Our Instructors

Christine Walsh

Teaching is way more than a job; it is a gift. Holistic teaching is at the core of my philosophy. Students need academic skills and enrichment, social and emotional learning and support, physical movement and exploration, and opportunities to find what their spirit aligns with to ensure a future of passion and purpose. There can always be a joyful approach to engaging students in the process of developing agency and metacognition. I am certified in special education, teaching English to speakers of other languages, and general education, as well as a certified Kid’s Yoga teacher and Mindfulness teacher. Being a mother to a five year old boy, who has kept me on my toes the whole time running, has enriched my love of teaching. I have 12 years of public school teaching experience, have taught in Thailand, Tanzania, and Belize, as well as at Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. My varied experience has prepared me with an open mind and heart to reach all learners where they are and to take them where they can be.

Zoe Irwin

I have always approached teaching holistically with a child-centered, developmental focus. My priority as an educator is to meet students where they are and to facilitate an environment in which my students deepen their agency and personal investment in their education. I am certified in general and special education with a background in teaching English language learners. I have 10 years of classroom experience and a strong understanding and respect for neurodiversity and varied learning and sensory profiles. Now as a mom of two young boys, I am even more invested in supporting and teaching young learners. I hope that I can inspire a sense of wonder, inquiry and connection in my students so that they are prepared to be active citizens of an even larger, global community. 

Kate de Bruin

Whether in the classroom, the ballroom or your living room, I create a safe place where children can take risks in learning while building community and cultivating curiosity. In this environment, children fundamentally understand that they are capable. Because of this knowing, they rise to the high expectations I set, surprising and reimagining themselves along the way. I have experience teaching elementary school, and tutoring upper level mathematics. I also bring ten years of expertise as a Teaching Artist and Program Director for the social-emotional development program Dancing Classrooms as seen in the movie Mad Hot Ballroom. In this program, I learned to link the joy of movement and music to history, science, math, language arts and culture, all while breaking down barriers and developing confidence and teamwork in elementary and middle school youth across Long Island. I am passionate about reading and writing, and collecting “sparkling” words along the way. I believe that math is our sixth sense, allowing us to perceive the world around us through patterns, relationships and logical connections. It turns out that children don’t hate math, but they do hate being intimidated or embarrassed by it, and it is my mission to remove the fear from math education. As a lifelong learner, I hope to inspire young people to follow their curiosity, believe in and develop their capabilities, and realize success through effort.

James Mascioli

I am a teacher who loves to teach. I graduated from Marist College in 2012 and then moved to Madrid, Spain where I taught English as a foreign language. I then returned to the states and got a job as an English teacher at the Bay Academy in Brooklyn, New York. I have been there for five years now and I absolutely love it. My teaching philosophy revolves around the notion that if you can get the students to enjoy being there, half the battle is won. I make my lessons enjoyable with enthusiasm because enthusiasm is contagious, engaging activities, classroom discussions where every student's opinion is valued, and by being generally interested in who every student in the class is as a person. I want my classroom to be one where no student feels worried about sharing something. I am extremely excited about working for Long Beach Constellations.

Kaysi Ward

I believe in a balanced education that encourages both personal and academic achievement. Students should be challenged to excel not only in their studies but also in their personal development. In this rapidly evolving environment, it is important that students learn to think critically and independently, and to inquire with care and logic. I am certified in Mathematics grades 7-12 and am currently working towards my 5-6 extension. I have 7 years of public school teaching experience, at both the middle school and high school level, as well as 7 years of coaching experience including girls varsity soccer and middle school track & field. With a growth mindset and a toolbox to accommodate a variety of needs, I hope to collaborate with students and families to provide the best educational experience possible during these unique times!

Tracy Meehan

I always knew I wanted to be a teacher . The joy of learning is an amazing thing! I believe in educating the whole child while focusing on individual student needs. My twenty years experience as an elementary teacher in NYC Schools allows me to understand a diverse range of possibilities and goals for children’s personal development . I have my Masters in TESOL which allows language enrichment for all learners. I am privileged to be teaching part time in the Long Beach school district! My true mission is to make learning fun in a happy and comfortable environment for all students.

Sara Gottesman

Over the past six years, I have had the opportunity to teach Kindergarten, First, and Second grade in an Integrated Co-Teaching classroom. I am certified to teach General and Special Education grades Birth-Sixth. I am trained on the Orton-Gillingham (phonics program) and Teacher's College Reading and Writing Workshop. I have witnessed the progress and enthusiasm of the students I have worked with, providing inspiration for me as an educator. Over the past six years, I have collaborated and developed interactive lessons, differentiated instruction and individualized education programs (IEPs) that directly led students to take an active role in learning. As an educator, it is my obligation to instill core values in my students, make them feel confident, take ownership of their learning, and achieve their personal goals. I am extremely passionate about the subject material and truly feel a connection with the students I have taught.

Benjamin Metzger

I have been performing for over 20 years as a band leader, side-man, and producer traveling across the United States and around the world. After a career based in New York City, I moved to Long Beach in 2007 where I have continued to perform and cultivate my own musical acts (Benoir and the Long Beach All-Stars, Guardavidas, The Long Beach Ukulele Orchestra, Studio Noir Jazztet, Stormy Wedneday, Five To One) my private music school, and professional recording studio. Studio Noir has serviced hundreds of students and garnered awards for our high level music education and innovative methods including the 2015 Project Challenge “Children’s Choice Award”. With a degree in Jazz Performance / Studio Music from the University Of Miami my interest in multi-cultural music and genres has allowed me to work with a diverse selection of amazing musicians and producers. My career has moved into producing events at Arts In The Plaza, the Long Beach Jazz Festival, The Long Beach International Film Festival, the Barrier Beach Blues Festival, Women In The Arts Awards, City of Long Beach’s Earth Day, and children’s educational programming at Rolling River Day Camp, Seaside Celebrations, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Center in Long Beach.

Ann Byrne

 I am a New York State certified K-12 Art Teacher, having obtained my Masters Degree in Art and Art Education from Teachers College at Columbia University. After graduating Gettysburg College, where I studied Philosophy, Art, and Spanish both on campus and abroad in Salamanca, Spain and Wollongong Australia, I went on to pursue a career in education.  I served as an Americorps member for City Year Los Angeles where I worked as a tutor and mentor at Clinton Middle School and affirmed my life long love of learning and working with children. As an educator, I want to help future generations realize their strengths.  I want my students to feel engaged in their work and committed to their projects, to learn to persevere and refuse to fail, and to use art as an outlet to express themselves. I believe art programs are often what keep students engaged in school.  Through art classes students are given the tools and opportunities they need to express themselves.  Students learn to think creatively and use the skills they already have in new ways.   They learn about cultures present and past through art history.  Students also learn to imagine and innovate in new ways as they work to make their ideas become reality.