Academics

Faculty & Staff

Directory

If you would like to contact a faculty or staff member directly, the best format to use is email. All faculty and staff email addresses are formatted in the same way: First initial, last name, at kewforest.org (e.g. John Smith = jsmith@kewforest.org). If you have any problems getting in touch with someone, please call the Main Office at 718-268-4667.
  • Photo of Andrea Allen
    Ms. Andrea Allen
    Math, Math
    2021
  • Mr. Parid Beliu
    Phys Ed, PE
    Soccer Coach
    2021
  • Photo of Ben Boecker
    Mr. Ben Boecker
    2023
  • Photo of Robert Busch
    Mr. Robert Busch
    Science
    Chemistry Teacher
    2023
    718-268-4667 x192
  • Ms. Dominique Cann
    Nurse
    2022
    718-551-3119
  • Photo of Angelica De Dona
    Ms. Angelica De Dona
    English, English
    2024
  • Photo of Victor DeJesus
    Victor DeJesus
    Administrative Staff, Security, Buildings and Grounds, Senior Administration
    Director of Facilities & Safety
    2023
  • Photo of Lyla Eaton
    Lyla Eaton
    Admissions
    Admission & International Student Coordinator
    2019
  • Mr. Shemuel Fleenor
    2019
  • Photo of Catalina Gambra-Sposato
    Catalina Gambra-Sposato
    Foreign Language
    2019
  • Photo of Jaclyn Garfinkel
    Ms. Jaclyn Garfinkel
    MS/US Counselor
    2018
  • Photo of Gary Gordon
    Mr. Gary Gordon
    History
    Social Studies Teacher
    1998
    718-268-4667 x169
    Bio
     
    Mr. Gordon teaches Gr. 9-12 International Relations and 11th grade Modern World History. He is also the faculty leader of K-F’s active and award-winning Model UN Club. Before he caught the teaching bug, he practiced Law for ten years. He received his B.A. in history from the University of Pennsylvania, and earned degrees in both law (J.D.) and education (M.A. in Social Studies education) from New York University. Mr. Gordon resides in Forest Hills with his wife and two children.
  • Photo of Xavier Jackson
    Mr. Xavier Jackson
    Math, Math
    Math Teacher
    2017
    718-268-4667 x168
  • Photo of Alexandra Johnson
    Ms. Alexandra Johnson
    Humanities Electives
    2022
  • Photo of Jennifer Levitt
    Jennifer Levitt
    English, English, Humanities Electives
    2023
  • Photo of Garri Matnadze
    Mr. Garri Matnadze
    Art, Art
    2022
  • Mr. StudyHall Monitor
    2019
  • Mr. Ghislain Normand
    Phys Ed, PE
    Badminton Coach
    2019
  • NYC Nurse
    Student Health
    2019
  • Photo of AJ Penoro
    Mr. AJ Penoro
    Math, Math
    Assistant Head of MS/US, Math Dept. Chair, Math Teacher
    2018
  • Photo of Amy Perez
    Mrs. Amy Perez
    Library, Technology, Technology, Library
    Library Director
    2002
    718-268-4667 x111
    CUNY - MA
    Bio
     
    Amy Perez started working in the after care program at Kew Forest 13 years ago, after working as a researcher at a private investigation firm and at various libraries. She was drawn to K-F because she liked the fact that its small environment meant that everyone knew and helped each other. She thought that Kew-Forest seemed like a little oasis of fun in the big city.
     
    Ms. Perez believes that learning should be fun and can be done through play, especially with younger children and the robotics course. Her students’ purposeful play ignites passion, something she loves to see. As the ECD-grade 6 technology enrichment coordinator, she enjoys teaching her pupils that computers are a multi-purpose tool, as well as reminding them to balance technology with human skills and interaction. Her goals are to have fun learning with her students, as well as to instill a love of libraries and reading.
     
    In addition to her regular teaching duties, Ms. Perez teaches an animation course at the Lower School every other year. Outside of school, she volunteers at her church and enjoys singing, quilting, playing violin, and of course, reading. She has an associate’s degree in fine arts, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in forensics psychology.
     
  • Mr. Andrew Perillo
    2023
  • Photo of Alexander Polk
    Mr. Alexander Polk
    Director of College Counseling, ELL Teacher
    2021
  • Photo of Leslie Quick
    Ms. Leslie Quick
    Science
    2022
  • Photo of Annel Sanchez
    Annel Sanchez
    Phys Ed, Administrative Staff, PE
    Director of Athletics
    2021
  • Photo of Tamara Scantlebury
    Ms. Tamara Scantlebury
    Student Health
    Director of Learning Support
    2023
  • Photo of Tristan Sipley
    Dr. Tristan Sipley
    English
    Department Chair and English Teacher
    2010
    718-268-4667 x166
    Bio
     
    BA, SUNY Binghamton, English/Rhetoric and History
    MA, Syracuse University, English
    PhD, University of Oregon, English

    Appointed to Kew-Forest, 2010

    English 10-12
    Journalism
  • Photo of Christopher Spelman
    Dr. Christopher Spelman
    Foreign Language, Foreign Language
    Latin Teacher
    1981
    718-268-4667 x157
    Bio
     
    BA, Columbia University
    M.Phil., Columbia University, Latin
    PhD., Duke Univeristy, Classical Studies

    Appointed to Kew-Forest, 1981

    Latin, Grades 7-12
    Coach, Mock Trial
    Faculty Advisor, Music and Film Clubs
  • Mr. Jeffrey St. Simon
    Cross Country Coach
    2019
  • Photo of Tiffany D. Trotter
    Ms. Tiffany D. D. Trotter
    Senior Administration
    Head of School
    2018
    718-268-4667 x152
  • Photo of Norma Rhea Varsos
    Ms. Norma Rhea Varsos
    History, History
    MS Teacher
    2011
    718-268-4667 x189
  • Photo of Sean Vigneau-Britt
    Mr. Sean Vigneau-Britt
    Music, Music
    2018
  • Photo of Beatrice Wedd
    Ms. Beatrice Wedd
    English, History, English
    2022
  • Photo of Yajie Zhang
    Yajie Jae Zhang
    Science, Science
    2022

The Kew-Forest School

119-17 Union Turnpike
Forest Hills, NY 11375
(718) 268-4667
The oldest independent school in the borough of Queens, The Kew-Forest School is an independent co-educational, college preparatory school for students in Preschool through Grade 12.