Aracelis Castellano-Folkes, Fellow

P.S. 165 Robert E. Simon

Manhattan, NY

Aracelis Castellano-Folkes is the Principal of PS 165 in Manhattan. What sets her apart from other principals and truly makes her unique is that Ms. Castellano did not enter PS 165 as a Principal, an Assistant Principal, Literacy Coach or Teacher, or Paraprofessional, although she has held all of those positions at PS 165 over the last 29 years, her first experience at PS 165 was actually as a child when she was only six year old. Little did she know on her very first day of school that years later she would be the one to lead PS 165, a school where all learners are valued, loved, and empowered. Ms. Castellano completed her Bachelor’s Degree in English Language Arts at Hunter College and her Master’s Degree in Bilingual Education at Columbia University Teachers College. Ms. Castellano used her knowledge of PS 165 as a student/ teacher to create effective systems & structures that have resulted in an increase in collaboration, positive community relationship, and effective instruction. During her time as a school leader, scores have drastically increased, teachers received professional development, students receive coding, guitar, and ceramics once per week, and are engaged in daily hands-on activities. PS 165 has been awarded Lighthouse Certification by the Leader in Me program. Under her guidance, PS 165 was a DOE Showcase School for Mathematics. Ms. Castellano has truly transformed PS 165 into an innovative community school where rigorous academics, the arts, and SEL provide a well-rounded education for all students.

Under Aracelis’ leadership P.S. 165 was selected by the DOE as one of the first 9 Lighthouse Collaborative schools. They showcased their best practices in small group instruction for visitors across the city. They also had a visit from the Dutch Association for School Leaders (25 administrators from Holland ), who came to see their best practices in SEL & Student Leadership during their study trip to NYC.

Jessica Scanlon, Ally

Assistant Principal
P.S. 165 Robert E. Simon

Manhattan, NY

Jessica Scanlon is the Assistant Principal of PS 165 in Manhattan and has been an educator in New York for the past 16 years. Throughout her career she has been committed to making sure that all students receive high quality, rigorous instruction with an emphasis on social emotional learning and student leadership. Before becoming Assistant Principal in 2019, she served as the Literacy Instructional Coach at PS 165 for seven years during which time she coached teachers, developed and planned professional development, and served on the Instructional Leadership Team which drives the schoolwide vision. Ms. Scanlon previously taught for seven years in positions spanning from 2nd - 8th grade in general education and special education roles. Ms. Scanlon completed her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Elementary and Special Education at Marist College. She also holds a Masters Degrees in Literacy Education from The College of New Rochelle and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Hunter College. Ms. Scanlon believes in impacting student learning by integrating social emotional learning with academic curriculum and building students’ leadership skills. She believes that all kids can and will succeed and has positively impacted student learning through data analysis and action planning. In 2015 she co-authored a grant to bring the Leader in Me social emotional program to the school and in 2022, PS 165 was awarded Lighthouse Certification which means PS 165 is a beacon for other schools not only in New York City, but worldwide.