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Administración 

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John Attanas

Principal 

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Cynthia Dafnis

Subdirector y coordinador de PKA

I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature with a minor in Education and a Master’s Degree in English Literature from St. John’s University. Additionally, I am a certified English teacher for grades 7-12 in New York State. Previously, I taught 9th and 10th grade English at St. St. John’s Prep High School, and briefly taught GSL at GAI. Now in my fifth year at GAI, I will be teaching English for grades 6-8. As a mother of four children who have all graduated from GAI, I understand the importance of education and family. In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my loved ones, exploring new places, and immersing myself and my family in Greek music and culture. With my passion for literature and learning, I strive to inspire and motivate my students to develop their own love for these subjects.

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Cynthia Dafnis

Subdirector y coordinador de PKA

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Alexandra Fishman

Asistente Ejecutiva

Preescolar y primaria

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Foteini Panagiotopoulou

Maestro principal de 3K

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Foteini Panagiotopoulou

Maestro principal de 3K

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Teresa Lagalante

Asistente de maestro de 3K

Ms. Theresa worked in the insurance world as an underwriter for 25 years.She has been working at GAI since 2017 and holds a Teacher Assistant Certificate.Ms. Theresa feels it was the best decision she made to switch careers. Furthermore, she feels lucky to spend the whole day with in 3K and ‘my babies.’ She is happy to work with the great staff. Ms. Theresa still considers her and her husband as newlyweds, as they were married less than 2 years ago. She enjoys going to the beach and relaxing in the sun. Additionally, she loves to travel, shop at thrift stores, and enjoys the many things she does with her husband. That all makes her very happy.

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Teresa Lagalante

Asistente de maestro de 3K

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Maestro principal de PKA

My name is Ms. Rose and I currently teachPKA at GAI.I graduated with my Master of Business Administration Degree from Iona College. I then obtained my Master of Science in Education Degree from Mercy College. I hold New York State Permanent Teaching Certification for Pre-K through Grade 6.I began my teaching career as a third and fourth grade classroom teacher in a NYC public school for six years. I spent the next several years as an NYC Department of Education Title 1 Math Teacher. I served many non-public schools in this capacity, including GAI. I am married to my husband, Joe, and we have a teenage daughter, Christina. Our family pets are a cat named Pinky and a dog named Milo. In addition to enjoying spending time with my family, I love going to the beach and cooking.

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Julie Zoulis

Asistente de maestro de PKA

I graduated from Lehman College with a Bachelors in Psychology & Women’s Studies. I worked on my Master’s in Early Childhood Education at Fordham University. I am married with a son in 6th grade and a daughter in 3rd grade here in GAI. I enjoy reading, live music, watching documentaries, the color pink & sleeping late.

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Sofía Lathourakis

Maestro principal de PKA

Hello my name is Sofia Lathourakis and I am a lead teacher in PKA. I have my masters in Early Childhood Education, my bachelors in Psychology, and have been a part of the GAI team for 16 years. Not only have I been here so many years, I am also an alumni. GAI is a very special place to me. I am married and have a 7 year old boy named Gianni. I love spending time with my family, I enjoy reading, going to the beach and listening to music.

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Alessia Palanza

Asistente de maestro de PKA

Hello, My name is Maria Ratigan, Also known as Ms Maria. I studied Early Childhood Education at Lehman College. This will be my eighth year as a teachers assistant here at the Greek American Institute. I was the kindergarten assistant for five years and this will be my third year as the pre-K teachers assistant in our GAI family.

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Alessia Palanza

Asistente de maestro de PKA

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elementary school

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courtney saxon

Kindergarten

Fifteen years of education experience in Daycare Centers, Public Schools, and Charter Schools. Huntington Learning Center (tutor), Huntington Learning Center (corporate), Instructional Coach, HR recruiter (interviewed & hired teachers). Hobbies: Spending quality time with my family, writing, trading, and reading financial literature.

