Beechwood Staff

David Laurance
Principal

Favorite quote: “The men who hold high places must be the one’s who start, to mold a new reality closer to the heart.” – Neil Peart

Isabel Jimenez
Secretary

Loves: Reading, watching movies

Bruno Lopez
Maintenance

Loves: Family, futbol, gardening

Veronica Elias
Kindergarten Prep Teacher

What I love about teaching: To see the children's faces full of excitement after they have learned something new.

Katherine Magid
Kindergarten Teacher

Recently read: Teach Like Your Hair Was on Fire: The Methods and Madness Inside Room 56 by Rafe Esquith

Konstance Kirkendoll
Kindergarten Aide/Teacher

What I love about teaching: Every day is different and the challenges that arise allow me to use creative problem solving.

Korinne Nickings
Kindergarten Aide
What I love about teaching: I love teaching because I am able to look at what the kids need and help them to get it.

Jan Richmond
1st Grade Teacher

Favorite quote: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8

Jeff Christopherson
1st/2nd Grade Intern

Favorite quote: “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift.” –Steve Prefontaine

Katie Birnbaum
2nd Grade Teacher

Favorite quote: “The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.” –Mark Twain

Mary-Eileen Gallagher
2nd & 3rd Grade Teacher

What I love about teaching: Listening to and learning from my students.

Nadiya Vinnichenko
3rd & 4th Grade Teacher

Favorite quote: “The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything.” –Theodore Roosevelt

John Laurance
4th Grade Teacher & Vice Principal

Favorite quote: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” –Dr. Seuss

Katie Potts
5th Grade Teacher

Favorite quote: “Let those who would teach us remember this: We have minds of our own, we have dignity.” –Unknown

Nathan Pantoja
6th & 7th Grade Language Arts, 6th Grade Social Studies

Inspiration: The late Jose Pantoja (my grandfather), for his dream to make more for his family and his willingness to dare and take risks.

Priscilla Hamilton-Taylor
Middle School Math Teacher

Loves: Her husband, her life, family, friends

Megan Tang
7th/8th Grade Language Arts & Social Studies Teacher

What I love about teaching: I love it when students become passionate about what they are learning.

Kathy Connolly
Graduate Coordinator

Inspiration: Beechwood's resilient kids inspire me every single day! Their willingness to face challenges with smiles and enthusiasm fills my heart.

Tim Mennuti
Science Teacher

Favorite quote: “Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend; inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” –Groucho Marx

Lewis Hughes
Physical Education Teacher

What I love about teaching: Beechwood teachers love what we do and truly care about the well-being of each child. We are focused on producing good students as well as good citizens.

Chris Chiochios
Resiliency Consultant
Favorite quote: “It’s good to have an end to journey towards, but it's the journey that matters in the end.” –Ursula LeQuinn

Eric Getter
Librarian & Volunteer Coordinator

Favorite quote: “One never stands so tall as when kneeling to help a child.” –Unknown

Emilee Getter
Music & Drama
, website: mizgmusic.com
Favorite Quote: “If you can talk you can sing. If you can walk, you can dance.” –African Proverb

Andrew Barsch
Spanish Teacher

Favorite Quote: “To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. Not to dare is to lose oneself.” –Soren Kierkegaard

Gayl Giannik
Academic Support Coordinator

Favorite quote: “I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.” –Maya Angelou

Valerie Wilke
Academic Support Instructor

What I love about teaching: Deep joy from the opportunity to be a small part of a student's life. It's thrilling to observe the unfolding of each child's special interests and talents.

Heather Brinkerhoff
Academic Support Instructor

Recently read: Whatever it Takes—Geoffrey Canada's Quest to Change Harlem and America by Paul Tough, Night by Elie Wiesel

Pamela Langford
Art Teacher

Favorite quote: “I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” –E.B. White