Our Staff
Leadership & Operations
Meghann Fallon
Principal
JOINED 2022-2023: Meghann has been both a teacher and leader in New York City education for the past 18 years. Originally from Iowa, Meghann earned a BA in Philosophy from the University of Iowa and moved to New York City in 2006 to serve as a Teach for America corps member. She holds a Masters in Childhood Education and Special Education from Pace University and has experience in grades 3 - 8. Meghann has held many different role in education but still finds her passion teaching in front of students in a a humanities classroom. This will be her second full year at Brooklyn Independent and she is excited to work closely with students and families as Principal!
Kevin Grijalva
Academic Dean
JOINED 2021-2022: Kevin has been involved in New York City education for the past 13 years. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Kevin earned his BA in English Literature from Boston University and his MA in Education from Relay Graduate School of Education University. His classroom teaching experience spans grades 2-8, as well as experiences teaching adults in both graduate and professional programs. He also brings several years working in curriculum design to his work at BKI. While Kevin's heart lies in humanities class, he is thrilled to begin his fourth year at BKI working closely with teachers as the Academic Dean!
Etta Waddell
Operations Manager
JOINED 2021-2022: Etta opens the line of communication between clients, customers, and businesses to get projects done. She specializes in communication, coordination, and is responsible for using progressive systems and applications, including accounting software, mass communication procedures and organizational apps. Etta is a powerful force in the workplace and uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. She is inspired daily by her daughter. In her free time, Etta focuses on developing her herbal tea business, cooking, and spending time with family.
Vanessa Soriano
Learning Specialist
JOINED 2022-2023: Vanessa holds a BA in Political Science from Montclair State University, an MAT in Secondary Education from New York University, and an Advanced Certificate in Special Education from Relay Graduate School. Now entering her sixth year in education, Vanessa has experience teaching History, ELA, and SETSS, as well as serving as a case manager for students with IEPs. She is excited to bring her expertise to her role as a Learning Specialist and Student Support Services Coordinator at BKI. Vanessa is committed to delivering personalized, high-quality education by prioritizing equity, inclusion, and addressing biases, especially in supporting neurodivergent students. Together with the team, she aims to create a transformative, inclusive, and differentiated academic environment.
Patricia Mensa
Social Worker
JOINED 2023-2024: Patricia Mensa was born and partially raised in The Bronx, NY. She spent five years of her formative years in Ghana, West Africa split between Takoradi and Kumasi. She has always felt most happy and impactful in the helping profession, and knew she would pursue something in that field. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Union College, and a Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University. Patricia has worked in a variety of fields including: criminal justice, mental health and substance use; she has also worked with underrecognized folks and neurodivergent students. She has always known that she enjoys working with students but was unsure of how she could do so without being in a classroom. Her prior years working alongside marginalized folks confirmed the importance of mental health support and inspired her to transition to the education sector as a school counselor. In her free time, Patricia can be caught reading anything by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie or watching reality television shows. She has recently discovered a love of baking and enjoys experimenting with lemon squares. Lastly, she is a proud godparent of an adorable goldendoodle named Franklin, AKA Frankie!
Everton Laidley
Technology Lead, Math Support and Athletic Director
JOINED 2020-2021: Before joining BKI, Everton was a Math teacher at the middle school level for 5 years and is a resident of Bed-Stuy. Born and raised in Spanish Town Jamaica, Everton attended Ardenne High School in Kingston before moving to Connecticut to attend Wesleyan University. There, he earned a BA with a major in Biology, as well as specializing in classroom technology as a campus job. While at Achievement First in Connecticut and then Brooklyn, he taught 6th and 8th-grade Mathematics, as well as Regents Algebra I, driving exemplary proficiency growth every year. Everton was a member of the Achievement First Leadership Fellows program and also led the school's soccer program for 4 years. His wide range of passions has helped him play a variety of roles at BKI. Since being at BKI, he has taught math at all grade levels, been Dean of School Culture, helped develop the sports program and acted as technological support for the school. He is also currently pursuing a Masters Degree in learning technologies.
Kiana Barrington
Executive Assistant
JOINED 2024-2025: Kiana is ecstatic to be re-joining BKI as an Executive Assistant to the Co-Heads of School. Prior to this role, she has served various roles in education, including working in operations, tutoring students privately across subjects, and teaching Algebra II, Precalculus, and Neuroscience in NYC public schools. She earned a BA in Liberal Arts (with a double concentration in Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences) from Soka University of America in Orange County, California, and she earned her MA in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education in New York City. Through her educational experiences in NYC and California as well as in Guanajuato and Chiapas, Mexico, a common thread has remained: a commitment to learning, growth, and equity. In this new role, Kiana comes to BKI with an enthusiasm to share these passions with the community at large through her direct involvement with students, staff, families, and donors.
