CLUSTER SPECIALISTS

Cluster teachers provide enrichment instruction across different classrooms, with specialized methodologies tailored to each grade level and student. They work collaboratively with classroom teachers to support and expand on the common core education.

Ms. Angelica Cassimiro | Physical Education, Grades K — 5

I wholeheartedly believe in the power of the mind body connection. A healthy body fosters a healthy mind. Teaching what I am passionate about is a big gift to me and that is what I share with our students. We will learn fitness concepts, movement skills, muscle groups, nutrition, mindfulness activities and responsible behavior. We engage in a variety of activities and small sided games to put skill into dynamic practice. We focus on practice over results. We prioritize enjoyment of moving our bodies.

This school year, I work with each K-5 class once a week.

Mr. David Chung | Dance, Grades 3K + PRe-K + K

I’ve been a dancer and dance therapist for over 20 years. I’ve also trained and taught yoga, gymnastics, and taekwondo. I’m self-taught in house and street dance.

2024-25 will be my 9th year at PS20. This year, I am assigned to teach 3k, Pk, and K. I also help with assemblies, movie night, and Rainbow Club for our lgbt+ community. I’m on the board of the AAPI Employee Resource Group for the NYC DOE.

Portraits painted by 4th grade students (2014)

MR. Lonnie Hampton | Music, Grades K — 5

I am the instrumental music teacher at PS20 servicing grades K-5th. Music is once per week with an emphasis on learning to play the following band instruments: clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, bass, or drums. All classes will work on Rhythm, Reading notated music (1st-5th) and Music theory.

Kindergarteners begin their musical journey with percussion instruments, recorder, and the trumpet. They work solely on reading rhythms rather than actual notes during their first year.

1st-5th grade will work on learning to play and read all notated music on their chosen instrument.

MS. MONTAGNA | Early Literacy/Literacy Enrichment, Grades 1 — 5

Literacy (Reading & Writing) through read-aloud sessions with books that align with the IB PYP Learner Profile attributes and the IB PYP Attitudes, while incorporating Reading with Purpose and the 5 Keys to Storytelling.

Digital Literacy and Digital Citizenship is promoted through the use of computer/laptops, as well as audio books, as part of the library classes.

Multicultural Competency: Diversity, tradition, culture, and language are explored, shared and discussed through literature and research. Spanish vocabulary is incorporated into discussions to promote exposure to additional languages.

Mr. Andrew Ortner | French, grades 3k — Grade 2

Bonjour! My name is Andrew Ortner or simply Mr. O. I grew up in the city, but lived in France during the summers in my childhood and later studied in the South of France in high school and college. I teach French as a second language for pre-K through 2nd grades as well as a 4th grade class. My classes engage students in French learning through music, art, and science. This year I will introduce the wonders of the undersea world in the French language through Jacques Cousteau and his works as well as sharing videos of my own diving experiences. We will learn about the delicate environments and how to protect our waters and earth. In doing so, we will practice new vocabulary as well as verbs and adjectives. We will also explore writing and reading in French.

I love to scuba dive, ride my bike, practice yoga, play the drums, and admire my two cats, Cosmo and Poly.

Mme. JULIE LAUTARD | French, Grades 1 — 5

Bonjour! Je suis Madame Lautard. I am Madame Lautard, one of the two French as a second language teachers in our wonderful P.S 20 community. Learning a new language is stepping into another world, and in the process, students meet new challenges and grow in self-confidence.

*Dialogue: Students will learn basic conversational skills and gain self-confidence

*Grammar: Students will learn basic rules of French grammar, comparing and contrasting it with English, allowing them to develop real linguistic awareness so early in life.

*Poems/Songs will be used to develop vocabulary, rhythm, pronunciation and comprehension.

MS. Jessica | SCIENCE, grades K-5

I am thrilled to be teaching Hydroponics, Science and Sustainability to grades K-5 at PS 20. I've been a teacher for 20 years and an advocate for the environment for as long as I can remember. I will see grades K-5 once a week in the Hydroponics Lab, and during that time students will be Farmer Scientists, learning a variety of topics such as hydroponics and the environment, aquaponics (fish!), germination, plant life cycles, crop calendars, and vermicomposting. Students will engage in standards-based lessons on topics such as life cycles, germination, pollination, photosynthesis, the honorable harvest, how to be stewards to our Earth, and so much more. You can look forward to your student(s) proudly bringing home some vegetables that they grew themselves throughout the school year. I am also happy to be serving as PS20's Sustainability Coordinator, to continue and build upon the great work that the school has already done in the areas of recycling, composting, energy conservation, and environmental activism.

As a school we will take part in the DOE Office of Sustainability's Climate Action Days:

Energy - December 6th
Waste - February 7th
Health, Wellness, & Green Space - April 17th
Water- June 12th

When I'm not at school you can find me hanging out with my 2 kids, playing with our dog, or going for runs throughout our beautiful city.