Staff
Leah Tong (Director) has a unique background that drives her desire to help children flourish and achieve success across multiple dimensions. She holds an EdM in Private School Leadership from Columbia University, an MA in Early Childhood Education/Special Education, an MS in Human Resources from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a BA in Economics and English Literature from Peking University. She is a NY State-certified teacher and special education teacher, as well as a professional in Human Resources® from HR Certification Institute®. She is the founder and Executive Director of Bunny Hill Preschools, and she has worked in various private and public schools, as well as in HR in law firms in New York and Samsung Electronics in Korea.
Karyn Slutsky (Director of Curriculum; Supervisory LM-ELA) was a publishing consultant before co-founding and leading Queens Paideia School (2009-2021). Applying her knowledge and experience in the science of learning, she created a volunteer program that brought online reading, handwriting, and spelling instruction to dozens of students in Queens (2021). A graduate of Brandeis, Karyn is the originator of GVS’s Belief Systems curriculum, which examines beliefs across religion, food, the media, and other platforms. She is part of several education-related projects grounded in behavioral psychology and actively pursues her interests in global history, classical music, botany, urban hiking, and reading, discussing, and editing books.
Peter Branscombe (Dir. of Operations; Curriculum Development) holds masters from Columbia/Teachers College (curriculum and teaching) and Lesley University (education). In more than 20 years of teaching in independent schools, he fostered discussion and integrated skill development with artistic expression and problem solving. Peter believes that students need to be self-reflective, critical thinkers who can examine and question the world around them, and grow into meaningful participants in a democratic society. Prior to teaching, Peter was a graphic designer and artist; he currently sings in a choral group and does set and prop design for community theater.
Rebecca Ford (Director of Admissions; Administration) has worked in early childhood education in schools in California and Connecticut, and served on the advisory board for Cristo Rey New York, a high school in Harlem that serves low-income families. She is the founder of Confident Parenting, a coaching practice that supports parents and schools. Rebecca has a BA in English Literature from Holy Cross and certificates from UCLA (early childhood admin.) and the Certified Life Coach Institute. Her two decades of experience in education and leadership have honed her passion for supporting schools with collaboration and enthusiasm.
Vic Fiallo (Learning Manager-Mathematics) has a master’s from Columbia/Teachers College. He has held managerial and administrative roles in New Jersey and New York schools, including as Dept. Chair for Math and Science Education and Math Learning Manager. He is a highly regarded educator with many years’ experience in teaching and innovating. As an alternative education advocate, Vic creates learning cultures that promote consciousness regarding health, nutrition, and fitness, as well as social, environmental, and economic awareness. His background and philosophy align with GVS's emphasis on self-motivation, independence, and contribution.
Brandon Glasgow (Learning Manager-Science) spent 9 years developing Gantry View’s science curriculum while at Queens Paideia School. Prior to that, he taught biology, chemistry, and physics, and all levels of mathematics through pre-calculus, as an instructional tutor at Lydian Academy in Menlo Park, California. He has coached students in test-taking skills and time management, taught ISEE/SSAT and intensive SAT prep courses, and wrote ISEE/SSAT course prep material. Mr. Glasgow, a graduate of University of Boulder-Colorado in engineering and applied science, is also a musician and audio engineer.
Sam Fox-Hartin (Learning Manager-English Language Arts) earned a BA in Philosophy from George Washington University, where he was awarded the Astare E. Claeyssens prize for outstanding written work. He has worked as a private tutor and taught reading and writing for after-school enrichment programs. During Spring 2020, as an administrator in Temple Emanu-El's Lifelong Learning department, he orchestrated the shift from in-person to live online classes. He is trained in precision-teaching methodology and direct (explicit) reading instruction, and he is interested in the “mechanics" of language and the skill-building opportunities embedded in writing projects.
Henry Green (Learning Manager-Humanities) holds a B.A. in Creative Writing and English Literature from Columbia University. He has worked as an aide for young people with autism spectrum disorder and spent three years as a humanities and arts teacher at Success Academy Hudson Yards. Henry's passions include country blues guitar, drawing, and playing with his dog Willoughby.
