Staff Directory

Fred Walsh

Superintendent

Fred Walsh is proud to serve in his 9th year as Superintendent, and 26th year with the NYC Department of Education. Fred supports fortyone high schools in partnership with CUNY & Urban Assembly across twelve districts and four boroughs of New York City. Passionate about providing equitable educational opportunities to all students, Fred supports leadership development of principals and their teams through a wide range of professional learning opportunities.

Prior to becoming a district leader, Fred was a leadership coach with the Office of Teacher Effectiveness, principal for eight years at the School for International Studies, a secondary school in Brooklyn where he also served as assistant principal for three years. Fred began his career in education as a teacher of social studies in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Fred holds a B.A. in Italian Language from the University of Colorado, an MA in Education Administration and Supervision as well as an Advanced Certificate from New York University.

Melanie Lee

Deputy Superintendent

Melanie Lee began her career as a NYC Teaching Fellow in an Urban Assembly school in the South Bronx and later founded the Queens HS for Language Studies, a CUNY-supported school in Flushing. Having been a principal with CUNY/UA and Superintendent Walsh for close to a decade, and recently serving one year as an instructional leadership coach with the district team, she is thrilled to now be Deputy Superintendent. Passionate about building warm, rigorous learning communities for students and adults alike, Melanie is a proud to have founded QHSLS, where every student is a language learner and every teacher is a literacy teacher. Prior to becoming a principal, Melanie taught ENL and social studies. She is also a former Fulbright English Teaching Fellow.

Melanie holds a BA in Political Science and East Asian Studies from Columbia University--Columbia College, an MA in School Building Leadership from Columbia University--Teachers College, and an MS in TESOL and School District Leader certification from CUNY--City College.

Buffie Whitfield

Executive Director of School Support & Operations

Dr. Whitfield’s career in NYC public education spans twenty-six years as an accomplished educator with extensive experience as an Educational Consultant, Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Mentor Principal, Superintendent, Assistant Professor, Deputy Senior Director, and Assistant Administrative Superintendent. Dr. Whitfield has vast experience with elementary, intermediate, secondary, and high school including various models, networks, and programs – Career & Technical Education, Community, Consortium, District 75, District 79, Dual Language, Early Childhood, Early College, Expeditionary Learning, International Baccalaureate, Magnet, New Visions, Outward Bound, Performing Arts, Progressive Redesign Opportunity Schools for Excellence, Receivership, Recognition, Renewal, Showcase, Transfer, and Urban Assembly.

Dr. Whitfield has a record of academic success using various metrics: Progress Report (A), Principal Performance Report (Substantially Exceeds), School Report Card (Good Standing), and Quality Review (Well-Developed). A wide knowledge base and an extensive skill set positively impact student achievement, teacher capacity, principal leadership, and school improvement. She has strengthened many educators’ knowledge of the instructional core, culture, high expectations, racial equity, culturally responsive sustaining education, and systems to bolster organizational health, and build capacity individually, via teams, and collectively to enhance adult and student efficacy. Dr. Whitfield has a bachelor’s degree in Government and Public Administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She holds two master’s degrees from Adelphi University: one in Education and another in Educational Administration, Technology, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Trident University.

Dr. Whitfield participated as a discussant/panelist in the following: Washington DC School District, Principal Pipeline Leadership Team; NYC Leadership Development Program at NYU, Fordham University Graduate School of Education, Lisa Evers radio broadcast, and the Dr. Oz show. Dr. Whitfield was chosen and completed the first cohort of the NYC Leadership Academy. Because of her work, in 2008, she was nominated as a Cahn Fellow for Distinguished Principals. She attended the renowned Harvard Graduate School of Education National Institute for Urban School Leaders. Dr. Whitfield participated in the prestigious Leadership for Educational Achievement Foundation – Future Superintendents Academy. She is a certified School District Administrator and facilitated numerous professional learning sessions throughout her career. Dr. Whitfield’s core purpose in life is to serve, support, develop, and encourage others.

