Preschool Teacher

Katie MacBride

Katie MacBride is a third-year teacher at LWA, graduating from Brooklyn College with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Minor in Child Youth Studies. She has a goal to become a guidance counselor and to understand and work with each child’s needs. This will be her third year in the preschool classroom at LWA. 

She has worked hands-on with infants and young children while babysitting, as well as remote learning over past school years. She has five years’ experience working in childcare— your child will grow and learn using many different strategies. She loves to be creative and outgoing. Katie is living in Brooklyn, New York.

Preschool Teacher

Lindsay Breslauer

Kindergarten Teacher

Kelly Sharpe

Grade 1 Teacher

Yasmeen Ramos

2nd Grade Teacher

Lindsey Dana

Lindsey Dana has been part of the Lawrence Woodmere Academy community for many years. She worked at our Summer Day program for nearly ten summers and graduated from LWA in 2018, where her love for education started. Lindsey is eager to return to her roots and is ready to start her first year as part of the LWA faculty. Lindsey is joining LWA as a 2nd grade teacher for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. Lindsey has experience working in Special Education and teaching students with Autism and Neurodevelopmental Delays. Lindsey is a current graduate student studying Early Childhood Education (Birth – Grade 2) and Special Education. Lindsey is very excited to take on this new role and continue to guide and enhance the lives of her students in an extraordinary way. Lindsey is also looking forward to working with the wonderful and supportive families we have here at LWA to help make their child’s educational journey superior. Lindsey believes that children are unique and learn in countless ways and need a creative and nurturing educational environment where they can grow and develop  physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. Lindsey will ensure that each student enters a safe, warm and welcoming classroom where they can reach their potential and feel confident. Lindsey enjoys reading, going to the beach, and attending Orange Theory classes. 

Grade 3/4 Teacher

Kamil Lowe

All LS Grades Teacher

Sheena Falloon

Grade 5 Teacher

Lauren Hill

MS Science Teacher

Alexis Charles

I am thrilled to bring science to life at the Lawrence Woodmere Academy. I am a proponent for inquiry based, student guided, collaborative, and active learning.  I elicit excitement from my students with my passion, vigor, and my proclivity for exciting learning experiences. I am a science teacher that will provide your child with the hands-on, discovery based learning experiences necessary to excel in science.

I am enthusiastic and eager to lend my talents and passions to the students at this prestigious academy. I have taught for the past 8 years in the public school system. In that time, I have jumped feet first into the world of science research, and I have exposed my students to the world of competitive science research in the process. 

I am part of a research team with a SUNY research professor (Professor Michaelson) and presently hold the title of traveling research scholar in  multiple research projects. I have networked with several research institutions, including Brookhaven National Lab, in order to procure novel learning experiences for my students. I help students put together their student resumes and applications for summer research internships. 

I’ve taught violin and viola privately for 16 years. That experience taught me how to approach and inspire each child as a unique individual. I frequently utilize labs and demonstrations to allow young scientists to “learn by doing.” I can guide the young scientists under your care such that they can be career, college ready, scientifically literate individuals. Aside from the violin and viola, I love to crochet, watch and read anime, video games, comic books, and board games. I am so excited to have a great year of science and fun here art Lawrence Woodmere Academy. 

Humanities Teacher (6th-8th Grade)

Justin Ellis

 Justin is a lifelong history enthusiast. From a young age he absorbed all the information of history he could find. Although he was not initially a strong reader and writer, that did not stop him from pursuing his passion of history. Through hard work, determination, and inspiration from great teachers he was able to triumph over his learning difficulties and unlock the stories of the past. As an educator he encourages his students to learn from the struggles of the past, while also inspiring them to see themselves as agents of change. In his classroom, history is not just a set of dates and important figures to memorize; rather history is an ever evolving story of multiple perspectives and voices that should be understood and analyzed. In his classroom, students are equipped with the skills they will need to not only understand the past, but to critically analyze sources and come to conclusions based on the information presented to them. Students are encouraged to share their perspectives backed up by evidence and engage in thoughtful conversation with one another. Additionally, Justin utilizes project based learning to engage students on a deeper level and make history relevant and meaningful to their lives.  

Justin hopes to inspire a love and appreciation of history within his students. The understanding of history and where we come from as a people and the stories of our communities are essential ingredients to our identity. He wants his students to gain important life skills and lessons that they can take from his classroom and apply it to their daily life and into the future. By focusing on important skills such as reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing  students will be equipped with the tools they need to understand and analyze the increasingly complex world. His students will know how to read various sources and contextualize them in the culture and context that they were written in. They will also be able to articulate their thoughts in a coherent and cohesive manner to others. Finally, by creating a culture of care, respect, and an appreciation for the democratic process in the classroom, he hopes that his students will carry on those ideals into their future endeavors.

