Hollyhock Humanities Fellowship

Born in the Dominican Republic, Gínette Amezquita considers herself a “real” New Yorker since migrating at the age of four. Upon finishing undergrad at Fordham University, Gínette taught at a small Jesuit middle school and then moved to Uncommon Schools. Fast forward twelve years, and Gínette is proud to say that she has taught thousands of Brooklyn youth spanning grades 5-12! Gínette’s teaching superpower is her ability to “read the room” and engage seniors from her Latin American studies course in lively and memorable discussions, while creating safe spaces for vulnerability to coexist with learning. Gínette currently serves as the Head of Lower School at Uncommon Leadership Charter HS where she spearheads many school culture initiatives.

Jasmine Carsky is going into her eighth year at the Urban Assembly School for Applied Math and Science, where she has been primarily teaching 9th grade Global History, and recently became part of the 11th grade US History team. She did not take any US History courses in the schools she attended in West Africa, so she is especially thankful for this opportunity to learn the curriculum alongside her students. Her teaching super power is the ability to incorporate mindful moments in her lessons so that students feel empowered to be more present, aware, and engaged in their learning. She also emphasizes the amazing learning that happens outside of the classroom, and makes sure to take students on cultural experiences in and out of New York, and even to other countries.

Daryn Cohen (she/her) teaches at the Urban Assembly School for Law and Justice in Downtown Brooklyn. She has been teaching for 11 years, and while Global History is her bread and butter content (having taught at least one section of it for 11 years), she has also taught Global 1 & 2, Government, and Economics. Her teaching superpower is her enthusiasm. She loves what she does, and loves what she teaches, and this makes her so excited to share history with her students. Her goal is to make "not a history person" students realize there is no such thing!

Carmen Cruz works at Sunset Park High School in Brooklyn, New York as a 10th grade Humanities Special Education teacher, and has been teaching in the NY Department of Education for 10 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Brooklyn College, and her master’s degree at St. John’s University. Her ultimate goal is to become a teacher of teachers and guide them through culturally responsive work earlier in their careers. That is why she became a New Teacher Mentor and Cooperating teacher at her school. It is also why she believes her teaching superpower is an education empath. In order to be a strong educator, Carmen believes one must listen to the changing needs of young people, adapt the curricula and culture to support the cultivation of those needs, and teach them to advocate for themselves.

Born and raised in Manhattan, Louie Dane is currently in his 3^rd year teaching at KIPP Washington Heights Middle School. A graduate of University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism, Louie worked as a cameraman and editor for news channels in the city before moving to Israel in the spring of 2016 and earning an M.A. in TESOL from Tel Aviv University. Louie is greatly passionate about and sees his super powers in language learning, sports, and educating future generations of critical thinkers.

Joseph Davis is a 3rd year Social Studies teacher at the Urban Assembly School for Applied Math and Science in the Bronx. Over the last 3 years he has been a part of an effort at his school to further develop and complicate their Global History curriculum. His teaching superpower is creating learning environments that are grounded in strong relationships that help sustain challenging discussions for learners.

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Rebecca Egler has taught at KIPP NYC College Prep since 2011 and has been lucky enough to gain experience in a variety of courses including, Global History, Geography, United States History, and Government. Despite all of this time in the Bronx, she is a Brooklyn girl at heart, so you can often find her on the 4 train, or in Prospect Park with her family. Her teaching superpower is her ability and love for conducting a detective-like search for new and engaging sources, which regularly brings her to every corner of the internet.

Abigail Fordyce is currently an 11th grade US History teacher and AP US History teacher. She is in her second year at New Visions Charter High School for the Humanities IV in Rockaway, Queens. Her teaching superpower is the strong connection she makes with the students in her classes. She tries everyday to create a classroom space that is welcoming to all students.

Alex Frank is in his 8th year teaching History at the high school level. Currently he teaches Global, U.S., and AP U.S. History at New Visions Charter High School for the Humanities II. He believes that his teaching superpower is using humor, music, pop culture, and the power of the Force to help young humans connect with the fascinating and interconnected history of the galaxy.

Alexa Jacobsen is a 3rd year teacher at People's Prep Charter School in Newark, NJ. She teaches US History II and Foundations of History to 9th-12th graders. She has been working there since graduating from Montclair State University. Her teaching superpower is getting 100% of her students to participate in class discussions every week.