Dr. Aileen Ordóñez (She/Ella)
District Achievement Instructional Specialist (DAIS)

Dr. Aileen Ordoñez, an esteemed educator in New York City, brings over 25 years of invaluable experience in education, serving as both a teacher and administrator across elementary, middle, and high school levels. Renowned for her ability to consistently drive significant academic progress among economically disadvantaged students, Dr. Ordoñez notably spearheaded her school's recognition with the prestigious Eli Broad Foundation award (2007), an esteemed national accolade honoring schools showcasing exceptional performance and student improvement. Her contributions also include leading initiatives such as the implementation of the AP for All College Program, and a proven track record of success in enhancing outcomes for underprivileged students. With a distinguished career within the New York City Department of Education, spanning various pivotal roles including Principal, Assistant Principal, Dean of Discipline, and Teacher, Dr. Aileen Ordoñez has demonstrated unwavering dedication and expertise. Committed to nurturing a vibrant school culture and fostering innovative educational programs, she is enthusiastic about the prospect of contributing to the ongoing success of the CUNY & Urban Assembly school district and its students, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to collaborate towards a shared vision of excellence.

Jennifer DeFilippo

Academic Policy, Performance & Assessment Lead

Jen has been an educator for the last 16 years. Beginning her career in Prince George’s County, Maryland, she taught in Los Angeles, CA, before returning to the East Coast, where she has spent the last 10 years teaching in Brooklyn. In addition to teaching Math, she supported students with attendance, testing and the coordination of the International Baccalaureate Program. She was the leader of her school’s Equity Team and is passionate about ensuring that all students have access to rigorous, culturally relevant curriculum to prepare them for College and Career. She is excited to take the knowledge that she has acquired from her time in NYC to support schools in her new role as APPA. In her personal time, she can be found out with her husband and three children and coaching youth sports.

Kristina Dowtin

Academic Policy, Performance & Assessment Lead
District Achievement and Instructional Specialist

If education is to be the most powerful weapon which [one] can use to change the world, then I believe educators should ensure that we are providing opportunities and access to all learners. As an improvement coach, it is my job to support the intellectual and academic development of all learners, using research and evidence based processes, no matter where they are in the educational ecosystem. With a focus on traditionally underserved students, I help schools think about how they can improve teaching and learning by building and maintaining responsive systems and structures, providing specific and measurable feedback to all, and engaging learning communities in meaningful professional development.

Sofia Ikram

Math Implementation Specialist

Born and raised in New York, Sofia always considered teaching as a potential career, but was not entirely sure. After moving to Los Angeles after college, Sofia realized she desired to teach, but only at home, in New York. She started her teaching career with the NYC Teaching Fellows in 2017 and taught Algebra I for six years at the International High School for Health Sciences in Queens. Working at this school provided her with a rich experience educating students who are all newly arrived immigrants and ELLs. Now, she serves as a math coach in the CUNY/UA district, supporting teachers implement new curriculum and refine their teaching practice. While Sofia discovered her passion in education, she also enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking, and fashion.

Sunhee Nduwimana

The daughter of a veteran NYCPS teacher and a former NYC Teaching Fellow, Sunhee has always deeply respected the teaching profession. While an undergraduate at Macaulay Honors College, she had the opportunity to teach health to high school students in Harlem, an experience that sparked her love for teaching. She believes that education is both life-changing and life-saving, which fueled her passion for becoming an educator. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Sunhee joined the NYC Teaching Fellows in 2019 as a math fellow and went on to teach Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Physics at City Polytechnic High School, a CUNY/UA school in downtown Brooklyn. She is now part of the CUNY/UA district team as a math coach, supporting teachers with curriculum implementation and instructional improvement. Outside of education, Sunhee enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, painting, and reading.

Lauren Keville-Manke

District Achievement and Instructional Specialist

Lauren Keville-Manke is in her 18th year with the DOE. She began her career when she joined the NYC Teaching Fellows and spent 7 years as a special education teacher before moving into a coaching role as a special education achievement coach with The Urban Assembly. Following her time supporting UA schools, Lauren spent 5 years as a principal in District 3 at PS/IS 191. In 2019 she left her school to take on her current role coaching principals and assistant principals with a focus on building internal coherence, implementing the school's mission and vision, and strengthening leadership and instructional practices.

