Stephanie Klein - Spanish: Hola! Me llamo Stephanie Klein y soy la profesora de espanol este ano. OK, I won't write the whole letter in Spanish, but as the new Spanish teacher I would like to introduce myself to you. I grew up in Long Island, New York and began speaking Spanish at the age of ten. I had the opportunity to live with my family in Mexico where I made many friends, personally experienced the culture, and extensively traveled throughout the country. This made learning Spanish easy, and fun and is how I fell in love with the Spanish Language.

I attended the University of Miami where I obtained a business degree, also continuing to study Spanish. I used my Spanish constantly while I lived in South Florida, both personally and professionally. In my previous position, I was a bilingual sales trainer where I traveled to many foreign countries to deliver presentations and train staff in sales techniques. I returned to New York in order to attend Columbia University, Teachers College, where I obtained my Master's in the teaching of Spanish this past year. Over the Summer I studied abroad at the University of Salamanca in Salamanca, Spain to further my education and to gain an understanding of another Spanish culture.

Learning to speak, read, write and understand Spanish, in other words, being able to really communicate in another language, has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in my life. Being able to speak more than one language has opened up many doors for me. That is why I am here teaching Spanish. With enthusiasm, I look forward to a great year, filled with lots of learning, creative activities and the exploration of different Spanish cultures. Hasta luego.

Erika Marcus - Learning Specialist: Hi. This is my second year teaching at MSC's Upper School. Last year I was the math teacher for sixth grade, but this year I am an out of classroom teacher. I am teaching two book groups, one for
sixth graders and one for seventh graders. I'm also working closely with the Upper School teachers to help plan lessons and modify curriculum for those students with learning issues. I also work directly with students in small groups in and out of the regular classroom. I enjoy MSC because all the
teachers work collaboratively and this enables us to create a safe and creative learning community for our students.

Although I am originally from North Carolina, I haven't lived there in a long time. After graduating from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, I lived in Israel and then moved to New York. I eventually attended Bank
Street and Columbia School of Social Work where I received Master's Degrees in Special Education and Clinical Social Work. I recently moved to Forest Hills, Queens where I live with my new husband, Charles Neuman (we were married on August 22nd in North Carolina) and our black Labrador retriever, Barnaby.

Jenny Macias - Kindergarten Teaching Assistant: Hello, to all the parents and staff of Manhattan School for Children. My name is Jenny, I am 38 years old and I am one of six siblings. I grew up in Manhattan raised by my very loving mother Celeste who died in1997. I was raised a Catholic but today I am a nondenominational Christian. I've been married for 15 years to a wonderful husband name Luis. We have 4 children together ranging in ages from 6 to 16. We've been living inQueens for nine years in a house with a German Shepherd, a cat, two hermit crabs and two turtles.

I have an Associate's degree in Liberal Arts and plan to further my education in January by obtaining my Bachelors in sociology. I've been working as a paraprofessional for two years and my experience has been very rewarding. Before I came to the Manhattan School for Children I worked at M.S. 44 with Special Ed 8th graders and before that I was home raising my children. I enjoy working with children of all ages and look forward to growing with yours throughout the school year.

Andrea Schwartz - Language Specialist: After working for many years as a preschool teacher in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania I returned to school to study speech and language. I began work on my degree at the University of Pittsburgh and, following my move to New York City, completed my degree at Queens College.

This is my third year with the Manhattan School for Children. I also work with children in the other two schools in the Robert E Simon Building, PS 165 and Crossroads Middle School. I love the challenge and excitement of working with such a broad group of students and am looking forward to the year ahead.