Our Team
Leadership Council
The Leadership Council is a body of educators and project leaders who are actively engaged in the work. Through regular strategic planning meetings, they provide leadership and direction to various projects and organizational goals.
Julian Barlow* (he/him/his) 1st Grade Teacher P.S. 130 (Brooklyn)
Maurice Blackmon* (he/his/him) 10th Grade Teacher Essex Street Academy (Manhattan)
Doug Hecklinger* (he/his/him) 4th Grade Teacher P.S. 295 (Brooklyn)
Jose Jimenez* (he/his/him) Principal A.C.E. Academy for Scholars (Queens)
Sydra Mallery* (she, her, hers) Elementary Science Teacher P.S. 130 (Brooklyn)
Lamar Ok (he/him/his) 3rd Grade Teacher KIPP Infinity Charter School (Harlem)
Willens Osse (he/him/his) ESL Teacher Mid-Manhattan Adult Learning Center (Harlem)
Pia Micoli*
(she, her, hers) Assistant Principal Academy of Arts & Letters (Brooklyn)
Wayne Reed*
(he/his/him) Professor of Elementary Education CUNY Brooklyn College
Lisette Vergara (she/her/hers) 6th Grade English Teacher I.S. 383 (Brooklyn)
*Member of Executive Committee, which oversees the visioning, development and expansion of PEN’s work.
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board are a group of educators and other professionals with knowledge, expertise and wisdom to support the accomplishment of the Initiative’s goals.
Michelle Fine
Distinguished Professor of Critical Psychology, Women’s Studies & Urban Education CUNY Graduate Center
Maria Elena Torre Director, Public Science Project CUNY Graduate Center
Beth Ferholt
Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education Brooklyn College
Maria Scharron del Rio
Associate Dean School of Education Brooklyn College
Lisa Fernandez
Principal (Retired) NYC Department of Education
Lauren Shookhoff
Assistant Principal Middle School 839 (Brooklyn, New York)