Karen McAuliffe

District Achievement and Instructional Specialist

After a decade of teaching, Karen accepted a position as an onsite literacy coach in 2003 which eventually inspired her to earn a Master’s in Public Administration. As an EA, she has supported more than 150 elementary, middle, and high schools with literacy achievement. In 2012, she began shifting her focus to school improvement, particularly helping school leaders & teachers build and maintain a strong Instructional Core. She brings to the table nearly two decades of professional learning & coaching experience, along with deep knowledge and experience in assisting schools with literacy endeavors. Karen grew up in Long Island, Chicago suburbs, and Tulsa and currently resides in Manhattan. She avidly enjoys reading, solving NYT crossword puzzles, working out, and helping fellow educators.

Luke Janka

Multilingual Learners/ English Language Learners Services Administrator

Luke Janka is excited to join the CUNY/UA team, and return to the UA family after five years away! In his 22 years of working within New York City Public Schools, Luke has taught high school English in transfer and alternative schools, was an Achievement Coach for the Urban Assembly CFN, an assistant principal at The Urban Assembly School for Green Careers, has been a principal, and on the MBCO’s Academic Response Team. Luke’s work focuses on partnering with school leadership and Instructional Leadership Teams in intensive cycles of support to improve the overall quality of the instructional program in sustainable ways. His work centers the students’ learning experience, racial equity and the interruption of educational inequity, and student empowerment as the core drivers for meeting students’ learning needs and schools’ instructional goals. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and three amazing young children.

Denise Lanier

Student Services Manager

Denise has served in NYCDOE for over 17 years in the areas of counseling and administration. Her work experience includes serving as a regional counselor for the Office of Student Placement and Youth Development supporting schools throughout Brooklyn and Queens. She served for over ten years as a High School Assistant Principal. Denise also served several years as Counseling Manager, and then Student Services Manager at the Brooklyn North Borough Office. In this capacity, she provided professional development and direct support to high schools around school counseling, crisis, climate and culture, with the goal of strengthening the delivery of comprehensive school counseling and support services provided to students to promote and strengthen their social - emotional wellness and post - secondary preparedness. Denise is also a member of the executive team of the Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Preparation Program (YMTPP), which has trained over 200 NYCDOE school staff and is certified in Yoga and Mindfulness practices. She is passionate about building trusting and caring relationships with schools and sharing mindfulness and yoga as a Tier 1 supportive tool for students and school communities.

Darline Jerez

Student Services Manager

Darline Jerez has been serving children, adolescents, and adults for over 15 years across community-based organizations, education, administration, macro-focused programming, and higher education. Within NYCPS, she has held roles in the Bronx Borough Office and on superintendent teams. Darline's clinical specialties include trauma-informed practices, grief and bereavement, and crisis management. Her work focuses on addressing systemic challenges by expanding access to equitable education, emphasizing opportunities that empower students to achieve self-sufficiency. She is also passionate about staff and leadership development, believing that holistic wellness fosters healthy and supportive school environments.

Ruth Hernandez

Multilingual Learners/ English Language Learners Services Administrator

Ruth holds a master's degree in educational administration from Montclair State University. She also holds a master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Sociology. Her certification is in Educational Administration, TESOL and Common Branch. She started her career in 2000 in D19 as a 3rd grade classroom teacher, moved on to D15 as a 5th grade teacher and in 2006, in D20, obtained her TESOL degree to begin her work with ML/ELLs of all grades K-8. Her career was flourishing, and the next move was to obtain her Educational Administration degree, in 2017 to begin her journey as a ML/ELL administrator serving students in a greater capacity by supporting Superintendent districts, Principals and Teachers with their ML/ELL populations.

One of Ruth's greatest strengths is her ability to recognize that ML/ELLs bring funds of knowledge to the classroom; this expertise lends itself to precise support utilizing research-based strategies for scaffolding curriculum and creating access points to grade level content.

The level of mastery she has allows for an equitable space to work collaboratively with Superintendents, Principals, and Teachers in determining strengths and weaknesses in curricula and pedagogy. A major component of what she does well is trust building to ensure districts are well supported with state and city requirements such as the implementation of NYC Reads, Next Generation Learning Standards and CRSE (Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education).

