Tanya Odom
Tanya Odom is a consultant, facilitator, trainer, teacher and speaker. She has conducted hundreds of workshops for adults and youth around the United States and the world on: Diversity Education, Human Rights Education, Intercultural Awareness, Teambuilding, Hate Crime Prevention, Conflict Management, Educational Equity, Girls' Leadership Development, Youth Engagement, and Parental-Community Involvement. Tanya has worked on issues of educational reform, standards and equity, bilingual education, and overall school and district improvement efforts. She has created curriculum and professional development for educators dealing with issues of changing communities, tolerance, equity and the creation of "caring and learning classrooms." Some of her special training has included: being trained as a coach by the Center for Creative Leadership, and training in the Difficult Conversations methodology. Tanya is the co-author of Evaluation in the Field of Education for Democracy, Human Rights and Tolerance. Tanya also works with corporations in the United States and Europe in their efforts to address diversity issues and create sustainable change in organizations. She has worked with such clients as Starbucks, Microsoft, JPMORGAN CHASE, NYSE, American Express, and Johnson and Johnson. She is fluent in Spanish. Special Areas of Focus: New School Initiatives/Diversity and Inclusion/Teambuilding
Darryl Ordell
Darryl Ordell is trained in many interactive and creative training methods that are participant focused and designed to maximize energy and involvement. As a performer he has tremendous experience with a variety of different populations and learning tools and has worked with schools in and around the country developing programs to help students with the difficult transition from middle school to high school. Darryl has also conducted hundreds of successful diversity and conflict resolution trainings for teachers, counselors and other school personnel. Special Areas of Focus: Middle School Initiatives/Conflict Resolution and Diversity
Elaine Goldberg
Elaine began her career with the NYC Department of Education as a paraprofessional at Washington Irving HS. She then worked as an English teacher until 1985 when she became the Assistant Principal Supervision of English at Prospect Heights HS. In 1994 Elaine accepted the position of Supervisor of New Instructional Programs at the Brooklyn High Schools Superintendency and took on the additional responsibilities of Director of Funded Programs and Bilingual Liaison. 1n 1996 she was hired by the Brooklyn and Staten Island Superintendent's Office to serve as the Director of Instruction and Professional Development. In 1999 Elaine became the very proud Principal of the Richard R. Green High School of Teaching in Manhattan. Elaine completed her career as the Deputy Superintendent of Region 8 in Brooklyn serving 110 schools and then as the CEO of the Community Learning Support Organization serving 164 schools throughout the city. She has devoted her entire career to the development of New York City teachers, school leaders and students. Special Areas of Focus: Integrating Instruction and Classroom Management/Coaching and Mentoring of Principals, Assistant Principals, and Teachers/Building Culturally Responsive Teams and Organizations/Improving the Teaching and Learning of Level 1 and 2 ELA Secondary Students
Jared Robinson
Jared Robinson combines his national and international background in improvisational theater with his experience as an educator to design and deliver workshops in communication skills, conflict resolution, and teambuilding. His unique approach to teaching and learning has earned him recognition for designing and delivering student and adult workshops that are customized to meet the needs of all learners. Jared has had great success with students who face special academic and social/emotional challenges; engaging students by encouraging and mentoring them as they create, write and perform their own plays. An experienced facilitator, he holds a B.A. degree in Communication from the University of Tennessee and is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory in Chicago. Special Areas of Focus: Diversity and Intercultural Education/Youth Development/Interactive Theatre
Eleanor O'Connor
Eleanor K. O'Connor is a retired principal of one of the highest achieving schools in New York City. She also served as a district Project Achieve Coordinator. Under her leadership major improvements were made in attendance and in decreasing the dropout rate by developing Small Leaning Communities in large schools. As a district Supervisor of Guidance/ Pupil Personnel Services, Eleanor was recognized for the support she gave to guidance counselors, college advisers, deans, teachers, Assistant Principals of Pupil Personnel Services/Guidance and Principals. Upon her retirement, Eleanor mentored Principals, Assistant Principals, guidance counselors, and teachers in the IMPACT schools to help reduce the number of security incidents and suspensions. Eleanor has most recently been actively involved in school reform and the development of small schools as well as the creation of college preparation and advisory programs in middle and high schools. Eleanor's expertise is in providing successful one-on-one coaching/mentoring to administrators, guidance counselors, and teachers in a directive but highly supportive manner. Special Areas of Focus: Student Support Services and Guidance/ Principal Support/Classroom Management/Small School Reform
Jason Gerald
