Christina Reyes

Christina founded Inwood Academy for Leadership in 2009. She successfully lobbied for a change in New York State law allowing the school to give preference in the application lottery to students who speak English as a second language. Today, the school continues to reserve 50% of enrollment each year for English Language Learners, and she and her co-founders have built a differentiated learning environment and community-based school culture that serves the distinct needs of each and every member of the student body. Christina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary English and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Columbia University’s Teachers College and has four years of classroom experience teaching 6th through 8th grades in Inwood and Washington Heights. She has worked as an educational specialist for World Vision, an international non-profit organization working towards community development in New York City. Christina lives in Rockland County with her husband, Edward Reyes, a New York City Police Officer, and their children, Anne and Seth.

Jenny Pichardo

Jenny joins Inwood Academy from the International Leadership Charter High School (ILCHS). At ILCHS she secured a $17.5 municipal bond financing for a new facility, becoming the first NYC charter school to secure funding through Build NYC. Prior to joining the charter community, Jenny worked in the financial sector for over 14 years. She began her Wall Street career in 1997, working at Muriel Siebert & Co. Inc., in the firm’s retail division. In 1999, she joined Siebert Capital Markets, working directly with the managing director and assisting the sales force and traders with equity, fixed income and mutual fund trades. From 2001 to 2009, she was Vice President—promoted from AVP in 2005—of the Institutional Equity Sales and Trading Division and developed and managed institutional relationships at Utendahl Capital Partners, LLC. Jenny graduated Magna Cum Laude and received her BA in Economics from Lehman College. She previously held FINRA Series 7, 24, 55, 63, 65 and NY State Insurance Licenses. Jenny is a Washington Heights Native and is married to Zoilo Pichardo. She is the mother of two children, Ethan and Abigail.

Bianca Mercedes

Bianca was a founding faculty member of Inwood Academy. During her time at IAL, she served as a Math Teacher and Dean of Students. She started her career in education in 2003. Since then she has worked in the private, public, and charter sectors serving in various capacities including, General and Special Education Teacher, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, and most recently Principal of a private school. Bianca holds a Masters’s Degree in Special and General Education and is certified in Special Education. Bianca is a first-generation American, born and raised in NYC, and has been serving in the Inwood community for close to 20 years. She is married to Smil Mercedes and has two children, Isaiah and Ianna.

Gaayathry Thiyagarajah

Elizabeth Araya

Elizabeth Araya (Ms.Elly) began her career in education in 2000 working in various capacities including Director of after school program, Preschool lead teacher, SEIT (Special Education Itinerant Therapist) , and began at IAL in 2021 as the Middle School IEP Coordinator. Elizabeth holds a Bachelors of Science in Youth Ministry and Psychology from Nyack College and a Dual Masters of Science in Early Childhood Birth-2nd in General Education & Special Education from Touro College. In addition, Elizabeth is certified in both General and Special education.

Elizabeth was born and raised in the Bronx and has an 8 year old daughter. She is very proud of what her parents were able to accomplish as immigrants from Costa Rica. She has served in the Inwood community on and off for close to 20 years and is eager to contribute to the development and growth of Inwood Academy.

Steven Brady

Steve began his career at Inwood Academy in 2013, as a seventh and eighth grade social studies teacher. He also served as the Social Studies Department Head and Content Specialist before moving into his current role. Steve believes a quality education involves a blend of content knowledge, critical thinking, and literacy skills. He comes to Inwood Academy with more than five years of nonprofit and higher education experience, working as an academic program manager. He received dual degrees from Boston University’s School of Education: a Bachelor’s of Secondary History Education and a Masters of Policy, Planning and Administration with a focus on Community Education.

Catherine Jaworskyj

Catherine Jaworskyj started at Inwood Academy in 2017 as a 5th grade ELA and Literacy teacher before moving into her current role as Literacy Director. Prior to moving to NYC, Catherine served as a middle school ELA and Social Studies teacher in New Jersey. Catherine believes that all students deserve a rigorous, engaging, and culturally responsive curriculum that is rooted in the science of reading and best practices. She strives to help teachers create a love of reading and writing in all students while providing them the direct support and instruction they need. Catherine received her B.S. in Education from the University of Delaware and her M.A. in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University. In August 2020, Catherine completed her M.Ed. in School Building Leadership as a member of the 2019 cohort of the Summer Principals Academy at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Katherine Cuateco

Katherine Cuateco holds a Masters degree in Childhood Education & Special Education from Touro College. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership & Organizational Innovation from Marymount University. Katherine joined Inwood Academy as a 7th grade Math teacher in 2017 and has taken on leadership roles like serving as Summer School Director in 2020, 2022 and 2023. In addition, Katherine has been serving as PSW’s Educational Specialist since 2019. She has pursued her development as a leader by attending trainings like Art of Coaching and Leading in Times of Crisis through Bright Morning.

Giselle Tejada

Giselle joined Inwood Academy in 2015, as the Middle School Social Worker before transitioning into her current role as the Director of Academic Student Services. Giselle has over 10 years of experience serving our communities and youth. Giselle has worked in various nonprofit organizations providing college access and resources to youth in NYC public High Schools across the five boroughs. Giselle is a strong believer in that providing access, resources, and social/emotional support contributes to catapulting students in achieving their academic and vocational goals. Giselle obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She currently holds two masters; a Masters of Social Work (LMSW) from Adelphi University and a Masters in Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health from the University of South Florida. Giselle was born and raised in the Washington Heights area of New York City.

Ana Rodriguez

Ana is entering her 7th year at Inwood Academy. During her time here, she has served as a teacher, dean, Director of School Culture, Assistant Director and now the High School Co-interim Director. She has years of experience in the public and charter sectors as well as having worked for several education-centered organizations. Before her teaching career began, Ana completed a bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Fordham University and recently returned to the school to complete her Master’s in School Building Leadership. Ana was born in the Dominican Republic but has the privilege to also call herself a New Yorker having been raised in, and currently residing in the Bronx.

