Rhiannon Bettivia, 6th Grade Math Problem Solving After graduating from Barnard College at Columbia University with a degree in philosophy, she studied science of teaching at Pace University through Teach for America. While working towards her master's degree, Ms. Bettivia began teaching in the New York City charter school system in the Bronx. She is very excited to have the opportunity to make the move to Harlem and have the chance to work with the wonderful children and families and the amazing community at Democracy Prep.
Peter Kauffman, 6th Grade Math Procedures Mr. Kauffman was born just outside Los Angeles, but grew up just outside Chicago. He attended the University of Chicago where he studied Economics and Public Policy and worked as a math teacher's aide in Chicago's Woodlawn community. He began teaching math through Teach for America and is now pursuing his Master's degree in Education. He is extremely excited to be working with all the exceptional students, families, and staff at DCPS.
Olabisi Dele-Michael, 7th Grade Pre-Algebra, Math Department Chair Olabisi was born and raised in Staten Island, New York. She studied Biology and Africana Studies major at Binghamton University where she earned her BA, and she earned her Master's Degree in Sociomedical Sciences the following year. With her Master's Degree, she was able to perform public health research in the area of health disparities among African Americans and Latinos. She was able to see correlations between unequal access to health care and a lack of education among the groups. She then decided to pursue a career in teaching math in urban areas of New York City. She chose underserved areas of New York City because she believes that everyone deserves a proper education no matter where they come from economically. Her students began to appreciate math once they began to expand their minds. She continues to tutor students from disadvantaged backgrounds on a one on one basis to improve their academic quality of life.
Sharrod Ford, 7th Grade Math Problem Solving, 7th Grade Team Leader Mr. Ford grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He attended high school at La Salle Academy and continued his education at Manhattan College. He is finishing his Master's Degree in Middle School Education, this year, at Brooklyn College. He taught at Explore Charter School and I.S. 318 before joining the Dream Team at Democracy Prep.
Matthew Kelly, 8th Grade Math Procedures Matthew Kelly graduated from Bard College in 2008 with a degree in history. As an undergraduate, Matthew tutored at a medium security prison through the Bard College Prison Initiative. Last year, Matthew worked as a special education teacher in the Bronx. Matthew is a second year Teach for America corps member, and is excited to start the year with Democracy Prep.
Max Bean, 8th Grade Algebra Mr. Bean grew up in New York City. After receiving his bachelors degree from Brown University, he taught mathematics and computers for two years, at Saint Ann's, a private school in Brooklyn Heights. He spent most of the past year traveling and studying Mandarin in mainland China. While living in Shanghai, he worked part-time, teaching English creative and expository writing to students from the Shanghai American School. Mr. Bean cannot wait to challenge DPCS's first eighth grade class with the rigors and depths of algebra.