1. education
2. school

2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 21
Candidate
Osvaldo Miguel Jara
DBN: 21k090
IEP: No
84k744
Applicant No he participado en ninguna actividad anteriormente.
ELL No
No
No
DBN: 21b188
IEP: No
ELL No
21b188
No
No
Background
Personal
Statement
Candidate
Magdalena Lebron
Applicant I am an ordained minister and have done community work with all ages during Sandy and after. I am a
Background Coney Island resident and have worked alongside many local organizations in various projects such as
beautification, resiliency, etc.
Personal
Statement
Candidate
Anna Lembersky
DBN: 21x468
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant I have been serving as a Treasurer for PS 99 PTA for 3 years. Prior to my election into an officer
Background status, I have volunteered my time in assisting the PTA with its fundraising activities. I have volunteered
at the Disaster Relief Centers after the Super Storm Sandy assisting victims with the insurance needs as
well as FEMA related issues. I was a delegate on the Councilman Greenfield’s discretionary budget
committee as well as the District 21 President Council’s designee on the CEC. I have been 1st Vice
President for CEC 21 since 2013 thorugh the present.
Personal During the past two years I have been a part of the CEC 21 family. Writing resolutions, attending
Statement meetings within the schools’ communities, meetings with Chancellor Fariña to convey issues facing
our district and just talking to parents and various schools’ leaders became a part of my existence.
Fighting on the co-locations and other issues concerning our community have been more than uplifting
experience. All District 21 community leaders have been unanimous in their view on the current
CEC21 council – we are the strongest and the most successful council in years. I am proud parent of
the child in the District 21 and a proud community leader. If you give me an opportunity to serve
another term on the CEC21 council, I will continue to fight for our children. Thank you.
Candidate
Lara Russo
DBN: 21K095
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IEP: No
ELL No
Page 1 of 7
2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 21
Applicant I Volunteer for school PTA
Background
Personal My Name is Lara Russo, My daughter currently goes to P.S. 095 THE GRAVESEND SCHOOL she
Statement is in the 3rd grade my other daughter will be attending the same school next year for Kindergarten. I
feel like i would be an asset to join NYC education council so I can help make Parents like myself
voices heard. I believe a students education is the most important part of there life. and I would love
the opportunity to help any way I can
Candidate
Aleksandra Sidel
DBN: 21K100
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant Unfortunately, I did not have an opportunity to be involved within the community for my daughter's
Background age group. However, my daughter was an ESL student in K and 1st grade , I was able to help transition
her into general education classes. She is currently above her grade reading level.
Personal As I realize I may not have been of service to my community in this way, I am passionate about getting
Statement involved. My education as well as passion for children and their success makes me a great candidate for
NY City Council. Because my daughter comes from a very successful, great school, I would love to
share with other parents and administrative members on what P.S. 100 is doing. It would be my honor
to serve the community.
Candidate
Keith Wann
DBN: 21B226
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant Have been very involved with Deaf Children nationwide as I am a hearing child of Deaf parents and travel as a Sign
Background Language performer and storyteller. Involved in iTunes Apps that help teach Deaf Children literacy.
Personal As a stay-at-home father I am very involved with my children.
Statement
Candidate
Magdalena Lebron
DBN: 21b188
21b188
IEP: No
ELL No
No
No
Applicant I am an ordained minister and have done community work with all ages during Sandy and after. I am a Coney Island
Background resident and have worked alongside many local organizations in various projects such as beautification, resiliency, etc.
Personal
Statement
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Page 2 of 7
2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 21
Candidate
Aleksandra Sidel
DBN: 21K100
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant Unfortunately, I did not have an opportunity to be involved within the community for my daughter's age group. However, my
Background daughter was an ESL student in K and 1st grade , I was able to help transition her into general education classes. She is
currently above her grade reading level.
Personal As I realize I may not have been of service to my community in this way, I am passionate about getting involved. My
Statement education as well as passion for children and their success makes me a great candidate for NY City Council. Because my
daughter comes from a very successful, great school, I would love to share with other parents and administrative members
on what P.S. 100 is doing. It would be my honor to serve the community.
Candidate
Osvaldo Miguel Jara
DBN: 21k090
IEP: No
ELL No
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant
Background
Personal No he participado en ninguna actividad anteriormente.
