Past Big Apple Award Recipients

2018 Big Apple Award Recipients Pose with Chancellor Richard A. Carranza

2022 Big Apple Award Recipients

  • Jamie Anderson, English, ReStart Academy (79M973), Manhattan
  • Lorenzo Anoba, Biology And General Science, Academy of Finance and Enterprise (24Q264), Queens
  • Erika Bance, Dance, Repertory Company High School for Theatre Arts (02M531), Manhattan
  • Shara Breit, Common Branches, P.S. 11 Thomas Dongan School (31R011), Staten Island
  • Lisa Cohen, Physical Education/Common Branches, P.S. 091 Richard Arkwright (24Q091), Queens
  • Nethaniel Colon, English, Cambria Heights Academy (29Q326), Queens
  • Emily Doherty, Special Education, P.S. 175 City Island (11X175), Bronx
  • Ayanna Emanuel, Mathematics, M.S. 297 (02M297), Manhattan
  • Christine Galvin-Manzello, Special Education, P.S. 091 Richard Arkwright (24Q091), Queens
  • Melissa Garcia, Common Branches, KIPP Infinity Charter School (84M336), Manhattan
  • James Haggerty, Fine Arts, J.H.S. 383 Philippa Schuyler (32K383), Brooklyn
  • Jeannie Kim, Music, P.S. 059 Beekman Hill International (02M059), Manhattan
  • Angelica Lagares, Spanish, I.S. 528 Bea Fuller Rodgers School (06M528), Manhattan
  • Matthew Nelson, Special Education, John Adams High School (27Q480), Queens
  • Joseph Nunez, Early Childhood, P.S. 108 Sal Abbracciamento (19K108), Brooklyn
  • Michael Pantone, Drama/SPED, P.S. K721 - Brooklyn Occupational Training Center (75K721), Brooklyn
  • Cristie Peralta, Biology And General Science, International School for Liberal Arts - Walton High School (10X342), Bronx
  • Sherwin Perreira, Common Branches, P.S. 208 Elsa Ebeling (18K208), Brooklyn
  • Jarisa Santiago, Common Branches, P.S. 132 The Conselyea School (14K132), Brooklyn
  • Cindy Wang, English As A Second Language, International High School at Lafayette (21K337), Brooklyn

2021 Big Apple Award Recipients

  • Ivelisse Ramos Brannon, English Language Arts & AP Language and Composition, Central Park East High School (04M555), Manhattan
  • Jonathan Schulman, 4th Grade Civics and Sustainability/English Language Arts and Debate, P.S. 110 - The Monitor School (14K110), Brooklyn
  • Melisande Bolano, Elementary, Dual Language, P.S. 76Q William Hallet School (30Q076), Queens
  • Virginia Ford, Special Education, Urban Assembly School for Applied Math and Science (09X241), Bronx
  • Sasha Roopchand, Physical Education & Health Education, The Brooklyn Green School (16K898), Brooklyn
  • Azucena Quintuna, Elementary ENL/Bilingual Education Teacher, P.S. 108 Sal Abbracciamento (19K108), Brooklyn
  • Krystal Chong, 8th Grade Mathematics & Algebra I, Madiba Prep Middle School (16K681), Brooklyn
  • Catherine Blades, Theater, J.H.S. 383 Philippa Schuyler (32K383), Brooklyn
  • Jamala Roper, Fifth Grade Literacy, P.S. 179 (07X179), Bronx
  • Kim Wojcieszek, Dance, P.S. 100 The Coney Island School (21K100), Brooklyn
  • Charan Morris, English Language Arts, Vanguard High School (02M449), Manhattan
  • Michele Nelson, Early Childhood, Infants and Toddlers, LYFE Program, Telecommunications High School (79M984), Brooklyn
  • Jennifer Schecter, Instrumental Music, M.S. 158 Marie Curie (26Q158), Queens
  • Alanna O’Donnell, Special Education, High School, P.S. K721 - Brooklyn Occupational Training Center (75K721), Brooklyn
  • Kristen Fusaro-Pizzo, English Language Arts, Staten Island Technical High School (31R605), Staten Island
  • Meghan Brady, Elementary School, P.S. 153 Helen Keller (11X153), Bronx
  • Michael Gentils, Mathematics, P.S. 288 The Shirley Tanyhill (21K288), Brooklyn
  • Frankelly Fernandez, AP World History, Global Studies, New Visions Charter High School for Advanced Math and Science II, Bronx
  • Deborah Rich, Visual Arts, P.S. 161 Arthur Ashe School (28Q161), Queens
  • Sonia Hurdle, Mathematics, I.S. 392 (23K392), Brooklyn

