The Quad Manhattan
Programs for Twice-Exceptional (2e) Children
Heather Goldman, Ph.D. – Supervising Child Psychologist
Dr. Heather Goldman, a Clinical Instructor of Psychology at Columbia University, has been the Supervising Clinical Psychologist for The Quad since its inception in 2010. She has over 10 years experience coordinating school-based mental health programs, running her own private practice and serving as a school psychologist at 2 schools, one that serves 2E children. She additionally teaches and is experienced in running clinical trials. Heather is the Program Director for The Quad's Psychosocial Internship Program and for the Certificate Program in Meeting the Needs of Twice Exceptional Children. She directs all afterschool programs and provides professional insight to the ALL programs at The Quad by supervising several interns and staff members in working with our kids. She is enthusiastic with knowledge and experience.
Email: heather@thequadmanhattan.com
Ashley Riviere – Director, Summer Camp
Ashley began at the Quad in 2012 as a Core teacher and as the Summer Camp Director in 2013. Ashley is a teacher, tutor, writer, and admirer of all things fun! Ashley graduated from The College at Brockport, SUNY with a bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism and NYS Teaching Certification in English and Special Education. Ashley is currently a Special Education Teacher for New York City Department of Education. She specializes in reading and writing and has implemented two summer curricula for The Quad Manhattan including writing for the media and multi-cultural, hands-on reading with interactive field trips. Ashley has a true passion for teaching, children and their advancement in the world.
Email: ashley@thequadmanhattan.com
Mirlet Auguste – Capoeira and Dance Specialist
Mirlet Auguste has been teaching summer camps at the Quad since 2011. He is a Graduado from Grupo Capoeira Luanda NYC under the supervision of Mestre Jelon Vieira and has been training capoeira for over 8 years. Mirlet has also taught Capoeira at Kipp Amp Charter School in Brooklyn. A native New Yorker, Mirlet is also a free-style dancer and performer with a strong influence of Afro beats and House music and a full-time Fashion Designer.
Kimberly Busi, M.D. – Founder and Director
Kim Busi is a Psychiatrist in private practice in Lower Manhattan and a former Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the NYU School of Medicine. She left her faculty appointment in 2009 to found The Quad Manhattan. She received her Medical Degree from the Brown University School of Medicine in 1997. After completing a year’s training in Pediatrics at the New York Hospital-Weill Medical Center, Dr. Busi finished her residency training in Psychiatry at the NYU School of Medicine in 2001. At NYU, Dr. Busi has designed curriculum, and taught and supervised residents. She served on the Curriculum Committee for the Department of Psychiatry, and as the Director of Education for the NYU/Bellevue Program for Survivors of Torture, a not-for-profit multidisciplinary treatment center within the Bellevue Hospital Center. There, she developed a multilevel curriculum to teach and supervise over 100 medical students, residents and psychologists. Best of all, she is the mother of two wonderful boys, 14 and 10.
Email: kim@thequadmanhattan.com
Nicole Cavaliere- Fine Art and Photography Specialist
Nicole started at The Quad as a fine arts teacher in 2013 and has taught in The Quad After School program and summer program as a Core Teacher. She is an artist and teaching artist with a degree in Art and Design Education from Pratt Institute, where she taught in their Saturday Art School. She has also taught at Academy of the City Charter School in Queens and has worked with sick, disabled, and disadvantaged children in South America and Africa for 3 summers with the Hope For The Children Foundation.
Jackson Kent- Improvisational Theater Specialist
Jackson started at The Quad as an intern in the summer of 2013. He returned in the summers of 2015 and 2016 as an improv teacher. He was an assistant teacher at The Quad Preparatory School from 2013 to 2014. During this time he taught two afterschool classes in improv theater and psychosocial core curriculum. He has been working with children since 2009 and has been involved with theater for his entire life. Jackson completed undergrad studies in Psychology at Oberlin College and is currently pursuing a masters of social work at Hunter College and graduates in May of 2016.
