District 26 Big Apple Award Finalists
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The Big Apple Awards, now in its sixth year, is a citywide recognition program that celebrates the educators of New York City who inspire students, model great teaching, and enrich their school communities. By honoring the success of these teachers, the NYC Department of Education recognizes the countless teachers who go above and beyond to serve our students and families.
In 2017-18, there were more than 6,500 nominations citywide. For the second year in a row, District 26 was unique in that every school in District 26 had at least one teacher from their community nominated! After a rigorous application process including an essay, recommendations, and video, 4 teachers were selected as finalists to complete an interview and demonstration lesson for Superintendent Giunta. Please read more about our 2018 District 26 finalists to see how they are supporting their students and school communities. |
Check out our 2018 Big Apple Finalists' classrooms here. |
Celebrating Our Finalists at our June CEC Meeting
June 21, 2018
Mission of District 26 Big Apple Ambassadors
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As Big Apple Ambassadors, we aim to:
Big Apple Ambassadors are excited to serve as resources for our school and district communities. During the 2017-18 school year, Big Apple Ambassadors were asked to consider how they could enact their mission within their school or district community. You can get to know our Big Apple Ambassadors more through their bios below and this brief summary of their work this year to see how our Big Apple Ambassadors are #empoweringchange in District 26.
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Meet Our Big Apple Ambassadors for 2018-19
Grace Ballas, Second Grade Teacher, P.S. 159
Grace Ballas is a second grade teacher at P.S 159. She is celebrating 19 years of teaching where she has worked as a Reading Specialist, served as an Academic Intervention Coordinator, and has taught first and second grade. At P.S. 159, she was a part of the Learning Partners Team, which was an initiative put together by former Chancellor Farina bolstering collaboration and sharing best practices with partner schools. She has been a grade leader, member of the Consultation Committee, the Literacy Liaison Team, and the Social and Emotional Learning Team. She believes that her enthusiasm, strong work ethic, dedication, love of children, and belief that all children can learn distinguish her as an educator. She is most proud of the success of her students year after year, when more than 90% of her second graders leave her classroom reading above grade level. Her strong background in literacy, extensive training in Readers and Writers Workshop, data-driven instruction, and strong collaboration with parents contribute to that success. In her classroom, she fosters a love of learning and students are intellectually-engaged and challenged. It’s a safe, nurturing, and student-centered environment where the children are encouraged to be active learners, critical thinkers, and risk takers. They are active participants where they hold their own student-led conferences and confer with other peers on particular skills. Her students are celebrated with wall to wall displays of their work containing rubric-based teacher and peer feedback. She strives to teach her students independence, responsibility, and social emotional life skills. Her goal as an educator has always been to instill in her students a love of learning. Mrs. Ballas strongly believes that “KNOWLEDGE IS POWER” and equips her students with a strong, well-rounded foundation and the necessary tools to become college and career ready! Please contact for support in elementary education and literacy instruction. |
Jessica Ana Kim-Wong, Third Grade Teacher, P.S. 173
Jessica Wong is a third grade teacher at P.S. 173Q in Fresh Meadows. Growing up in Paraguay, Mrs. Wong witnessed poverty first-hand. Seeing children walking barefoot and selling fruits on the streets every morning, she quickly learned that not every child had the opportunity to attend school. This injustice shaped her belief that all children deserve a quality education despite their backgrounds. During her 8 years of teaching, Mrs. Wong has worked with various student populations in Boston, Hempstead, and New York City. She designed curricula to meet the diverse needs of her students, shared with colleagues ways to integrate vocabulary instruction in the classroom, facilitated study groups in classroom management and behavior strategies, and attended various professional learning sessions to build her teaching repertoire. Currently, she is the Reading Rescue Coordinator at her school, where she provides support to tutors who work with struggling readers. Outside of teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family and closest friends, particularly exploring cities with good food. Please contact for support in elementary education and dual-language instruction. |
Melissa Niedert, Second Grade Teacher, P.S. 18
Melissa Niedert has been teaching at P.S. 18Q Winchester School for 12 years. She currently teaches second grade in an ICT classroom, and also spent many years teaching third grade. Mrs. Niedert knew from a young age that teaching would be her career choice and was inspired by her mother, a special education teacher. She is the Data Specialist at her school and spends time analyzing the data and determining next steps. Mrs. Niedert loves all subjects, but her true passion is inspiring students to love mathematics. She spends a great deal of time planning out new and exciting ways for her students to learn math concepts. Mrs. Niedert is a math lead in her school and is proud to be working on a school initiative to foster students learning through the use of games and routines in the classroom. She is a member of variety of school committees and has worked on community service projects such as Alex’s Lemonade Stand where she has helped raise over $2,000 to fight childhood cancer. Please contact for support in elementary education and engaging mathematics instruction. |
Pat Ryan, Second Grade Teacher, P.S. 133
