Josh Joffee, Music
Growing up in the Bronx, my parents worked very hard to find and create opportunities for my brother, sister and I to have a great education and also to be exposed to the arts. My sister followed my mom’s footsteps pursuing interests in dance, my brother studied Jazz saxophone and is now striving for a career in film, and I took up the trumpet and continued to play through college at Sarah Lawrence. While there I decided to become a school teacher (following my dad’s footsteps) and got my degree in elementary education.
Right after college I began teaching 1st and 2nd grade Central Park East 1 Elementary School, one of the first progressive education school in New York City, where I strove to put into practice the important values of caring for the needs and strengths of the whole child. Music played an important role at CPE. I particularly noticed how singing was used to bring the school community together through weekly all school sings and scheduled family sings throughout the year where staff, children, and their families shared in the experience of music. After gaining a solid foundation in teaching in the classroom at CPE, I decided to join my love of music with my love for teaching children and decided to teach music!
After a year of teaching music at the Sarah Lawrence Early Childhood Center, I had the great privilege of coming to teach music here at AmPark Neighborhood School in our first year in 2006 and have been enjoying my time here ever since.
Having been born and raised in the Bronx, I feel very strongly that AmPark Neighborhood School is fulfilling an important mission to launch a new vision of dynamic education in the Bronx and I am proud to be building a music program that aims to help AmPark fulfill that mission.
Right after college I began teaching 1st and 2nd grade Central Park East 1 Elementary School, one of the first progressive education school in New York City, where I strove to put into practice the important values of caring for the needs and strengths of the whole child. Music played an important role at CPE. I particularly noticed how singing was used to bring the school community together through weekly all school sings and scheduled family sings throughout the year where staff, children, and their families shared in the experience of music. After gaining a solid foundation in teaching in the classroom at CPE, I decided to join my love of music with my love for teaching children and decided to teach music!
After a year of teaching music at the Sarah Lawrence Early Childhood Center, I had the great privilege of coming to teach music here at AmPark Neighborhood School in our first year in 2006 and have been enjoying my time here ever since.
Having been born and raised in the Bronx, I feel very strongly that AmPark Neighborhood School is fulfilling an important mission to launch a new vision of dynamic education in the Bronx and I am proud to be building a music program that aims to help AmPark fulfill that mission.
Ina Gallon, Visual Arts
I bring to AmPark many years of diverse experience as a visual artist, graphic designer, and arts educator. Born and raised in New York City, I earned a BFA from The Cooper Union in 1981. After 20 odd years as an artist with a career in advertising and design, I finally grew up and discovered my passion for working with children. Since graduating from Pratt Institute in 2005, with an MA in Art and Design Education, I have been teaching and learning full time along side elementary school children in (almost!) all 5 boroughs.
At Ampark, I have the unique opportunity to lay foundations and observe how each child works, finding out more about their interests, their skills, and—perhaps most important—what stories they want to tell in their art making. An important part of my work is to listen to the way in which children describe their art to me, and not to interpret their narratives myself through “grown-up” eyes.
My own interest in the arts was nurtured by an artistic mom, some very enthusiastic public school teachers, and through connections with community arts programs on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, where I grew up. I remain inspired by these dedicated artists and educators who gave me, and so many other neighborhood children, the opportunity to joyfully explore, learn, and grow confident together through our art making.
At Ampark, I have the unique opportunity to lay foundations and observe how each child works, finding out more about their interests, their skills, and—perhaps most important—what stories they want to tell in their art making. An important part of my work is to listen to the way in which children describe their art to me, and not to interpret their narratives myself through “grown-up” eyes.
My own interest in the arts was nurtured by an artistic mom, some very enthusiastic public school teachers, and through connections with community arts programs on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, where I grew up. I remain inspired by these dedicated artists and educators who gave me, and so many other neighborhood children, the opportunity to joyfully explore, learn, and grow confident together through our art making.
Caitlin Cargill, Physical Education
Growing up in a small town in Vermont, I was a three sport athlete throughout high school. Recruited on a soccer scholarship, I went to college in another small town in Maine and became a licensed physical education teacher. Having taught students throughout most of New England, in 2010, I found my home in New York City and specifically, the Bronx. Though I still carry my love of ALL New England sports teams with me!
In Physical Education at AmPark, students are exposed to a variety of physical activities focusing on becoming physically literate for life. In the early years, students learn the foundational skills needed socially and physically to participate individually or with others in physical activities. It's truly important that students can later identify physical activities as likes or dislikes independently, so they can find pathways to wellness for their lifetimes.
I work to inspire the students in my classes to become active participants within their own learning and are able to reflect, try new things, and make connections. The AmPark Neighborhood School is a special community made better by all collaborate within it, and I am honored to be here.
In Physical Education at AmPark, students are exposed to a variety of physical activities focusing on becoming physically literate for life. In the early years, students learn the foundational skills needed socially and physically to participate individually or with others in physical activities. It's truly important that students can later identify physical activities as likes or dislikes independently, so they can find pathways to wellness for their lifetimes.
I work to inspire the students in my classes to become active participants within their own learning and are able to reflect, try new things, and make connections. The AmPark Neighborhood School is a special community made better by all collaborate within it, and I am honored to be here.