WORKSHOP MIDDLE SCHOOL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Director of Learning
- Director of Teaching and Learning
Abba is Director of Learning at Workshop Middle School. She is also a mother to two incredible children and a former Instructional Coach and Assistant Principal. Abba has helped shape young minds in education for almost 30 years, one lesson and one day at a time.
You can catch her on the dance floor grooving to the rhythms of salsa… and life. Her purpose is helping build a world full of kindness, compassion, and laughter. She believes stepping out on faith can bring happiness.
Andrew is Founder and Head of School at Workshop Middle School. For nearly 25 years, he's worked as a social worker, classroom teacher, instructional coach, and school leader. Andrew is an award-winning educator, mentor, and researcher. Recently, he was named one of the Top 100 Innovators in American Education and one of 10 Education Entrepreneurs to Watch.
Andrew founded Workshop Middle School to be the change he believes in. A movement of small, innovative, and progressive schools that can change the world. What else does he believe in? His family. Hard work. Wild bees. Poetry. And honest conversations about things that matter.
Benny is our Learning Specialist. He is a Marine Corps veteran with a dedicated background in education. He brings a unique blend of military discipline, adaptability, and a nurturing spirit to support students. Outside of work, Benny's love for anime and family values fuels his creative side, adding a vibrant and imaginative touch to his approach in both professional and personal pursuits.
In 2020, Chris founded DMforAdventure, a boutique Dungeons & Dragons program that specializes in mentorship for neurodiverse youth. In his free time, he writes and produces independent films with his wife and creative partner, Liv Boren. Chris is originally from the suburbs of Washington, DC. They currently live in Inwood - along with their two miniature dachshunds: Han Solo and Legolas.
Denise is Co-Founder at Workshop Middle School. She has more than 22 years of experience in education as a teacher, staff developer, curriculum designer, instructional coach, and school leader. She received a BA from The City College of New York and a Masters of Science in Teaching from Fordham University.
Denise is an award-winning educator, speaker, and international trainer that is continuously inspired by the wonder of learning. Denise is an avid reader, an aspiring martial artist and a huge game night fan. She could live on an island with just pizza, chai tea, a good playlist, and a pop-up dance party.
Dr. Jennifer Jones is the founder and visionary behind New York City's Green Ivy Schools network. She is a lifelong entrepreneur and an advocate for evolved learning experiences from birth to high school and beyond. Dr. Jones has developed 24 schools, and she draws from a rich background as school developer, international policy consultant, and teacher. She has advised boards and governments at regional, state, national and international levels, served as a university professor and authored a successful book on child development.
Job Titles:
- Legal Counsel and Thought Partner
Ellen Eagen started her own law firm as a commercial litigator with a specialty in education law in 2013. A large portion of her practice is devoted to pro bono work including class action work. She represented plaintiffs in a landmark education case, Williams v. State of California, where the courts mandated all public schools must have adequate materials and facilities.
As a former teacher, Ms. Eagen also has first-hand experience in education. She counsels schools on all aspects of governance including discipline, privacy and ethics, employment, and she works with school boards on the formation and operation of charter and private schools. In 2018, Ms. Eagen founded OnTech, a progressive charter high school in Syracuse, New York, where she serves as the President of the Board of the Trustees.
Away from school, Jin crafts code, designs AI tools, and mapping optimal navigation routes around the neighborhood. When he was younger, Jin even made waves in e-sports.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Student Services Coordinator
Emma graduated from Oberlin College with a BA in anthropology and archaeology. She previously worked as a special education teacher in Brooklyn for 5 years, but she was drawn to the way that Workshop students drive their own learning through real world exploration. Last year, Emma helped launch our formal special services program including personalized learning plans for all students. She believes that every child should be given the challenge and support they need in order to access content and find joy in learning.
Emma is also a certified yoga instructor who teaches in studios across Brooklyn. She loves to bring mindfulness exercises from her yoga teaching into the classroom with students. In her spare time, Emma enjoys running and exercising, and reading Jane Austen with her cats, Cosmo and Frodo.