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Maria papalani

Kindergarten Teacher Assistant

Hello my name is Maria Papalani! I was born and raised in an island of Greece called Chios! As a passionate early education assistant teacher I have been assisting teachers in day cares and elementary schools since 2002. I hold a Technical Professional Education degree with Specialization in Accounting where I graduated in 2002 in Chios Greece. In addition, I hold a Certificate of Completion in Child Abuse and Maltreatment-Identification and Reporting from New York State Office of Children and Family Services since February 2023. Also, I hold a Certificate of Completion in Blood Pathogen from the National Health and Safety Association of United States of America since February 2023. My first experience as an assistant teacher was in Chios, Greece at “ Helidonia” Day Care from 2002 to 2004. I educated children about fundamental concepts such as colors, letters, numbers and shapes. I encouraged social interactions between children improving their self-esteem. I was thrilled when I was offered a position as a teacher aide for Pre- K at Greek American Institute (GAI) for the school year 2021-2022. I assisted the main teacher with preparing and implementing lesson plans and activities and I created and maintained a safe and engaging learning environment for the children. Then I had the opportunity to receive the position as an assisting teacher in Kindergarten the school year of 2022-2023 , First Grade 2023-2024 and this school year back to Kindergarten again!The past year I assisted the classroom teacher in performing specific duties as assigned or undertaking specialized tasks and I conducted learning exercises with small groups of students. I also taught Greek at Holy Trinity Greek after school 3rd Grade 2023-2024 and 2nd Grade this school year! That I love about teaching children is that you can support their natural development on a daily basis. I am happy to use my knowledge about positive reinforcement techniques to create an encouraging learning environment and help kids reach learning goals at their own pace. I am a mother of two children eight and four five years old and married to an amazing husband and I love spending time with them . We enjoy going to museums and parks and during summer time we travel to Greece to enjoy our beautiful island Chios with family and friends. My hobbies are spending time with my friends playing volleyball and dance Greek traditional dances.

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Raviyn canteen

First Grade 

My name Raviyn Canteen and I am excited to be teaching 1st grade this year. I hold a Dual Bachelor's degree from Nyack College as well as a nursing degree. I am currently working on my Masters in Education. This school year will be my 10th year of teaching! I have taught everything from Preschool- 5th grade. I am very excited about being at GAI, and I'm looking forward to having a fantastic year.

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Nadine McEniry

Second Grade 

Hi! My name is Ms. Nadine McEniry and I am the second-grade teacher. I hold a Bachelor’s in Behavioral Science, a Master’s in Early Childhood and Childhood Education, and bring six years of teaching experience. I love teaching because I believe I can make a meaningful difference in a child’s life, and that brings me so much joy. In my free time, I enjoy reading and cooking. I can’t wait to work together for a fantastic school year!

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giselle pena

Third Grade 

I am currently pursuing a Master’s of Teaching in Elementary Education and already hold both a master’s and bachelor’s degree. I have several years of experience working with children from early childhood to elementary level, ranging in age from 6 weeks to 9 years old. This upcoming school year will mark my fourth year teaching elementary education. In my free time, I enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends. As an educator, my goal is always to do what’s best for my students' success.

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harriet coscia

Fourth Grade

Lehman College, Bronx, NY: ● Masters in Guidance and Counseling, Honors, May 1995 ● Masters in Early Childhood Education, Honors, 1991 Adelphi University, Garden City, NY: ● Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, May 1985 My career as an educator began here at G.A.I. in September of 1985. I taught 4th grade for two years and then ventured off to Public Education at P.S. 107, where I continued on for nine years (1st grade, 2nd grade, and 4th grade).I then took time away from the classroom to raise my children Michael, Matthew and Barbara. Twelve years later, I eased back into the field of education - First, as an early childhood educator for four years in a private nursery school; then as a building substitute at my local public elementary school for two years. With joy, I returned to G.A.I. in September of 2013. I enthusiastically returned to 4th grade (five years). I stepped into the UPK program for one year, and taught 3rd grade for two years. I was then given the great opportunity to follow my students up to 4th grade for a most memorable and heartfelt experience - here I am! In my free time I savor my quiet moments at home. Walking, listening to music and reading “Historical Fiction” novels are precious to me. I love getting “lost” in the lives of the characters whom I read about. Playing Scrabble with one of my children is a highlight for me, and one which I continuously enjoy. However, when I’m not relaxing on the couch with either Bam Bam or Reyna (cats) on my lap, I am usually found in the living room immersed in a puzzle! I’m inspired by a challenge - watching the “picture” slowly unfold, one step at a time, is most rewarding! I can in a sense, equate the process to teaching, growth and achievement. With time, patience and effort, the pieces interlock and become “one.” I strive to create that same feeling and energy in the classroom - as we examine new ideas and ways of thinking. Together with my students, we problem-solve and question, as we move from one stage to the next. The exploration, journey and sense of pride which we feel “along the way” propels each of us to keep moving forward towards our goals. What a feeling, to be able to sit back and say, “Wow, this is all me. I did this!”

