Meet Our Teachers
Rosemarie Sandground
Director
Teaching: Writing, Reading, Public Speaking
● Education:
B.A. in US History and Secondary
Education
M.S. Political Science
M.A. Education Administration
Ed.D. Education Organization
● Certificate: Certified Teacher
● Years of Experience: 33 Years
Dr. Rosemarie Sandground taught grades
10-11 in NY public schools for 33 years;
10 in the Bronx and 23 in the Lakeland
Central School District. The main focus of her teaching style is learning critical thinking and writing while having fun. In addition to teaching, Dr. Sandground created a prom closet to assist students with formal apparel, tuxedo rentals, and
ticket costs. As a mom to two sons, she has coached soccer, cooked, and tutored her children and their peers; mostly providing support through the college application process. She recently retired from public school teaching last year to
pursue her business of renovating dollhouses and attends miniature artisan shows along the East Coast on weekends.
Lisa Rosenbaum
Director
Teaching: Writing, Reading, Public Speaking
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Education: M.S. in Early Childhood Education
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Certificate: Certified Teacher K-6
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Years of Experience: 14 Years
As an educator and director, Ms. Rosenbaum brings 14 years of dedicated experience in early childhood education and after-school program management. Her passion for teaching children is evident in her daily interactions, where her positive attitude and enthusiasm inspire both students and colleagues alike. With professional qualifications that underscore her expertise, she is not only an excellent director but also a beloved teacher cherished by her young learners. Additionally, as a member of the New York Public School Mentoring Program, Ms. Rosenbaum actively collaborates with underprivileged students, demonstrating her commitment to making a meaningful impact in the field of education.
Jessie Gao
Operation Manager
Ms. Jessie, with over a decade of dedicated experience in managing early childhood education, embodies a profound passion for nurturing young minds. Her commitment to fostering a positive learning environment is evident in her responsible work ethic and high level of professional competence. Consistently recognized for her excellence by colleagues, Ms. Jessie earns the trust and confidence of parents through her unwavering dedication and enthusiastic approach to teaching. Her positive attitude and heartfelt passion for early childhood education make her an invaluable asset to any educational community.
Latea O’Kane
Teaching: Writing, Reading, Mathematics
With a passion for teaching and a dedication to fostering student growth, she has over a decade of experience in improving academic outcomes and nurturing positive school cultures. Her career has been marked by significant achievements, including consistent year-over-year growth in national reading assessments and the successful implementation of benchmark growth goals for ELA and Math. Ms. O’Kane has a strong background in coaching and developing staff, managing curriculum processes, and leading professional development sessions.
RoseMary Brannigan
Teaching: Reading, Writing, Public Speaking
Mrs. Brannigan has been a public school Reading Specialist for over 20 years. She has a degree in Elementary Education and a master's in Reading. She is a Wilson®Dyslexia Practitioner and is Wilson WRS Level I Certified. As a reading specialist, Mrs. Brannigan has the opportunity to work with the entire student body and to work closely with parents and staff to develop strategic lessons that enrich the reading curriculum. She aims to create academically engaging learning experiences through an environment that fosters creativity, curiosity, and kindness. Mrs. Brannigan is committed to sharing her passion for literacy and learning. She is passionate about her teaching, wants the best for her students, and works hard to help her students gain success. Mrs. Brannigan believes that an excellent education is foundational to life's success. In her free time, Mrs. Brannigan loves spending time with her family, traveling, and reading!
Giovanny De Los Angeles
Teaching: LEGO Robotics
Mr. Los Angeles is a STEM advocate with a dual major in Applied Mathematics and Economics from Stony Brook University. Passionate about robotics, he mentors and coaches young minds in this field. With coaching experience starting at 18, Gio has led teams in the First Lego League and Vex IQ, aiming to expand his coaching portfolio. As a Machine Learning Engineer at Iambic and with experience in esteemed companies like Bloomberg and Salesforce, he contributed to refining algorithms and creating 3D anatomical models. In robotics competitions, Gio excelled as Co-Captain and Programming Captain of the First Robotics team, achieving notable victories such as 1st place at the Hudson Valley Scrimmage and 10th place at the Saint Louis Championships. His expertise spans Applied Mathematics, Economics, Programming (Python, Java, C++), multilingual proficiency (English, Spanish), web development, and video editing. Currently a Robotics Instructor and Team Manager at Maker State in New York, NY, Gio leads teams to success and imparts knowledge in STEM subjects. With years of competition experience, his goal is to uncover children's potential and cultivate talent in AI.
Clint Bressler
Teaching: Public Speaking
Mr. Bressler is a public speaking and debate teacher and a graduate of York University. He has been teaching and debating for years, and his students are all over the world. He graduated from York University with a master's degree in linguistics, the following year he got a “Mastery in Public Speaking” certificate from Waterloo University. His research specialty in graduate school was in sociolinguistics, specifically ‘language and power’ where he analyzed how influential public figures use language to acquire social positions of significant status. His analysis included deconstructing famous speeches, understanding the psychological resonance effective public speaking has on the populace, and the role language plays in how popular media shapes how people think and act. This research inspired him to help young students to improve their public speaking abilities and to develop logic and reasoning skills through debate.
Harry Batsang
Vice Operation Manager
Teaching: LEGO Robotics, Science
Mr. Batsang, with an advanced graduate degree in Engineering and a robust background in biomedicine and public health, brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to his role at WCDC. Previously serving as an Executive Assistant to the Superintendent at a boarding school, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to educational excellence. Passionate about teaching children, Mr. Batsang thrives on exploring innovative pedagogical approaches and excels in simplifying complex and abstract concepts for young learners in layman's terms. His positive attitude and enthusiasm for education inspire and motivate students, fostering a dynamic and engaging learning environment where every child can thrive.