Meet Our Teachers and Administrators

West 76th St Teachers

Red 1 AM/Green 2 PM 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. 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.
Red 1 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!
Green 2 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 2 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.
Green 2 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.
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 and Technology Teacher 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.

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. Caroline began teaching at The International Preschools in 2018. She has a Bachelor degree in Business Administration. Ms. Caroline was born and raised in Iran and came to New York in 2010. Ms. Caroline is bilingual in Farsi and English. She has a 7 year old daughter and she loves to spend time with her family. She is attracted to the International Preschools play based learning philosophy and its international community. She loves working with children and enjoys sharing her interests in art, music and dancing with her students.
Red 1 AM, Pre-K PM and Technology Teacher 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.
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 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. Jillian began teaching at The International Preschools in 2017. She has five years of teaching assistant volunteer experience on Staten Island and in Manhattan.
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.
Pre-K 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!
Floater and Clay Teacher 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.

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.

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 thirty year old son. Donna loves being a part of the warm, loving, and diverse IPS community!	Director of Admissions Martha Smeaton joined the Admissions team in 1998 after being an active parent volunteer. She is originally from Toronto, Canada. As the Director of Admissions, she always looks forward to meeting families, children and welcoming them into the preschool. Both of her children are IPS alumni.
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!
Ongoing School Advisor and Communications Coordinator Cathleen Vasserman began working at IPS in 2000. As Ongoing Schools Advisor, she works closely with the Director in helping families explore their kindergarten options at private and public schools. She also serves as the IPS Communications Coordinator. 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.