Meet Our Teachers and Administrators

West 76th St Teachers

Red 1 Ms. Maggy began teaching at IPS in 2015. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Borough of Manhattan Community College and is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from City College. Ms. Maggy grew up in Spanish Harlem, but her parents are from Puerto Rico. She is also fluent in Spanish. Ms. Maggy loves IPS’ community and diversity. She not only enjoys teaching, but also learning from young children.	Red 1 Ms. Kimmi began teaching at The International Preschools in 2018. She holds an Associates Degree and is from Jamaica. Before coming to IPS, Ms. Kimmi worked with children for many years in different settings. She loves seeing children grow and adjust to school life.
Green 1 Ms. Colleen began teaching at IPS in 2010. She earned a Master of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from Hunter College with dual certification in Special Education and Early Childhood Education and she is New York State certified. Working with young children and their families for over 15 years, Ms. Colleen knows how special this age group is. Each year, she works to learn something from her students that she did not know before	Green 1 Ms. Yari began teaching at IPS in 2017. She came to IPS with over 10 years of experience working with children and was previously a Creative Movement teacher at a preschool in Westchester County. Ms. Yari is originally from the Dominican Republic and is bilingual in Spanish and English. She is passionate about working with children and loves learning from her students each day.
Green 2 Ms. Chelsea began teaching at IPS in 2015. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from SUNY Oswego and is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from City College. She is a first generation American, with one side of her family from El Salvador. Ms. Chelsea loves getting to know the children at school while helping them learn and grow.	Green 2 Ms. Heidy began teaching at IPS in 2017. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and received a teaching assistant certification from SUNY Armory Foundation. She is from the Dominican Republic and is bilingual in English and Spanish. Ms. Heidy believes teaching is the most rewarding job because she gets to witness many firsts and wonderful experiences for the children.
Pre-K 1 Ms. Jamie began teaching at IPS in 2015. She is New York state certified and earned both a Master of Science degree in Literacy Education and a Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Hunter College. In 2019, Ms. Jamie received the Elizabeth Patrick Leadership Award. Ms. Jamie is a native New Yorker who has designed and taught both early childhood and elementary curricula.	Pre-K 1 Ms. Dalia began teaching at IPS in 2012. She is originally from Monterrey, Mexico. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics with a focus in Translation and is currently pursuing her second bachelor’s degree in studio art. She enjoys working with children and has previous teaching experience in preschool and elementary school.
Pre-K 2 Ms. Emi began teaching at The International Preschools in 1999. Ms. Emi has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Marymount College and Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Hunter College. She is New York State certified in both General and Special Education in Early Childhood. In 2016, Ms. Emi was received the Elizabeth Patrick Leadership Award. She is originally from Japan and her two children are alumni of IPS.	Pre-K 2 Ms. Dara began teaching at IPS in 2007. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Syracuse University and earned a Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Long Island University. Ms. Dara is originally from Long Island, NY. She brings her arts and crafts passion to the classroom and loves the look of excitement on children’s faces when they learn new things.
Pre-K 3 Mrs. Reisinger began teaching at IPS in 1985. She was born and educated in Budapest and speaks Hungarian. Mrs. Reisinger’s greatest source of professional fulfillment is to see children thrive socially and academically. Her daughter is an IPS alumna. Mrs. Reisinger is an avid ashtanga yoga practitioner who enjoys spending her free time with her family, hiking, and traveling to every corner of the world.	Pre-K 3 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.
Floater Ms. Beth began teaching at IPS in 2017. She received her Bachelors of Science in Nutrition from SUNY Plattsburgh. She enjoys living and working in NYC and looks forward to each day spending time with children at IPS!

East 86th Street Teachers

Red 1 Ms. Joanne began teaching at IPS in 2018. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Long Island University and is currently pursuing her graduate studies in Early Child Education at Hunter College. She brings several years of experience as an early childhood camp and preschool art teacher. She is dedicated to the philosophy of play-based learning and enjoys implementing the arts into her curriculum.	Red 1 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!
Green 1 Ms. Grace began teaching at IPS in 2000. She is New York state certified with 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.	Green 1 Ms. Rumana began teaching at IPS in 2015. She was born and raised in Bangladesh and is fluent in Bengali, Hindi, Urdu. She holds an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Post University in Connecticut. She enjoys working with the children and hopes to make it a lifelong career.
Green 1 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!
Green 2 Ms. Lenka began teaching at IPS in 2018. She is from the Czech Republic where she graduated with a Masters degree in Elementary Education. She is currently pursuing an MS in Early Childhood Education from Touro College. Ms. Lenka is fluent in English, Czech, Slovakian and has a working knowledge of Russian and German. She has a daughter and loves sharing her international experiences and teaching cultural diversity.	Green 2 Ms. Julia began teaching at IPS in 2014. She was born and raised in New York City and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Literature and Journalism from New York University. She spent seven years as a writer/editor for various newspapers and magazines before pursuing her career in education. Prior to joining IPS, she spent a year teaching children from low income households in Northern California. She is also a proud IPS parent – her daughter is currently attending her second year.
Green 3 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.	Green 3 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.
Pre-K Ms. Hande began teaching at IPS in 2014. She received her M.S. degrees in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from Long Island University and Touro College. She is also New York State certified in General and Special Education (Birth-2nd Grade). Ms. Hande is from Turkey where she studied and worked as an interpreter. She is fluent in English, Turkish, and French. She enjoys sharing her interests in animals, music, dancing, and traveling with her students.	Pre-K Ms. Eileen began teaching at The IPS in 2013. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Travel, Transportation and Tourism from Niagara Univerisity. 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.
Jr. K. Ms. Lucinda joined IPS in 2018. She previously taught kindergarten at the Ascension School and the fours/fives program at the West Side YMCA Co-Op Nursery School. She has an undergraduate degree in Child and Family Studies from Stony Brook University and an MS in Early Childhood Education from Lehman College. Having raised a child with special needs, she is fully committed to understanding the whole child by focusing on their emerging learning styles and needs. She is also fluent in Spanish.	Jr. K. 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.
Floater Ms. Jaimee began teaching at IPS in 2014. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from St. John’s University. She was born and raised in Miami. Ms. Jaimee loves working with children—before coming to IPS, she worked at Super Soccer Stars. Working with children on their motor skills made her realize her passion to nurture children’s learning and growth. Her daughter is an IPS alumna.	Ms. Karen began teaching at IPS in 2002. She is a native New Yorker and received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Syracuse University and her Masters in Education from Fordham University. Ms. Karen is New York State Certified in regular and Special Education nursery through sixth grade.