Spanish Teacher

Lili Nicenboim

This is Mrs. Nicenboim, the Spanish teacher at Lawrence Woodmere. She has been teaching Spanish in a private school in Queens for the last 13 years. Before this, Mrs. Nicenboim taught medical Spanish in the School of Medicine in Yeshiva University.

She was born and raised in Argentina where she got her degree as a Bilingual Spanish /English teacher. Then, after completing her last school year studying in Israel, she got her Hebrew teaching degree. Later on, she went for her Master’s degree, this time, in a different field, Public Administration.

To keep moving and learning, she then went to get her certification as a Translator and NYS Court Interpreter. As you can see, languages are her strength

She wrote and published two books: a Spanish for Beginners Workbook, compiling some of her daily activities in school, and a Bilingual Manual for Horse Grooming. Yes, very different stages. She taught ESL to the horse grooms in the racetrack in Belmont, too. She has taught different ages, different languages to students with different backgrounds.

Also, she published a book on Etiquette for People with Disability, in Spanish, as she worked in that Agency in Buenos Aires’ government, before coming to the USA.

For the coming school year, Mrs. Nicenboim is eager to help the students learn Spanish while having a lot of fun.

US Math Teacher

Owen Zach

English 9 American Literature- English 10 World Literature- College Prep Seminars- Guided Study

Robert Schaefer

Mr. Schaefer brings a veteran presence to LWA. He previously served as the US Learning Specialist at LWA, then taught English/Special Education at Oceanside High School and MacArthur High School, and has returned to teach English and college prep classes to the US underclassmen. Originally at LWA, he also coordinated community service projects and coached two sports in addition to his role as the Learning Specialist lending support to students and providing testing accommodations. Now in his new role as an English teacher, his joy for reading as a window to the world, especially applying literary techniques and discovering other cultures, will be appreciated by his students. Attention to detail and choice of words are vital in developing a reader’s critical lens. Preparing for college is one of the most essential rites of passage, and careful planning can provide students with the confidence that they are pursuing the right path in their lives. 

Mr. Schaefer lives in Rockville Centre with his family and enjoys running, reading, watching movies, concertgoing, going to the beach, and spending time with his loved ones

Middle and Upper School Art Teacher

AnneMarie Busche

AnneMarie Busche was born and raised in Rockville, Maryland. From a very young age, AnneMarie knew that her true calling was Art. AnneMarie’s early life consisted of painting, drawing, and crafting. When AnneMarie was 9 years old, she saw her older sister bringing home intricate pieces of art from her after-school art class, and AnneMarie knew she had to get involved. After much persistence, AnneMarie was accepted into the professional art class that her sister was in, as the youngest member to have ever been accepted. AnneMarie continued her hard work through high school and went on to Hofstra University, where she received the Painter’s Award from the Art Department and obtained her degree in Fine Arts with a concentration in Painting. At Hofstra, AnneMarie had the privilege of traveling to Venice, Italy, to study Art History. AnneMarie couldn’t stop there as she wanted to be able to teach other students all that she had learned. She went on to NYU Steinhardt and received her Masters in Art Education, so that she could continue pursuing her dreams of making art, and helping other young artists pursue their dreams as well. It is with great honor that AnneMarie steps in as the students’ Art Teacher during this time in their education, and she cannot wait to watch her aspiring artists flourish.

LS / MS / US Theater Arts & Oration

Henry McDaniel

Henry McDaniel is an educator and performer with over 20 years of experience. This is his second year at LWA and he could not be more excited. After graduating with a Master of Science in Education, Henry  began his teaching career at Central High in Memphis, TN. He later received his MFA in Acting from Indiana University and an MA in Voice Studies from Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Henry has worked professionally as an actor, director, voice coach, and fight choreographer. As a performer Henry has worked mainly for regional Shakespeare theaters across the US, including Utah and Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festivals.  Henry believes strongly in experiential and integrated learning, so students not only learn the concepts being presented but can apply those same concepts to any field of their choice. Outside of education, Henry loves working with vocal performance groups. He assisted the Manhattan Transfer and Take 6 creatively on their US tour, The Summit. In his spare time, Henry is an avid outdoorsman and loves to cook.  

5th – 8th & 10th Grades Mathematics

Patrice Davis

Mr. Patrice Davis has over twenty-seven (27) years as an educator, which began in his homeland of Guyana and extending to The Islands of the Bahamas and then to The Island of Bermuda. 

