Staff List

Kate Bailey has had 16 years of experience working in the independent sector across London, including Westminster Under School, where she was Head of the Junior Department and ran the 7+ and 8+ annual academic admissions process. From 2011, Kate was Senior Deputy Head for five years at Wetherby Preparatory School, part of the prestigious Alpha Plus Group. As a member of the Leadership Team that won the Tatler Prep School of the Year Award in 2012, she then accepted the Headship of Wetherby-Pembridge in New York in July 2016. Not only has she brought with her a fundamental understanding of the British Curriculum, she actively promotes the history and educational excellence of the Alpha Plus Group that supports the School. Kate has featured in reputable publications in the lead up to opening in Manhattan, notably the Wall Street Journal in October 2016.

Kate is a graduate of Edinburgh University with an MA in English Literature and History and a PGCE from The Institute of Education of the University of London. Additionally, she gained a Distinction Award in the Enhanced Leadership Programme from the Institute of Leadership and Management.

Kate is a committed chef, coming from a strong culinary background, and she was part of the team to produce the cookery manual, ‘Cook with Us’. She enjoys fundraising events and has worked on projects for the British Heart Foundation, The Royal Parks Foundation and Cancer Research. Kate loves walking and keeping fit and any opportunity to be by the sea. Kate is proud that the School will take part in the ‘Rising New York Road Runners’ Physical Literacy Programme in 2018-2019 and continues to advocate for the benefits of Fencing, Chess and Gardening within the school day.

Alice is a highly- experienced educational practitioner with experience of both UK state and independent schools, across the key stages. After beginning her career in the north-east of England, she moved to London where she spent seven years teaching in both boys and girls independent schools. She ended her career in the UK on a high as Head of Lower School at a top girls’ preparatory school before landing her dream role as Deputy Head here at Wetherby-Pembridge.

New York is Alice’s favourite city and she often pinches herself to make sure she isn’t dreaming, especially when walking through Central Park every morning as part of her commute! Her weekends and spare time now consist of walking her treasured puppy, Trevor, exploring new areas across the five boroughs of New York, travelling around America and brunching with friends.

Alice is responsible for overseeing the curriculum across the whole school as well as the pastoral care, and well-being of pupils, staff and parents. She loves sharing her insight and expertise of the English National Curriculum with colleagues and leads much of the professional development for staff. She will continue to develop the curriculum as the school grows; continually striving to keep the high standards of teaching and learning that we promote at Wetherby-Pembridge.

Emerald loved her first year as founding Nursery Teacher at Wetherby-Pembridge, New York. She has especially enjoyed watching the Nursery children and older children come together during many events such as the ‘holiday show’ and at lunchtimes and seeing them learn from each other.

She has a passion for Early Years Education and since joining The Minors Nursery School in 2010 has worked across the younger age groups teaching children from 2 to 5, both in Nursery and Preparatory settings in the UK. She believes that a child’s introduction to education should be exceedingly happy and has brought the qualities and principles that she has used successfully in London to create a structured, yet magical and exciting play-based learning environment in the Nursery at Wetherby-Pembridge.

Emerald has been fortunate enough to travel all over the world and loves experiencing different places and meeting new people. When she is not teaching she enjoys outdoor activities, in particular skiing and running and also has a love of cooking. She was very involved with Music and Drama when at school herself and still enjoys going to the theatre and to concerts.

Kris has fourteen years of experience in New York City in office operations management and executive support both in corporate organizations and schools. She has worked in Hospitality, Finance, and Media. Over the past six years, Kris has been enjoying her career in Education. Prior to joining Wetherby-Pembridge, she worked as coordinator in administration and as admissions associate at the New York International School. Preceding NYIS, Kris was at Hudson Way Immersion School and worked in the Business Office, Admissions, and she also managed After-School Programs.

Kris has a bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management.  In her spare time, she enjoys long walks in the city, Bikram yoga, spin class, baking, discovering new restaurants, and going on trips within and outside the country.

Samantha has lived, studied and worked in the UK for most of her life. She has a degree in History, and completed a PGCE in Primary Education, both at the University of Surrey Roehampton.

She began her teaching career at a ‘Fresh Start’ school in inner London, developing an outdoor curriculum for her Reception class. She spent several years teaching Year 1 and Year 3 classes in two other London schools, before deciding to transfer her skills abroad.

In Spring 2014, she secured a position at St George’s British International School in Rome. She taught both classes in Key Stage 1, following a creative curriculum.

She has a passion for teaching in the early years of children’s education and seeing the vast and rapid amount of progress they make. She has particularly noticed this during the first year of teaching Kindergarten at Wetherby-Pembridge. She has enjoyed watching the children develop their enthusiasm, confidence and curiosity during their first year at school. Teaching Social Studies has also been a highlight of hers, learning and teaching about American traditions and celebrations throughout the year.

During her spare time, she likes to explore all that New York has to offer and is hoping for several travel opportunities across the United States during her time here.

Sarah is one of the founding teachers at Wetherby-Pembridge, having moved to New York in 2017. She has experience working in both state and private schools, in the UK and overseas.

Sarah began her career teaching Reception (Pre-K) classes in Berkshire after gaining her teaching qualifications from Reading University. After a few years teaching in Battersea, London, Sarah moved to Malaysia working as a teacher at Garden International School, Kuala Lumpur. Here she took the role as Head of Year 1 (Kindergarten), with responsibility for curriculum and assessment across 7 classes.

Sarah taught in the Kindergarten Boys class during her inaugural year at Wetherby- Pembridge and loved the opportunity to teach in both a co-ed and single sex environment. Early reading and writing continue to be a real passion and she enjoys delivering a British phonics scheme here in New York.