Jason Gerald is a native New Yorker and a 20 year veteran of the NYPD. During his career, Jason served in the Midtown Precinct South as a primary training instructor and coordinator of training for over four-hundred and fifty employees, and at the Police Academy where he provided state-certified instruction in various police-related subjects. Jason holds a B.A. from John Jay College and a Masters in Public Administration from the JFK School of Government. Jason has built on his experience and expertise to design and deliver highly interactive workshops to students, parents, and school staff on topics that foster better relationships among the members of the many communities that make up NYC. Special Areas of Focus: Community Relations/Violence Prevention/Conflict Resolution, Gang Activity/and Respect for Diversity
Martine Guerrier
Formerly a legislative consultant, budget policy analyst, and the first NYC DOE Chief Family Engagement Officer, Martine Guerrier is a lifetime advocate for family involvement in the academic lives of children. Martine brings 12 years of experience and expertise in the field of family involvement in education, and more than 14 years of personal parenting experience, to the PCM team. She understands that positive two-way communication between schools and parents is critical to improving student outcomes. Martine works to make this goal a reality by developing and facilitating workshops which enable school administrators, teachers, school staff, Parent Coordinators, and parents of all children to work collaboratively to support every student at each level of his/her academic career. Special Areas of Focus: Parent Involvement/Successful Interpersonal Communication/Parent and Teacher Conflict Resolution/Sharing Best Practices
Eleanor Leonard
Eleanor brings a strong background in business and education to the PCM team. After working in an administrative role with Exxon Corporation for ten years, Eleanor brought her leadership and administrative skills to the NYC DOE where she worked as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and grants manager. Eleanor has a strong commitment to special needs students and as principal improved many of these students’ scores on NYS Regents examinations enabling them to receive a regular diploma. She utilizes her background as a grants manager to assist schools receiving local, state, and federal grants as they work to maximize their resources and build program sustainability. Eleanor also works with schools, major corporations, and CBO’s to develop effective meaningful partnerships where all stakeholders work collaboratively to meet the needs of every student. Special Areas of Focus: Collaborative Team Teaching (CTT)/School and Business Partnerships/Mentoring and Coaching Teachers and Administrators/Grant Writing and Program Sustainability
Dawn Rannie-White, MSW
Dawn Rannie-White is a dynamic consultant, trainer and facilitator and who brings more than 20 years experience effectively working with at-risk youth in urban settings. She is highly skilled in providing focused, interactive and experiential training experiences to all members of the school community. Dawn has extensive experience in developing and implementing curricula and facilitating trainings in the areas of conflict resolution, behavior management, facilitation, communication skills, anger management and parent education. Special Areas of Focus: Conflict Resolution/Anger Management/Communication Skills/Meeting Facilitation
Quentin Walcott
Quentin works with individuals, schools, and community groups as a violence prevention educator, group leader, lecturer and program developer. He developed a curriculum and training for young adult males which examines violence against women and girls and his team of anti-violence educators have launched new city-wide network and workshops for men which seek to transform men and women from bystanders to allies to activists against family and gender violence. Quentin has a wealth of experience facilitating groups for young and adult males on masculinity, manhood development, fathering, batterer’s intervention and accountability. He brings to the PCM team his combined experience working with social agencies and human rights work in Harlem, Brooklyn, and Queens, and a new and fresh perspective to the important work of ending family violence.Special Areas of Focus: Violence Prevention/Mentoring At-Risk Male Teens/Conflict Resolution
Emi Gittleman
Emi Gittleman began her professional career working for the NYC Department of Education as an elementary school teacher. She has over fifteen years' experience in teaching K-8, and has served as the Literacy and Science specialist for several schools. Emi has extensive expertise in designing and delivering curriculum geared at diverse student, teacher, and parent populations. She has been a Multicultural Arts and Education consultant for over 15 years and works closely with schools to support more effective learning strategies for culturally diverse audiences. She holds a MA in Education from Bank Street College and specializes in integrating music, art, dance, drama and storytelling into daily teaching practices to engage students and sustain learning success. Emi is recognized nationally and internationally for her creativity in designing workshops which foster respect for all, using hands-on teaching and learning techniques. A published curriculum and book author who speaks conversational Japanese and Spanish, Emi builds on her experience and expertise in the arts to create and deliver workshops to all stakeholders to provide them with additional skills to maximize student success in the classroom and in life. Special Areas of Focus: Literacy,/Multicultural Education Using the Arts/Classroom Management/Parent Involvement/Hands-on Curriculum to Teach Core Content Areas
