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
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
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
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
Rebecca Bacon, M.S., CCC-SLP, TSSLD – Supervising Speech and Language Therapist
Rebecca grew up in Connecticut and moved to Manhattan in 2017. She started at The Quad Manhattan as a Core 1 Head Teacher in the summer of 2018. Rebecca is a certified Speech Language Pathologist with a master’s degree from Syracuse University in Speech and Language Pathology and a Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities Certification. She received a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Syracuse University. Rebecca is currently an SLP for special education students from ages 5 to 13 years old at Aaron School during the school year. In 2018, she also started her own private practice after school, treating clients with language delays and disabilities. She loves helping children express themselves and making social learning fun! In her free time, she enjoys traveling, baking, and cheering on the Devils hockey team.
Email: rebecca@thequadmanhattan.com
Stephanie Grayson, LMSW-- Lead Social Worker & Executive Functioning Coach
Stephanie is a New York University Master of Social Work Program alum. She currently serves as a counselor at the Quad Preparatory School, and has taught Quad Squad Jr. (After School Class) and provided Executive Functioning Coaching, and has been with The Quad Manhattan Summer Camp since 2017 where she began as a psychosocial intern during undergrad. She has held the positions of intern, chief intern, and core teacher at camp.
Elise Ringel, MS, CCC-SLP--Assistant Director
Elise began with The Quad Manhattan in 2021 as an assistant director to the summer program. During the school year, Elise teaches speech and language therapy at Aaron School in New York City. Elise received her Master's in Communicative Science and Disorders from New York University and also studied Speech Pathology, Education, and Audiology as an undergrad at Loyola University. Prior to her post secondary educational journey, Elise organized an Olympic event that paired a local parish youth group with a group of local students on the autism spectrum to raise awareness of autism to the parish community. Elise has served children across New York City schools and clinics in therapeutic settings and has studied abroad in Bangkok, Thailand, and Lund, Sweden.
Email: elise@thequadmanhattan.com
Caroline "Cece" Montgomery – Psychosocial Curriculum Specialist
Cece joined Quad Manhattan as a Psychosocial Core Teacher in summer 2020. During the school year, Cece is pursuing both a doctoral degree in School Psychology and a master's degree in Therapeutic Interventions at Fordham University. Previously, Cece taught third grade with the Collegiate School on the upper west side after receiving her bachelor's degree in Childhood and Special Education from New York University. Cece is a ballerina-turned-educator who has been a Manhattanite since high school when she began training with the American Ballet Theatre. These days, in her spare time, Cece loves to go on runs with her dog Luna!
Email: cece@thequadmanhattan.com
Vivian Lin --Senior Core Teacher, Summer Program
Vivian Lin is a former S.T.E.M teacher from The Quad Preparatory School. She graduated from Stony Brook University with a Bachelors degree in psychology as well as a Masters degree in Education with a specialization in mathematics. Since 2016, Vivian has taught a multitude of grades ranging from prekindergarten to sixth grade. Additionally, she has experience teaching across different settings such as camps, charter schools, public schools, and private school. Her diverse experience has cultivated her love for research and advancement in mental and behavioral health for student’s and their families. Vivian wants to continue advancing her career by getting a PhD in Clinical Psychology.
Email: vivian@thequadmanhattan.com
Mirlet Auguste – Capoeira 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
Fabiola Ngjeci--Core Teacher, Summer Program
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
Danielle Dube -- Strategy Games Specialist Teacher (After School and Summer Program)
coming soon
Ilaria Colombo--Italian Teacher (After School & Summer Program)
Ilaria is an Italian Language teacher both for children and adults. She was born in Varese, Italy and attended the Università di Lettere e Filosofia of Milan majoring in Ancient Roman History and graduated with honors. She has been teaching for several years in many Institutes and schools in Italy. This experience inspired her to pursue her ambitions for a career in teaching children and youth in the US as well. Before moving to New York, she worked as Head Italian Teacher, Tutor and Director’s Assistant at “Language and Enrichment Center-Let’s Play in Italian” in Scotch Plains (NJ) and she’s currently one of the Italian teachers at “Collina Italiana” in Manhattan. She likes studying languages, traveling and learning about different cultures. In her spare time she enjoys Walking discovering new and unusual aspects and spots in New York. She is extremely patient and enthusiastic about her work and she loves to pass the knowledge through a variety of teaching techniques aim to guide students along their way to learn and to achieve all their goals and needs.
Email: ilaria@thequadmanhattan.com
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Blake Brauer-Music Instructor (Summer Camp & Private Lessons)
Blake grew up in a home filled with music. He is a proficient vocalist, cellist, and pianist. After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan with a BFA in Music Theatre, Blake continued developing music to be a central pillar of his life. While he feels most passionate about performance, he also enjoys teaching the next generations of musicians; he has taught at the St. Paul Academy for Performing Artists and The Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis. Blake moved to NYC in December of 2019 to pursue his dreams of music and theatre and has been with The Quad Manhattan since the summer of 2020 as the primary music instructor and talent coach for all ages.
Email: blake@thequadmanhattan.com
Desiree Bartels- Theater Specialist Teacher (Summer Program)
Desiree Bartels is an arts administrator, theatre and film artist, and creative educator based out of Brooklyn. Born and raised in small-town Nebraska, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Directing & Management and Theatre Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her career in educational theatre began while interning at Seattle Children’s Theatre, and it continued to develop through her undergraduate thesis, “Bridging the Theatrical and Social Gap,” in which she combined methods of interactive children’s theatre with social justice theatre to devise workshops for students Grades 1-7. Past work also includes serving as Education and Development Intern with New York International Children’s Film Festival, Theatre Coordinator for Lincoln Public Schools’ SPARK Summer Learning, Fall Camp Coordinator for Lincoln Community Playhouse, and Film Teaching Artist for Artists Striving to End Poverty’s (ASTEP) Shanti Bhavan program. She is delighted to return to The Quad for her second summer as a Theatre Specialist and looks forward to making copious creative discoveries with her students!Email: desiree@thequadmanhattan.com
Amy Reid- Animation Specialist Teacher (Summer Program)
Amy Reid is an educator and filmmaker based out of New York City and California. Teaching for over the last decade, from stop-motion animation to film production classes, Amy is interested in fostering the imaginative potential of her students and building community collaboration through the movie-making process. Currently, Amy is finishing her first-feature length documentary about female truck drivers and is entering a PhD Film Studies Program at UC Santa Cruz in the fall of 2019. When she's not teaching and filming, Amy enjoys going to the beach with her dog Jolene.
Email: amy@thequadmanhattan.com
Drue Schwartz- 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
Noah Chevan--Technology Specialist
Noah joined The Quad Manhattan in 2018 as a technology expert in programming, coding, gaming, and robotics through our partnership with Virtual Maker University. Noah brings extensive technological background to all things Quad. More bio coming soon!
Email: noah@thequadmanhattan.com