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.

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.

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.

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!

Chantal was born and raised in Northumberland in the North East of England. After studying in Durham and Cambridge, she moved to London and began her career teaching Key Stage 1 in an inner-city school. She relished the challenge of engaging reluctant learners.

After three years, Chantal decided to move to work in the independent sector and secured a position as a Year 2 (Grade 1) teacher at St Dunstan’s College in Catford. One of her proudest moments was leading the Key Stage 1 Nativity performance and she is already looking forward to the Christmas show at Wetherby-Pembridge, New York! Whilst at St Dunstan’s College, Chantal also taught year 3 (grade 2) but is excited to return to teaching younger children. She loves their active imaginations and hilarious sense of humours!

In her spare time, Chantal enjoys running and ran the Edinburgh marathon in 2017. She also likes to swim and practise yoga. Since moving to New York, Chantal has begun to explore the city and is looking forward to travelling around the United States in the holidays.

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.

Miss Ariella Greene has always had a passion for working with children beginning at a young age. Born and raised in California, she went to Whittier College in Los Angeles studying Social Work. She found her passion through working with young children running support groups and after school clubs. In addition, she has worked with young mothers assisting with parenting skills towards their infant and toddler-aged children. After studying in Los Angeles, she decided to move to New York City to attend New York University to receive her Masters in Social Work. Miss Greene worked at an inner city high school providing one-on-one counseling to high school students, co-facilitating a class, and assisting with afterschool clubs and adolescent support groups. Miss Greene has a great passion for educating and watching students succeed and grow.

Miss Greene has been fortunate enough to study Healthcare, Welfare and Education in Copenhagen summer of 2016 and hopes to return in the future. She is excited to return to a school setting working in the Nursery and Pre-K classrooms at Wetherby-Pembridge. She has since found her love for educating and working with children of all ages.

In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors and loves to hike, bike and play beach volleyball. Miss Greene also enjoys cooking, baking and preparing healthy meals. Since moving to New York, she has explored the city and is looking forward to the upcoming year.

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.

Alba Navarro Hierro

Alba was born in Spain.  She is a Spanish, music and art teacher with a special interest in innovative didactic techniques. She is in constant search of new pedagogies with arts to guide her students in improving their Spanish language in active and creative ways.

Her interdisciplinary background with a Master’s Degree in Music in Interdisciplinary Art from Barcelona University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Violin from Conservatory Superior del Liceu de Barcelona is key for her successful Spanish lessons.

Her passion for teaching the Spanish language began in Barcelona when she was part of a social project called “Ens Revele’m” teaching Spanish to immigrant children with social exclusion.

In 2016 she moved to NYC to develop her career and learn from the cultural diversity. Currently she combines her work as a Spanish teacher at Wetherby-Pembridge  School and Centro en Español de Nueva York. In addition, Alba performs and teaches violin and designs jewelry.

Originally from Greece, Mr Kalogiannis moved to New York at 12 years old and has been working in facilities at schools for over 20 years, most recently at the Nightingale-Bamford School around the corner.

Noel J. Walker was born in Guyana and raised in the Bronx, NY. He has worked in the security industry for over 20 years. At an early age his grandmother instilled in him a hardworking mentality. He was taught hard work will get you very far. He now has three beautiful children: Demetrius 15, Crystal 13 and Grayson 2 months old.