Ms. Bandarenko received a dual master’s degree in education from Bank Street, in elementary education and literacy. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Hamilton College. Ms. Bandarenko is so excited to return for a fourth year with BASIS Independent Manhattan. She spent three years progressing through the roles of Kindergarten Teaching Fellow, Learning Expert Teacher, and Humanities Subject Expert Teacher. Next, Ms. Bandarenko spent several years in the corporate sphere working in education technology consulting and academic intervention design and implementation. She is thrilled to be back with BASIS Independent Manhattan as the Director of Student Affairs. She is passionate about child development is mission-aligned with our school by placing equal focus on students’ academic, social, and emotional growth. “In my role as the Director of Student Affairs, I channel my diverse experiences to foster robust connections within our community – bridging families, students, and educators. Every interaction enriches my journey.” In her spare time, Ms. Bandarenko enjoys being a newlywed, creative writing, fitness, trying new recipes, and snuggling up with a good book.

Ms. Busanet was born and raised in Spanish Harlem, Manhattan, and brings a warm, welcoming presence to the front desk at BASIS Independent Manhattan. She joined the team after three years as an intake specialist at a prestigious law firm, where she was a key point of contact for clients and managed a wide range of administrative responsibilities.

She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and is also a licensed esthetician, having earned her New York State license from the Christine Valmy International School for Esthetics, Skin Care, and Makeup. Her background in skincare and cosmetology reflects her passion for helping others feel their best.

Ms. Busanet chose BASIS Independent Manhattan because of its vibrant culture and strong sense of community. As the first point of contact for students and families, she is excited to bring her nurturing energy and organizational skills to the school environment.

Outside of work, Ms. Busanet is a proud mother of four daughters. She enjoys event planning, is a skilled brow artist, and gives excellent facials. Her happy places include Sephora, Starbucks, Target, and spending time at home with her family.

Ms. Ceballo is passionate about and dedicated to the field of education. She has always enjoyed working with children from her early days as a babysitter to most recently being a preschool teacher in New York City. Currently, Ms. Ceballo is working toward an Associate in Early Childhood Education and is thrilled to be a part of the BASIS Independent Manhattan Community. She was drawn to the dynamic environment and knows that she will enjoy coming to work here every day. When she is not working or going to school, Ms. Ceballo can be found spending time with family and doing fun activities together. She also loves to try new food and paint.

Ms. Corsello began her college journey at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, where she played volleyball, basketball, and softball from 2015 to 2017. She then transferred to Penn State University in University Park, earning a Bachelor of Science in 2019. She is currently pursuing a Master of Athletic Administration through Ohio University.
Before joining BASIS Independent Manhattan, Ms. Corsello managed scheduling, event planning, and student activities at a private school in New York City. As the Auxiliary Programs Coordinator, she is excited to expand extracurricular offerings and create dynamic opportunities for students to explore their interests beyond the classroom.
She was drawn to our school because we foster creativity and provide the resources to bring new ideas to life, helping students discover and develop their passions.
Outside of work, Ms. Corsello enjoys reading historical fiction and has recently rediscovered her love for painting.

Ms. Dickens holds a Bachelor’s degree from Angelo State University in History and Political Science. She also earned her Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction. Growing up as an “army brat,” she traveled around the world but wound up calling Texas (and now New York) home.

After spending nine years in the classroom, Ms. Dickens stepped into the role of Director of Student Affairs to help shape a positive and joyful upper school experience for all BASIS Independent Manhattan students. She is continuing that mission as the Associate Head of School at the Upper School, which serves grades 6-12.

She remains passionate about incorporating her work with the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Action Group in ways that ensure our students are growing into well-rounded people that care and empathize with others. Specifically, Ms. Dickens enjoys providing service opportunities for students to volunteer or work in the community, which is something she has done as the National Junior Honors Society faculty advisor.

