1. education
2. english as a second language

2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 28
Candidate
Olga Addsion
DBN: 28Q121
IEP: Yes
ELL No
Applicant
Background
Personal I'm a grandmother raising my granddaughter. I'm 2nd VP on the CEC now. I'm active in the PTA. I'm
Statement a member of a grandparents group called GEAR, grandparents raising their grandchildren. I want to be
a activist for our children. They need us to fight for them. They need us to speak and protect them. I
think I have a unique point of view representing grandparents.
Candidate
Akm Amran
DBN: 28Q217
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant 2000-2001 York College Jamaica, New York Bachelor of Science, Management Information Systems
Background 1997-2000 Queen’s Borough College Bayside, New York Associate of Science, Computer Information
Systems Bangladesh Club Bangladesh Club Vice President Club Senator 2000-2001 1997-1999 York
College Queens Borough Community College Jamaica, New York Bayside, New York
Personal
Statement
Candidate
Most Naznin Begum
DBN: 28Q182
IEP: No
ELL Yes
28Q182
Yes
Yes
Applicant I am working with the Pre-K children who needs Special Education.It's really very hard to reach their
Background IEP goal.Our school mission is to provide the quality education for the children and supportive services
for their families through nurturing environment.Our staff goal is language,math,science,gross motor
and fine motor skill,social and emotional development.We have some behavioral issue.We handle it
by following the behavioral protocol.Pre-school and UPK program are very helpful to the students to
have them ready for public school.It's really very important.
Personal Teacher Assistant
Statement
Candidate
Shana Brannigan
DBN: 28Q054
IEP: No
ELL No
28Q217
No
No
Applicant
Background
Personal
Statement
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Page 1 of 9
2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 28
Candidate
Vanessa Caesar
DBN: 28Q354
IEP: No
ELL No
28Q354
Yes
No
Applicant As the former program coordinator of the Greater Allen Cathedral, Girls Rites of Passage program, I
Background was responsible for planning a 2 year calendar of events for girls ages 13-17. During the years of 20062008, I matched 20 mentors with 25 girls and we interacted in various on site activities as well as off site
plays and community out reach programs. Currently I am a African dance teacher to over 50 children
under the age of 10 at the Innervisions Theater Arts Center in Jamaica.
Personal
Statement
Candidate
Renata Dadabayeva
DBN: 28Q175
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant I have not participated in school related activities. I did however, chaperone school trips.
Background
Personal Being selected for NYC education counsel will give me the chance to impove how my children's school
Statement district works.
Candidate
Nina M Doster
DBN: 28Q140
IEP: No
ELL No
28Q160
No
No
Applicant I am member of the PTA at PS 160 and I currently serve on the CEC28. I am the treasurer os the
Background PTA at PS 140 and Im on the School Leadership team.
Personal My name is Nina M. Doster and I am a parent of 5 lovely children. I currently serve D28 CEC while
Statement serving on the PTA at both of my childrens schools and also the School leadership team. I enjoy
serving my community and Im very active in the Baisley Park houses community events. I fight hard for
Quality Education for all students in NYC public schools and Im looking forward to making a
difference another term with my current CEC.
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Page 2 of 9
2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 28
Candidate
Cheryl Dunn-Rochelle
DBN: 28Q680
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant I parent of a son in middle school and am currently a Community Education Council Member for
Background District 29. I have been a member since July 2012. I am currenty hold the postion of President and I
have previously served as Treasurer and 1st Vice President. I am servicing on the capital plan, zoning,
sceince fair and personnal committees. I am a learning leader parent who volunteers time in my son
school activites. I attend the superintendent district leadership team(DLT), Queens Borough President,
The Division fo Family and community engagement Briefing, PTA, SLT and chancellor meeting. I
also attend Panel for Educatinal Policy public hearings. I have advocated for Middle school choice
wihich was voted in. I has taking part in lobby day in Albany to disucss school co-lcation, closing/phase
outs of schoos. I am a member of the Queens Community PTSA and have served two years as PTA
president and three years on the SLT at my son's elementary school. In the past have volunteer my
time with the Cambria Hieghts Sports Asscoication and currently is a Team Adminstrator with the
Positive Direction Basketball Organization.
