SCHOOL NEWS
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Calhoun Welcomes New Academic Leadership Debra Jeffreys-Glass Named Director of Lower School—Elementary This year Calhoun defined grades three to five as their own division, Lower School—Elementary, a move that allows us to focus and enhance programming for third-to-fifth-grade students during one of the most exciting developmental stages of their lives. Under this new divisional structure, Alison Rothschild ’85 is focusing her energies at 74th Street as Director of Lower School—Early Childhood, and we welcomed Debra Jeffreys-Glass as Director of Lower School—Elementary. Debra joins us from Little Red School House & Elizabeth Irwin High School (LREI), where she served as assistant principal of the lower school. Previously, she taught kindergarten and fourth grades and held a range of other roles at Ethical Culture Fieldston School in Manhattan. Debra has a master’s in early childhood and elementary education from Bank Street Graduate School of Education, and a master’s in private school leadership from Teachers College. Debra’s first career was in the film industry, and she has a BA in radio, television and film from Temple University.
Julie Torres joined Calhoun this fall as Academic Dean, Grades 6–12. In this new position, Julie coordinates the implementation and alignment of our academic program in the Middle and Upper School divisions. Julie has more than two decades of experience in education. She has a BA in political science from Barnard, a master’s in secondary science education from Teachers College, and an Ed.D in education leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to Calhoun, Julie was the assistant principal at Paul D. Schreiber High School in Port Washington, NY.
Q&A WITH DEBRA By fifth graders Simone Adusei and Amaya Offor Amaya: What made you want to work at Calhoun? Debra: I know a lot of teachers who got their start here, and they are some of the most amazing educators that I know. Simone: What do you like about Calhoun? Debra: The families, teachers and students are really welcoming. Amaya: What was your favorite class in school? Debra: English. I love writing, and I had a teacher in high school who told me that I could be a writer if I wanted to because I enjoyed it and did it well. Simone: What was your favorite part of your job before you came here? Debra: My favorite part was working with people. I like helping people get to their “aha” moments and learn something new, whether that’s students or grown-ups. Simone: What is your favorite lunch at Calhoun so far? Debra: I’m hoping that it’s today’s fish tacos because I love fish.
Nayantara Mhatre is Calhoun’s new Middle School Dean of Students, responsible for administering, developing and supervising all aspects of student life in the Middle School division. Prior to Calhoun, Nayantara served as diversity and social studies coordinator at Ethical Culture Fieldston School. She has a master’s in educational leadership and museum education from the Bank Street Graduate School of Education and a BA in art history from Tufts University.
Katy Saintil joined Calhoun this fall as Director of Administrative Services and Auxiliary Programs. Katy comes to us from the School at Columbia University, where she served as director of external programs. Katy is a graduate of Columbia College and holds a master’s in nonprofit management from its School of Professional Studies. In this new role, Katy provides strategic leadership to our after-school and summer programming, serves as the primary contact point for individuals or organizations interested in renting Calhoun’s facilities and oversees the 81st Street library, nurse and school office.
2019–2020
