Executive Function; Organizational & Study Skills Archives

Nicole DeMartino

July 20, 2015

Nicole DeMartino wanted to become a teacher since she was a child. Now she is exclusively employed as a Private Educator working 1:1 with students, and she is a skillful Learning Specialist cross-trained in a variety of curricula and interventions, including Orton-Gillingham based curricula. Previously, she was a classroom teacher at PS 172 in Brooklyn, a model inclusion school, where she joined the faculty in 2013. Before that, she taught at the Parkside School on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. She received her B.A. at the University of Miami in 2009, with a double major in elementary education and Spanish language, and continued her education at NYU, earning her Master’s degree in Childhood Special Education.

Nicole DeMartino has experience teaching and tutoring a diverse group of students from many backgrounds and with varying abilities. In Miami, she completed her student teaching experience in a 2nd grade general education classroom and assumed all roles and responsibilities of the classroom teacher. While studying at NYU, Nicole did her student teaching in a 1st grade CTT classroom at P.S. 261 in Brooklyn and in a 5th grade self-contained classroom at The Parkside School on the Upper West Side. After developing a strong, positive relationship with Parkside, Nicole was offered a full-time teaching position as a 2nd grade teacher. At PS 172, Nicole worked with both English Language Learners and students with IEPs in 1st and 2nd grade in ICT classrooms, with a strong focus on developing ELA skills. She believes that all students learn differently and, therefore, she uses a variety of materials, methodologies, and targeted support to differentiate her instruction.

In her free time, Nicole enjoys traveling, reading, cooking and baking, doing Pilates, and spending time with family, friends, and her dog Charlie.

Lauren Kelleher

December 16, 2014

As a graduate of Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the American College of Education, Lauren Kelleher has had the unique experience of both teaching a variety of age groups and has field experience in the area of music and performing arts. She began her professional career as an opera singer, performing internationally in both American and European cities. While performing is a great passion of Lauren’s, she has found her calling in education. Through her role as an educator and private tutor, Lauren is able to share her love of music and performance with her students, while helping them discover their own artistic talents and interests.

Over the past five years, she has taught music and general education classes in both suburban and urban school districts. She taught kindergarten and first grade at the John F. Kennedy German American School in Berlin, Germany where her talents for immersion instruction, dual language methods and classroom management were fully utilized in an early childhood classroom. She also served as the music specialist for kindergarten to fourth graders. In an encouraging and nurturing environment, Lauren Kelleher instructs her students through an exploration of musical concepts and diverse genres by playing instruments, practicing movement, creating song, and always celebrating the learning through performance. She also believes that music should be fun, it should be engaging, and it should stimulate another part of the brain that can create connections to ideas made from other areas of the child’s learning.

Most recently, Lauren spent the year teaching integrated performing arts for the Middle Years Program at the Lincoln Community School in Accra, Ghana. Through this experience, she offered students an expanded experience in performing techniques in music, drama and movement. She taught students about the elements of music, dance and drama and facilitated opportunities for students to experience and create performances in different forms. Additionally, with passion, she directed the middle school musical Into the Woods, with a West African twist.

Lauren’s educational philosophy stems from a progressive, and hands-on approach to learning that develops the whole child through self-exploration, curiosity and wonderment. Throughout all of Lauren’s teaching experiences, she believes that at the core of her educational philosophy is a growth mindset, where every child can come to learn with a belief in themselves and the comfort of being vulnerable when exploring all aspects of education.

Laura Togut

October 10, 2014

Laura Togut graduated from Harvard University in 2008 with a degree in Economics. She currently works as a freelance food photographer and food tourism entrepreneur. Laura is also a regular contributor to the popular food blog Serious Eats.

For Laura, photography is a perfect blend of art and science. Learning the science behind exposure, light, and color will infinitely improve anyone’s photography, whether shooting on film, a digital SLR, or the phone in your pocket. But artistry can be learned as well – projects focused on composition and style bring out the best in a photography student’s eye.

Laura is also well versed in digital coaching, offering support in the full Microsoft Office suite (Powerpoint, Word, Excel, ect.) as well a some Adobe software (Lightroom and Photoshop). Laura is also proficient in all Google based platforms, including, Google Drive, Google Calendar, and Gmail.

Previously, Laura spent five years working in financial services consulting. During this time she honed her skills as a data analysis wizard and Excel ninja.

Laura also has experience tutoring middle and high school mathematics.

She firmly believes that a few simple tips and tricks can make Excel an indispensable tool for anyone, and a deeper knowledge of Excel will give students hoping to work in banking and consulting a decisive edge over their peers.