Teachers
Ahtivah Lawton
7th Grade Humanities
JOINED 2022-2023: Ahtivah, a Fort Greene native, has spent her last five years as an ELA educator. She attended Benjamin Banneker Academy High School where her yearn to teach was originally developed. She then attended CUNY College of Staten Island where she earned her BA in English (Writing Concentration). She pursued and earned her Masters in Teaching at Relay Education Graduate School. She has worked in both charter & public school settings, and is passionate about all scholars receiving an education that is inclusive and private equity to all.
Kevin McKeown
7A and 8th Grade Science
JOINED 2021-2022: Kevin has worked in education for the past 9 years, and is a resident of Astoria, Queens. Kevin joined BKI in the Fall of 2021 as the Latin teacher, and joined the Science Department in the Fall of 2022. Kevin earned their B.A. in Classical Studies from Wesleyan University, where they were the recipient of the Ingraham Prize for Excellence in Ancient Greek, and their M.A. in Theological History from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, where they were the recipient of the Wyn Wright Prize for Biblical Languages. Kevin utilizes their background in languages, history, and theology to teach science as a subject of exploring and understanding the unknown, and as a tool for challenging antiquated narratives concerning knowledge. Kevin's classroom is a laboratory where students are taught to hone their skills of observation, critical thinking, and deduction—a place where students are encouraged to discover their own voices and talents, and how they can uniquely contribute to their communities and the world at large.
Rivka Rappoport
8th Grade Humanities
JOINED 2024-2025: Rivka has taught reading, writing, and history classes to students in grades 5 through 8 for the last 9 years. Born in Teaneck, New Jersey, Rivka earned her BA in Film Studies at Columbia University in 2015 before pursuing her Master’s from the Relay Graduate School of Education. Working at Achievement First in Brooklyn, she served as a teacher and learning specialist, curriculum fellow, instructional coach, grade level chair and Associate Dean of Writing. Last year, she moved to Madrid, Spain, to teach English to high schoolers and improve her own Spanish language skills. She is passionate about supporting all students in developing strong critical thinking and analysis skills, and extremely excited to work with the students and families at BKI!
Jaida Sanchez
7th Grade Math
JOINED 2024-2025: This fall will be Jaida’s fourth year as a full-time educator and she is so excited to join the BKI community. Jaida holds a B.A. in Spanish from Gettysburg College and a M.S.ED of Childhood Education from Brooklyn College. Jaida has taught in a variety of settings from adult GED education to elementary and middle school classrooms in Merida, Mexico. She can confidently say that middle school math is her absolute favorite. Jaida believes that everybody is a math person. She fosters student confidence through hands-on and inquiry based learning. Outside of the classroom, you can find Jaida exercising at her local gym or baking up sweet treats in the kitchen.
Emily Specht
8th Grade Math
JOINED 2023-2024: Emily has spent the past 9 years teaching math in Brooklyn. Originally from Long Island, Emily earned her undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt University, and pursued her Master’s in Education from Relay Graduate School of Education. She is passionate about providing equitable opportunities for all students within the classroom and cultivating a genuine and open love for math.
Gisselle Taylor
6th & 7B Science
JOINED 2023-2024: Gisselle has worked in education for the past 4 years, and is a resident of Brooklyn, New York. Gisselle earned her B.A. in Environmental Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo and her M.A. in Sustainability Studies from Hofstra University. Gisselle became the 6th Grade Level Leader in her second year of teaching and received the Shirley Chisholm Freedom Fighter Award for Excellence in Teaching. Gisselle joined BKI this fall as the 6th and 7th Grade Science teacher. Gisselle’s classroom is a safe space where students may thrive while learning, and are encouraged to approach unfamiliar topics with an open-mind as they continue to discover and unlock the world around them. Gisselle’s goals as a teacher are to empower all students to feel confident in their innate ability to actualize their dreams and to explore new and challenging topics with strong collaborative skills.
Joel Tracy
6th Grade Humanities
JOINED 2023-2024: Joel has been working in education in various teaching and leadership roles for the past 15 years. Originally from outside of Baltimore, MD, Joel earned his BA in American History from Brown University and his MS in Education from Hunter College. Joel also completed the National Principals Academy Fellowship at Relay Graduate School of Education. In addition to his teaching experience, Joel has served as Dean of Culture and Community, Dean of Curriculum and Instruction and Principal. Joel deeply enjoys supporting students in expressing themselves as writers and speakers. He believes firmly in the importance of student voice and leadership in cultivating an inclusive, empowering and joyful clsasroom community. Joel is a resident of Fort Greene and the proud father of two kids: Charlie and Quinnie.
Kadidiatou Wague
6th Grade Math
JOINED 2022-2023: Kadidiatou’s love for math began the day she was born. Numbers served as the vehicle that allowed her to break barriers for her family. This year, Kadidiatou is committed to pouring her love for math into her students in a way that develops them academically, emotionally, and socially.