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CAROLE BERMAN – Director and Founder of the Gifted and Talented Development Center.  Carole has been actively involved in Gifted Education for over 30 years, having served as a teacher of the gifted and talented students in the High and Wide and BOCES programs.  She was a reading teacher in Yonkers for 23 years.  She serves as President of the Gifted and Talented Foundation, Board member of New York State Camp Directors Association and member of the American Camping Association.

JOYCE CARROLL – Joyce accomplished her culinary skills by traveling to Italy twice a year, conducting tours and cooking the foods from different Italian regions.  Many clubs and private parties have enjoyed her catering skills and creativity.

JC CHERUBINI – JC is an award winning professional portrait and sports photographer, advance Photoshop specialist and graphic designer.  Currently JC works a s a full time portrait photographer with Lifetouch National School Studios, a general partner of Cherubini Map & Imaging Studios, as part time naturalist at Caumsett State Park in Lloyd Harbor, NY, and as a events photographer for Sport Photo in Dallas, TX.  JC has worked with children of all ages in education and photography for years.

TERRANCE CUSTER – Terrance, a computer expert, loves to administer the computer lab at The Chatsworth Elementary School in Mamaroneck where he teaches both students and staff everything from basic computer skills to cutting edge programs.  He also instructs district staff on techniques to integrate technology into their daily life and class lessons at the Teacher’s Institute.

DEBRA DAVIS GALLIARD -Debra Davis Galliard teaches Science at Rye Middle School and holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Manhattanville College. Ms. Davis Galliard has previously taught students from elementary through high school. Prior to teaching, Debra spent over 30 years working at IBM and brings with her an expertise in technology.

GAIL EHRLICH PETERS – Gail is a former practicing attorney who has been teaching Criminal, Constitutional and Civil law classes at Herbert H. Lehman High School in the Bronx since 2003.  She also coaches the school’s Moot Court/Mock Trial Team.  During her legal career, she worked as an assistant district attorney as well as other public service legal positions.  She is happy to be helping Challenge campers develop their legal talents.

JOSEPH FIELDS – Joseph is a full time professional magician performing over five hundred shows a year in the Tri-State area.  He is an instructor in ten school districts in Westchester, teaching the art of magic.

JOHN FITZSIMMONS – John is a former police investigator with 20 years experience.  He has been teaching elementary and middle school for ten years.  He enjoys incorporating all aspects of education in his two LEGO workshops.

ED FORREST – Ed is founder and owner of Astronomy Delight! and Learning Delight! educational companies, which have franchise locations throughout the United States.  Ed has inspired thousands of children to learn and experience the wonders of astronomy by providing unique astronomy programs.  Ed has lectured at schools, planetariums, bookstores, and featured speaker at National Home School Conventions and Universities.

MARCY GEISSER-WOLF – Marcy has over fifteen years of administrative experience in academic camps. She has great expertise in staff training and management and coordinates the Counselor in Training program.

LAURA GILLINGS – Laura, returning to the camp office this summer holds a BFA degree from the University of Mass as Amherst.  She is currently an elementary school art specialist in the Yonkers Public Schools where she teaches pre-k through 5th grade.  Laura also creates her own custom designed jewelry.

SHONA GUALTIERI – Shona has a Masters in Early Childhood Education and permanent NYS certification. She has been teaching pre/kindergarten for fourteen years and is a strong advocate for early childhood education to instill in children a love of learning that will developed throughout their lives.

BRENDA GUY – Brenda is a registered nurse employed with the New Rochelle School District.  She has twenty years of nursing experience at the Sound Shore Medical Center.

TIMOTHY BUCKLEY HEATH - Tim has been teaching in public and private school settings for 25 years. He specializes in hands-on science, computer hardware and technology as well as digital graphics. audio and video applications. Tim also builds and configures customized computer systems with students.

MICHAEL HIRSH – Mike has a Dual Master’s degree from Long Island University and has been teaching both Social Studies and Literacy at the Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy for the past three years.  Our campers already know Mike well as he has been head tennis instructor at Challenge for five years.