Kerry Odom
Kerry Odom’s is an experienced teacher, guidance counselor and program coordinator who has designed and facilitated customized workshops for students and staff which support the social/emotional and academic success of students in the classroom. Kerry has extensive experience working closely with schools to increase the attendance rate and retention rate of students by analyzing data and developing individual and group supports that include advisory programs, peer leadership programs, and peer mentorship programs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology/African American Studies from Wesleyan University and two Master of Arts Degrees from NYU in Education and School Counseling. Special Areas of Focus: Advisories/Youth Development/Meeting the Needs of At-Risk Youngsters/Peer Leadership and Peer Mentoring Programs/Diversity and Inclusion
Reggie Nance
An experienced coach, mentor, and workshop facilitator, Reggie Nance brings corporate and non-profit experience to the PCM team. Reggie has a strong commitment to making a difference in the lives of At-risk young men and extensive field experience in making that goal a reality. As a volunteer Course Leader and Mentor Manager for Youth at Risk, Reggie was instrumental in leading highly successful workshops for young men 11-14 to assist them in making better choices in their lives. He then supported these students individually as they choose to reach positive social/emotional and academic goals. Reggie also designs and conducts workshops for parents to provide them with the skills necessary to guide their children to make better choices and assume responsibility for their actions. Additionally, he develops special school assemblies to address topics, including school attendance and academic achievement, utilizing a fun, interactive, and engaging format. Special Areas of Focus: Mentoring At-Risk Teens/Student Leadership/Grass Roots Community Outreach/Parent and Teen Communication/Conflict Resolution/College Readiness/Workforce Readiness
Tami L. Farber, MSW
Tami L. Farber brings more than 20 years experience working in the US and internationally to the PCM team. She has extensive experience in the development and implementation of programs which build community partnerships and has developed training materials and facilitated learning sessions for the global educational and social welfare community. Tami has a wealth of experience working with urban and rural communities, children with special needs, and refugee/immigrant populations. She is a dynamic trainer, educator and organizer and uses a social justice framework and experiential learning approach ensuring 100% engagement in all her workshops. Special Areas of Focus: Diversity and Intercultural Education/Building Social Justice Practices into our Classrooms/Mediation and Conflict Resolution/Advisory Programs/Collaboration and Community Partnerships/Peer Leadership/Program Evaluation/After School Programming
Shadia Marji, MSW
Shadia Marji is an experienced trainer, educator, consultant, and social worker. She is renowned for her interactive trainings on gender, diversity, cultural competency, human rights, group development, community organizing, leadership development, team building and facilitation with youth and adults. She has worked in the youth development field for more than 10 years and is committed to partnering with youth for positive social change . Special Areas of Focus: Diversity/ Gender Issues/Facilitation/Teambuilding/Youth Development/Community Organizing and Creative Engagement
Cynthia Darvin-Vega
Cynthia Darvin-Vega worked for the NYC Department of Education for more than 20 years as a teacher, supervisor of English, ESL and History, and was co-founder and principal of a new and innovative NYC public school. Cynthia brings her knowledge and experience in effective instruction, curriculum design, and classroom management to all of her highly interactive workshops. As a coach/mentor she provides teachers at all stages of their professional career with the opportunity for individual growth and development. Special Areas of Focus: Coaching and Mentoring/Small Learning Communities/Team Building/Literacy/ Conflict Resolution/Classroom Management/Building Culturally Responsive Educational Organizations
Michele Luc
Michele Luc is an experienced facilitator and consultant who began her career as an HIV/AIDS educator and safer sex trainer. For 11 years, she worked as a trainer and Director of Training at Global Kids, Inc., where she developed curricula on social justice and international issues. She has co-coordinated gender-based programs for girls, facilitated peer-education training programs, conducted professional development for educators and youth organizations interested in experiential learning and contributed to the writing and editing of curricula on diversity and service learning. In addition to working extensively in NYC, she has facilitated interactive workshops in Croatia, South Africa, and Haiti. She currently oversees several youth programs on sexual health, leadership and mentoring at Cornell University Cooperative Extension in NYC. She has a BS in Social Work from New York University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia University. Special Areas of Focus: Diversity & Cultural Sensitivity/Gender-Based Programs/Global Issues/Using the Arts to Engage Youth and Adults/Peer-Led Facilitation/Sexual Health
Linda Trabman, Ph.D.