2020 Big Apple Award Recipients

  • Laura Blau, High School Visual Arts Teacher, Millennium Art Academy (08X312, Bronx
  • Cheryl Charisma Diallo, K-12 Science Teacher, Passages Academy Horizon Juvenile Center (79X695), Bronx
  • Pedro Dones, Middle School Mathematics Teacher, Academy for Personal Leadership and Excellence (10X363), Bronx
  • Emma Comstock Reid, Middle School Mathematics Teacher, Fannie Lou Hamer Middle School (12X286), Bronx
  • Arturo Lazaro Jr., High School Mathematics Teacher, Math, Engineering, and Science Academy Charter High School (84K733), Brooklyn
  • Angelique Rivera, High School Mathematics Teacher, The Boerum Hill School for International Studies (15K497), Brooklyn
  • Marguerite Thompson-Alleyne, Middle School Special Education Teacher, I.S. 285 Meyer Levin (18K285), Brooklyn
  • Agnes Balla, Elementary ENL/Bilingual Education Teacher, P.S. 105 The Blythebourne (20K105), Brooklyn
  • Noelle Mapes, Elementary School Teacher, P.S. 142 Amalia Castro (01M142, Manhattan
  • Linda Fisher, Middle School Social Studies Teacher, Isaac Newton Middle School for Math & Science (04M825), Manhattan
  • Gregory Castro, High School English Language Arts Teacher, Esperanza Preparatory Academy (04M372), Manhattan
  • Amanda Valenti, High School Science Teacher, Columbia Secondary School (05M362, Manhattan
  • Sarah Cullen, K-12 Special Education Teacher, P.S. 138 (75M138), Manhattan
  • Vanessa DiServio, High School Physical Education Teacher, Hudson High School of Learning Technologies (02M437), Manhattan
  • Donna Griebel, Early Childhood Teacher, Brooklyn Arbor Elementary School (14K414), Brooklyn
  • Nicole Bellomo, High School Special Education & Culinary Arts Teacher, Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High School (28Q620), Queens
  • Marissa Thornton-Samih, Elementary Special Education Teacher, Riverdale Avenue Community School (23K446), Brooklyn
  • Bienvenida Sanchez, English as a New Language (ENL)/Bilingual Education Teacher, P.S. 108 Sal Abbracciamento (19K108), Brooklyn
  • Carolyn Unterman, Elementary School Teacher, P.S. 026 The Carteret School (31R026), Staten Island

2019 Big Apple Award Recipients

  • Melissa Aguirre, Middle School English Language Arts Teacher, J.H.S. 217 Robert A. Van Wyck (28Q217), Queens 
  • Jamie Cacciola-Price, High School Theatre Teacher, Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School (30Q501), Queens
  • Elizabeth De La Garza, High School English as a Second Language Teacher, Pathways to Graduation-Jamaica Learning Center (79Q950), Queens
  • Rita Fattorusso, Early Childhood Teacher, The 47 American Sign Language & English Lower School (02M347), Manhattan
  • Nicole Feliciano, Middle School Social Studies Teacher, West Prep Academy (03M421), Manhattan
  • Yadira Hans, Elementary Education Teacher, P.S. 249 The Caton School (17K249), Brooklyn
  • Emilie Jones, Middle School English Language Arts Teacher, I.S. X303 Leadership & Community Service (09X303), Bronx
  • Paraskevi Langis, High School Biology and General Science Teacher, Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School (31R064), Staten Island
  • Kimberly Middleton, High School Special Education Teacher, Millennium Brooklyn High School (15K684), Brooklyn
  • Lamar Ok, Elementary School Teacher, KIPP Infinity Charter School (84M336), Manhattan
  • Amanda Palmieri, Elementary Special Education Teacher, P.S. X010 (75X010), Bronx
  • Karen Pierre-Charles Byrd, Elementary Education Teacher, P.S. 059 William Floyd (14K059), Brooklyn
  • Douglas Rebecca, High School Adaptive Physical Education Teacher, P.S. K721 - Brooklyn Occupational Training Center (75K721), Brooklyn
  • David Roush, High School Media Communications Teacher, Harry S. Truman High School (11X455). Bronx
  • Danielle Tutelian, High School Mathematics Teacher, Bronx High School of Business (09X412), Bronx
  • Jo Ann Westhall, Elementary Computer Science & Technology Teacher, P.S. 031 The Bayside School (26Q031), Queens