Personal I would like to continue serving in the Community Education Council, becasue parents, students, and
Statement administrators are the key stackholders that cant work together to prepare our children for career and
college readiness. I will give my commitment to CEC28 parents, students and teacher in achieving thier
goals. I also look forward in working with other community stakeholders with the same goals that would
impact the education of our children. I am a involved parents who wants to be part of playing an
essential role in shaping education policies for the NYC public schools.
Candidate
Gary Frazier
DBN: 28Q140
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant PTA President at my Childs school and active in my community .
Background
Personal I appreciate the opportunity every time that I am afforded it to be an asset to helping my children and
Statement all children in the pursuit of right education and rights in general. I hold dear to my heart the task
ahead of me as a parent with 3 children in college and 6 on the way that the pathway is made clear as I
can make it. Let my legacy be that I care.
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Page 3 of 9
2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 28
Candidate
Maria G. Fuentes
DBN: 28Q182
Applicant
Background
Personal
Statement
IEP: Yes
ELL No
28Q182
Yes
No
28Q680
No
No
I have served as a PTA President, VP and held SLT seats at PS 182 and PS 86. I have also worked as a
volunteer in both schools as well as Queens Gateway. I was also the Chairperson at my child's
daycare(Concerned Parents of Jamaica) a few years back. As PTA we held workshops along with the
Parent Coordinators and Social Worker specifically to help with academics as well as social issues in
the community. We had our first 5th grade graduation last year for PS 182 which was a success.
Working along with the wonderful 5th grade teachers who took time from their already busy schedule
to organize along with us fundraising activities and more. We helped, and funded refreshments for the
Asthma group held by the school nurse Ms Sandy. I have also served a CEC member for D28 for the
past 3 years, one of them serving as the Recording Secretary for the CEC.
I am a parent of 4 Special Needs children who are in public schools, district 28. I have been a member
of this community for 21 years now. I was born in Ecuador but my home is in Jamaica NY. I take pride
in being a volunteer and helping throughout my community. My passion is helping parents who have
challenges dealing with the system in various ways. I have been a CEC member for D28 for the past 3
years and I love the changes that are able to be made through a group effort and working together with
different entities. My reason for volunteering for this position are my kids, the kids from my
community, I want to make sure their future is brighter no matter how hard the path is, baby steps are
better than no steps. What drives me is a strong desire to make a change, a difference and be part of
that, to see the smile in the parents faces and the kids when things are moving forward; also because it is
not a perfect world to be able to listen to the person or family that needs help and be able to direct
them the right way. I enjoy making a difference.
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Page 4 of 9
2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 28
Candidate
Yinghua Guo
DBN: 28Q174
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant As a working mom, I try to be creative when participate in my daughter’s school activity. When my
Background daughter first went to kindergarten, she came back home crying and said her classmates laughed at her
being Chinese. I realized that I need to be actively engaged in her school and influence her friends
besides spending time with her at home. When it was Chinese New Year time, I came up with a
Chinese Culture Exposure program in her class and invited my daughter to be my assistant to carry out
the program. We had an awesome time! The kids loved learning writing Chinese characters, practicing
Chinese New Year etiquette's to each other, and singing Chinese songs. My daughter later told me her
friends think Chinese are really cool. I was happy for the kids. I strongly believe the seeds for culture
exposure planted at early ages will grow into respect for people regardless their looks, the constructive
attitudes to solve the problems together, and appreciation for nature, arts and world heritage. These are
the attributes for happy people and our next generation global leaders. NYC has the best platform to
raise these global leaders. My fellow parents, let’s join forces!
Personal I grew up in China and came to U.S. for graduate school. While improving English and keeping native
Statement Chinese have been a constant challenge, I enjoy stepping out of the comfort zone and tapping into the
wealth of culture heritage. I realized the importance of learning multiple languages more profoundly
after my daughter was born. We shared hearty laughter and the joy of silly comments after reading
books only because we both can travel between two languages, even though sometimes clumsily.
