There are two teachers in every Early Learning Program classroom, an Early Learning Teacher (ELT) and an Early Learning Teaching Fellow (ELTF). The Early Learning Teacher is the primary teacher in the classroom whereas the Teaching Fellow plays a support role to the Early Learning Teacher and often is in training to become a full teacher. Contrary to the rest of our program, the Early Learning Program classroom is self-enclosed. For certain courses, a Subject Expert Teacher will push into the room to deliver content.
Meet The
Teachers
Ms. Cavallini
Performing Arts
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Ms. Cavallini
Early Learning Teacher Performing Arts
Ms. Cavallini is a Teaching Fellow on the Lower School Kindergarten team. This is her first year at BASIS Independent Brooklyn, and she is thrilled to bring her enthusiasm of the creative arts into the classroom.
Following her graduation from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater, she spent time as a teaching artist in Massachusetts and has also worked as a museum educator, early learning educator, and teaching assistant at a theater school. As a Teaching Fellow, she aims to help students use the full scope of their imagination and inspire empathy for all, instilling a joy of learning each day. She was drawn to BASIS Independent because of the ability to create a unique learning experience, infusing science and the arts.
When not in the classroom, Ms. Cavallini absolutely loves spending time cuddling her two kittens, finding new places to eat in the city, and attending cultural events.
Mr. Cono
Physical Education
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Mr. Cono
Subject Expert Teacher Physical Education
Mr. Cono is excited to join our Lower School faculty as a Physical Education and Movement Teaching Fellow. Previously, he taught at Nesaquake Middle School and served as a swim coach and lifeguard for years.
Mr. Cono graduated from SUNY New Paltz where he was an honored NCAA varsity swimmer.
Ms. Fernandez
Teaching Fellow
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Ms. Fernandez
Early Learning Teaching Fellow Teaching Fellow
Ms. Guzman
Teaching Fellow
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Ms. Guzman
Early Learning Teaching Fellow Teaching Fellow
Ms. Joyce
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Ms. Joyce
Early Learning Teacher
Ms. Joyce was drawn to BASIS Independent Brooklyn by the desire to teach an accelerated academic curriculum that is infused with joy and creativity. She sees each day as a chance to impart foundational skills and inspire a love of learning in her students.
Ms. Joyce completed her undergraduate studies at Loyola University where she focused on both English literature and education. She also earned teacher certification for English Language Arts, grades 7–12.
Following graduation, Ms. Joyce taught English at the high school level in her hometown of Allentown, Pennsylvania where she also coached a children’s swimming team. She later made the big move to New York City when an opportunity arose to teach kindergarten at a school in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. It was in that classroom that Ms. Joyce discovered her passion for early childhood education. Witnessing the strides her students could make in less than a year simply amazed her. “I am in constant awe of what four- and five-year-olds can accomplish if you only give them the opportunity to try.”
Outside the classroom, Ms. Joyce enjoys spending time with family, exploring local restaurants, museums, and shops, and going to the beach.
Ms. Kaufman
Music
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Ms. Kaufman
Subject Expert Teacher Music
Ms. Kaufman is a Music Subject Expert Teacher at our Lower School campus. She has been performing and teaching music to children in New York City for more than two decades. Most recently, she was a private voice and piano teacher with Keys to Success. Previously, she was a music teacher at Early Learning Schools in New York City, including Pixie Pods and Vivvi Child Care. Before that, she was an assistant teacher at Beansprouts Nursery School. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a major in art history and a minor in vocal performance.
Ms. De Leon
Student Affairs
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Ms. De Leon
Student Affairs Student Affairs
Ms. De Leon was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She received the Gates Millennium scholarship and attended Brown University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s degree in elementary teaching. After twelve years teaching and curriculum consulting, Ms. De Leon decided to transition to administration as the Director of Student Affairs at the Lower School Campus.
As Director of Student Affairs for the Lower Campus, her goal is to cultivate productive and positive relationships with teachers and families so that all students can achieve at their highest levels. “At our Lower Campus, every moment that the kiddos are working in their classrooms they are deepening their curiosity, building their resiliency, and thinking critically about their world. This strong foundation sets them on a path to not just be personally successful but also to be a part of the success of their global community. I am eager to be a part of their journey and support them at every stage of accomplishing their goals.”