Linda Trabman is recognized citywide for her expertise in instruction, classroom management, school safety and security, and conflict resolution. A former NYC teacher, Dean, and Conflict Resolution Specialist, Linda brings a wealth of experience to the PCM team. Whether facilitating workshops to support new and/or veteran teachers, working alongside school safety and security teams to make them more effective, or supporting school staff as they set up a conflict resolution program, Linda recognizes, understands, and respects the challenges faced by urban schools and takes great pride in partnering with each school to successfully address their unique challenges. Special Areas of Focus: Conflict Resolution/Classroom Management/Diversity/School Safety and Security
Verna Lauria
Verna Lauria's more than 30 years of experience in the NYC public school system includes serving as an Assistant Principal Pupil Personnel Services, District Executive Assistant Pupil Personnel Services, and Regional Director for Student Placement Youth and Family Support Services. Verna has been recognized citywide (Overcoming Obstacles Educator of the Year Award and United Activities Unlimited Educator of the Year Award) for her expertise in the field of student support services and for taking a leadership role in developing borough wide task forces which brought together schools, school safety, the NYPD and the District Attorney's office to identify and address common challenges. She is currently teaching a course at a NYC college for students who are interested in joining the teaching profession. Special Areas of Focus: Student Support Services /Guidance /School Safety and Security
Herb Hogan
Herb Hogan is a highly accomplished educational administrator with extensive experience on the junior high school, high school and district office level. A former Principal of a campus school and Assistant Principal Guidance, he is recognized as a results oriented, decisive leader with proven success in student support, academic programs and problem solving. Herb was honored as an Outstanding Educator of the Year by the NYC Department of Education for his work as a mentor and coach to new and aspiring teachers, assistant principals and principals. Special Areas of Focus: Administration/Student Support/Middle and Junior High Schools/Campus Schools
Rachael Ibrahim, MSW
Rachael Ibrahim is a highly experienced trainer and facilitator who brings a strong background in the fine arts, music, dance and theater to the PCM team. A graduate of Western Michigan University, Rachael holds a MSW degree from CUNY Hunter College specializing in Community Organizing. She is conversant in Spanish and has experience as an educator and Youth Development and Diversity Director in NYC where she facilitated student workshops on conflict resolution, critical thinking skills, self-awareness, civic responsibility, and global citizenship. Rachael works predominately with communities and families of the African Diaspora bringing a social justice and anti-oppression framework to her workshops. Special Areas of Focus: Student Workshops on Respect, Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility/Parent Engagement/ Community Service Learning/Youth Leadership Development/Diversity and Inclusion
Claire N. Hatamiya, Ph.D
Claire Hatamiya received her Ph.D. at the NYU Steinhardt School of Education. Her dissertation focused on using theatre to teach elementary school students the importance of developing a healthy lifestyle to reach one’s full social/emotional, and academic potential. She holds two BA degrees from the University of California at Berkeley, one in Ethnic Studies and the second in Dramatic Arts -Dance and has a Master’s Degree in Health Education from the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health. In her highly interactive and experiential workshops, Claire integrates her national and international experience as an educator and supervisor by tailoring workshops for students, parents and youth providers to assist them in addressing a variety of issues including asthma, human rights and sexual health. Special Areas of Focus: Elementary School Conflict Resolution/Adolescent Heath Challenges/Healthy Parenting/Healthy Lifestyles and Academic Success/Sexual Health Education/Peer Leadership and Facilitation/Cultural Diversity
Lillian C. Montalbano
A retired Assistant Principal Security and Assistant Principal Organization, Lillian Montalbano also served in the NYC public school system as a teacher, coach, Coordinator of Student Activities (COSA) and Transportation Coordinator. During her thirty-two year career in the NYC Department of Education she received The Brooklyn and Staten Island High Schools Outstanding Administrator Recognition Award, The NYC Police Department (NYPD) Certificate of Appreciation and The Division of School Safety Certificate of Appreciation. Additionally, Lillian serves as the Managing Director of PCM Associates. Special Areas of Focus: School Safety and Security/Administration/Organization
