Announcing New Summer Program Director Dr. Alissa Pellegrino
- Ashley Riviere
- May 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 1
This summer, The Quad community says a bittersweet “see you later” to Sarah Cehelyk, the Assistant Director of the Summer Program and Summer Program Director, Ana Leon. Since 2021, Cehelyk has been a part of the summer program, working as a psychosocial intern, chief intern, psychosocial support associate, and last summer beginning her role as Assistant Director. Likewise, Ana Leon has served at The Quad Manhattan since 2020 as a substitute teacher, then summer program director for the past three years.
Cehelyk and Leon say they've deeply enjoyed their work with our students, staff, and families.
“I would like to thank the Quad Manhattan community for endless support, guidance, and community over the past several years. So much of who I am and who I am becoming is thanks to my summers with The Quad Manhattan,” Cehelyk says.
Managing Director Ashley Riviere says that Cehelyk's contributions to the program have been monumental. She adds that in Cehelyk's years at Quad, the program has added the latest research, newly adapted models of psychosocial learning, and advanced in understanding DEIB paradigms and pedagogy thanks in large part to Cehelyk's tireless efforts, skills, and talents as an up-and-comer.
"Sarah is a rising star in the field and we have been lucky to have her as part of the Quad team in recent years," Riviere said, "We hope to have her back very soon!"
Leon transitions toward exciting heights in public education where she serves as a lead special education teacher for the New York City Department of Education, now year round. In her tenure at Quad, Leon developed supervision and leadership practices for new staff, informed invaluable work in the Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging subcommittee related specifically to curriculum integration, and endless modeling of best practices in 2e education for first year Quad teachers and interns in the classroom.
"Ana has been an asset to The Quad Manhattan's Program, especially in a pandemic-effected world when rebuilding our community was top priority," Riviere said. "Ana's insight and contributions were at the forefront, helping us to overcome new challenges every day with precision and professionalism," she said.
The Quad community wishes Cehelyk and Leon the best as they complete Psy.D. studies in School Psychology and invaluable work in the public sector, respectively.
The Quad is pleased to announce new Summer Program Director, Dr. Alissa Pellegrino, Psy.D. and Assistant Director, Madeline Toledano. Pellegrino has been involved with the Quad Manhattan in various roles since 2024. Currently, she works as a Postdoctoral Psychologist at The Quad Preparatory School. After graduating from Fordham University in 2017, Pellegrino worked as a 1:1 Psychosocial Assistant at the Quad Preparatory School, followed by a year working as a Psychosocial Teacher. She went on to complete her Psy.D. in School Psychology at St. John’s University.
Pellegrino says thrilled to be joining The Quad Manhattan team for Summer 2025. A 2e professional, Pellegrino said she's eager to begin the training program in June with our staff. She has already been brainstorming how to contribute her expertise in this position. "I'm very passionate about is neurodiversity-affirming practices," Pellegrino said.
Madeline Toledano returns for her third summer at Quad, assisting the program with her psychosocial expertise after completing a full summer internship in 2023 where she rose to the top of her class and returned in 2024 as chief intern.
"Serving as Chief Intern really prepared me [to be assistant director] because I was able to work closely with Dr. Kafker and the leadership team to learn the ins and outs of the program and continue to grow my knowledge of this exciting population," Toledano said.
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