Our Staff
Administration
Alyssa Wisoff
Alyssa began teaching at IPS in 2012 and was the 76th Street Location Director from 2018 to 2022. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lafayette College, a Master of Science degree in Guidance and Counseling from New York University, and a Master of Science in Early Childhood General and Special Education from Hunter College. Alyssa holds certifications in Early Childhood Education and Special Education (Early Childhood and Childhood). Prior to joining IPS, she worked with children of all ages, ranging from preschool to high school. Alyssa enjoys working in early childhood and she loves seeing the daily growth in the students.
Martha Smeaton
Martha joined the Admissions team in 1998 after being an active parent volunteer. She is originally from Toronto, Canada. Both of her children are IPS alumni. As the Director of Admissions, she always looks forward to meeting families, children and welcoming them into the preschool.
Monique Tabbs
Monique began teaching at IPS in 1988 and has been the Location/Education Director since 2008. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood and a Master’s of Science degree in Education from Hunter College. She has over 20 years of experience in classroom teaching. Through her current role, Ms. Tabbs has been able to realize her dream: to create an environment for families that is welcoming, warm and inclusive. Ms. Tabbs continues to oversee a happy, inviting haven for international children to learn, play, and grow. In her free time, she enjoys knitting and taking yoga and Zumba classes.
Charlene Sison
Charlene began working for IPS in 1995. She is originally from the Philippines and her son is an IPS alumnus. She received her AAS Degree from Parsons School of Design.
Marcia Finkelstein
Marcia Finkelstein returned to IPS in 2022 after working as the Developmental Specialist from 2010 to 2014. She received her BA in Psychology from the University of Rochester and her MSW from Simmons College. She has been working with young children and their families for four decades. When she’s not at IPS, you might find Marcia doing puzzles, both jigsaw and crossword, and ambling around Central Park with her rescue dog Bodhi.
Teachers
Ms. Mercedes
Ms. Mercedes began teaching at IPS in 2024 and has been an early childhood educator on the Upper East Side since 2018. She holds a Master's Degree In Early Childhood Education. Ms. Mercedes loves to get to know each of her students and aid in the growth and development of the children. She enjoys being a mother to her two kids who keep her busy with various activities. In her free time, she enjoys working out, reading, or exploring the city with her husband.
Ms. Karen
Ms. Karen began teaching at IPS in 2011. She is originally from Trinidad and Tobago, where she oversaw a preschool. Ms. Karen received a certificate in Early Childhood Education from the University of the West Indies. She enjoys working with preschool children of all ages and supporting their learning and development.
Ms. Grace
Ms. Grace began teaching at IPS in 2000. She is New York State certified and holds a Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Adam Micklewica University in Poland and a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education from Hunter College. She speaks English, Polish, and Russian. Her two children are also alumni of IPS.
Ms. Babette
Ms. Babette began teaching at IPS in 2000. She was born in Guadeloupe and grew up in Paris. Ms. Babette holds a certificate as a Child Development Associate and completed a reflective practitioner fellowship from MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning. Ms. Babette is drawn to the diversity of IPS and enjoys supporting young children with their confidence and excitement towards learning. She also enjoys singing opera!
Ms. Elena
Ms. Elena began teaching at IPS in 1998. She is originally from Italy where she studied at the University of Padua. Ms. Elena earned a Bachelors Degree in Anthropology from Hunter College and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from Capella University. She loves arts and crafts, theater and anthropology.
Ms. Paula
Ms. Paula joined IPS in 2025. She began her teaching journey as a parent volunteer and substitute teacher at her daughter’s UES preschool while earning her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education at Bank Street College of Education. Inspired by the nurturing and supportive environment her daughter’s teachers created, she hopes to offer the same experience to other children and families. A former IPS student herself, Ms. Paula is thrilled to return to the school as a teacher. Originally from a Chilean family and raised in Costa Rica, she deeply values the international mission and diversity of IPS. She believes that young children learn best through play, exploration, and meaningful relationships and enjoys developing classroom projects that emerge from her students’ interests and curiosity.
Ms. Maggy
Ms. Maggy began teaching at The International Preschools in 2015. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Borough of Manhattan Community College, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from City College, and a Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from City College. Ms. Maggy was born and raised in New York City, but her parents are from Puerto Rico. She grew up in Spanish Harlem and is fluent in Spanish. She not only enjoys teaching young children, but learning from them as well. Ms. Maggy loves the community and the diversity The International Preschools has to offer. She looks forward every day to working and playing with the children.
Ms. Millie
Ms. Millie joined IPS in 2019. She comes with over 10 years of experience working with children. Ms. Millie is originally from the Dominican Republic and is bilingual in English and Spanish. She is currently pursuing her degree in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Millie is very passionate about teaching and learning from young children. She also loves to read and cook!
Ms. Margaret
Ms. Margaret joined IPS in 2025. After beginning her career in stage theater and television production, fate changed her course when she began teaching in Sag Harbor, New York. Throughout her teaching career has taught at several Upper East Side private ongoing schools and was the Director of Education for a New York City online preschool. Margaret has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts and Theater from Marymount Manhattan College and a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Fordham University. Through her experiences, her passion to teach and support the whole child in their development has been the root of all she does. Margaret is the proud mother to a little girl born in 2018 and being a parent has inspired her to delve deeper into understanding child development.
Ms. Greene
Ms. Greene began teaching at IPS in 2008. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Childhood Education from Nyack College and earned a dual Master’s Degree in Early Childhood and Special Education from Touro College. Ms. Greene is a firm believer that it takes a village to raise a child and it brings her joy to work within the diverse community of IPS.
Ms. Eileen
Ms. Eileen began teaching at The IPS in 2013. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Travel, Transportation and Tourism from Niagara University. Ms. Eileen is originally from Park Slope, Brooklyn. She has a true passion for early childhood education where she can use her skills to create an energetic, supportive, and nurturing environment.
Ms. Deb
Ms. Deb began teaching at IPS in 2010. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Brown University and studied Decorative Arts at Sotheby’s in London. She also has a Master of Science degree from the University of California Los Angeles. She is a proud mother of two IPS alumni. She speaks French and Italian, and is an animal lover and an avid book collector.
Mr. Doug
Mr. Doug began teaching at IPS in 2000. He earned his Associate of Arts degree in Music from County College of Morris. He actively seeks out musicians to participate in his music program to broaden children’s interests in composition, instruments and love of music. Each year, he looks forward to bringing his passion as a composer and experience as a performer to the classroom.
Ms. Peggy
Ms. Peggy began teaching at IPS in 1996. She is a graduate of the Dance Education Laboratory (DEL) at the 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center with advanced training in Laban Movement analysis, functional anatomy, and kinesiology. She is also a certified Pilates instructor. Her goal is to encourage and guide each child through a process of self-discovery, to provide an opportunity to move freely while developing a love for dance and the language of movement.
Board of Trustees
The board comprises current parents, parents of alumni, former directors, and other members of the community. Committed to IPS’s mission, the trustees are stewards of the school’s finances and investments and assure that IPS offers innovative early childhood programs and attracts high-quality teachers and administrators.
- David Bernstein
- Ruchira Bhuyan
- Sylvie Cherry
- Donna Cohen, Secretary
- Connie Cranch
- Sari Feinberg
- Scott Furgal
- Amanda Hinckley
- Bill Jackson
- Paul Kane
- Betsy Newell
- Elizabeth Patrick, Chair
- Alyssa Wisoff, IPS Director
- Brian Wu
- Jonathan (JL) Zrebiec, Treasurer