As a life-long learner, Ms. Dickens also believes in the importance of teachers and administrators growing in their respective positions. She has consistently worked with the Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE) as both a presenter at their annual leadership conference and a contributor to their online magazine. She hopes that her enthusiasm for teaching will inspire other teachers to continue growing and looking for unique ways to present their content material.

In her spare time, Ms. Dickens loves singing karaoke and dancing like no one is watching. You can also find her taking walks around her neighborhood with her husband or reading a good fiction book on her commute from Brooklyn!

With a passion for organization and a dedication to fostering young minds, Mr. Essel brings a wealth of experience to BASIS Independent Manhattan. He holds an Associates of Applied Science degree in Office Technologies and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems with a concentration in Project Management.

His professional journey includes working in the community service sector, where he honed his organizational and management skills as an Administrative Assistant and Program Coordinator for Senior Centers in Manhattan. Mr. Essel has also always been involved in teaching, whether it be Sunday school sessions at church, piano classes, or serving as a music director for the youth department. This experience in managing programs tailored to specific needs is a valuable asset within the Wildcat community and the BASIS Independent Manhattan Auxiliary Programs department.

Originally, from Ghana, West Africa, Mr. Essel made his way to Texas with his family in 2006, later settling in Yonkers, New York in 2017. Beyond the classroom, Mr. Essel is a music enthusiast, who loves all genres. He spends his spare time composing piano pieces, writing music, and playing his acoustic guitar, which he plans to master when time permits.

Ms. Figueroa currently serves as the Associate Head of School of BASIS Independent Manhattan, the Lower School. Originally from Los Angeles, California, she moved to Tucson, Arizona, to attend the University of Arizona where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with Minors in Biology, Family Studies, and Religion.

Ms. Figueroa has been a part of the BASIS Curriculum Schools network since 2013. She has taught in the classroom as a Math, Science, and Engineering Subject Expert Teacher.

While on the path to becoming an Optometrist, she took a turn down a new beautiful path that catered to the love she has for education and children.

In her down time, she loves to walk with her pit bull Tyson, exercise, and master her new personal goal of creating a Vietnamese dish every month.

Ms. Garagoda-Arachchige has worked as a high school psychology teacher, counselor, and special education coordinator for over ten years in Sri Lanka. She earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science in Psychology. In addition to her degrees, Ms. Garagoda-Arachchige holds a Post Graduate Level 7 Diploma in Education Management and Leadership, and she has completed her Cognitive Behavioral Therapy training from Kings College London Resource Centre in Sri Lanka. Regarding her work in mental health, Ms. Garagoda-Arachchige is a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIE) and a trained coordinator for MindUp mindfulness and Social Emotional Learning curriculum. She has also worked as a mental health counselor and a volunteer at the National Institute of Mental Health, Sri Lanka, through which she gained immense experience in working with children and adults in vulnerable situations. Apart from her academic and professional interests, Ms. Garagoda-Arachchige is an ardent reader, and a lover of dance, music, and traveling. She credits having empathy and developing awareness of cultural relativism to her travels and experiencing different cultures.

Mr. Golding is proud to be a native New Yorker, born and raised in the Bronx. His journey into information technology began at Pennsylvania State University, where he studied computer engineering. Before joining BASIS Independent Manhattan as the Technology Coordinator, Mr. Golding was a field technician for Peloton Cycle. He also holds a cybersecurity certification from CompTIA. When he is not working, Mr. Golding loves to travel and try new food.

Ms. Krystal Gonzalez holds a Master of Science degree in School Counseling from Walden University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Psychology from Ramapo College of New Jersey.

Before joining BASIS Independent Manhattan, Ms. Gonzalez gained extensive experience in various counseling roles. She served as a dedicated Counselor to nearly 200 students at a charter school and was a key member of the Student Crisis & Trauma Team and the Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management Team. She specialized in social-emotional development, providing short-term individual and group counseling sessions, and collaborating closely with teachers on behavioral planning and classroom connections.

