Where Tigers
Roar!
Message from the Principal
Dear families,
On behalf of the founders, board of trustees, faculty, and staff of Central Brooklyn Ascend Lower School, I extend a warm welcome! We recognize that you chose where to enroll your scholar— one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent or guardian—and we are honored that you have selected Central Brooklyn Ascend. Your choice represents your faith in us, and we are firmly committed to maintaining your trust.
We look forward to working with you to fulfill our vision of educational excellence for every scholar, understanding that your support is crucial to our success. Research has revealed a clear link between family involvement and academic performance, and we seek to leverage that power to realize each child’s full potential.
Thank you for choosing Central Brooklyn Ascend Lower School. We have an exciting and productive year ahead of us!
Sincerely,
Shani Foster
Principal
Our approach
Our leadership team
Principal
shani.foster@ascendlearning.org
Assistant Principal of Operations
dominique.artamin@ascendlearning.org
Principal in Residence
Assistant Principal, Grade 3
christina.pena@ascendlearning.org
Assistant Principal, Grade K-2
garensha.sanon@ascendlearning.org
Assistant Principal, Grade 2 & 4
Albert Lowe
Operations Team
Operations Manager
Joana Vargas
joana.vargas@ascendlearning.org
Operations Associate
Mark Manansala
mark.manansala@ascendlearning.org
Our approach
Our staff
Kindergarten
KA- Saint Michael's College
Patricia Bell
patricia.bell@ascendlearning.org
Jennifer Burke
jennifer.burke@ascendlearning.org
KB- Brooklyn College
octavia.jackson@ascendlearning.org
derrick.shaw@ascendlearning.org
KC- University of Pittsburgh
Daryan Barnes
daryan.barnes@ascendlearning.org
ankita.dewan@ascendlearning.org
Grade 1
1A- Boston University
Kianna Odom
Caroline Yaksich
caroline.yacksich@ascendlearning.org
1B- SUNY New Paltz
Victoria Ennab
victoria.ennab@ascendlearning.org
Daisy Poliandro
victoria.ennab@ascendlearning.org
1C- Hunter College
Estelle Chough
estelle.chough@ascendlearning.org
Shanell Roberts
shanell.roberts@ascendlearning.org
Grade 2
2A- Bowie State University
Kristen Davis
kristen.davis@ascendlearning.org
Kate Hildreth
kate.hildreth@ascendlearning.org
2B- Susquehanna University (SU)
Arielle Hensley
arielle.hensley@ascendlearning.org
2C- Skidmore Colleg
Angelica Laburda
angelica.laburda@ascendlearning.org
Meet the CBACS SPECIALS Team here
Grade 4
4A- Florida International University (FIU)
Angie Montalvo
angie.montalvo@ascendlearning.org
Samson Sosanyo
samson.sosanyo@ascendlearning.org
4B- Brooklyn College
Mashawnna Snead
mashawnna.snead@ascendlearning.org
4C- Morgan State University
Michelle Barrett
michelle.barrett@ascendlearning.org
Charline Setrana
charline.setrana@ascendlearning.org
Grade 3
3A- Old Westbury
Janice Hansen
janice.hansen@ascendlearning.org
Lauren Howe
Lauren.Howe@ascendlearning.org
3B- Adelphi University
Melinda Wong
melinda.wongascendlearning.org
3C- Pace University
Luv Allen
Mentor Teacher, Gr. 2-4
Arkeeda Jones
arkeeda.jones@ascendlearning.org
Specials
Science
Sasha Fisher , Gr. K-2
sasha.billings@ascendlearning.org
Micah Gardner, Gr. K-2
micah.gardner@ascendlearning.org
Shakirah Cubia, Gr. 3-4
shakirah.cubia@ascendlearning.org
Capoeira - Brazilian Martial Arts
Leanardo Da Silva
leandro.dasilva@ascendlearning.org
Chess
Byron Downer
byron.downer@ascendlearning.org
Mindfulness /Yoga
Guiane.Baker
Student Services
Student Services Coordinator
Aileen Camejo
aileen.camejo@ascendlearning.org
School Counselor
Rebecca Goldman
rebecca.goldman@ascendlearning.org
Social Worker
Emily Uhar
emily.uhar@ascendlearrning.org
SETSS/Intervention Team
SpEd Teacher, SETSS/Intervention, Gr. K-2
Rebecca Dolfi
rebecca.dolfi@ascendlearning.org
SpEd Teacher, SETSS/Intervention, Gr. 3-4
Melissa Ogden
melissa.ogden@ascendlearning.org
ENL Teacher, Gr. K-4
Seraphine Lin