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, Founder of The Quad Preparatory School (2013), 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 a BS in English and one in Journalism and initial NYS Teaching Certification in English and Special Education grades 5-12 from The College at Brockport, SUNY. Ashley was a Special Education Teacher for three years before transitioning to The Quad Prep School as Curriculum Coordinator for two years and External Affairs Manager for another 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 freelance marketing and development projects and continues to teach dance to children grades K-12 in her spare time.
Email: ashley@thequadmanhattan.com
Dr. Shira Kafker, PsyD -- Supervising Psychologist
She/Her
Throughout her career, Dr. Kafker has had extensive experience working with individuals across the lifespan and levels of care. She previously worked as a supervisor at a community mental health clinic, supervising therapists across the disciplines in mental health (i.e. psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors), teaching seminars on select topics in the field of mental health, and training therapists to be certified in Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Dr. Kafker continues to train mental health professionals to be certified in PCIT and is currently certified to train other professionals to be certified in PC-CARE as well. She additionally enjoys running her private practice treating children and families, and her position as an adjunct professor at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, where she teaches courses to doctoral students in the clinical program.
Email: shira@thequadmanhattan.com
Alissa Pellegrino--Summer Program Director
she/her
Alissa is a Postdoctoral Psychologist at The Quad Preparatory School and has been involved with The Quad Manhattan in various roles since 2024. After graduating from Fordham University in 2017, she worked at Quad Prep as a 1:1 Psychosocial Assistant, and then as a Psychosocial Teacher the following year. It was during this time that she decided to pursue School Psychology. Following the completion of her PsyD at St. John's University, Alissa returned to Quad Prep as a counselor for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-grade students. She is passionate about working with the 2E population and is thrilled to be part of the program again this summer.
Email: alissa@thequadmanhattan.com
Mirlet Auguste – Senior Capoeira and Swimming Specialist
He/His
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, stuntman, 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
They/Them
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
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Madeline Toledano Assistant Director
She/Her
Madeline holds dual Degrees in Psychology and Religion Barnard College of Columbia University. She completed The Quad Manhattan's Psychosocial Internship in the summer of 2023 and quickly rose to the top of her class. She returned in 2024 as our Chief Intern. Madeline has enjoyed working with children as a summer camp counselor and a nanny. She plans to pursue a Master of Social Work after college, with the hope to continue working with children in a professional capacity. In her spare time, Madeline enjoys going to museums around the city, trying new recipes, and journaling daily.
Sarah Cehelyk--Assistant Director (Summer Program)
she/her
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. She brings experiences working with youth, conducting school-based research, and building community. As a Resident Adviser, Sarah has learned 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!
Email: sarah@thequadmanhattan.com
Abigail "Abby" Blick, Psychosocial Core Teacher
She/Her
Abby is currently pursuing her doctorate in school psychology at St. John’s University. She is a graduate from the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied psychology and cognitive science. Her experiences span a range of child-focused roles, including serving as a unit head and counselor at a day camp, conducting research on children’s learning, memory, and brain development, working with children with anxiety disorders, and tutoring. Across all of her roles, Abby champions compassion, inclusivity, and personal growth. In her free time, she enjoys exploring New York City, reading, cheering for the NY Rangers, and spending time with her dog Ricki.
Email: abby@thequadmanhattan.com
Lucy Cadmen, Psychosocial Core Teacher
She/Her
Lucy is pursuing her Master of Science in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) with a focus on Bilingual Education at Brooklyn College. She currently holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education (Birth-2nd Grade) and Special Education, as well as Children and Youth Studies. Lucy joined Quad Manhattan in 2022. In her free time, she enjoys sightseeing, exercising, watching new shows, and spending time with her family, friends, and her dog, Teddy.
Email: lucy@thequadmanhattan.com
Lex Wingerter, Psychosocial Core Teacher
Lex is a graduate student at Sarah Lawrence College, finishing their second year of a Master's in Education, with an additional certification in Special Education. Lex served as an assistant teacher at a Preschool in 2023 and prior to that, as a Basketball Camp Counselor in Florida, implementing physical health practices as well as teamwork and skill development.
Email: lex@thequadmanhattan.com
Edmond Malin, Tutor
He/Him
Ed Malin received his MSEd from Bank Street College in 2022. He also completed the University of Connecticut's certificate program in Gifted Education and Talent Development. Parent of a New York City teenager and Japanese anime fan, Ed enjoys learning about students' interests and channeling their enthusiasm into learning. Ed has taught at GO Project's summer and Saturday programs and at The IDEAL School of Manhattan, an inclusion school. Other interests include playwriting, history, and world languages.
Email: ed@thequadmanhattan.com
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Ken Breese – Strategy Games Specialist
He/him
Ken joined The Quad in 2024 as a game master. Ken has a decade of experience teaching and facilitating strategy games as well as four years experience working with middle and high school students to provide social-skill focused D&D after-school groups. Ken holds a bachelor’s degree in Film and Digital Media from The University of California at Santa Cruz. Having served over three thousand unique participants, he specializes in quickly on-boarding new participants into the basics of D&D and reinforcing skills in English language arts, mathematics, as well as life-sciences. Ken's D&D after school group also highlights skills such as social interaction, teamwork, being patient, and leadership.
Email: ken@thequadmanhattan.com
Kasey Sanchez – Animation Specialist
They/Them
Kasey is an artist and illustrator located in Brooklyn. When they're not oil painting, they teach animation in several schools around NYC. They bring the same level of creativity from their painting to their teaching style, finding which unique approach works best for each and every student's education.