Outside the classroom, Ms. De Leon enjoys running half marathons, biking around all the boroughs, and exploring all the cultural spaces that New York City has to offer with her husband and two children.
Outside the classroom, Ms. De Leon enjoys running half marathons, biking around all the boroughs, and exploring all the cultural spaces that New York City has to offer with her husband and two children.
Ms. MacCoille
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Ms. MacCoille
Subject Expert Teacher
Ms. MacCoille is a Subject Expert Teacher in the Music Faculty at BASIS Independent Brooklyn. Ms. MacCoille received her degree in performance and music education from the Royal Irish Academy of Music. She continued on to receive her master’s degree in classical civilizations and Italian from Trinity College Dublin. She recently started her master’s degree in early childhood education at Hunter College. This past summer Ms. MacCoille also started her Orff Schulwerk certification and completed her Level 1 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
Previously, Ms. MacCoille worked as a performing operatic mezzo soprano for several years and was the lead vocal and early learning music teacher at the Glasnevin Academy of Music for five years. She enjoys working with children of all ages PreK through Gr. 12.
Ms. MacCoille was drawn to BASIS Independent Brooklyn for the high expectations it has for 100% of its students. “I’ve always taught my students that making mistakes and facing challenges is an invaluable and welcome part of the learning process, and this is central to the BASIS Independent ethos!”
Ms. Moon
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Ms. Moon
Early Learning Teacher
Ms. Moon’s life passion is working with early learners; she brings to BASIS Independent Brooklyn over two decades of experience working with children from ages two to five. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology at Hunter College in New York City. She then completed a Master of Science degree in early childhood education at Hunter College (and graduated with a perfect grade point average!). She holds New York State Professional Certification in Birth through 2nd grade.
After her initial training, Ms. Moon began her professional career teaching young children at the Discovery Programs in Manhattan in 1992. She acted as the Director of Discovery Programs from 2004 until 2008, when she happily followed her love for teaching back into the classroom. Ms. Moon is a familiar face to many BASIS Independent Brooklyn students and families as she taught two-year-olds and three-year-olds at Grace Church School from 2008 until 2012, when she switched into their Pre-Kindergarten program. She enjoys teaching the youngest students “because they are so full of light and love and eager to learn and grow. They inspire me to be a lifelong learner!”
As an expert in early childhood, Ms. Moon understands the importance of supporting her students’ social and emotional needs, while inspiring them to grow academically. “I always listen and strive to be as compassionate as possible so I can be understanding and helpful in every situation. Academic learning must be supported through social and emotional play.”
Ms. Moon is excited to pioneer the Early Learning Program and bring her expertise to our classrooms. She says, “I was attracted to the BASIS Independent Brooklyn Early Learning Program because of the high quality of the teachers and the outstanding administration team developing this new program.”
Ms. Moon is also an accomplished musician and brings her love of music to her teaching. In her spare time, she enjoys playing guitar and has even released two children’s albums!
Ms. Morehouse
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Ms. Morehouse
Early Learning Teacher
Ms. Morehouse is excited to return to BASIS Independent Brooklyn Early’s Learning Program Family. Ms. Morehouse graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics and government with a minor in sociology. After several years working in advertising in Chicago, she realized teaching was her true calling and returned to school to obtain her master’s degree in education from DePaul University.
After obtaining her master’s degree, Ms. Morehouse taught kindergarten in Chicago before moving back to New York City to be closer to family. Prior to joining BASIS Independent Brooklyn, she spent three years teaching kindergarten at another nearby school in Brooklyn. She also obtained her New York State Elementary Education Certification.
When not teaching, you can find Ms. Morehouse spending time with my family in Westchester, reading, or planning trips with family and friends.
Ms. Porter
Art, Engineering
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Ms. Porter
Subject Expert Teacher Art, Engineering
Ms. Porter is a science and fine arts Subject Expert Teacher at BASIS Independent Brooklyn’s Lower School Campus. Previously she focused on our Cubs as a Learning Expert Teacher at our school. She has taught for many years in both school and museum environments, and she appreciates the unique, joyful, and challenging approach to learning that the BASIS Independent Schools offer.