Scott Kern lives in Brooklyn and has been teaching in Newark, NJ at North Star Academy for 15 years. He first taught middle school history and now teaches high school AP U.S. History. Some of the most influential people in his life have been his teachers during his own high school experience. His history teachers in particular really sparked a passion for the subject and how it shapes and informs our world today. He would love his teaching superpower to be the ability to see his students’ thinking in class – it would help him encourage great ideas from reluctant voices, determine if there is a gap between what he’s expecting and what students are thinking, and would make it so much easier to help students who are struggling.

Risa Lader has been teaching for 7 years. For the past 4 years she has been teaching at Uncommon Charter High School In Brooklyn and previous to that she was teaching at a high school in North Philly for three years. She sees her teaching superpower as building strong and effective student relationships.

Emily Lake teaches at the High School of Fashion Industries and has been teaching in New York City public schools for five years. Four of those years were teaching middle school, and this year she has been enjoying a new adventure teaching high school. In the past, she served as United Federation of Teachers Chapter Leader, Student Council Advisor, and was also a James Madison Fellow for Teachers of the Constitution. Her teaching superpower is forming strong relationships with her students and getting them excited about history.

After a decade of history instruction, Duncan Miller is thrilled to deepen his content and pedagogical expertise as a Hollyhock Fellow! Currently, he is the AP US Government & Politics network lesson planner for North Star Academy and Uncommon Schools, and teaches that course and AP US History at North Star Academy Washington Park High School in Newark, NJ. He is also an Instructional Leader in the History Department, and has been a grade level leader and a leader of the schools Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team. Duncan's teaching superpower is building strong and lasting relationships that carry students to and through their collegiate success!

This fall David will be entering his 20^th year as a teacher. He teaches AP Government and Politics at Uncommon Charter High School in Brooklyn, NY. His career has included stints teaching bilingual elementary, middle school social studies, and AP World History. His teaching power is also a valuable life skill: finding a Simpsons quote to match any lesson.

Deadra Nelson-Mason is honored to have engaged in the joy of teaching for over 20 years. Viewing teaching as a method of social justice activism, her career as history and performing arts educator spans several urban centers in the United States beginning in Chicago and 16 years in NYC. She now teaches at KIPP College Prep High School. Deadra has been fortunate to have combined her careers in education and the performing arts as visiting lecturer at Indiana University and creating integrated arts curriculum in high schools. She is grateful that her careers as educator, dancer, vocalist, and actor are centered on the self-actualization of youth.

Growing up in Queens, NY, Kelly Noh, was awe-struck by the passion her teachers brought into the classroom. They inspired her to love learning, and enriched her mind with helpful knowledge, sparking her curiosity in various subjects. Because learning was engaging, she excelled in her academics and was given the invaluable opportunity to go to Binghamton University on a scholarship. After graduating from Binghamton University she proceeded to enroll in the Relay Graduate School of Education based in New York to pursue teaching.

She is  currently the AP U.S. History teacher at Achievement First Brooklyn High School. In addition to teaching the course for 3 years, she has worked as a Course Lead for the high school U.S. History department across the Achievement First network. She has also crafted and led professional development sessions.

Brian O'Neill is a New York City Social Studies teacher and Social Studies curriculum writer. Having previously worked on the NYC DOE's Passport to Social Studies Curriculum writing team, he currently teaches AP US History and Global history at the Food and Finance High School. Social justice, civil rights, and our constitutional principles are always at the forefront of his Social Studies lessons. Brian is also the Humanities Chairman at his school helping to oversee and guide their English and Social Studies departments.

Joe Pechie teaches at Urban Assembly for Media Studies High School. He has taught US and AP US History for 7 years. His teaching superpower is forming really strong bonds with his students and taking a personal interest in his students as people. While the content is what often is seen as what's most important in a social studies classroom, for him it's the dialogue and discussion that really pushes the most thinking. Building strong relationships based on trust and a personal connection allows him to push his students' thinking and hopefully get them to have a deeper understanding of this country's history. He also amazes his students by drinking his coffee without any cream or sugar.

Elliott Stern is a government and economics teacher at KIPP NYC College Prep High School. He has been at KIPP for 7 years, and before that taught for 2 years in Philadelphia and for a year in Medellin, Colombia. He has a passion for civic education and loves working with young people. His Teaching Superpower is the ability to take a classroom of students and transform it into an environment where students are excited about learning, asking a million questions, and feeling free to speak their minds!

When Emily Wooldridge was at Brown University, she was inspired to make college level history topics accessible to high school students. She has been a 10th grade Global Studies II teacher at the High School of Arts and Technology for the past 4 years. She was a radio journalist before becoming a teacher, so storytelling and local history greatly inform her teaching practice. Since she grew up in rural Washington State, she is also interested in the connection between rural and urban public schools. Her teaching super power is building relationships and asking higher-order questions.