Pat Ryan is proud to be a second-grade teacher at P.S. 133Q. She has also taught fourth grade and science. Each day she is continually inspired by her students. Ms. Ryan is dedicated towards educating and creating happy, responsible individuals by sparking their interest and engaging them in innovative learning each day. Her love and respect for the environment is instilled in her classroom allowing students to participate in positive learning experiences such as creating and cultivating a class garden, learning about water and our other natural resources, the need to conserve and protect them. It influences students’ ideas and impacts the choices they will make in life. Each year her students explore their role in protecting the environment by learning about New York City’s water supply system. Students enter the DEP’s citywide Art and Poetry Contest to share what they have learned through their poetry with the New York City school community. Over the years, she has had numerous students winning the DEP Poetry Contest as Water Ambassadors. As a fourth-grade teacher, she led Project WISE (water inspired science education) working cooperatively in an upstate school partnership to increase the communication and understanding about their mutual roles and responsibility in protecting the New York City’s water supply system. Ms. Ryan has been a grant recipient of Green Connections and the Watershed Agricultural Council. She also received the Dr. Eugene Ezersky Outstanding Environmental Education Award from the Environmental Education Advisory Council. She has been a member of the Public Education Advisory Group for the Catskill Watershed Corporation Grant Committee since 2004. Currently she is a member of the PS 133Q Leadership team, a participant in the District 26 Teacher Team Cohort and a liaison for Teachers College Reading and Writing Project for her second grade team. She is dedicated to instilling a love of learning while providing an environment that stimulates and engages her students to stretch their boundaries, take risks within a safe environment while developing their critical thinking skills to help them reach their potential. One of her passions is teaching students about science, nature and creating learning experiences they will always treasure. Contact for support in elementary education and sustainability efforts. |
Meet Our Big Apple Ambassadors for 2017-18
Steven Blum, Technology Teacher, P.S. 205
A product of NYC Public Schools, Steven Blum is celebrating his 20th year of teaching at The Alexander Graham Bell School, P.S. 205Q. Mr. Blum is the Computer Science Teacher, Student Government Liaison, Basketball/Cheerleading Coach, UFT Chapter Leader, Sustainability Coordinator, Building Response Team Leader, After-School Program Coordinator and also a member of the District 26 STEM Team. He holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education, a Master’s Degree in Computer Technology in Education and is a licensed NYS School District Administrator. Recognized by both the Teacher’s Network and Cornell University, Mr. Blum is passionate about motivating tomorrow’s leaders and very proud to be a part of today’s cutting-edge computer science teaching and learning. He loves computer coding, the New York Mets, and Cool Ranch Doritos. #publicschoolproud Contact for support in Computer Science and Instructional Technology. |
Lauren Chun, Fourth Grade Teacher, P.S. 18
Having been inspired by her dad who was an educator for over 30 years in Korea, Mrs. Chun, a fourth grade ICT teacher, is passionate about passing on her dad’s legacy through her teaching. She has been teaching over 17 years in the NYC public school system. She loves to play piano for her church choir and write poetry in her spare time. Many of her students’ work have been published in the Children’s Anthology of Poetry. She is a cultural committee liaison that bridges the gap between parents and the school community. She is the Teacher’s College lead teacher for her grade and has brought PBL ideas to enhance student learning at P.S. 18Q. She often volunteers her time to attend the Material for the Arts to enhance the arts program at her school and attend Book Fairies Organization to provide children with free books needed to foster a love of reading. Additionally, she is a valued member of the school’s vertical team that creates various reading curricula for the school. Under her direction, the school has raised over $1200 to benefit children with cancer. She considers her biggest accomplishment to be influencing a student who was a selective mute to grow confidence enough to passionately present her poetry at the end of the year. Contact for support in Elementary Education and ICT Partnerships. |
Theresa Hoffmann, Fourth Grade Teacher, P.S. 94
Theresa Hoffmann is a 16 year veteran of The David D. Porter School/PS 94Q. Ms. Hoffmann has served on a variety of committees, has been the facilitator for a vertical planning team and the chairperson of the School Leadership Team. In her role as a teacher leader, Ms. Hoffmann serves as a mentor for new, early career and struggling teachers. Additionally, Theresa implemented a schoolwide initiative on the use of choice boards across grades in order to lift the level of rigor in student tasks. Ms. Hoffmann also participated in and completed the District 26 Aspiring Assistant Principals pipeline during the 2016 school year. Ms. Hoffmann is currently the model teacher where she shares best practices with colleagues by coordinating inter-visitations daily in her classroom. In addition, Theresa works collaboratively with her principal, Ms. Avakians, as a “thought partner” to help her school improve each year. Ms. Hoffmann is passionate about teaching and learning and is a lifelong learner herself. She recently went back to school to obtain Students with Disabilities and School Building Leader certificates. Ms. Hoffmann is affiliated with The National Education Association and is an avid reader. An important aspect of her life is her husband, her two sons and watching her eldest son, play baseball. Contact for support in Elementary Education and supporting classroom intervisitations. |
Jean Posada, Eighth Grade Science Teacher, M.S. 74
