Mr. Jerrod Mabry
Mr. Mabry earned his Bachelor of Arts from New York University in English and English Education. Afterwards he moved to
Mr. Vern Ram
Mr. Ram has been a staff member of the Celia Cruz High School of Music since the school opened its
Ms. Yvette Perez
Ms. Yvette Perez was on the original planning team for Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music. She became the
Mr. David Abreu
Mr. Abreu began his career with the DOE in 1996 as a School Aide in Harlem. His mother, who was
Ms. Sarah Arias
The Celia Cruz High School of Music’s counseling department was designed as a result of inquiries from students, parents, and
Ms. Regina Batista
Ms. Batista was born and raised in uptown Manhattan, New York City. She attended East Side High School in Newark,
Ms. Jacqueline Bergland
There was never a doubt that music would be a big part in Jackie’s life. She comes from a large
Ms. Emily Berns
Ms. Berns was born and raised in New York City. She attended Binghamton University where she earned a bachelor's degree
Mr. Derwin Blanco
Mr. Blanco was born and raised in the Washington Heights neighborhood in uptown Manhattan. It was his experience in the
Mr. Eliseo Blanco
Mr. Blanco has been a math teacher in New York City since 2001. He also has been an adjunct professor
Mr. Brian Boggan
Brain Boggan has been a Physical Education teacher in the Bronx for the past 17 years. He enjoys playing and
Ms. Allison Christian
Allison Christian joined the New York City Public Schools System in August, 2002. She became a member of the Celia
Ms. Carliana Collins
Mrs. Collins is a Special Education teacher at Celia Cruz High School of Music. Prior to teaching, Mrs. Collins worked
Ms. Bianela Colon
The Celia Cruz High School of Music’s counseling department was designed as a result of inquiries from students, parents, and
Ms. Xiomara De Los Santos
Xiomara Delos Santos has been a vibrant and vital part of the Celia Cruz family for 16 years!! When she
Mr. Oliver Eduardo
Mr. Eduardo was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in the Kingsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx. He is a
Mr. Arthur Funk
Mr. Funk is the Earth Science and Agricultural Science teacher at Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music. He moved
Mr. Thomas Hall
Mr. Hall came to Celia Cruz in 2006. He has a B.A. in International Relations and American History from Syracuse
Mr. Yao Jules
Mr. Jules graduated from John Jay College with a Bachelor of Art in Criminal Justice. Soon after, the enrolled in
Ms. Patricia La Marr
Patricia Beazer Burton La Marr was born in the Bronx New York on February 7th. Her parents are native Caribbeans of the
Ms. Deborah Lopez
Deborah Lopez had been an integral part of the Celia Cruz community from the planning stages to the opening of
Ms. Varvara Marinescu
Varvara Marinescu has been teaching Physical Education at Celia Cruz for 8 years. She has been coaching the girl's varsity
Ms. Judith McCubbin
Ms. McCubbin teaches English literature and composition. She received a bachelor's and masters degree from Lehman College. Her favorites pastimes
Ms. Lorraine McFarlane
Lorraine McFarlane received a B.A. in Literature from the City University of New York in 1997 and a M.A. in
Mrs. Lisa Monastero
Lisa Monastero (ACDA, NMEA, NYSSMA) Lisa earned her degree in Music Education in 2003 from New York University. She went
Dora Morse
Dora Morse was born and raised in Southern California. They attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, earning a double
Ms. Moira Murphy
Moira Murphy is a New York native in her sixth year of teaching English as a Second Language. Ms. Murphy
Mr. Abu Osman
Abu Osman is a native of Ghana and has lived in NYC since 2001. Abu has a bachelor’s degree in
Ms. Gloria Ramos
Born and raised in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Gloria recently moved to the Bronx four years ago. After being
Ms. Katherine Saint Louis
Ms. Katherine Saint Louis attended Hobart and William Smith Collages for her undergraduate education. She has BA in Latin American
Ms. Penelope Smetters-Jacono
Founding Director of Bands and Jazz Bands, woodwind player, Bronx educator since 1999.
Ms. Maria Swieciki
Ms. Swieciki has been teaching high school history for six years now. This is her fourth year at Celia Cruz.
Mr. Onassis Tavarez
Onassis Manuel Tavarez was born in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, grew up in the Bronx, and graduated from the South
Mr. David West
Mr. West has been Director of Orchestras and String Studies at Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music since 2005.
Ms. Wendy Williams
Mrs. Williams holds a dual New York State teacher’s certificate in Biology and General Science. For many years, she has