Statement
Candidate
Claudia Quintanilla
DBN: 21K153
Applicant
Background
Personal As a parent, we should want to jump at the opportunity to make a difference regarding the education our children receive. If
Statement we don't try to make a difference, then we should not complain when things don't go the way we expect them to. Whether or
not you are select to be part of the Education Council, at least you tried. And that says that you care about your child(ren)'s
education.
Candidate
Umekulsoom Butt
DBN: 21k303
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant i am a co prisednt of PS 253 and try my best to attand all meeting nad work shop in school and out of school, I am very
Background involve in special education i got my disable son,s service through by court. I fight my sons,s case by my self and i won now
my son is getting all service which he needed. In addition i worked as a poll worker in 2013.
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2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 21
Personal I am very socialize and hard worker and want to know how i can help my kids and people to use recources for good and
Statement high education. I also want to know the rights of parents and children.
Candidate
Heather Ann Fiorica
DBN: 21k228
IEP: Yes
ELL No
Applicant I have been involved in the public school community for the past 7 years. In addition to be an advocate in my daughter's
Background education, I served 4 years as Co-Pres. of PS 177 PTA and now am President of IS 228 PTA. I have organized a variety of
fundraisers & social functions for the benefit of the school, children, teachers & parents. I was responsible for adopting bylaws, holding monthly meetings, budgeting, and providing parent outreach. I am an active member of the SLT & DLT and
have worked with parents, teachers, & administrators to make important decisions about the school. I have been the VP &
treasurer of D21's President's Council. I act as a liaison to PTAs throughout our district. I provide assistance to PTAs by
providing guidance on complying with Chancellor's regulations, bylaws, observing elections, developing new parent leaders.
I am a volunteer, certified Parent Member of the DOE, which gives me the opportunity to educate and assist parents with
the IEP process. I have been a member of CEC 21 for 4 years and currently I am the President. I have been very active
with my fellow members in supporting our children, schools, families and teachers of our district.
Personal I would like to continue serving on the CEC because I am committed to the future of our public school system and the
Statement issues faced by students. There is a certain depth of understanding that comes from personal experience. My daughter has
struggled academically due to neurological disorders. I believe the hook that lured me into parental advocacy was my
experiences advocating for my daughter's future, dedicating myself to doing what had to be done to ensure that she could
reach her potential. I faced uninformed specialists who were capable of seeing nothing more than limitations. I learned
about the creative and proactive use of self in facing problems that need solutions. As the parent of a child with special
needs, I am particularly sensitive to the needs of underrepresented groups. I would like to continue being a part of a forum
designed for promoting achievement and influencing educational programs. Previous leadership opportunities have
provided a strong foundation that would make me an effective candidate for service. I am passionate about our school
system. I work well with others, am interested in establishing educational policy, and becoming better informed about issues
faced by students in the NYC Public schools.
Candidate
SEAN CHIN
DBN: 21K097
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant Current active (2 year) member of Community Education Council District 21 serving as 2nd Vice President. Established
Background solid working relationships with CEC member colleagues, District administrators, PTA and SLT members, and UFT
leadership.
Personal Education involves commitment from all sides - parents, students, teachers, administrators, etc. As a parent, I am
Statement committed to my children's education, offering all the help that our family can provide. As a parent education council
member, I would like to ensure our policies and future policies comply with the mission statement of the education system. I
advocate a common sense approach to policies / standards as we strive for equity and fairness across the NYC school
system.
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2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 21
Candidate
Anne Polizzi
DBN: 21K177
IEP: No
ELL No
21K177
21K177
No
Yes
No
No
Applicant I have been volunteering at PS 177 since 2009 when my son was in Kindergarten. I have served on the PS 177 PTA as CoBackground President for 2 terms and Recording Secretary of 1 term. I am currently serving on the PS 177 PTA once again as
Recording Secretary. In addition to snack sales, fundraisers, etc I have co-chaired the school senior prom & annual auction
for 3 years. I have been a member of the PS 177 School Leadership Team for the past 3 years. I along with my copresident was awarded the PS 177 Parent Volunteer of the Year Award in 2010 and the Bensonhurst West End Community
Council (BWECC) Parent of the Year Award in 2014.