When not teaching, Sarah can be found exploring the markets of New York, spinning and crafting. She enjoys travelling and is looking forward to seeing much more of North America in the coming years!

Stephanie is thrilled to be joining the founding team of Wetherby-Pembridge School, New York. She was born and raised in New York City and attended Tulane University. Currently, she is in graduate school at the Bank Street College of Education where she is finishing her masters in early childhood general and special education.

Stephanie’s passion for early childhood education began at 14-years-old when she volunteered in a Kindergarten classroom. Since then she has been working with children between 3 to 7 years old. She loves working with children because of their enthusiasm and curiosity.

When Stephanie is not teaching she can be found cooking, gardening, running, and exploring the new restaurants in New York.

Gabrielle worked in New York for several years prior to moving to London in 2014 to complete her Master’s degree at the Institute for Education.

Gabrielle then worked at Minors Nursery School as part of the Alpha Plus Group for several years. She focused on the effects of yoga in early childhood development for her Master’s dissertation, which is why she incorporates movement and mindfulness into the classroom.

Gabrielle moved back to New York to teach Pre-Kindergarten during Wetherby-Pembridge’s inaugural year and very much enjoys teaching the Early Years Foundation Stage and both the British and American cultures.

A multitalented artist, American oboist Hassan Anderson is a soloist, chamber musician, and teacher. Noted for his clarity of tone, range of colors and energetic stage presence, Mr. Anderson is the oboist of the acclaimed innovative New York-based chamber music ensemble SHUFFLE Concert, a position he has held since 2011.  With the ensemble he has toured Israel three times, performed on series throughout the US and Canada, including the Duplex, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, the Rose Studio at Lincoln Center, New York’s Rhinebeck Chamber Music Society Series , Los Angeles’s L’Ermitage Concert Series, Pennsylvania’s Lancaster Performing Arts Center and Pepperdine University Center for the Arts in California, as well as at such distinguished summer festivals as Cooperstown Music Festival, Buck Hill Skytop Music Festival, Canada’s Chamberfest Ottawa, to name a few.

Mr. Anderson has recorded an album of works by various artists including Schumann, Gershwin, Avner Dorman (world premiere) and Jonathan Keren (world premiere) with SHUFFLE Concert (in house label, October 2013). He is also featured on “Unremembered”, a song cycle by Sarah Kirkland Snider (New Amsterdam Records, September 2015).

A popular collaborator, amongst his numerous guest appearances with distinguished ensembles are performances with the American Ballet Theater, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, the Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players,  East Coast Contemporary Ensemble (ECCE), Harlem Chamber Players and the Juilliard Orchestra.

Equally adept in the classical and jazz genres, and dedicated to the next generation of musicians, Mr. Anderson regularly schedules teaching opportunities around his performances. He has served as a teaching artist for Carnegie Hall and The Little Orchestra Society in New York City, and Jazz House Kids, the only community arts organization in New Jersey exclusively dedicated to educating children through jazz. Currently, Mr. Anderson serves on the faculty of the renowned Juilliard School Music Advancement Program, Harlem School of the Arts, and The Wetherby-Pembridge School.

Monica is an Early Childhood and Elementary educator with 34 years of experience. She graduated with Honours from the National University of Cuyo in Argentina.

Her extensive experience includes working at both rural and urban schools in Argentina.  After working as a First Grade Teacher at Valle de Uco School in South Mendoza, she became Principal of Studies for eight years developing an innovative curriculum based on the arts, communication and environmental sustainability. The unique curriculum she designed won an award from the Board of Education.

Since moving to New York City in 2001, Monica has put all her experience and knowledge into working with children aged 2 to 10. She has worked as an Early Childhood Teacher at “Hands on World”, an International Language and Arts pre-school in Brooklyn. She also teaches Spanish at Public and Private after-school programs, developing engaging art-based Spanish immersion curriculums. She conceived the summer program “Corazones Radiantes”(Shiny Hearts), and has collaborated with El Pequeño Artista, (The Little Artist), a Spanish bilingual Pre-school in Brooklyn.

Monica channels her passion for music and literature by composing children’s songs and writing children’s stories, poems and plays.

She also works as a Spanish teacher at “Colegio Español New York.” (CENY).

Monica enjoys being in contact with the nature, swimming and making art. She feels privileged to be part of Wetherby-Pembridge and happy to transmit the Spanish Language to the students in such a friendly environment and high educational standards.

Brian Kaplan is Sports director at the 92nd Street Y May Center for Health, Fitness & Sport. Early on, Brian knew working in the sports field was the right fit for him and has devoted almost a decade to youth sports development. Before coming to 92Y, Brian served as Athletic director at the Riverdale YM-WHA, where he was responsible for their extensive youth sports leagues, clinics, and instructional preschool and elementary classes. Brian is a USA-certified Basketball Coach.

Brian holds a BA in Sports Management from Dowling College.

With almost five years of experience, the Security Manager Mr Warner has been busy and determined to keep safety as his number one goal around the School and within the community.

Raised in Atlanta Georgia, where he attended Martin Luther King Jr. High School, Shawn played Baseball as a catcher and was a part of the N.J.R.O.T.C. After High School, Shawn went to Charlotte NC where he studied Photography at The Art Institute of Charlotte. He then moved back to his hometown Staten Island, New York where he later had his little girl India-Raye, and began his new journey as a security guard for NYC Parks Department on South Beach and Midland Beach as a seasonal rover P.E.P Officer. Once the summer season was over Shawn then joined Elite Investigations Ltd. Growing up interested in law enforcement, the military and helping people, Shawn stayed in the security field to later join Wetherby-Pembridge School as their very own Security Manager.