A major highlight of Ms. Gonzalez’s past work includes leading mentorship initiatives. She designed and oversaw programs for middle school students, fostering leadership, resilience, and personal growth. This involved developing and leading a Boys’ Program with a Boxing Curriculum for physical wellness and facilitating the Wonder Girls Mentor Program to empower female students

Ms. Gonzalez’s goal as an educator is to ensure that all students have a safe space to express themselves freely and creatively while building confidence, executive functioning, and healthy relationships. She was drawn to BASIS Independent Manhattan for its joyful culture and its commitment to pairing rigorous academics with whole-child support.

When she’s not in the counseling office, Ms. Gonzalez enjoys working out, spending summer months at the beach, exploring new parks with her daughter, and curating grounded home décor with many plants. A fun fact about Ms. Gonzalez is that she can turn any hallway into a mini mindfulness walk in under ten minutes.

Ms. Hodge was born and raised in Chicago and has been well versed in the independent school world from a very young age. She graduated from The Latin School of Chicago before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Iowa. After moving to New York City 22 years ago, Ms. Hodge attended New York University and received a Certificate of Fundraising.

Ms. Hodge has over 20 years of leadership and business development experience in both nonprofit and corporate sectors. She spent the last ten years establishing BASIS Independent Schools as premier educational institutions in NYC. Starting in 2014, Ms. Hodge worked alongside the executive team to open BASIS Independent Brooklyn. She served as the Director of Enrollment and Admissions there until fully transitioning to the Manhattan campus after its opening in 2017. With her breadth of experience and expertise, Ms. Hodge advanced into the role of Regional Director for the network’s East Coast schools, focused on maximizing efficiencies and overall performance. In the most recent expansion of BASIS Independent Manhattan to include an Upper School campus, Ms. Hodge was an integral part of the executive team that played a key role in the construction process and opening of the new building.

As a member of the Spring Education Group Diversity Inclusion and Belonging Advisory Committee, Ms. Hodge is wholeheartedly committed to creating an inclusive culture and a diverse community. She maintains a priority of creating diverse pipelines of talent while also advancing partnerships with Parents League, ISAAGNY, and RIISE to pave a path of increased opportunities for the school and the local community. Ms. Hodge further explains, “As the Head of School, I feel compelled to reiterate, reinforce and rededicate myself to the principles of diversity, inclusion, and social justice that is at the core of who I am as an educator.”

Lastly, not only was Ms. Hodge a former employee at BASIS Independent Brooklyn, but also a parent, and she maintains close relationships across the campuses to synergistically strengthen staff collaboration, school operations, and student-life experiences. Ms. Hodge says, “I am honored to serve in this leadership role, as the success of our school is of utmost importance to me.” On a daily basis, she works across all levels to build a strong academic community for our students.

Her strong initiative and extensive knowledge of educational and professional school management, combined with her ability to excel in environments requiring independent decision-making and collaborative thinking allow Ms. Hodge to creatively and dynamically problem-solve and generate long and short-term solutions for our school community. Ms. Hodge is passionate about fostering the social aspects of a school community while remaining focused on the dedicated faculty and staff who care deeply about the well-being and success of every student. She says, “Our fundamental purpose is to guide young men and women to engage with the world, embrace challenging work, and discover that this curriculum is a gift to them.”

Outside of school, Ms. Hodge finds solace in her summer weekends in Fire Island playing tennis. She brings her competitive spirit to the court in Central Park, too, where she plays with students and faculty in the annual Wildcat round robin.