Shadi Karimi (Learning Manager-Mathematics) completed her secondary education in Isfahan, Iran, with a focus in math (equivalent of associates degree coursework). She received her BA in psychology from Queens College. She is well-versed in Singapore Math methodology and GVS’s math fluency building program, which she helped implement at Queens Paideia. Shadi is also an accomplished visual artist who started studying art formally at a very young age. She was an art instructor in an Iranian pre-k and kindergarten school, and at QPS for K-8 from 2018-2021.
Elaine Lin (Learning Manager-Mandarin) taught Chinese immersion class while acting as a lead teacher at Bunny Hill for three years. She received her bachelor's at Ohio State University with a teacher certification in TESOL. She received her master's in Bilingual Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Being a strong advocate for bilingual education, she strives to create a welcoming and culturally responsive classroom for all students.
Hasna Sajni (Learning Manager-Humanities; Latin) graduated Fordham University's with BAs in classical civilization and psychology. Building on her interest in reading the classics, she earned a certificate in Ancient Greek from the Latin/Greek Institute. Besides Latin and Greek, Hasna speaks Bengali and some Arabic.
Abigail Willson (Associate LM; Drama) graduated The New School’s College of Performing Arts and served as one of GVS Summer Camp’s lead counselors, including teaching Drama. In addition to training in the best practices for skill building in reading, she is also in the process of completing her Intimacy Coordinator certification with IDC.
Ariana Helwig (Associate LM; Art) earned a BA in English and psychology from Drew University and is passionate about nurturing young minds. She has spent the past 5 years working with children from 3 months to 12 years old, including stints at BunnyHill Toddler Center and as an ABA technician for children with Autism. Ariana has experience as a homeroom teacher, children's baking instructor, and assistant teacher.
Amy Li (Admin Manager) graduated from Hunter College with a BA in psychology and has been teaching in early childhood classrooms for more than 10 years, including at BunnyHill Preschool in Long Island City. Most recently, she was acting administrator at BunnyHill, with a focus on family communication and school operations. Amy is the consummate New Yorker who enjoys long walks with her dog, Parker, exploring new places, and traveling to foreign countries.
Mary Lauren (Drama), BFA, is a multi-faceted artist who acts, sings, dances, directs/choreographs, writes, and produces. She has directed children stage productions for more than 20 years and worked all over New York, including off-Broadway, and regionally in California and New Mexico. Through acting, song, dance, storytelling, and writing, her students experience joy while practicing important social skills. She is the artistic director of the company Heart String Theatrical.
Jaime Andrés Cubillos-Ballesteros (Spanish) has taught Spanish for more than 12 years, while also working as an interpreter for New York businesses and institutions. In addition to his work at GVS, he is a private instructor and language consultant to prominent business figures and politicians. He received his degree in literature studies from Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia. Cubillos-Ballesteros’s awareness of the growing relevance of Spanish in the United States led him to form his own company.
Briana Olivares (Music) is a professional opera singer and pianist who has studied and performed in the US and in England, Germany, and Italy. She holds a bachelors (Univ. of North Texas, Denton) and masters (Univ. of Texas, Rio Grande Valley) in music, and an assistant certificate from the Maria Montessori Institute. "Ms. Bri” has instructed music classes and piano lessons, and is honored to guide children toward musicianship and enjoyment in music-making.
DOMA (Taekwondo) leads GVS students to strength, balance, flexibility, concentration, and, ultimately, confidence. Master Jeong and his team use a mix of structure and motivating activites that bring about discipline and all-around good health.
Tiana Masso (Fencing/Movement) began to fence at age 14 and went on to be Women’s Sabre Captain for the fencing club at Boston University, where she earned a BA in communications/film. In addition to experience with video production and event coordination, she has worked with children in daycare settings and seniors in a community center. Besides fencing, Tiana's favorite activity is catching the latest films in theaters.