Meet Our Teachers

Nadine Ahmad  Ms. Ahmad  
English Language Arts Teacher    

BA in Secondary Education at Brooklyn College (2019)
MA in English at Brooklyn College (graduating in 2021)

Hobbies: Reading & Trying new food/restaurants

Hi everyone! My name is Ms. Ahmad and I am the 7th grade ELA teacher at I.S. 381. My hope is that everyone who enters 381 leaves with a love for reading, as well as leaves a better person with the help of our wonderful school community!

Shirna Baptiste  Ms. Baptiste 
Science Teacher

Masters of Science: General and Special Education: Touro College

Hobbies: Playing soccer, basketball and reading

My name is Shirna Baptiste and I have had the privilege of being part of I.S. 381 for the past 3 years.
I believe every child is unique and deserves a caring, inspiring, and engaging atmosphere in which to grow emotionally, intellectually, and socially. As an educator I want to help students meet their fullest potential in these areas by providing a safe, risk-taking, and collaborative environment.

Evan Barkan Mr. Barkan 
Mathematics Teacher

BA Communication, University at Buffalo 2006
MSED Math Education, LIU Post, 2010

Hobbies: Reading, movies, cooking, watching/playing most sports, hanging out with friends and family

My name is Mr. Barkan and I am currently a 6th Grade Math Teacher here at I.S 381. I have been at the school since February 2019, but have been teaching in some capacity since 2010. I enjoy teaching all levels of math but I enjoy teaching middle school the most.  
I first decided I wanted to become a teacher when I was in college when I got the satisfaction of hearing about all the students success they were having in math after I was done tutoring them. I have my Master's degree in math education and I love to teach both children and adults math. I cannot wait to help future students become better mathematicians and to enjoy math a little more than they previously have.
I grew up on Long Island and have both a brother and a sister I am very close with. I am very family oriented and try to bring that into my classroom. I always try to make everyone feel comfortable while they are in my class, so they are not afraid to come to me about problems they are having in class or on the material that is being taught.
Outside of school I like to read, play and watch most sports, and spend time with family and friends. I also like to tutor whenever I can and volunteer during the holidays.

Barbara Brizard Ms. Brizard 
English Language Arts Teacher

We're sorry, Ms. Brizard has not submitted her bio yet!

Susan Campbell Ms. Campbell 
English Language Arts/Special Education Teacher

BA English - SUNY Stony Brook MSED - Brooklyn College

Hobbies: Reading, Bike Riding, Zumba, Walking

I am an avid reader and lifetime learner. I once said, "If I could do anything, I would stay in school forever." I love learning, and I love school, so teaching allows me to do what I love everyday. It is my hope to share what I love with my students, and hope that my passion for learning not only motivates, but inspires them to want to learn.

 

Andrica Donaldson Ms. Donaldson 
Science/Mathematics Teacher

We're sorry, but Ms. Donaldson hasn't submitted her bio yet!

Dina LaMarca Ms. LaMarca 
Speech/English as a New Language Teacher

We're sorry, but Ms. LaMarca has not filled out her bio yet!

Julia Lustig Ms. Lustig
Science/Living Environment Teacher

We're sorry, but Ms. Lustig hasn't filled out her bio yet! 

Mariella Mannino Ms. Mannino 
Science Teacher

B.A. Economics, Management- Indiana University-Bloomington, 2010
M.A. Middle Childhood Science Education with a Specialization in Biology- CUNY-Brooklyn College, 2016

Hobbies: Traveling, Hiking, Cooking, Reading, Bowling, Art

Ms. Mannino’s passion for education lies in the idea that every child has a unique path to achieving high standards and that equipping children with the skills and confidence necessary to meet and exceed their own goals fosters independence and empowers them to make their own informed decisions as citizens in our local and global communities. Ms. Mannino is currently in her 7th year of teaching middle school science. She is passionate about adapting her curriculum so that all students feel connected to the content and that their thinking about the natural world around them has been challenged. For the last three years, Ms. Mannino has worked with the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University to write a curriculum that incorporates reading, writing, and research skills, along with social action components, into her project-based science units. She has a deep knowledge of science literature for children and has spent the last 6 years curating both digital and physical science libraries for her students. Ms. Mannino has additional experience as an academic coach and one-to-one private tutor for the NY Living Environment Regents exam, and previously served as a co-teacher and state exam scorer for middle school math. She is a 2018 National Endowment for the Humanities Scholar and a 2019-2023 Math for America Master Science Teacher Fellow.

Kathleen Paul  Ms. Paul 
Physical Education/Health Teacher

MS in Physical Education - Brooklyn College
BS in Physical Education - Hunter College

Hobbies: Teaching Swimming, Practicing Yoga, Growing Plants

My goal is to teach students the importance of making healthy choices and to maintain an active healthy lifestyle their whole life.

Pasquale 'Pat' Savino   Mr. Savino 
Mathematics Teacher
Dean of Students
Building Response Team Leader/Safety Liaison

Master of Science in Mathematics Education, College of Staten Island - 2020
Bachelor's of Science in Mathematics, College of Staten Island - 2011

Hobbies: Music, LEGO, Caring for Pets, Professional Wrestling

Mr. Savino is the first member of his family to graduate college, and enjoys sharing his love of mathematics with the next generation.  Also a full-time professional DJ and Karaoke host, he performs at parties and family gatherings of all types in the Tri-State area.  To keep physically fit, Mr. Savino is an accomplished referee on the minor-league professional wrestling circuit.  In his precious little downtime, he enjoys spending time with his family and numerous pets.  Mr. Savino is also the humble Webmaster of this site.

 

Almas Shafiq    
Mathematics/Special Education Teacher

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Hunter College (2018)
Master of Science in Teaching Adolescent Special Education, Pace University (2022)

Hobbies: Community Service, Islamic Literature, Writing

Ms. Shafiq is a passionate educator with a demonstrated history of working with students with disabilities. She has helped serve the needs of students with autism, dwarfism, blind/visually impaired, learning disabilities, and emotional disturbance. 
 
Ms. Shafiq has served I.S. 381 by leading fully remote inclusive and gifted Math classes, and has co-taught in both fully remote and hybrid Math ICT classes during the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, Ms. Shafiq has lead a mixed grade self-contained classroom providing differentiated instruction in Math, English Language Arts, and Social Studies. 
 
Ms. Shafiq has supported her school community by providing academic support in I.S. 381's Math afterschool program, social-emotional support by serving as a SEL Lead, and community support with her active membership in the School Leadership Team.  
 
Ms. Shafiq continues to work to bridge the gap by providing a culturally responsive, trauma-sensitive, quality education to students who come from low-income backgrounds and historically disadvantaged communities. She continually strives to support her students with the best classroom resources through successfully obtaining funding for multiple DonorsChoose projects.