2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 1
Candidate
Marco Battistella
DBN: 01M839
Applicant
Background
Personal
Statement
Candidate
IEP: No
ELL No
01M364
Yes
No
I am a current member of CEC1. I have served several different PA/PTA officer positions over the
past 7 years. 20 years ago, when I moved to NY, I dod not speak a word of english. I believe that
experience allows me to understand many of the issues that ELL cope with.
More than a parent leader i see myself as a community organizer. I like to be informed about all the
policies, changes and issues that relate to public education. I often have the opportunity to share and
compare experiences with fellow parents. I strongly believe in Community shared decision making and
I believe that in its present form the CECs are allowed much to little input into the decisions that affect
the District. As a CEC member I will work to increase parent involvement (not just consultation) in the
decision making process. Most morning, in the tiny time i have after drop off and before work, you'll
find me in meetings around the schools, making or distributing flyers, or discussing various issues. I
enjoy doing these kind of activities and i like to believe that people around benefit from it.
Daniel Becker
DBN: 01M839
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant Completing my third term on CEC1. I am also currently a member of TSMS' SLT. I was formerly an
Background executive member and SLT member for P.S.110.
Personal As a long standing member of CEC1, I would like to continue in moving District 1 towards a controlled
Statement choice district, thereby eliminating inequities based on race, ethnicity, and socio-economics to provide
equal access to public education.
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2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 1
Candidate
Katherine Flores
DBN: 01M539
IEP: No
ELL No
01M539
No
No
Applicant NEST+m PTA Secretary - 2012/13 NEST+m PTA VP Communications - 2013/14 NEST+m VP
Background Lower School - 2014/15
Personal My name is Katherine Flores and I have two children in Manhattan public schools. My daughter's in
Statement 5th grade and my son in 3rd. I bring a unique perspective to education policies because though my
children both now attend NEST+m, my son also attended the charter school KIPP STAR in
Washington Heights for one year. NEST+m is a G&T school that requires an entrance exam for young
kids while KIPP is a highly sought after charter school with a long waiting list and a lottery that feels
equivalent to the powerball for the many families who apply. I've made lots of friends in the
administration, faculty, and parent body of the schools my children have attended as well as at several
other public schools in NYC communities including Washington Heights (my former neighborhood)
and Battery Park (my current hood.) There's a lot to talk about when it comes to NYC public school
education and that's because we have millions of young children to consider. It's my hope that all these
children will be considered when policies are made. I'm always open and ready to be thoughtful of the
many different voices that represent the incredible variety of children in NYC. Every child matters and
deserves the best education we can possibly give them.
Candidate
Aline Gnali
DBN: 01M188
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant I'm a volunteer preschool teacher at First Church of Christ Holiness for the 2 past years. I teach
Background children to be respectful to their parents, and help them to learn to write, coloring.
Personal I help my kids to do their homework and I correct all their paperwork (grammar and spelling) before
Statement they submit it to their teacher.
Candidate
Luke Henry
DBN: 01M539
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant I have served on the CEC since the Fall after applying to fill a vacancy. Prior to that I worked with the
Background CEC and the community board to develop a paper documenting the need for a school at the Seward
Park Urban Renewal Site. I am also volunteering with another parent to lead the diversity committee of
the PTA at my child's pre-K school.
Personal I believe the CEC is doing vital work on behalf of our public schools and I'd like to help continue to
Statement contribute to that effort. I'd personally like our schools to reflect and benefit from all the diversity of
New York and the CEC of D1 has been a leader in calling for district-wide admission policies that
would help bring this about. I'd like to continue this work. I will continue to work hard to be wellinformed, be diligent in carrying out my responsibilities, and approach our mission with great
enthusiasm and energy.
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2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 1
Candidate
Carlos Herreranarvaez
DBN: 02M542
Personal
Statement
IEP: No
ELL Yes
01M332
No
Yes
I NEVER HAD PARTICIPATED . THIS IS MY FIRST TIME , BUT I WANT TO BEGIN TO
HELP ANOTHER PARENTS AND STUDENTS FOR WE WILL GET TO EXCELLENT
EDUCATION FOR STUDENT IN NYC MANHATTAN.
My interest in this position is for encourage students and parent to participate in the children life
education l,have experience in customer services and I want to help to other person to get the goals in
them life. I took a first-year calculus course at a local college and earned an A. It seemed only logical
that I pursue a career. When I began my undergraduate career, I had the opportunity to be exposed to
the parents and students how the education is most important in the life.. I've also had the opportunity
to study a number of subjects in the humanities and they have been both enjoyable and enlightening,
providing me with a new and different perspective on the world in which we live.
Candidate
Lilah Mejia
Applicant
Background
DBN: 01M839
Applicant
Background
Personal
Statement
IEP: No
ELL No
01M839
No
No
01M110
No
No
Besides having 6 children that I am currently am raising in the Lower East Side, I work for a social
justice organization called GOLES that is involved with many of the community issue's that are arising
such as a need for better schools. I currently serve as a the class teacher for my son's headstart program.