Ms. Porter earned her bachelor’s degree in art history and religious studies at the University of Colorado. She continued on to earn her Masters of Arts Teaching in Museum Education from The George Washington University. Ms. Porter holds a NYS PK-6th teaching license. She has taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, Pre-K-5th grade Science and Fine Arts. As an educator, she looks for ways to foster every students’ natural curiosity to experiment and create as they gain confidence and develop a joy for learning.
Ms. Reilly
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Ms. Reilly
Early Learning Teacher
Ms. Reilly is an Early Learning Lead Teacher at BASIS Independent Brooklyn for our PreK-1 BASIS Independent Bear (cubs). She received her bachelor’s degree in human development at SUNY Binghamton. She focused on human cognitive development, and she is excited to nurture the curiosity of some of our youngest learners at the school. Ms. Reilly is currently finishing her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education at Hunter College.
Ms. Reilly joined BASIS Independent Brooklyn’s Early Learning Faculty in 2017. She has years of experience teaching and caring for infants, toddlers, and young children in daycare centers, and as a child care provider for multiple families. Previously, Ms. Reilly cared for twin boys as a nanny when they were in the preschool and kindergarten years. She knows and enjoys being with children during this formative period.
Ms. Reilly chose BASIS Independent Brooklyn because of the co-teaching model which she believes allows teachers to effectively develop strong teacher-student relationships that support learning. She believes it is so important to foster a warm, welcoming environment that allows children to explore all of the excitement school and learning has to offer.
When Mr. Reilly is not teaching, she enjoys traveling, cooking, playing piano, and learning new songs on the ukulele to bring into the classroom.
Ms. Rivera
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Ms. Rivera
Early Learning Teacher
Ms. Rivera has taught at BASIS Independent Brooklyn for the past five years as a founding teacher in the new Early Learning Program. She has enjoyed her experience working with young children. “My passion lies in the foundations of learning – a time in a child’s life when they are beginning to achieve the greatest level of success through motivation and discovery,” said Ms. Rivera.
Ms. Rivera graduated from Hunter College with a master’s degree in childhood education. She was inducted to the National Educational Honor Society, Kappa Delta Pi and graduated summa cum laude. After graduation, Ms. Rivera gained experience in the classroom as a prekindergarten teacher in an Independent school in Manhattan. She later taught kindergarten at a charter school in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, before joining BASIS Independent Brooklyn.
When she’s not teaching, Ms. Rivera enjoys traveling to new countries with her family and friends. She also enjoys attending Broadway shows and spending quality time with her three cats.
Ms. Tietjen
Humanities
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Ms. Tietjen
Subject Expert Teacher Humanities
Ms. Tietjen joins the Lower School Team as a Humanities Subject Expert Teacher for both Gr. 1 and 2. She previously taught at the Packer Collegiate Institute in the Primary School Program. Ms. Tietjan graduated from Glion Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland and went on to receive her master’s degree in Childhood Education Gr. 1-6 from Hunter College.
Ms. Tietjen’s goal as a BASIS Independent educator is to prepare students to be successful in school and out, and to help students form empathy and compassion for others, confidence in themselves, and challenge themselves.
Ms. Tietjen chose to teach at BASIS Independent to help prepare students for the future.
BASIS Independent gives teachers control over their curriculum and lessons which was something that Alexandra really wanted autonomy over. It is a network of schools that provides the opportunity to learn from teachers on multiple campuses.
When not in the classroom, Ms. Tietjen enjoys traveling, staying active, and spending time with her friends and family. She can be seen walking around Brooklyn with her puppy sidekick,
Baloo. She loves to paint and goes to Target whenever she can!
Ms. Wilson
Teaching Fellow
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Ms. Wilson
Teaching Fellow Teaching Fellow
Ms. Wilson is a Teaching Fellow excited to support our Xenon class in nurturing the growth of our Cubs. She joined our school first as a monitor supporting teachers across the grades, getting to know all of our students and even greeting them during morning arrival.
Before joining BASIS Independent Brooklyn, Ms. Wilson worked as a lead teacher at Brooklyn Preschool of Science planning and implementing science inquiry-based lesson plans to meet the needs of each child in her class. Before that, she worked as a lead teacher for Community Development Institute Head Start in Far Rockaway. Ms. Wilson attended CUNY Brooklyn College.
Ms. Witherspoon
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Ms. Witherspoon
Early Learning Teacher