Ms. James is a certified nurse assistant with over a decade of experience providing hands-on patient healthcare in a New York City hospital. She also is a Certified Health Education Specialist and has a Master’s in Health Education and Promotion from Herbert H. Lehman College. Her earlier education background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Promotion Management with a minor in Health Education from York College, and an Associate in Arts degree in Human Services from Fiorello H. LaGuardia Community College. As Health Coordinator, Ms. James’s goal is to promote and facilitate healthy behaviors while implementing best practices in supporting the well-being of all students. She chose BASIS Independent Manhattan because of its diverse culture and is excited to be a part of this unique team. She believes “this is an enriching environment that provides the opportunity to discover new depths on professional and personal levels.” Ms. James grew up in the West Indies on the island of Jamaica. The Jamaica Cultural Development Corporation solidified her love for reading, through the island’s annual festival performing arts category. On a local level, she represented her school at performing arts competitions by reciting poetry solo and as part of a group in high school. Outside of work, she enjoys reading and spending time with her very close-knit family.

With a Bachelor of Liberal Studies in Project Management, Ms. Joshi brings a strong foundation in organization and goal achievement to her role as Associate Director of Admissions at BASIS Independent Manhattan Lower. Her previous career in healthcare administration, including her leadership of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, has honed her ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and create inclusive environments.

A committed advocate for children, Ms. Joshi has been actively involved in her community for years. She has spearheaded initiatives such as founding a PTA, advocating for a new school, and organizing cultural events for the neighborhood kids. Her experience as a co-teacher in a bilingual computer class and as a Girl Scout leader has further enriched her understanding of child development and education.

Driven by a desire to support families on their educational journeys, Ms. Joshi is excited to contribute to the growth of the BASIS Independent Manhattan community. Her goal is to create a seamless admissions process and foster a welcoming environment for all. Outside of work, she enjoys capturing life’s moments through photography, exploring the LIC waterfront, traveling, and spending quality time with family, friends and her cavapoo. 

Mr. Keaney received his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Albany in 1996, majoring in English and minoring in religion. After working as a musician and graphic designer in New York, he pursued and was awarded a Master of Education from the City College of New York in 2007. Spending almost 20 years as a teacher in a variety of schools, Mr. Keaney has gained experience at public, independent, and international institutions. As an educator, he favors an inquiry-based approach through which students develop agency in the classroom and mastery over the material. Mr. Keaney is a lifelong learner and finds joy in the discovery process. He loves sharing that joy with his students and is thrilled to be at BASIS Independent Manhattan, where the community is dedicated to supporting its members in the pursuit of excellence. Mr. Keaney can often be found outside of school playing music, reading, and learning more about how he can better help the students he is privileged to serve.

With over 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, and PR, Ms. Klayman joined BASIS Independent Manhattan with excitement as a founding staff member and parent. It is her goal to provide guidance and information that will help foster positive relations and communications among the growing BASIS Independent Manhattan community. Before her time at BASIS Independent Manhattan, Ms. Klayman held the position of Executive Director of the Bronx High School of Science Alumni Association, acting as the primary liaison between alumni, parents, and school administration. She also served as Director of Club Initiatives at Major League Baseball Advanced Media for eight years overseeing marketing and managing business operations for eight MLB teams. When talking about her position at BASIS Independent Manhattan, Ms. Klayman says, “I am particularly thrilled at how this role combines all of the components from my previous work experiences at a place that aims to redefine education with such high standards for achievement and performance.” Ms. Klayman received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from The University of Texas at Austin with a minor in French. As an Upper West Sider for the last 21 years, she enjoys spending time in Central Park with her husband, two sons, and dog, watching or playing sports. She also likes to pursue her passions of dancing (musical theater, lyrical, and jazz), traveling, cooking, and entertaining.

Ms. Lagunas Pereira holds an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and has over eight years of experience working with children, young adults, and families. She began her career in a nonprofit after-school and summer camp program, progressing from camp counselor to group leader. She transitioned to the Department of Education, serving as a Family Worker and Bus Coordinator, later helping young adults and adults enroll in school and begin their careers in the medical field. Ms. Lagunas Pereira is excited to be part of a dynamic community and looks forward to supporting students, families, and staff daily.