Laura has tutored in New York City since 2009. She is excited to work with students on math, photography, Excel, and internship/job preparation with My Learning Springboard.

When not working, Laura enjoys inventing new ice cream flavors and practicing aerial acrobatics. She keeps her ever-growing list of restaurants on a pretty intense spreadsheet.

Evelisse Mercado

September 22, 2014

Evelisse Mercado is a highly experienced and dedicated educator with over a decade of teaching expertise. Currently in her fifth year at the Valhalla Union Free School District, Evelisse has taught both first and second grade, and she presently serves as a second-grade teacher. Beyond the classroom, she is a Grade Level Leader responsible for planning curriculum, ensuring instructional alignment with the Next Generation Learning Standards, and supporting colleagues in delivering high-quality lessons. She also serves as her school’s ELA Data Analyst, where she drives instruction across the entire K–2 building by closely monitoring reading, foundational skills, and writing data to inform effective teaching practices.

Evelisse began her career as a Master Teacher in the New York City Department of Education, where she taught first, second, third, and fifth grade in both general education and Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) settings. She has extensive experience creating and implementing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and supporting a wide range of student needs, including those with Speech and Language Impairments, Learning Disabilities, Executive Functioning Disorders, ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, and high-functioning Autism. She also taught summer school for four years at Mount Pleasant Blythedale Union Free School District, where she specialized in supporting students with diverse learning needs.

A reflective practitioner, Evelisse is committed to continuously improving her teaching methods. She personalizes learning for each student by building on their strengths while addressing areas for growth, which has consistently resulted in significant academic progress. Her ability to foster strong partnerships with families is at the heart of her success, creating a supportive and collaborative environment that helps every child thrive.

Evelisse’s experience extends beyond in-person instruction. She is adept at using online collaborative tools such as Zoom, Google Workspace, and other digital platforms to design interactive, engaging virtual lessons. Her students remain motivated and eager to learn—whether in the classroom or online.

Currently pursuing her second Master’s degree in School Building Leadership at City College, Evelisse continues to expand her expertise as both a teacher and educational leader. She believes educators serve as role models in and out of the classroom, and she is passionate about motivating and inspiring young learners to reach their fullest potential.

With her wealth of experience, data-driven approach, and commitment to personalized learning, Evelisse Mercado offers private tutoring that is engaging, effective, and tailored to the unique needs of every child.

Sara Levin

August 28, 2014

Sara Levin is currently a Private Tutor and teacher at PS 172 in Brooklyn, a high performing Blue Ribbon award winning school, where she has taught in both third grade general education and inclusion (ICT) settings. Sara received her B.A. from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 2005, with a major in Political Science and a minor in Spanish.

Sara then worked in advertising and media planning in New York City at Universal McCann and Allied Advertising, providing media plans and negotiating deals for print advertising for movie studio film releases. A career in education was always at the back of Sara’s mind. Eventually she realized how unfulfilled she felt working in advertising, and kept finding herself daydreaming about teaching, so she decided to go for it. She earned a Master’s in Childhood Education and Special Education from New York University in 2009.

While attending graduate school at NYU, Sara student taught in a second grade micro-ICT class within the ASD NEST program at PS 32 in Brooklyn where she provided instruction to high functioning children on the Autism Spectrum as well as general education students in an inclusion class. She also student taught in a fourth and fifth grade self-contained special education class at P.S. 212, where she learned a lot about the importance of structure and organization in the classroom. Both of these experiences taught her valuable lessons about differentiating instruction, tailoring teaching to the individual children.

In addition to teaching third grade for the past four years PS 172, Sara has been very involved in their curriculum development and implementation for reading, writing, mathematics, and social studies, as well as the school’s strong test preparation curriculum. She has experience working with programs such as EngageNY Math, GoMath, Everyday Math, Teachers College Reading and Writing Workshop, Fundations as well as with Math and ELA test preparation. She has worked with diverse learners within the special education community, English Language Learners, and gifted learners, and believes that every student can learn.

Sara believes it is up to the teacher to get to know each child and find the materials and teaching strategies to best support and teach each student. Sara also feels strongly about empowering each student and building confidence. Sara has used her strong communication skills to build relationships with colleagues and families within the school community.

Outside of the classroom, Sara loves to travel, ski and play tennis, read, try new restaurants and spend time with her friends and family in New York City and New Jersey, especially at the beach!

Laura Togut

Evelisse Mercado

Sara Levin

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