My name is Lilah Mejia I was raised in Jacob Riis Houses, and now live in Maseryk Towers with my 6
children. I have witnessed the continued changes this community has seen and will continue to see. As
a member of this community, and someone who works for this community it is my job to fight for
injustices that occur in the Lower East Side. As a mother who currently has 3 of my 6 children in Public
School in the Lower East Side, it has been a difficult path to steer. With more housing being afforded
and less schools we now have to face a new challenge, overpopulated schools, Charter Schools that dip
money from our public schools, schools in this community that cater to children from other districts to
attend, schools that are not performing to standards on yearly report cards, and the list goes on. I would
like to be selected so that my voice which is backed by many single mothers in this community who
deserve the right to a excellent education opportunity hold the Board of Education to a higher demand
for my children and more importantly for all the children in District 1. Thank you Lilah
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2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 1
Candidate
Emaan Moosani
DBN: 01M539
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant
Background
Personal Prior to moving to the US, I taught at an International school where I was given the opportunity to
Statement work and interact with a very diverse community. This experience was both exhilarating and humbling
as I realized the importance of the role I was playing in each child's life and how parents, regardless of
where they were from, all placed their trust in the teacher and the school each day. As a mother of two
children, I am now on the other side of the classroom. I send my child to school every day in the
country that a few years ago I aspired to model somewhere else. My children are growing up in the
education system, that when living abroad we looked up to and considered the standard to meet. The
Education Council would be an exciting opportunity for me as a parent, as it would allow me to be
involved in and make a positive contribution to the community.
Candidate
Latesha Moore
DBN: 01M364
IEP: Yes
ELL No
Applicant PA PRESIDENT FOR 2 YEARS AT EARTH SCHOOL FROM 2011/12 TO 2012/13
Background CURRENTLY A ASSISTANT TEACHER IN A COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION
Personal I BELIEVE IN FIGHTING FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE A VOICE. STANDING UP FOR
Statement WHAT IS RIGHT, THE YOUTH OF TODAY'S AGE ARE AT A CROSSROAD AND THEY
NEED US NOW MORE THAN EVER WITH MAYORAL CONTROL AND PARENTS NOT
GETTING THE CORRECT INFORMATION. WE NEED TO BE UNITED AND TAKE A
STAND TO PROTECT THESE 1 MILLION KIDS IN NYC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
Candidate
Naomi Pena
DBN: 01M345
Applicant
Background
Personal
Statement
IEP: Yes
ELL No
01M080
No
No
01M080
Yes
No
I was the Vice President of the Grand Street Guild for 8 years. My children have been a part of the GO
Project for 6 years now and I am one of their designated Parent Advocates to help other parents when
they encounter difficulties with the IEP process or any additional issues.
My name is Naomi Pena and I am a born and raised resident of the Lower East Side. I have been an
active member of this great district both in the community and within schools. I have four children
ranging in ages of 14-5 and three of them have IEPs. I know first hand the struggles of a parent when
they hear their child may have learning problems. I know how hard it is to advocate for a child when
you feel no one is listening. My goal to be on the CEC is to maintain our children's right to a great
education. I want every child to know in our district care about them and want them to succeed.
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2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 1
Candidate
Divya Ramachandran
DBN: 01M539
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant I have 2 specific experiences: 1. I am on the Next Generation Leaders' Board (NGLB) of the Indian
Background School of Business (ISB). The Indian School of Business is the premier Business school in Asia and
was set up jointly by the Wharton School of Business, UPenn, Kellogg School of Management,
Northwestern University, and London Business School. THE NEXT GENERATION LEADERS
BOARD comprises a group of young global leaders representing the business, political, academic,
government and development sectors who provide thought leadership and strategic advice to the Dean
and the Executive Board to shape the future direction of the School. 2. I have deep experience with
foreign language learners. I am multi-lingual and speak 5 languages fluently (English, French, German,
Hindi and Tamil). I was the youngest person in India (at 17 years of age) to become a Professor of
French at the Alliance Française (taught there for 5 years). I was involved in training future professors
by performing the role of a tutor/ mentor in the Professor Training Courses. I have completed the
DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française), the highest certification awarded by the French
Educational Ministry for proficiency in the French language.
Personal At home, I am mom to a precocious 6-year old, who is in Kindergarten at Nest+m. And at work, I am
Statement CEO of Helios and Matheson (Nasdaq capital market: HMNY), a 30 year old public company
headquartered in NY. Education and work experience - After a BA in Economics, I worked for Arthur
Andersen. I then completed the Post Graduate Program in Management from the Indian School of
Business. I was selected to complete a part of this Program at Kellogg School of Management,
Northwestern University, Chicago. I received the ISB Scholarship (full tuition waiver) awarded for
exceptional academic performance. I have worked at Helios and Matheson since 2003. Passions - I am
an Indian classical dancer and teacher; I have performed in India, USA and China. I represented India
in the â€˜Distinguished Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs’ category in the Government of India
delegation to China. I speak 5 languages fluently and am a Governing Council member of the IndoGerman Chamber of Commerce. Serving on the Education Council would provide me an apt platform
to leverage my diverse multi-cultural background to positively impact programs and services that are
foundational to the success of NYC students in college, careers and life.
Candidate
Arnette Scott
DBN: 01M363
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant Member of the advocacy committee at my child's school, The Neighborhood School
Background
Personal My goal is to create and develop a more diverse district for our children and to work hard to ensure
Statement equity of access.
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2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 1
Candidate
Moses Seuram
DBN: 01M034
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant Current Serves on CEC1 as Treasurer.
Background
Personal I have served on NYC Citi-wide Head Start Early Learn at the Leadership level for the past 3 years and
Statement CEC will be continuity of the knowledge and experience that I bring with me. I have a strong financial
background and had great experience for the past two years sitting as an Officer on CEC1. I have an
extensive Leadership back ground with most recent past president of The Long Island Board of
Realtors. (www.LIREALTOR.com). I am a firm believer of Education and it begins at home and
enhanced in the classroom.
Candidate
Michael Stutman
DBN: 01M110
IEP: No
ELL No
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant My wife and I support our school PTA
Background
Personal
Statement
Candidate
Stephanie K. Thompson
DBN: 01M019
Applicant I have served as a member for the CEC District 1 since last November. I also serve on the PTA at my
Background child's school, PS 19 Asher Levy. I sit on the New York City Housing Authority Board. I am also a
volunteer member at University Settlement.
Personal
Statement
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