2018 Big Apple Award Recipients

  • Nina Berman, Early Childhood Education Teacher, LYFE Program at Pathways to Graduation Downtown Brooklyn (79Q952)
  • Nicole Chu, Middle School English Language Arts Teacher, The Computer School, Upper West Side (03M245)
  • Damen Davis, Sixth Grade English Language Arts Teacher, I.S. X303 Leadership & Community Service, Morris Heights (09X303)
  • Sandra Fajgier, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher, The School of Journeys, Windsor Terrace (15K280)
  • Marisol FitzMaurice First Grade Teacher, Concourse Village Elementary School, Concourse Village (07X359)
  • Stephanie Flete, Fourth Grade Mathematics Teacher, Urban Scholars Community School, Morrisania (12X463)
  • Mauricio Gonzalez, Science/Career and Technical Education- Marine Biology Teacher, Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, Governors Island (02M551)
  • Michelle Jennings, Middle School Science Teacher, Brooklyn Science and Engineering Academy, East Flatbush (18K763)
  • Gregg Kwarta, Fifth Grade Teacher, P.S. 232 The Lindenwood School, Lindenwood (27Q232)
  • Jae Lee, High School Foreign Language-Korean Teacher, Bayside High School, Bayside (26Q495)
  • Michelle Lee, Fifth Grade Dual-Language Teacher, P.S. 163 Flushing Heights, Kew Gardens Hills (25Q163)
  • Amie Robinson, Special Education Visual Arts Teacher, P.S. K077, Park Slope (75K077)
  • Mike Rosario, Seventh and Eighth Grade Physical Education Teacher, P.S. 279 Captain Manuel Rivera, Jr., Fordham Heights (10X279)
  • Raya Sam, Sixth Grade Mathematics ICT Teacher, Hamilton Grange Middle School, Hamilton Heights (06M209)
  • Ryuma Tanaka, English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher, I.S. 145 Joseph Pulitzer, Jackson Heights (30Q145)
  • Alberto Toro, Middle School Instrumental Music Teacher, I.S. 007 Elias Bernstein, Staten Island (31R007) 
  • Ashley Wilson, Kindergarten Teacher, Success Academy Charter School – Harlem 3, East Harlem (84M385)

2017 Big Apple Award Recipients

  • Danielle Bocchino, Grade 5 Teacher, P.S. 215 Morris H. Weiss, Gravesend (21K215)
  • Corinne Cornibe, High School Math Teacher, Academy for Young Writers, East New York (19K404
  • Yocasty Diaz, Middle School Math Teacher, I.S. 219 New Venture School, Claremont Village (09X219)
  • Keira Dillon, Grade 5 Gifted and Talented Teacher, P.S. 163 Alfred E. Smith, Upper West Side (03M163)
  • Adriana DiScipio, English as a New Language Teacher, P.S. 230 Doris L. Cohen, Kensington (15K230)
  • James Harrington, High School Art Teacher, High School of Art and Design, Midtown East (02M630)
  • Leslie Lehrman, High School English Teacher, Fordham Leadership Academy for Business and Technology, Belmont (10X438)
  • Jessica Martell, Grade Five Teacher, Central Park East II, East Harlem (04M964)
  • Nash Matute, Reading Recovery Teacher, Archer Elementary School, Parkchester (12X531)
  • Katie McArdle, Elementary Autism Teacher, P.S. K231, Bay Ridge (75K231)
  • Faye Michalakos, Grade Six Math Teacher, Hellenic Classical Charter School, South Slope (84K362)
  • Carmen I. Morales, TASC Preparation Teacher, East River Academy, Rikers Island (79Q344)
  • Patrick Murphy, Special Education Teacher, P.S. 199 Maurice A. Fitzgerald, Sunnyside (24Q199)
  • Rose Newman, Physical Education Teacher, P.S. 118 Lorraine Hansberry, St. Albans (29Q118)
  • Rosario Orengo, Middle School Social Studies Teacher, The Urban Assembly Unison School, Clinton Hill (13K351)
  • Elaine Rodriguez, Dual Language Middle School Math Teacher, Middle School 322, Fort George (06M322)
  • Julia Satt, Grade Two Special Education Teacher, P.S. 45 John Tyler, West Brighton (31R045)
  • Diana Shteynberg, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher, Shorefront YM-YWHA (Shorefront Y Community Center), Brighton Beach (KBQL)
  • Binh Thai, Grade Six Humanities Teacher, University Neighborhood Middle School, Lower East Side (01M332)