Job Titles:
- Humanities Learning Specialist
Gabby is our HUM Learning Specialist. She graduated from New York University this past May with a bachelor's degree in Secondary English Education and minored in Childhood and Adolescent Mental Health Studies. Gabby was inspired by her high school English teacher to pursue a career in education and worked as a student teacher at Workshop Middle School last year. She believes in taking a strengths-based approach to education and hopes to instill confidence in students and their ability to learn.
In her free time, Gabby loves cheering on her favorite hockey team (let's go Rangers!), listening to Taylor Swift music, and discovering new bookstores and cafes in the city. Gabby has also recently taken up journaling and crafting, and hopes to spend more time this year focusing on her creative side.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Operations Manager
Gabriella is a passionate advocate for education, and she is especially dedicated to bridging the gap between families and school communities. With a heart for serving students and schools, Gabriella has a wealth of knowledge and genuine passion for our work. Gabriella believes that each adult - inside (and outside!) of the classroom - has the power to guide and mentor our young people in unimaginable ways.
When she is not orchestrating operations, you'll find her hanging out with her faithful maltese-shiztu sidekick, Reina. Together, they explore the city, its parks, and the foodie havens that inspire all of her culinary adventures.
Job Titles:
- Professor in Mathematics Education
- STEM Advisor
Gregory Benoit is professor in Mathematics Education and Assistant Director of the Earl Center for Learning & Innovation. He uses his experiences as a Boston Public School student and Boston Public School teacher as an anchor to his research and has strong commitments equity and social justice. Through his work, Benoit hopes to understand and create expansive mathematical spaces that nurture strong positive mathematics identities. His research interests include: Critical Media Literacy, Gamification/Game-based Learning in Mathematics, Social Justice Mathematics, Culturally Responsive Mathematics Instruction and Educational Simulation Design.
Job Titles:
- Lead Teacher
- Member of the Leadership Team
Joe is an educator and mentor with over 17 years of experience at leading Brooklyn schools, including Cristo Rey Brooklyn where he served as Principal and President. Joe has also previously worked as classroom teacher, Admissions Director, and Vice Principal of Student Life. He believes that learning is driven by consistent observation, personal support, and mutual accountability.
Joe is a graduate of Edward R. Murrow High School and earned his BA and MA from NYU. He is also a self-taught small business owner, creative writer, and avid reader. Before teaching, Joe worked as a carpenter and a Site Superintendent on commercial construction projects, including the 9-11 recovery project at the World Financial Center. He enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, biking, and watching baseball with his family.
Job Titles:
- Master
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Social Worker
Melisa is a licensed Master Social Worker. She earned her BA and MSW from Stony Brook University. For more than 10 years, she has worked with diverse children and families as a counselor, therapist, and medical social worker. While at Workshop, Melisa works both 1 on 1 and in small groups with students to build SEL skills within our students, in partnership with families and teachers. She also developed and leads Workshop's whole-school advisory program.
When she's not working with our students , you can find her teaching dance, practicing yoga, cooking up delicious creations, or actively working within her community. Melisa believes that life is a journey of compassion and growth. Caution: her passion for helping others is contagious!
Riya is our 6th Grade Humanities educator. She graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education. She is a passionate educator who strives to see all students for their whole, lovable-weirdo selves. Riya aspires to cultivate a classroom community where everyone feels empowered to learn, not just in service of the world we live in, but in hopes of creating a better one. When she's not at Workshop Middle School, Riya is likely dog-watching in Prospect Park, listening to music on the subway (and missing her stop), or in search of the best BLT in Brooklyn. She is a constant learner and constant questioner of the world around her, and she hopes to inspire the same in her students.
Job Titles:
- Founder and Head of School at Harlem Academy
Mr. Dotoli is the founder and head of school at Harlem Academy. Harlem Academy was founded to provide opportunities for promising, low-income children in Harlem and surrounding neighborhoods. With a focus on character, family partnership, and academic rigor, Harlem Academy guides its students to thrive at the highest academic levels, so they can make a mark on the world.