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Jennifer Yu- Core Teacher
Jennifer is a graduate of Wellesley College and Teach For America, Jennifer holds Master’s degree in Secondary Special Education and is currently pursuing a PsyD in School-Clinical Child Psychology at the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University. She has experience teaching co-taught and self-contained Reading to high school students and most recently worked with 2e children at the Quad Preparatory School and Quad Manhattan Afterschool Program where she has co-written curriculum for the humanities and taught after school programs.
Meet Us!
Kimberly Busi, M.D. – Founder
she/her
Kim Busi is a Psychiatrist in private practice in Lower Manhattan and a former Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the NYU School of Medicine. She left her faculty appointment in 2009 to found The Quad Manhattan. She received her Medical Degree from the Brown University School of Medicine in 1997. After completing a year’s training in Pediatrics at the New York Hospital-Weill Medical Center, Dr. Busi finished her residency training in Psychiatry at the NYU School of Medicine in 2001. At NYU, Dr. Busi has designed curriculum, and taught and supervised residents. She served on the Curriculum Committee for the Department of Psychiatry, and as the Director of Education for the NYU/Bellevue Program for Survivors of Torture, a not-for-profit multidisciplinary treatment center within the Bellevue Hospital Center. There, she developed a multilevel curriculum to teach and supervise over 100 medical students, residents and psychologists. Best of all, she is the mother of two wonderful boys.
Ashley Riviere – Managing Director
she/her
Ashley began at The Quad in 2012 as a Core teacher and as the Summer Camp Director in 2013. Ashley is a teacher, tutor, and writer. She holds two bachelor’s degrees; English and Journalism and NYS Teaching Certification in English and Special Education grades 5-12 from The College at Brockport, SUNY. Ashley was a Special Education Teacher for New York City Department of Education High Schools for three years and Curriculum Coordinator for The Quad Preparatory School for two. She specializes in teaching reading and writing and has implemented several summer curricula for The Quad Manhattan including writing for the media and multi-cultural, hands-on reading with interactive field trips. Ashley previously managed external affairs for The Quad Prep School and continues to teach dance to children grades K-12 in her spare time.
Email: ashley@thequadmanhattan.com
Dr. Benjamin Klein, PhD -- Supervising Psychologist
he/him
Dr. Ben Klein joined The Quad Manhattan in 2018 with 25 years of experience working in camps and schools. Ben has an undergraduate degree in Human Development from Cornell University and a masters and doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University. Throughout his time in school and while working professionally, he has worked as a camp counselor, classroom teacher, and most recently as a school psychologist at Collegiate School. In his roles as a school psychologist he has led trainings, facilitated support groups, responded to student crises, and worked closely with students both in the classroom and during counseling sessions. Ben also brings to The Quad Manhattan his vast experience with Collaborative Problem Solving and Social Thinking and uses these approaches and techniques to help all of the campers to build their social-emotional and executive functioning skills during their summer at camp.
Ana Leon, MS Ed – Summer Program Director
Ana Leon has been spending her summers with The Quad Manhattan since 2019. She has been a full-time lead teacher at The Quad Preparatory School since 2017 and the lower school’s DEI Chair since 2020. Ana earned a BA in Psychology from Queens College and a dual master's in education and special education with a Concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorder from Long Island University. Outside of the camp world, she has extensive experience working with children and young adults in a variety of settings.
Email: ana@thequadmanhattan.com
Mirlet Auguste – Senior Capoeira and Swimming Specialist (After School and Summer Program)
Mirlet Auguste has been teaching summer camps at The Quad Manhattan since 2011. He is a Graduado from Grupo Capoeira Luanda NYC under the supervision of Mestre Jelon Vieira and has been training capoeira for over 8 years. Mirlet has also taught Capoeira at Kipp Amp Charter School in Brooklyn. A native New Yorker, Mirlet is also a free-style dancer and performer with a strong influence of Afro beats and House music and a full-time Fashion Designer.
Email: mirlet@thequadmanhattan.com
Drue Schwartz- Senior Fine Arts Instructor, Co-Chairperson on the Subcommittee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Drue Schwartz is an artist educator based in Brooklyn and has been with The Quad Manhattan Summer Program since 2019. They received their Masters in Art Education at Pratt Institute in 2020 with a focus in garden based education. Within their teaching practice Drue focuses on differentiating instructions and creating fluid lessons. Drue also has a personal art practice focusing on print making and color pencil drawings.