Looking back those moments are wonderful memories. Looking forward I see the power of educating
kids with multiple languages: we are raising future global leaders who will be opened minded and
embrace the differences while being constructive to solve the problems together. The strengths of them
are from the broad culture exposures from their early ages. If I’m elected, I’ll set up programs to help
kids to be more confident and engaged learning English as a second language. I’ll help keeping the
original culture and heritage as part of kids’ life. I’ll further promote diversity as the strengths of our
community and America. Help kids to be more worldly and responsible global leaders. Let's join forces
to shape the future of our kids!
Candidate
Todd Holden
DBN: 28Q303
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant I have been active in our PA and as a class parent at our school. Many years ago, I volunteered as a
Background teenager to teach English as a Second Language at my local public library.
Personal I have had an interest in best ways to educate since I volunteered over 25 years ago as a teenager to
Statement teach English as a Second Language at my local public library. Soon after that, I started working after
school as a private tutor, and soon came to realize I was achieving only limited success, even in one-onone situations. Since then, I have worked in various industry and post-secondary education settings, and
have learned greatly about what works in education (mostly hands-on interactive exercises, with
purpose). I would like this opportunity to help our excellent and dedicated educators of our children. I
have a Ph.D. in physics and am knowledgeable in science education at the College level (but not at the
elementary level at present). I currently am and Associate Professor at CUNY's Queensborough
Community College.
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Page 5 of 9
2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 28
Candidate
Nicole Hunter
DBN: 28Q157
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant Sat on committee for empire beauty school for mentoring
Background
Personal
Statement
Candidate
Maria Kaufer
DBN: 28Q101
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant I have served on the Executive Board of P.S. 101Q's Parent's Association, Inc. for 4 years now, 3 as the
Background Co-Treasurer and 1 as the Second Vice President. I continue to volunteer on the Head Check Team as
well as for all of the PA's fundraising events. I also volunteer for activities with which the school
administration requests parental assistance (e.g., Read Across America volunteer, School Survey
volunteer). I previously served as a Recess Volunteer.
Personal I have served on the Executive Board of P.S. 101Q's Parent's Association, Inc. for 4 years now, 3 as the
Statement Co-Treasurer and 1 as the Second Vice President. I also continue to volunteer on the Head Check
Team as well as for all of the PA's fundraising events. Additionally, I volunteer for activities with which
the school administration requests parental assistance (e.g., Read Across America volunteer, School
Survey volunteer). It would be my honor and pleasure to serve on District 28's Community Education
Council, where I can dedicate myself to supporting not just the students and families of PS 101 but also
of the entire district in their efforts to obtain a quality education for all of the children of District 28.
Candidate
Elizabeth Le
DBN: 28Q144
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant Class mom/ assists Teacher throughout year Lunch room helper
Background
Personal
Statement
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2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 28
Candidate
Yu-Cheng Lin
DBN: 28Q196
IEP: No
ELL Yes
28Q196
No
Yes
Applicant From 2008-2011, planned a series of Taiwan cultural workshops for young people from around the
Background world.
Personal I would like to try to participate in skill studies and understandings. I believe that understanding and
Statement acknowledgement come from engagement! I am from Taiwan! I would do my best to achieve mutual
understanding and appreciation of different cultures and truly realize the value of cultural diversity!
Candidate
Svetlana Mouleeva
DBN: 28Q139
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant I have BA and BS in performing arts. I used to work as a teacher in music school and Music College . I
Background got my AS in Science from CUNY and finishing BBA @ Baruch College. I used to work with children
of all ages from 5 to 17 and have extensive experience in working well with children and teaching them.
Personal I will do my best to succeed in promoting student achievement, advising and commenting on
Statement educational policies, and providing input to the Chancellor and the Panel for Educational Policy on
matters of concern to the district. I will do my best to attend all meetings and perform assigned duties
to the best of my abilities.