Email: kasey@thequadmanhattan.com
Pepper Auerbach – Junior Counselor Support Specialist
They/Them
Pepper Auerbach started at the Quad Preparatory School as a student in 2014, and volunteered as a counselor at the Quad summer camp in 2018. Since graduating high school in 2019, they have worked every summer at Quad Manhattan in varying roles; as fine arts specialist and assistant counselor; in Peppers years as a teacher, they have taught grades K-12. Pepper is an artist, writer, teacher and tutor, and they graduated from the School of Visual Arts with a BFA in Illustration in 2023. In their spare time, they create art, including comics and illustrations.
Email: pepper@thequadmanhattan.com
Max Fan, 1:1 Psychosocial Assistant Teacher
He/His
Max graduated from Wesleyan University in 2024 with dual degrees in Psychology and American Studies. He was a part of the Quad Manhattan team during the summer of 2023, rising to the top of his class as a psychosocial intern. Max will be attending Pace University this upcoming fall to pursue his doctorate in School-Clinical Child Psychology. In his free time, Max enjoys skiing, watching football, reading, and hanging out with his friends.
Email: max@thequadmanhattan.com
Emily Caldwell, 1:1 Psychosocial Assistant Teacher
She/Her
Emily Caldwell joined the team in the summer of 2025 as a Psychosocial Assistant Teacher. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Behavioral Health, currently pursuing her M.S. in Counselor Education at Brockport College. She is certified in Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) and has over six years of experience supporting individuals with diverse abilities. Emily has a particular interest in working with the twice-exceptional (2e) population. In her free time, she enjoys reading, attending live shows, and spending time with her cat, Bellatrix.
Email: emily@thequadmanhattan.com
Angela Balbuena-Garcia, 1:1 Psychosocial Assistant Teacher
She/Her
bio coming soon
Email: angela@thequadmanhattan.com
Catherine Lee, 1:1 Psychosocial Assistant Teacher
She/Her
bio coming soon
Julia Lieberman, Occupational Therapist
She/Her
Julia is a pediatric Occupational Therapist and has been teaching at the Quad Preparatory School and Quad Manhattan summer camp since 2021. She received a Bachelor's of Health Science and a Master's of Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University in May 2020. Julia has received training in the Learning without Tears Curriculum, the Interoception Curriculum, and Sensory Integration. She loves working with the 2e population and is excited to return to camp this summer. When she is not working, Julia enjoys walking with her puppy and trying food spots around the city.
Email: julia@thequadmanhattan.com
Julie Beynenson, MA, MEd, LMHC
She/Her
Julie Beynenson, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor with a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland and a dual master’s in Psychological Counseling from Columbia University. She has extensive experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults in both school-based and clinical settings. For the past seven years, Julie has worked in specialized schools for neurodivergent children, collaborating closely with students, families, educators, and multidisciplinary teams to provide individualized emotional and behavioral support. This work has given her a deep understanding of how mental health influences students’ academic success, social development, and emotional well-being. In addition to her school-based work, Julie sees clients across the lifespan in a group private practice in Brooklyn, supporting individuals as they navigate a wide range of life challenges.
Email: julie@thequadmanhattan.com
Amanda D'Alessandro, MS, CCC-Speech and Language Pathologist
She/Her
bio coming soon
Email: amanda@thequadmanhattan.com
D'Andre Williams, Technology Specialist
He/Him
D’Andre has a degree in computer science and a minor in mathematics. After graduating, he worked as a software engineer in the finance industry before learning about portfolio careers, where a person has multiple careers to fulfill different ambitions in their working life. As a result, he also works in educating the new generation in computer science, math, and chess as a tutor and teacher.
Email: dandre@thequadmanhattan.com
Booker Arnold, Camp Support Associate
He/Him
Booker has served as a junior counselor at The Quad Manhattan since 2019. He assists in the Capoeira classroom with Mirlet, where he has developed and refined his Capoeira skills over the last ten years with the program. Booker also specializes in transportation coordination for all summer field trips. Booker is a Quad Prep School graduate and is happy to work with Quad Manhattan students every summer.
Varick Shah, Junior Counselor
He/Him
Varick has served as a Junior Counselor at The Quad Manhattan since 2024. He assists in the Athletics department along side Mirlet Auguste where he supports other gifted athletes with their training and skill development. During the 2024-2025 school year, Varick was appointed student leader serving on his school’s conflict resolution board and serves as a role model to younger peers. At the same time, Varick served as the maitre d his school's dining hall, organizing lunch six days per week. An athlete through and through, Varick enjoys weightlifting, swimming, and a variety of sports. He is a Red Cross Certified Lifeguard (with First Aid, CPR, AED) and a licensed scuba diver. Varick is interested in TV/Vidéo/Film Editing for his future career with some newly developed digital projects inspired from his earlier handwritten cartoon work at Quad.
Aditya Bhide Junior Counselor
He/Him
bio coming soon
Julian Barclay Junior Counselor
He/Him
bio coming soon
Henry Dal Piaz Junior Counselor
He/Him
Henry is a rising tenth grader at The Quad Preparatory School and joined The Quad Manhattan's team in the summer of 2025. In school, his favorite subject is history. In his free time, Henry enjoys reading books, watching funny videos, learning about animals, and spending time with his cats.