Alyssa Strykers

Alyssa Strykers joined Inwood Academy in 2019 as a High School Math Teacher. She has made develop her leadership growth to Director of Academic Intervention Services to now the High School Co-Interim Director during her 10th year in Education. She is very passionate about making sure all students receive the support they need to be and feel successful at school and beyond. Before joining Inwood Academy, Alyssa taught Math in the South Bronx as well as ELA and Math for a small group of students in Boston, MA. Alyssa is a 2015 Citizen Schools Americorp alumna. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Education from Davidson College and a Master’s of Education in Moderate Special Needs from Boston College. She is an Inwood native and current resident and is glad to be working in the neighborhood.

Jesinta Blaylock

Simone Smith

Simone Smith, a New York native, is a proud educator of 10 years. She is committed to providing students with opportunities to enhance their academic and personal growth. In her previous role, Simone led post-secondary initiatives at a Charter High School in Chicago. Her mission is to positively impact our world by helping young people develop both their minds and hearts. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Delaware State University and master’s degree from Northwestern University. She recently completed her coursework at DePaul University towards her Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and is currently working on her dissertation.

Erica Reyes

Erica was formerly employed at Gap Inc. for 13 years, spending the last 10 as a store manager for the highest volume store in NYC’s North Market. She spent much of her time leading the store team in meeting sales goals, customer service targets, and Operating and Human Resources objectives through execution, coaching, and accountability. Erica is a native of Washington Heights and is the mother of two, Jonelvis and Adel.

Kevin Garcia

Before joining Inwood Academy, Kevin was working in operations for five years at both traditional NYC public schools and public charter schools, and most recently as an operations manager for KIPP NYC College Prep. He chose the field of education rather than the corporate industry route because he felt he would make a bigger impact in life by helping children in troubled communities. Kevin received a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Accounting from Fordham University. He was born and raised, and currently still lives, in The Bronx.

Alina Ramirez

Alina Ramirez is the Director of Finance at Inwood Academy for Leadership. With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the City College of New York and a Master of Science in Accounting from Syracuse University, she possesses a unique blend of financial expertise and a passion for education. Born and raised in Inwood, her deep connection to the community fuels her commitment to promoting socio-emotional health and equity in education. Since joining Inwood Academy in 2010, she has played a pivotal role in IAL’s  growth and success, ensuring responsible financial management and supporting the school’s mission of providing quality education for all.

Mary Hackett

Mary began working at Inwood Academy in 2012 as a fifth-grade special education teacher. She transitioned into teaching History and English and was a founding member of Inwood Academy High School. Mary is impassioned working with the students and teachers at Inwood Academy. Her focus on student growth has been based on close collaboration with her peers. She is grateful to continue to work with exceptional faculty as their instructional leader of the High School. Prior to joining Inwood Academy Mary worked in New York City’s District 75 Schools where she served students with special needs and is a Cohort 20 New York City Teaching Fellow.

Claire Riccardi

Claire began her teaching career in 1996 as a high school social studies and humanities teacher in midtown and East Harlem. She then spent eighteen years in school design, development and support. As a core member of CUNY K-16’s Early College Initiative, she developed and supported multiple early college schools, grades 6-12. In 2012, she helped to develop and launch the PTECH early college and career model in New York City for grades 9-14. After serving as the Associate Director of the Early College Initiative, Claire went on to design a progressive high school model for another charter school in New York City.

She now serves as the Director of Curriculum & Instruction for Inwood Academy for Leadership. Claire believes that rigorous, engaging and creative curriculum is at the heart of excellent schools, and that collaborative learning communities transform young people’s lives.

She is married to James Ford and has one daughter, Madeleine. Claire holds a Masters in the Teaching of Social Studies from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Tatiana Mahoney

Prior to joining Inwood Academy in 2018, Tatiana worked for Operation Exodus, a nonprofit that provides children with tutoring and faith-based mentoring. For eleven years, she helped to ensure that every Operation Exodus family received support based on their individual needs, to empower them to become positive role models at home and strong advocates for their children at school. She served as the Chair for the English as New Language Committee for the Community Education Council at District 6, worked for CBS News as a web producer, and at Parents Magazine as an assistant editor.  As an immigrant from Columbia, Tatiana was an English Language Learner at nineteen and can relate to the challenges students and their families face when they come to this country willing to excel yet unable to communicate.  She lives in Washington Heights with her husband Matt and their children, Lily, Patrick and Matteo.

Dr. Jason Marchena

Dr. Jason Marchena joined Inwood Academy in 2013 and served as a teacher for Physical Education and Health and the Director of Enrichment for the middle school before taking on his current role as head of athletics for the middle and high school. Prior to joining the team, he worked as a Physical Education Teacher at Inwood’s Manhattan Christian Academy. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Exercise Science at Cedarville University and his Master’s in Business Administration at Jones International University. Jason was born and raised in northern Manhattan. He and his wife, Laura Marchena, live in Washington Heights.

Denise Hykes

Denise comes to this role with over thirty years of working with youth and their families in Washington Heights and Inwood. She enjoys helping youth find their unique gifting in life and seeking ways to empower them to accomplish their goals. Her experience includes teaching Middle School Math and English, initiating youth service projects (locally, nationally, and internationally), coaching basketball teams of all ages, coordinating youth ministry at a local church, directing summer camps, developing and empowering current young leaders in our community and school, and networking with other youth service providers in the Heights. She has her Masters in Urban Youth Culture and seeks to build on the solid foundation that has been laid by the previous Inwood Academy afterschool directors.