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anthony mikolinacz

Fifth Grade

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Middle school

Middle SchooL

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john attanas

inglés

I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature with a minor in Education and a Master’s Degree in English Literature from St. John’s University. Additionally, I am a certified English teacher for grades 7-12 in New York State. Previously, I taught 9th and 10th grade English at St. St. John’s Prep High School, and briefly taught GSL at GAI. Now in my fifth year at GAI, I will be teaching English for grades 6-8. As a mother of four children who have all graduated from GAI, I understand the importance of education and family. In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my loved ones, exploring new places, and immersing myself and my family in Greek music and culture. With my passion for literature and learning, I strive to inspire and motivate my students to develop their own love for these subjects.

Middle SchooL

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Christopher Dunn

Estudios Sociales 

My name is Stavros Kilimitzoglou I am a teacher for 25 years now. I teach Social Studies and I am passionate about it. I live history. My Goal is to transfer that passion of history to my students. I have Graduated from Hofstra University. I have a Masters in History and Education and I am really proud of my accomplishments. I am happy to be part of GAI and I will give my best to this school so we may challenge our students and give them the tools they deserve for the future. I wish everyone a great school year with health and happiness above all.

Middle SchooL

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Plevritis por Panagiota

Matemáticas

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Middle SchooL

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Plevritis por Panagiota

Matemáticas

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Departamento griego

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Katerina Renti

griego

I was born and raised in Greece, and I am a Greek teacher. I graduated from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, where I completed my studies in Greek philology and linguistics. My teaching journey started in 2006 in Greece, teaching Ancient Greek, Latin, and Modern Greek to high school students and preparing them for their national tests for their admission to the Greek universities. In 2021, my husband, my two boys, and I immigrated to New York. Since then, I have dedicated myself to teaching Greek in New York. Greek is one of the ancestors of the English language and I really enjoy teaching it to my students, both Americans and Greek Americans, as a second language and as a heritage language respectively and my main goal is to make my students love it. Moreover, I have the honor to be called mom by my two sons, Konstantinos and Orfeas.I try to spend all of my free time with my kids and my husband, George . We all love reading, biking, watching movies together, and taking short trips exploring new places.

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Katerina Renti

griego

I was born in Athens and studied in Paris. I mastered French and taught the French language to many children. I also studied and became a Greek philologist. I have been teaching Greek for ten years now to students in the Greek schools. I am very passionate about teaching and take pride in my students' successes.I love learning and I relaxing by cooking !!

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Katerina Renti

griego

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specials

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Poderes de Maribeth

Educación física, tecnología y salud 

Hello I am Paul Metaras and here at Greek American Institute I teach Physical Education (K-8) and Health (5-8). I am from Syosset, New York which is a town on Long Island. Like many students here at Greek American Institute, I am Greek as well. I am 23 years old so this is actually my first time being a full time teacher and I am nothing but excited! My educational background is that I graduated from SUNY Cortland with a bachelor’s degree in science majoring in Physical Education. I attended SUNY Cortland for all 4 years of my college experience and went through so many great classes and experiences in the department that helped shape me into the Physical Education teacher I am today. Ever since I was a little kid I always had a passion for everything that had to do with sports so that is one of the reasons that thrived my decision to become a Physical Education Teacher. Along with teaching Physical Education I also am a Coach. Coaching actually is what gave me the idea to become a Physical Education Teacher because when I was in high school I coached a youth basketball and a youth baseball team and I had such a great experience with that so I wanted to keep it going. With that being said I will also be coaching Boys & Girls Basketball for the school, So I am nothing but excited for that! I look forward to a great year here at Greek American Institute

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melpo gkagkali

Religion & Dance

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phytos stratis

Music

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Jessica Papaelias

Arte

My name is Jessica Oliveira; I am the K-5 Art teacher at GAI! Creating art has always been my passion. I received my BFA Fine Arts degree from the School of Visual Arts and my medium of focus was painting. I believe that art is so important! Therefore, being able to pass along the knowledge of art to our students, and to allow students to express themselves, is something that I am so grateful to do. When I am not making or teaching art, I am usually playing soccer or playing with my Rottweiler, Nala.

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Greg asimakopoulos

School Productions

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después del colegio

Specials

Beth Radovanovich

Director de después de la escuela

María Marcucci 

Asistente después de la escuela

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