Boris Munoz

Attendance Manager

Boris Munoz is a product of the NYC school system. He has been serving NYC schools for over 26 years, 7 as a teacher and 19 as a school administrator. Born and raised in NYC from Ecuadorian immigrant parents. He is a loving husband and proud father of 3 sons. He enjoys riding his motorcycle and teaching motorcycle skills to beginners. During his off time, he keeps himself busy as President of a non-profit 501c3 organization, Hudson Judo Yudanshakai. He travels the country and the world as a IJF-B Continental Judo Referee. He is also the 2nd Vice President of the United States Judo Federation, a national governing body for the sport of Judo. He’s been practicing Judo for over 4 decades, and is currently a 5th degree black belt in Judo.

Thomas Patterson

Administrator of Special Education (ASE)

Tom has spent 30 years involved in education. He's lived in four states, two countries and even on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean. Tom has always worked in helping fields: with children of migrant workers, homeless substance-users living with AIDS, new language learners and more. He's worked in the DOE for 13 years, 7 as a teacher, 2 as an AP and 4 as an ASE. Tom found education as a way out of difficult situations growing up and strongly believes that education allows you to be better than you ever thought you could be. Tom loves supporting schools with all that they are doing for students. Tom loves traveling and has been to 5 continents and over 30 countries--currently taking recommendations!

John Fadel

Academic Policy, Performance & Assessment Lead

John J Fadel is an Academic Policy and Performance (APPA) lead with over 21 years of experience in the NYC DOE. Before his 8 years in the APPA role working with schools in Brooklyn North, John started his teaching career from Cohort 3 of the teaching fellows’ program, Math 7-12. In addition to being an EA, he has been a high school math teacher, master math teacher, and program chair. Prior to a career change into education, he was an actuary and compensation/benefits consultant working with Fortune 500 companies globally, He received an Undergraduate degree in Math from Tufts, Masters in math education (7-12) from Brooklyn College and SBL/SDL Certification degree from Hunter College. John is personally dedicated to student equity and performance improvement: academically, socially and emotionally and is proud to support Principal teams to build and maintain strong, successful school communities.

Jose Tenorio

Administrative Assistant

Jose is a proud alum from one of our own schools! After graduating Kingsborough Early College School with an associates in liberal arts, he moved to Los Angeles to serve in a high-need fourth grade classroom with the nonprofit City Year. There he focused on student success by creating “near-peer” relationships with students to provide academic and social emotional support. By partnering with teachers and school principals, his City Year team was able to implement a new after school program and organize events which provided additional resources and information needed by the community. After completing his yearlong commitment, he returned back home to New York with a desire to move into an administrative role in order to support the teachers and principals in our amazing schools.

Stephany Pineda

Family Support Coordinator

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY to two amazing hard working immigrant parents from Nicaragua. I am also the recipient of public school education all through K-12, a CUNY Kingsborough Alum, and a mother to two children attending our city public schools; it is very rewarding to be working alongside you all. Let’s Go Mets!

Suhadie Lajara-Rivas

Family Leadership Coordinator

Suhadie Lajara-Rivas has served as a dedicated Parent Coordinator at Brooklyn College Academy for over a decade. Her journey with the Department of Education is deeply rooted in her personal experiences growing up in New York City. As the child of immigrant parents and a hardworking parent herself, Suhadie understands the unique struggles families face and is committed to supporting them with compassion and purpose.

In her role, Suhadie acts as a vital bridge between the district, parent coordinators, and families, fostering meaningful connections and ensuring every voice is heard. Her mission is to empower families, uplift students, and create a supportive community where dreams can flourish.

Michelle Ghedina

Administrator of Special Education

Michelle has been an Administrator of Special Education for the past 12 years. She has seen the position through Network, BCO's, and District support structures. Prior to this position Michelle was dedicated to teaching at Career and Technical High Schools specifically Automotive High School and High School for Fashion Industries where she taught a wide range of special education classes. Michelle has three young boys and enjoys spending her free time with them, traveling, and doing yoga.