Specialty Teachers

Creative Movement 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.	Library Ms. Talcott began teaching at IPS in 1990 and took a two year leave of absence to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer in Central Africa. She has a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Wisconsin Madison and a MS from the Palmer School of Library Science at Long Island University. She has been a storyteller in Carl Schurz Park and in public schools. Prior to teaching, Ms. Talcott worked in children’s literature publication. She believes the adage, “the right book, in the right hands, at the right time,” works wonders.
Music 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.	Science Ms. Mary began teaching at IPS in 2014. She graduated from Oberlin College and is the author of two books, Let’s Play Science and The Scientific Kid. For many years, she taught a graduate level workshop, The Youngest Scientists: Hands on Adventures, at the Bank Street College of Education. She is dedicated to providing the groundwork for a life-long love of science. When she is not at IPS, she teaches and runs workshops at public and private schools across New York City.
Technology Ms. Nikki began teaching at IPS in 2012. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development at Empire State University. Prior to joining IPS, Ms. Nikki taught English for a year in Taiwan which inspired her to work in an international school community. Her goal is to introduce children to technology such as iPads and robots as tools to explore their imagination and independence.

Administrators

Director Donna Cohen has been the Director of IPS since 2010. Prior to joining IPS, she was the founding Director of Claremont Children’s School (currently Montclare Children’s School) on the Upper West Side. She has also worked at West End Day School and the 92nd Street Y. She has been working in NYC with families and children for over thirty years. Donna holds two Master’s Degrees, an MS in School Psychology from the City College of NY and an MA in Social Work from Hunter College. She also recently completed a two year seminary program to become an interfaith minister. Donna grew up in NYC and has been living on the UWS for over fifty years. She is a proud parent of her almost thirty year old son. Donna loves being a part of the warm, loving, and diverse IPS community!
76th Street Location/Education Director Alyssa Wisoff began teaching at IPS in 2012 and has been the 76th Street Location Director since 2018. 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). In 2017, Alyssa received the Elizabeth Patrick Leadership Award. 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.	76th Street Assistant Director Christina Branton began working at IPS in 2008 and has been the Assistant Location Director since 2018. She is New York State certified in elementary education (Pre-K-6) and received her Master of Arts degree in Teaching from Manhattanville College. Before becoming the Assistant Location Director, Christina taught 3s, 4s, and 5s and coordinated the after school and summer programs. She is the author of the IPS blog and has a daughter who is an IPS alumna. Christina loves working with young children and fostering their learning through creative play experiences.
86th Street Location/Education Director Monique Tabbs 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 twenty 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.	86th Street Assistant Director & Developmental Specialist Jaya Misra began teaching at IPS in 2015 and has been the Assistant Director since 2020. She received her MSEd in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College and MFA in Poetry from Sarah Lawrence College. She is also New York State certified in Early Childhood General and Students With Disabilities. Prior to her current role, Jaya worked as a teacher of ages ranging from 2 to 5 years old. Ms. Jaya loves reading and writing poems. She loves being able to facilitate confidence, empathy, and social-emotional development in young children and is grateful for the beloved families and teachers at IPS!
76th Street Admissions Director Susan Ehrlich began working at IPS in 1995. Prior to becoming an administrator, she was an involved parent volunteer for eight years while her two children attended IPS. She has a BA, an MS in Counseling, and an MBA degree from Fordham University. As Director of Admissions, she is happy to meet prospective parents and children and share her fond experiences at IPS.	86th Street Admissions Director Martha Smeaton joined the Admissions team in 1998 after being an active parent volunteer. She is originally from Toronto, Canada. As the Admissions Director for the East 86th Street location, she always looks forward to meeting families, children and welcoming them into the preschool. Both of her children are IPS alumni.
Ongoing School Advisor and Communications Coordinator Cathleen Vasserman began working at IPS in 2000. As Ongoing Schools Advisor, she works closely with with the Director in helping families explore their kindergarten options at private and public schools. She also serves as the IPS Communications Coordinator and provides administrative support for the Admissions team. She is a graduate of Barnard College and the mother of two IPS alumnae.	Business Manager Zin Min Soe began working at IPS in 2019. She received her Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and will be receiving her Master of Science in Accounting in December 2020. She is from Burma (Myanmar) and speaks both Burmese and Chinese.
Finance/HR Administrator Charlene Sison 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.	Development and Finance Associate Kim Reed has been working “behind the scenes” remotely from Los Angeles and occasionally in person when she’s in Manhattan for IPS since 2009. She graduated with a BFA in Theatre and is currently a filmmaker and actor.