WELCOME New Faculty & Staff
AMBER ADAMS is the Dance Teacher covering for Kristina King. Amber is a graduate of the University of the North Carolina School of the Arts and Marymount Manhattan College, where she studied ballet, contemporary dance, and theater direction. Alongside performing, Amber has been teaching dance to all ages and levels for 10 years. Her all-male choreographies have performed at Dixon Place Theater and Bridge for Dance in NYC. Most recently, Amber produced a ballet with Gorilla Tango Theater in Chicago, Il. Amber is passionate about continuing dance education and happy to have joined Allen-Stevenson.
MEGHAN GELLING is starting her second year as the School Nurse at Allen-Stevenson. This past spring she was also the assistant coach to the Middle School Track team. She is a graduate of Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, New York, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Meghan previously worked at St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, Long Island. In her spare time, Meghan enjoys reading on her Kindle, watching good movies, going to concerts, and spending quality time with her friends and family. JANET HOROWITZ joined the Business Office at Allen-Stevenson as a Business Associate in August. She previously worked at First Republic Bank as a Banker. Janet is fluent in English and Spanish. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and pets, and likes kickboxing, travel and music.
MARY LESAGE is in her first year as Development Associate at the Allen-Stevenson School and is working with Mary Richter, Sari Nadler, Anthony Kapp, and David Kersey h’98. Mary recently graduated from Fordham University, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree with a double major in English and Psychology. Her interests include running, triathlons, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and reading a good book.
PILAR OKESON joined Allen-Stevenson as a Library Associate in October. She is currently in graduate school working towards her Masters of Library and Information Science at Queens College, with a focus on children's and young adult services. She has been an educator at the New York Botanical Garden's Green School for the past five years and has run early literacy programs at Brooklyn Public Library. She also holds a BFA in Theater from Virginia Commonwealth University. When she's not working with children, she can be found playing guitar and singing original music at open mics. She also loves the beach, swimming, and reading. Pilar is a native of Fredericksburg, Virginia. JESÚS PARRA is in his first year as a Spanish teacher and soccer coach at Allen-Stevenson. Señor Parra is a graduate of Universidad de Sevilla (Spain) and earned his degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Physical Education. He grew up in Spain and loves sports, especially fútbol, being outdoors and discovering new cultures and countries.
SOMPORN “PAUL” PUNNATIN joined Allen-Stevenson this summer and will be working with Monica Matthew in the kitchen. Paul worked at various food establishments in New York City prior to joining Allen-Stevenson. He was born in Bangkok, Thailand. In his free time, Paul enjoys playing guitar, listening to music and spending time with his 13-year-old son.
JACKIE WERTZER joined Allen-Stevenson this year. She will be working with the fifth grade math team and teaching a section of fifth grade math. Ms. Wertzer earned her BA in English from Fordham University and her master’s degree in reading from Hunter College. More recently, Ms. Wertzer spent two years in the Math Leadership program at Bank Street College before completing her second master's degree in Leadership for Educational Change there. In the past, Ms. Wertzer oversaw the development of curriculum and mentored faculty at the Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School and at The Hewitt School. In her free time, Ms. Wertzer enjoys gardening at her house on Long Island, reading, and pursuing her latest in photography. She lives with her husband on the Upper West Side. 20
WIN TER
2 0 1 2