Personal I was born in Kowloon, Hong Kong, and moved with my family to Brooklyn, NY when I was 5 years old. I attended public
Statement school from K through High School. I attended college and currently I am the Assistant Vice President of Compliance and
Producer Licensing for an insurance company. I am also on the company charity committee where we have given grants to
many well deserved non-profit organizations. My husband is currently serving on the PS 177 PTA as Vice President, my
son is in 5th with an IEP, and my daughter is in 2nd grade Gifted and Talented program. It is my passion over the years to
work collaboratively with school staff and parents to insure all students receive and benefit from a consistent, quality
learning experience that takes into account the individual needs of all students. As a parent and the PS 177 Recording
Secretary I highly value parental engagement and believe that participation is vital to provide an excellent educational
experience for all children.
Candidate
NATALYA Y MATKEVICH
DBN: 21K215
IEP: No
ELL No
DBN: 06M540
IEP: No
ELL No
06M540
21K303
21K303
No
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
Applicant
Background
Personal
Statement
Candidate
Aisuluu Nurbekovna Sartbaeva
Applicant PTA president
Background
Personal I am a parent, and i PTA President in school IS 303 almost 2 years. And i see how hard work teachers
Statement of my kids, for given more opportunities, and teach our children. I am gonna keep going to help
schools and teachers. Also i want to be bridge between parents and teachers. I know how difficult
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Page 5 of 7
2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 21
for parents and teachers speciali if it is English as second language, because we are come from our
country we have two languages Russia and native Kyrgyz and we need to learn English. And i will
working for our children and parents for helping him learn more and easily.
Candidate
Marianne Russo
DBN: 13K430
IEP: No
ELL No
21k215
21k215
No
Yes
No
No
Applicant Citywide Council for High School Brooklyn Representative for Districts 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, and 21. from 2013-2015.
Background .CCHS Co-Chair of the Capital Plan committee for 2015. CCHS parent representative at District Leadership Teams in
Districts, 13.13.15.17.18.20. and 21. CPAC representative for D 21 from 2012-2015. PTA Co-President for IS 98 2012-2014
.CEC 21 Council Member 2010-20111. PTA Secretary 2008-2010 P.S.215 PTA Co-President 2006-2009.Learning Leader
volunteer 2001-2007. PS 215 School Leadership Team member 2001-2015.
Personal As a Brooklyn Representative of the Citywide Council for HS I have advocated and been a voice for High School students
Statement and their needs. As a member of CCHS I am the Co-Chair of the Capital Plan Committee. organizing and coordinating the
capital needs of NYC High Schools. I have been involved in representing the parents' voice in school closure hearings. I
spoke for parent's rights at Joint Public Hearings. I will advocate for all students in NYC High Schools. I wish to accurately
convey information regarding changes that impact High School students and their educational rights. I strongly believe the
importance of parents' voice in the new policies being enacted by DOE. As a parent of four children two of which are now
attending college I have knowledge and experience of the issues facing children and parents. I am a former ELL student
and have personally experienced the issues that face immigrant families. Thank you for the opportunity to serve High
School students and advocate on their behalf.
Candidate
Aisuluu Nurbekovna Sartbaeva
DBN: 06M540
IEP: No
ELL No
No
No
21K303
Applicant IS303 volunteer media education after school, also CCELL member
Background
Personal I am a parent, and i PTA President in school IS 303 almost 2 years. And i see how hard work teachers of my kids, for given
Statement more opportunities, and teach our children. I am gonna keep going to help schools and teachers. Also i want to be bridge
between parents and teachers. I know how difficult for parents and teachers speciali if it is English as second language,
because we are come from our country we have two languages Russia and native Kyrgyz and we need to learn English.
And i will working for our children and parents for helping him learn more and easily. Present I am CCELL member.
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Page 6 of 7
2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 21
Candidate
MINIRE SEFERAJ
DBN: 21K348
32K168
19K769
IEP: No
ELL No
No
No
No
No
Applicant I am a former PTA President and Secretary for MS.534 in Bedford Stuyvesant. I also attended school safety meetings held
Background in the school, sat in on behalf of the principal. I also attended meetings a Learning Leader.
Personal I am a single mother of four children, who at one time fell victim to domestic violence. I have struggled as a single parent
Statement through domestic violence shelters. however found the time to advocate on Education, Domestic Violence and many other
platforms I feel strongly about. I believe parents have the ability to give their point of views as well as being a strong
candidate, I am determined to make a change for our future generations.
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Page 7 of 7