Candidate
Arnold Mullgrav
DBN: 28Q284
IEP: No
ELL No
IEP: Yes
ELL No
Applicant NONE
Background
Personal CURRENTLY SIT ON THE CEC 12
Statement
Candidate
Toni Reynolds-Peterson
DBN: 28Q310
Applicant I was the PTA Vice President at my son’s private school for 2 years, 2005 - 2007 and the President
Background from 2007-2009. I have attended several special educational programs.
Personal I was the PTA Vice President at my son’s private school for 2 years, 2005 - 2007 and the President
Statement from 2007-2009. I have attended several special educational programs. I attend regular meetings at my
son’s current school. Making sure children get all the programs and necessary material required for
them to succeed is my main objective.
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2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 28
Candidate
Kristine Singh
DBN: 28Q121
IEP: Yes
ELL No
Applicant Participated in school field trips, physical, occupational, speech therapy.
Background
Personal I am applying for this position with my daughter in mind. She has been such an inspiration in
Statement overcoming struggles with her Cerebral Palsy. I would like to make a difference and help other parents
of special needs children and children that are receiving general education. Our children are our future
and I would like for them to have the best opportunities available to them.
Candidate
Howard Slewett
DBN: 28Q117
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant PTA President and/or Co-President for 7 years (PS 117) PTA Vice President. Presidents Council
Background President, Co-President, Vice President, Treasurer (District 28) Title I Representative for 3 years (PS
117) Former jr high and elementary school teacher Little league manager and coach
Personal I have been a parent in District 28 for 11 years. Three of my children have attended PS 117, a Title I
Statement school with a diverse student body that speaks more than two dozen languages and comes from many
different cultures. As a 7-year PTA president/co-president, I have gained a lot of knowledge and
experience, and was able to help parents,children and the school with many important issues and
concerns. I was also able to implement and volunteer with popular programs, including, sports, theatre,
and academic enrichment. As Presidents Council president, I was privileged to visit different schools
and help with elections, as well as advise other PTA presidents on issues of concern. I have attended
CEC meetings on a regular basis for the last 9 years, and have engaged in conversation with many
principals and PTA presidents in District 28, as well as many politicians and Department of Education
officials. I would like to bring my knowledge and experience to the CEC and help all the schools and
students of District 28.
Candidate
Todd Teichman
DBN: 28Q174
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant I have participated in meals on wheels, coaching for little league and soccer
Background
Personal I will work hard to make sure that all of the students best interests come first. Education is the single
Statement most important thing we can do to insure the prosperity of this country. These children are our future
and I want to make sure that they will have every opportunity to reach their true potential. This is the
formative years for these children and I will make sure they get off to a great start.
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2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 28
Candidate
Craig Weiner
DBN: 28Q144
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant For the past 8 years I have worked in the education field, particularly dedicated to low-income
Background communities, including communities of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. As someone who has a
hearing impairment and as the brother of someone who is deaf, I am also particularly committed to the
educational opportunities for students with disabilities.
Personal I believe that students and families of District 28 all deserve an excellent education. Whether our
Statement students live in Forest Hills or Jamaica, each family must feel confident that the district is doing all it
can to ensure educational justice for all. I have dedicated the past 8 years of my life to working with
students and teachers in low-income communities who want the opportunity to succeed. I am
committed to ensuring that the perspectives of all of our students and their families are represented
fairly. Our district is a beautiful mix of diversity that can be used to make our education system rich
with possibility. My daughter is in Kindergarten at PS144, a wonderful school with many resources. I
want to be a part of the Community Education Council in District 28 to make sure that all of our
students have an opportunity to attend great schools that will not only allow them to graduate, but that
will inspire them to greatness and their hopes and dreams. It would be an honor to represent the
families of District 28.
Candidate
Marie M Winkler
DBN: 28Q101
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant I have worked with the school system in Oregon for over 10 years, also have worked in school before
Background and after school programs as a director. I currently work as a behavior therapist with children who
suffer from autism using ABA techniques. I'm also an army service member who serve my country, I
believe that my credentials and experience would be great assets for the board. I'm very passionate
about seeing our education system being better, not only as a parent but also as someone who wants a
great future for our children and their future generation.
Personal
Statement
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Page 9 of 9