Jean Posada is an eighth grade science teacher at M.S. 74. For the last 20 years, her roles included being the school's Sustainability Coordinator, Science Ambassador, SLT member, and Consultation Committee Member. She has co-published in Science Scope Magazine, formed a long-standing partnership with Cunningham Park through her Green Team, and has earned her National Board certification twice now. Her Green Team has won numerous awards and grants for their work and was involved in a partnership with a middle school in Taiwan through the Eco Schools program. To enhance her student's science experience on a global level, she engages in the I-Earn Collaboration Bridge program, allowing her students to collaborate with another school in the Middle East on a global project. Ms. Posada believes that all children can reach their full potential when given the chance to do so. She is most proud of the fact she continues to be an active life-long learner; pursuing professional development that keeps all of her students engaged as well as foster their love of learning science. Contact for support in Middle School Science and sustainability efforts. |
Laurie Kemme, Kindergarten Teacher, P.S. 159
Laurie Kemme is a Pre-Kindergarten teacher at P.S. 159. She has been teaching for 16 years and has taught 5th grade, 4th grade, 1st grade, Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten. Ms. Kemme became a teacher to help shape the future and instill a love of learning in all of her students. She has been nominated for the Walt Disney award and for the past 3 years, she has been a Big Apple Nominee. In addition, she has been published in the NYC Field Guide to the classroom library, received a grant from PETCO to obtain a pet for her classroom and received funding from Donor’s Choose for 10 projects. The funding has enabled Ms. Kemme to help bring technology to her room, engaging center materials and improve her students’ expressive language skills. She believes in creating an environment that fosters her students’ learning, social and emotional growth and exploration. Pre-Kindergarten is the foundation that creates the groundwork for lifelong learners. Each grade builds upon the previous years’ work and she looks forward to continuing her work of bridging the gap between all of the grades in school. Contact for support in Elementary Education and ideas for teacher collaboration across grades. |
Jennifer Schecter, Music Teacher, M.S. 158
Ms. Jennifer Schecter has directed the instrumental music program at Marie Curie Middle School 158 since 2004. Under her tenure, the MS 158 Band has been called upon to perform for former DOE chancellor Dennis D. Walcott and was honored with a special visit by singer/songwriter Josh Groban, who came to MS 158 to donate instruments and hear the band play. The band has achieved numerous gold and gold with distinction ratings at NYSSMA level III. An avid grant writer, Ms. Schecter has amassed over 500,000 dollars in grants for musical instruments, as well as materials and facility upgrades for the Arts Department. Ms. Schecter is the associate conductor of the Queens Borough Wide Band program and has recently conducted regional band festivals in Nassau and Rockland counties. Additionally, she teaches music education courses at CUNY Hunter and Queens colleges. One of Ms. Schecter’s fervent passions is to inspire other educators to build successful music programs in New York City Schools. Ms. Schecter has taken on nearly twenty student teachers and has mentored young band directors all over Queens. She has presented workshops on urban music education in Columbus OH, Chicago, IL and Rochester, NY. As a Big Apple Ambassador, Schecter initiated the District 26 Music Professional Learning Committee. Schecter is a DOE Music Professional Development Facilitator and currently serves on the Music Standards Writing Team. In her spare time, Ms. Schecter plays French horn in the Brooklyn Wind Symphony, is an active black belt leader in her Taekwondo school, is a wife to a middle school social studies teacher and is a mom to a beautiful and vibrant four-year-old named Mikayla. Contact for support in vocal and instrumental music education. |
Jessica Zipkin, Instructional Coach, P.S. 186
Jessica Zipkin strongly believes that mathematics holds a unique entry point for every student. Students with a strong base of mathematical knowledge will have the greatest potential for future success. As the Castlewood instructional coach for the past 3 years, her personal mission is to support teachers in the creation and facilitation of lessons that involve engaging project-based learning experiences with real life applications. Jessica wants her math lessons to be experiences for the students that they will remember, learn from, and look forward to. As a special educator for 13 years, she has been able to draw upon her knowledge to promote equity within both the special education and general education communities. One of her proudest moments was being a presenter at an NCTM Regional conference. Supporting and working with both the teachers she mentors and the staff within her math cohort has enabled her to share her passion for her subject, and open new avenues of collaboration for her school community.
Contact for support in mathematics education and project-based learning.
Jessica Zipkin strongly believes that mathematics holds a unique entry point for every student. Students with a strong base of mathematical knowledge will have the greatest potential for future success. As the Castlewood instructional coach for the past 3 years, her personal mission is to support teachers in the creation and facilitation of lessons that involve engaging project-based learning experiences with real life applications. Jessica wants her math lessons to be experiences for the students that they will remember, learn from, and look forward to. As a special educator for 13 years, she has been able to draw upon her knowledge to promote equity within both the special education and general education communities. One of her proudest moments was being a presenter at an NCTM Regional conference. Supporting and working with both the teachers she mentors and the staff within her math cohort has enabled her to share her passion for her subject, and open new avenues of collaboration for her school community.
Contact for support in mathematics education and project-based learning.