Mr. Davis started his career as an educator at a young age. As an educator, he taught Technical Drawing studies and Mathematics at 7th – 11th grades, preparing students for the Caribbean Examination Council (CSEC). He even extended his teaching to The Adult Education Association of Guyana, where he taught Mathematics to high school dropouts and adults who wanted to take the CSEC exams for the first time or those who wanted to better their grades after leaving high school. 

Mr. Patrice Davis has also taught Mathematics in The Islands of the Bahamas for just under three (3) years. He taught Mathematics to 7th– 11th graders, where he prepared students for The Bahamas Education Certificate Examinations. 

He then migrated to the Island of Bermuda where he spent nine (9) years as a teacher of Mathematics at the senior high level- 9th – 12th grades. He prepared students for the Cambridge Examinations (IGCSE) and taught Advanced Math to college bound students. 

At Lawrence Woodmere Academy he is the teacher of mathematics at Middle School- 5th – 8th grades, and Upper School- 10th grade. He is the Advisor of the 12th graders. 

Mr. Patrice Davis has teaching experience in both public and independent schools and is very excited to continue as a member of the LWA family.

Upper School Instrumental Music, Band & Chorus

Alexander Altieri

Director of College Guidance & Upper School English Teacher

Marina Rabinovich

Born in the former Soviet Union, Marina came to America at the age of six armed only with her stuffed Russian rabbit, mysteriously named Steven, and an unshakable love of literature. Though Steven sadly did not survive the vicissitudes of immigration, Marina’s love of books never wavered. This conviction in the power of the written word led her to pursue English education, and she has been a teacher for over a decade in both private and public schools. In her classroom, students are provided with a solid academic foundation but also empowered to independently and collaboratively engage with texts on their own terms. She encourages students to pose thoughtful questions, debate respectfully, and view literature as a living entity that can and will impact their lives in tangible ways if they approach texts with curiosity and openness. She strives to design activities and guide discussions where students can recognize their responsibility to one another in an increasingly interconnected world. In order to cultivate a space where students feel safe expressing their ideas and discussing their own lives in connection to the literature, a foundation of mutual trust and respect must be established. Ultimately, teachers must not only love and understand their content area, but they must love and understand their students. It is with this same wholeheartedness that Marina steps into her new role as Director of College Guidance. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with her beloved students during this pivotal phase of their lives and ready to read college essays around the clock. When Marina is not busy preparing curricula or researching university stats, she can be found reading psychology and wellness articles, listening to thrillers with scant literary merit, doing yoga in a pitch-black room, and pretending to meditate.

Lower & Middle School Art/STEAM Teacher

Lauren Ferro

Lauren became part of our Lawrence Woodmere Academy family in 2016.  In addition to teaching Preschool through sixth grade, she also is instrumental in the annual International Day, an event designed to share the customs of countries throughout the world.  She works with the children in creating projects inspired by the cultures of the countries being studied, making it a cherished annual event that the LWA community looks forward to.

Her love of art is an attribute she has been sharing with children, not only in our school environment, but as an educator activities coordinator when she was with the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn Harbor, New York.  Her unique teaching approach not only brings a variety of mediums for the children to experience and work with, but she also brings art history to her lesson plans. Lauren will introduce your children to the works of many well-known artists, such as Van Gogh, Monet, and even Andy Warhol. 

Lauren is excited to be working with your children to develop the talents they all possess.  Her genuine love of education has, in the words of many of her past students, made art class their favorite part of the day.

LS / MS Music Teacher

Lauren Longo

Lauren Longo grew up on Long Island. She realized she wanted to be a music teacher when she was only in the 6th grade. She recognized the importance of music in her life and wants to share that with her students. Lauren strives to prepare well balanced music students through community, discipline and emotional/creative expression. 

Lauren has been a music teacher for over twenty years. She directed the Lower and Middle School band at LWA for eighteen years. Most recently, she taught in a charter school in which she has the opportunity to direct chorus, general music and band classes. She introduced brand new performance groups at this school including a first time NYSSMA program, and an after school band classes in which students performed in special events and showcases.  

Lauren’s philosophy of teaching is that she encourages a hands-on classroom in which there is a strong focus on performance. Her students learn about the origins of the music they play. Lauren believes it is important to develop an environment where young musicians feel confident enough to experiment with different techniques and styles in their playing. She believes selecting different varieties of repertoire will draw upon the students’ interest.

Lauren is so excited to be back teaching at LWA. Her goal is to give students the best music education possible. 

When Lauren has free time she enjoys creating art, reading (especially thrillers), baking, spending time with her husband, two children and her cat named Beans

Divisional Lead Teacher US History (9-12)

Louis Tolentino

LS/MS/ Mandarin

Hargreaves Wang

MS/US Computer Science

John Tiliakos