Our Faculty
Village East Gifted has exceptional educators who have been teaching gifted and talented students for up to thirty years. Each teacher implements the VEG Core Curriculum as well as their own curriculum areas of expertise. Many classes have VEG Mentors that work with the teachers. Many of our educators have "Mentors", VEG Alumni, who have been with the program for at least six years and have joined the staff serving as invaluable role models for the students.
Ms. Tobi J. Phillips, Ed. D. (cert.)
Founder/Headmaster
Teaching Experience: 37 years
DEGREES:
Ed. D. (cert.) Teacher's College, Columbia University Educational Technology
M. Ed. Boston College -Education and Special Education
M. Ed. Boston College -Peripatology/ Blind and Visually Impaired
B. A. Ithaca College Music /Anthropology
CERTIFICATES HELD
Gifted Education
Early Childhood-Kindergarten
Elementary Education Grades 1-6 and Social Studies/English Grades 7-12
Special Education K-12
Special Education for the Blind and Visually Impaired K-12
Braille Transcription
Peripatology (Orientation and Mobility for the Blind)
License from New York State in Archaeological Excavation
Read more about our founder...
Name: Josephine S. Potucek, Ed. D.
Position: Teacher of the Gifted
Teaching Experience: 35 years
EDUCATION
Ed. D. Doctor of Education Hofstra University
P.D. Leadership and Policy Studies Hofstra University
C.A.S. Educational Administration Hofstra University
M.S. Reading and Literacy Brooklyn College
B.A. English Language Arts Hunter College School of Education
Teachers College Reading/Writing Project Columbia University
Teachers College Computers in Ed. Initiative Columbia University
Ed. Internship/Adv. Studies Hunter College/Sch. for the Gifted
CERTIFICATES HELD
NYS Common Branches: Permanent- Grades N-6
NYS Reading and Literacy: Permanent Grades N-12
NYS English/Language Arts: Permanent Grades 7-12
NYS SAS: Permanent Educational Administration
WORK EXPERIENCE
Adelphi University Graduate School of Education
Adjunct Professor
North Bellmore Union Free School District
Elementary Teacher Grade K-5
Math Curriculum, District Coordinator/Instructor NYS Standards (CCSS)
Social Studies Curriculum, District Evaluator/Analyst NYS Standards (CCSS)
District Coordinator Educational Research and Dissemination (AFT Washington, D.C.)
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Member of NYSED Review Panel (revision of NYSCTE standards for NYS)
Delegate to Partners in Science Education Initiative (State University of New York)
Researcher So You Want to be a Teacher? Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century (Koch, 2008)
Research Paper on Teacher Practice findings presented at annual AERA meeting in Vancouver 2012
Presenter Doctoral Symposium on Educational Research (New York University)
Name: Deborah Goldfarb
Position: Teacher of the Gifted
Teaching Experience: 39 years
EDUCATION
M.S. Adelphi University: Reading Teacher
M.S. Beit Beryl University, Tel Aviv: ESL
B.S. SUNY Buffalo: Early Childhood, Elementary and Special Education
CERTIFICATES HELD
Reading Teacher: Permanent
Early Childhood/Elementary K-6 Teacher: Permanent
Special Education Teacher: Permanent
WORK EXPERIENCE
Half Hollow Hills School District, Dix Hills, NY
Chestnut Hill Elementary School-Elementary Teacher Grades K-3
Three Village Central School District, East Setauket, NY
Minnesauke Elementary School- Kindergarten Teacher
East Woods School, Oyster Bay, NY
Nursery and First Grade Teacher
YMCA, Huntington, NY
Nursery Teacher
Middletown Central School District, New Monmouth, NJ
Pre-School, Multi-Handicapped Teacher
The Walworth-Barbour American International School
Pre-K and Kindergarten Teacher
United Cerebral Palsy, Inc., Long Branch, NJ
Kindergarten, Primary Multi-Handicapped Teacher
Springville-Griffith Central School District, Springville, NY
Secondary School Resource Room Teacher
Name: Paula Giugliano
Position: Teacher of the Gifted
Teaching Experience: 29 years
EDUCATION
M.S. Adelphi University-Elementary Education/Reading
B.A. St. John's University -Elementary Education
CERTIFICATES HELD
NYS Permanent Certificate- Nursery, Kindergarten & Grades 1-6
NYS Permanent Certificate- Reading Teacher
NYS Permanent Certificate-Special Education
WORK EXPERIENCE
Half Hollow Hills School District
Reading Teacher
Half Hollow Hills School District
Elementary Teacher Grades K-5
Nassau Community College
Adjunct Professor
St. Martin of Tours School
Middle School Teacher
Name: Lizbeth Benzoni
Position: Teacher of the Gifted
Teaching Experience: 20 years
EDUCATION
M.S.Master of Science Adelphi University- Literacy
B.S. Bachelor of Science SUNY Westbury- Elementary Education
CERTIFICATES HELD
