the College of St. Rose. Desiree looks forward to supporting Brooklyn North High Schools in the area of Student Services.

Esther started her career with the DOE as a Teaching Fellow and has served as an educator for 10+ years while further engaging as a member on the Professional Development Team, Measures of Student Learning Committee, Behavior Intervention Plan Team, Interview Committee, and serving as the lead for the Geometry Team. Outside of the DOE, Esther serves the community as a volunteer of various summer educational outreach programs located in NYC, Navajo Reservation (Arizona), Ecuador, and Argentina. She has earned her first Master's in Education at Long Island University at Brooklyn, and received her second Master's in Education Leadership at Hunter College. Esther is the final recipient of the Northeastern Regional Chapter scholarship in 2021 and an active member of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest honor society established in 1897 to recognize and encourage superior scholarship and to promote the "unity and democracy of education".

Jill joins Brooklyn North as an Academic Policy, Performance, and Assessment Lead after spending the last decade in the classroom as a social studies and special education teacher. Her teaching career has spanned three boroughs as she served as testing coordinator, data specialist, and programmer in addition to Peer Collaborative Teacher. She received her undergraduate and master’s degree from Long Island University as well as graduate certifications from the College of St. Rose and Harvard Graduate School of Education.

John has been a New York City educator for over twenty years. His knowledge of academic policy, school performance and assessment has been formed in this time, through his roles as high school English teacher, assistant principal of pupil personnel services and founding charter school principal. Although he has worked in schools in the Bronx and Manhattan, Brooklyn is home.

"The classroom, with all its limitations, remains a location of possibility. In that field of possibility, we have the opportunity to labor for freedom, to demand of ourselves and our comrades, an openness of mind and heart that allows us to face reality even as we collectively imagine ways to move beyond boundaries, to transgress. This is education as the practice of freedom." - bell hooks

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Kristin Donnelly started her career in education as an ENL teacher with the NYC Teaching Fellows in 2007. She worked in both the Bronx and Queens as an ENL/Social Studies serving recently arrived immigrants and English language learners. While teaching, she served as a Peer Collaborative Teacher and was recognized for Excellence in Instruction by the Queens North High School Superintendency.  She has Masters degrees in TESOL education from Hunter College and Educational Leadership from Baruch College. Since leaving the classroom in 2019, Kristin has served as ELL Instructional Coach and Assistant Principal. She is committed to advocating for the needs of immigrant students and promoting multilingualism.

A proud NYC Public Schools alumna, Maria has proudly served NYC students for 17 years. Prior to joining the superintendent's team, she was an ELA teacher, beginning her career student teaching 2005-2006 and then a substitute teacher until 2010, when she began teaching full time in the Bronx. She spent most of her teaching career at Transit Tech CTE High School. She was then appointed as an Academic Response Team Specialist at the Brooklyn North Borough Office from 2019-2022, where she collaborated with school leaders, coached teachers, built teacher teams and supported schools’ instructional foci. Maria earned her BA in English Education at Brooklyn College, her MA in English Education at NYU and her MS in school administration from the College of Saint Rose. She is excited to be a part of the Brooklyn North High Schools Superintendency.

Natasha Carr, a native of Queens, New York, graduated her high school class as valedictorian and pursued higher education, achieving a Bachelor of Arts in English, Language, and Literary Criticism at CUNY Hunter College. In 2017, she completed the NYC Teaching Fellows Program with preservice training in a District 75 school in a 12+1+1 setting. Following the program, she earned her Master's in Special Education from Pace University. After onboarding her childhood high school as a Special Education teacher, she focused on case management and quality IEP writing. Natasha coordinated and facilitated the School Implementation Team, the Instructional Leadership Team, and the Academic Intervention Services Team as the Special Educational Liaison for five years. She later achieved a Master's in Educational Leadership from CUNY Hunter College. Since 2020, she worked as a Peer Collaborative Teacher, focused on professional development and improved teacher practice.

Owa taught ELA in Middle Schools and High Schools for 18 years in Houston, San Francisco, and New York City public schools. For the past 7 years, he has worked as an instructional support lead in Queens and Brooklyn. Owa is very excited to be working on the Superintendents teams and supporting high schools in Brooklyn North.

Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Sandra attended Camperdown High School and later continued my academic journey in the USA at Missouri Baptist University and Central State University. She brings more than 30 years of professional experience rooted in service, leadership, and community connection. Sandra's journey with NYC Public School started when her only child entered elementary school, inspiring my dedication to family engagement and education. She has served on parent associations, volunteered as a parent leader, and consulted with school leaders about parent empowerment. She is a16 times All-American College Athlete in Track and Field, an experience that shaped her discipline, resilience, and commitment to excellence. Outside of professional roles, Sandra finds joy in cooking as a creative expression of culture, warmth, and connection that brings people together around the table. Sandra looks forward to supporting parent coordinators, parent leaders, Community Education Councils and other partner organizations in support of Brooklyn North.

Yousra brings authentic experience as a scientist, science educator, and professional development expert. She most recently served as a master teacher and coach for the Office of Advanced Opportunities in the NYCDOE, supporting science teachers citywide.

Yuet joined the Brooklyn North High School team in 2022 and is currently in her 30th year with the NYCDOE. She previously served in a similar role supporting citywide alternative schools and programs (A.C.C.E.S.S Citywide Office) and was one of original 8 Field Support Executive Directors to lead all facets of school support for Manhattan. During Chancellor Klein's tenure, Yuet joined the Empowerment Schools initiative to lead the transformation of the NYCDOE as an Achievement Coach then as Network Leader for one of the inaugural citywide Children First Networks. Her foundation for education and centering children is her 10 years at School of the Future, Manhattan, where she taught 6th grade math/science and served as Middle School Director. Prior to joining the DOE, Yuet worked in sales and marketing for an investment management firm. A proud alumna of Yale College (B.A. Economics & Political Science) and Boston Latin School, Yuet will forever be grateful for the amazing teachers who changed her life's trajectory as a first-generation immigrant from Hong Kong.

Juan Sierra is a native New Yorker who started his career as a Special Education Math teacher in Brooklyn North. Most recently, Juan taught at Progress High School in District 14, Williamsburg. As a teacher, Juan most enjoyed helping students learn math, being the MBSK advisor, and collaborating with teachers. He is excited to build on his teaching experience to support teachers and help schools implement high quality math curriculum with pedagogical practices aligned with Brooklyn North High Schools' commitment to ‘centering children’ and ‘innovating for tomorrow.’

Sherilla brings experience as a former parent coordinator and is passionate about supporting students, families, and the school community. She enjoys building relationship with families, helping parents navigate the school system, and making sure they feel heard, supported, and connected to the resources they need. Sherilla looks forward to continuing her advocacy and supporting family engagement in Brooklyn North High Schools.