Email: drue@thequadmanhattan.com
Sarah Cehelyk--Assistant Director (Summer Program)
Sarah Cehelyk is a Muhlenberg College graduate with a degree in Psychology, and an aspiring School Psychologist in her graduate studies. She interned with The Quad Manhattan in 2021 and returned in 2022 as chief intern. Through her experiences working with youth, conducting school-based research, and building community, she is eager to dive into all that The QUAD Manhattan has to offer. Her experience as a Resident Adviser has taught her how to build community and what it means to cater towards the needs of the individual. Through her school-based research experience, she has used data analysis to evaluate the efficacy of a mindfulness intervention. With a passion for social-emotional learning, she recognizes how the academic and emotional growths of youth are intertwined. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, reading, and writing!
Leilah Bates-Core Teacher
she/her
Leilah has been with The Quad Manhattan since 2022. She earned her bachelor's in Psychology from SUNY Geneseo in 2020. Since then, she has worked in a Montessori setting as a teaching associate in kindergarten and first grade. Prior to her time at Geneseo, Leilah, a Buffalo native, worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor for the YMCA. Leadership accolades include celebration chair at Sigma Delta Tau and volunteer work at Buffalo General Medical assisting residents ranging from disabled or recovering children to adults.
Email: leilah@thequadmanhattan.com
Mariah Morales-Core Teacher
Mariah has a Bachelor's degree in psychology and is now pursuing a Masters Degree at Hunter College for Mental Health Counseling. Mariah is enthusiastic about furthering her knowledge in community building and expanding her expertise in the social-emotional needs of students. She is eager to apply the social-emotional learning skills she acquired at Quad prep and her school to assist camp participants, ensuring a rewarding and prosperous summer for students. In her free time, she enjoys painting, dancing, reading and spending time with her family and friends.
Email: mariah@thequadmanhattan.com
Angela Garcia– Psychosocial Assistant Teacher
Angela Garcia is a recent Grand Canyon University Graduate with a Master's in Education, focused on Special Education from Kindergarten to 12th grade. Angela also attended Brooklyn College as an undergrad, majoring in Early Childhood Education from Birth -2nd Grade. Angela's joined The Quad Manhattan in 2022. In her free time, she enjoys reading on her Kindle, painting, and spending time with her friends, family, and her two pet dogs Precious and Bella.
Email: angela@thequadmanhattan.com
Fabiola Ngjeci--Counselor
Fabiola Ngjeci graduated from Fordham University in May 2020. She is a certified Bilingual School Psychologist and holds a master's degree in the Psychology of Bilingual Students. Fabiola has experience working with neurodiverse children, as well as children with academic and social/emotional difficulties. She plans to focus her practice on families with twice-exceptional, gifted and special needs children. Fabiola enjoys journaling and going for walks. These hobbies allow her to attain balance and carefully enjoy her "self-time".
Email: fabiola@thequadmanhattan.com
Ashleigh Heyder--Substitute Assistant Teacher
Ashleigh Heyder is a Montclair State University graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, and is preparing to attend Brooklyn College to earn a Master's in Psychology, Mental Health Counseling. Her goal is to pursue Art Therapy following Graduate School. She worked as a Psychosocial Assistant at Quad Prep Lower School in 2022, and started with The Quad Manhattan Summer Program in 2023!
Abigail Minkove, Assistant Psychosocial Teacher
She/Her/Hers
Abigail (Abby) Minkove, Yeshiva University Psychology (2023), is an aspiring social worker. She grew up in New Rochelle, NY and has lived in New York her entire life. She completed The Quad Manhattan Psychosocial Internship in 2023 and quickly rose to the top of her class, connecting naturally with twice-exceptional learners. Abby returned in 2023 as our Chief Intern. In her free time, Abby loves to bake, watch movies, organize her things in color order and hang out with her friends.