JOSEPH HUTCHINS – Joseph studied design and fine arts in California and Nova Scotia.  His company builds architectural models, designs and presentations for many major architects and developers in New York.  He is involved with the “Sustainable City Project” working to bring about more sustainable urban design.

MARK LUNGARIELLO – Mark is a reporter and editor for Home Town Media Group, a company that publishes five community newspapers including The Town Report in Eastchester. His articles have also appeared in numerous magazines such as Rockland Parent and Emixshow DJ Magazine. He obtained his Master Degree in writing from Manhattanville College in 2006.

ALLEN MARCHE – Allen is a Permanent New York certified electrical engineering technologist teacher.  He has been teaching pre-engineering in the secondary level for eighteen years, eleven at Saunders Technical Trade High School and seven years in New York City. He is a member and mentor for First Robotic Team competition.

BARBARA MCCANN – Barbara has a lifelong love of gardening and has studied at New York’s botanical gardens.  She loves working with children and has taught many after school programs.  She specializes in organic gardening and cultivating flowers and herbs.

BERENICE MILLER – Berenice is a registered nurse with 18 years experience as a nurse with the Scarsdale Recreation Program.  She is currently an Emergency Technician riding with the Scarsdale Ambulance Corps.

FRANK PANDOLFO – Frank is a science teacher and Clinical Field Supervisor overseeing student teachers at Manhattanville College.  With over thirty years of classroom experience, his expertise includes biology, genetics, psychology, microbiology and physical science.  He is a member of the National Science Teachers Association and will be celebrating his twelfth year at Challenge.

ANNE PASQUALE - Anne, an actress and playwright, is presently a member of The Actors Studio.  She trained at L.A.M.D.A. and the New York School for the Arts.  She has appeared on TV and performed on stage in New York and Great Britain.  In addition, Anne creates and tours her repertoire of Living History Programs for audiences of all ages. 

ALLAN PEARLMAN - Allan has been teaching science for more than 40 years and still enjoys the challenge of imparting knowledge into inquisitive minds.  His real joy is teaching entomology and forensics at Challenge Camp.

SCOTT PULLMAN – Scott is a teacher of Constitutional Law at the Bronx School of Law and Finance. He earned his undergraduate degree at Tufts University and Master Degree at Teachers College, Columbia University.  He has worked as a Legal Assistant for the Law Firms Crowell and Moring LLP and Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton Garrison LLP.  He is very excited to be teaching at the camp he attended as a student not so long ago.

JACQUI ROYTMAN- Jacqui is a performing artist and teacher.  She creates, develops and presents original dance and circus art performances and arts-in-education residencies throughout NYC and Westchester.  Jacqui is currently developing and teaching workshops focusing on the importance of integrating movement and art with environmental studies and community involvement. 

ANNA SAURA – Anna has a BFA degree in advertising and Commercial art from Pels School of Art/Cooper Union, as well as a teaching degree from Liceo Moderno San Carlos University, Guatemala.  After a successful career in advertising/graphic design, Anna founded Children’s Creative Corner in Larchmont.  She has developed and taught art programs for children at her art center and various elementary schools throughout Westchester.

REGINA TALBOT – Regina holds a Master Degree in Music Education and has taught music for 15 years in public and international schools.  She currently teaches vocal music in the New Rochelle School District.

EON TIWARI – Eon has been a remote control hobbyist for fifteen years and has won much recognition and numerous awards in local competitions.  He is the proud owner of Redline Hobbies in Harrison, New York.

ANATOLY TONKONOGY – Born and raised in Kiev, Anatoly has been living in the US for over 15 years and is a Senior Master in Chess.  He has taught chess to children and young adults for over 20 years and currently coaches the 16 year old US girls champion.

LIDA Y. ZIMMERMAN – Lida was born in Shanghai and has lived in America for five years. She is a graduate of the University of China where she studied painting. She has been a student of the most famous artists in China. As an art teacher in Shanghai, she taught watercolor, pencil drawing, as well as the ancient art of “paper cutting”.  She has written books on “How to Paint” and contributed to art textbooks for the elementary and middle school in Shanghai.  Lida teaches art in New York. She has exhibited her artwork in Westchester.