Project Description
Rina Horne, Fellow
Lady Deborah Moody School
Brooklyn, NY
Rina Horne knows that providing children with great experiences and strong academic programs builds a foundation for success. In 1998, after graduating from St. Joseph’s College, Rina began her career in the NYC Department of Education. Rina worked as a teacher and math coach in District 20 for 11 years. In 2003, Rina graduated with a Master’s Degree in Reading from Long Island University, N.Y. and began her pursuit of a second Masters of Education in Administrative Supervision. This led her to accepting a position in 2009 as the new Assistant Principal of PS 186. During that time, the school partnered with a CBO organization known as NIA to bring approximately 600 students a seamless day model called" ExpandED". Rina was an instrumental member of the team that was able to innovatively program and design a model that was recognized nationally. In 2012, NIA selected Rina Horne as their Distinguished Educator Community Award recipient. In 2015, Rina Horne was selected by District 21 Superintendent DiMola to become the principal of PS 212. PS 212 is a community based school in Gravesend, Brooklyn. As a Principal of PS 212, she has brought new academic and enrichment programs, increased the Arts and Technological capabilities for students, and most recently introduced a new Media Center School Library and Hydroponics Lab. In 2019, Rina was awarded Principal Educator of the Year Award by the United Progressive Democratic Club. Rina is committed to celebrating diversity and creating equitable opportunities for students to take part in.
Helen Stern, Ally
Assistant Principal
Lady Deborah Moody School
Brooklyn, NY
Helen Stern is an Assistant Principal of New York City Public School - Lady Deborah Moody, PS 212. Through her 20 year tenure with the NYC Department of Education, Helen has had extensive hands-on experience as an educator, classroom teacher, staff developer, data specialist, ENL lead, coach, and school leader. Currently her work with PS 212’s community of children, parents, and staff is to create structures that improve school-wide instruction and student achievement, while keeping students’ health and safety as the highest priority. Helen received her Bachelor’s from NYU University, graduating Summa Cum Laude in Early Childhood Education and Child Psychology. Helen also received her Masters in Early Childhood Literacy Development from the University of Phoenix. Mrs.Stern has participated in multiple continued professional development and education programs, including Columbia University’s Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. This was a multi-year partnership with Lucy Calkins-Teachers College. She was also nominated, accepted, and has successfully completed NYS LEAP certification (Leaders in Education Apprenticeship Program). As a school leader, she has built trust and a strong relationship with a very diverse community-students, teachers, and families. She was able to secure numerous State and City grants to improve technology, visual arts, and parent engagement. In partnership with the JCC of Coney Island, Helen established a program that delivers free ESL classes to all non-English speaking adult members of her school community. Helen Stern has passion, drive, experience, dedication, willingness to learn, and interpersonal competencies to drive high quality education, staff development, and parent engagement.