Elementary Education: Permanent Grades K-6
Reading Specialist: Permanent Grades K-6
WORK EXPERIENCE
Herricks School District (1998-2018)
Elementary Teacher at Searingtown Elementary
Grades 1,2,4,5
Name: Christopher Lafferty
Position: STEAM Teacher
Teaching Experience: 27 years
EDUCATION
M.A. SUNY University of Cortland Secondary Education
B.S. SUNY University of Cortland Geology/Biology
CERTIFICATES HELD
New York State Secondary Education: Permanent
New York State General Science: Permanent
New York State Earth Science: Permanent
New York State Biology: Permanent
WORK EXPERIENCE
Elwood/John Glenn High School
Honors Earth Science Teacher
SUNY Cortland
Adjunct professor: Earth Science
Cornell University: Entomology Department
Field Research
Name: Robert De La Cruz
Position: STEAM Teacher
Teaching Experience:
Name: Samar Iqbal
Position: Staff Mentor (Employee)
Years at Village East Gifted: 8 years
GPA: 3.9
ACT: 34
SAT: 1600
Accomplishments
President of Speech and Debate (11th)
Girls Learn International
AP Scholar with Distinction
State Finalist in New York Forensic League in Public Forum and Extemporaneous Speaking
Research at Columbia, Johns Hopkins, and Albert Einstein Medical Center
Global Volunteering-Medical Rotation in India (9th and 10th every Summer)
Volunteer @ VA Hospital (11th)
Volunteer at Hospitality Too Soup Kitchen (Alternating Saturdays)
Volunteer in Harlem Medical Group (8th to 10th grade)
Free tutoring for underprivileged in district (Mon, Thurs, Fri)
Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity (11th)
Volunteer at Nursing Home for Tri-M Music Honor Society (10th and 11th)
Johns Hopkins CTY~ Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Biotechnology Global Politics
Spanish Honor Society
National Forensic Honor Society
National Honor Society
Tri-M Music Honor Society
Pitcher for JV Softball Team
Name: Rachel Vaughan
Position: Staff Mentor (Seasonal Employee)
Years at Village East Gifted: 9 years
Attending: The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
GPA 4.0
SAT: 1600 (out of 1600)
ACT: 34
Accomplishments
DECA International Career Development Conference: 2nd Place, Buying and Merchandising Operations Research
2nd Place, Buying and Merchandising Operations Research
National Merit Commended Student
National Hispanic Award Recipient
DECA State Career Conference: 1st Place, Learn and Earn Business Plan
The President's Volunteer Service Award: Silver
DECA State Career Conference: 1st Place, Franchise Business Plan
DECA State Career Conference: 1st Place, Buying and Merchandising Operations Research
DECA State Career Conference: Top 10 Test Score, Principles of Business Administration and Management
DECA Regional Competition: 1st Place, Travel and Tourism Team Decision Making
Emerging Leaders: 1st Place, Travel and Tourism
DECA Regional Competition: 1st Place, Travel and Tourism Team Decision Making
Emerging Leaders: 1st Place, Hospitality Services
DECA Regional Competition: 1st Place, Principles of Business Administration and Management
Young Professionals Chamber of Commerce: 2nd Place, Hospitality Services
Name: Eric Gesulae
Position: Staff member (Seasonal Employee)
Years at Village East Gifted: 9 years
Attending: Boston College School of Business
GPS: 3.8
SAT: 2190 (out of 2400)
Accomplishments
AP Scholar with Honor
Business Honor Society of New York State
High Honor Roll (18 Times)
National Honor Society
New York State Academic Excellence Award
Future Business Leaders Of America (Grades 9-12), President
Outstanding Achievement in Behavioral Science Long Island Science Congress 2013
1st Place of 50 teams in Entrepreneurship Huntington Township Chamber of Youth Professionals Competition 2011
1st Place of 50 teams in Hospitality Services Chamber of Commerce Youth Professionals Competition 2012
1st Place Varsity Extemporaneous LIFA December Tournament 2013
1st Place Varsity Extemporaneous New York State Qualifying Tournament 2013
2nd Place in the New York State Suffolk County Regional Competition 2014
2nd Place Varsity Public Forum LIFA December Tournament 2013
2nd Place Varsity Public Forum NCFL National Qualifying Tournament 2012
3rd Place in Job Interview Chamber of Commerce Youth Professionals Competition 2010
3rd Place Parliamentary Debate, 7th Best Speaker Award
Best Delegate Security Council Columbia University Model UN Tournament 2012
Bicycle Film Festival (Summer 2012), Intern
Charity: Water: Board of Volunteers
Citibank (Summer 2013), Intern
DECA (Grades 9-12)
French Cultural Club (Grades 9-12)
Honorable Mention in Behavioral Science Long Island Science Congress 2012
Model United Nations (Grades 9-12), President
Pegasus Literary Magazine (Grades 10-12), Assistant Editor
Pennsylvania Liberty Bell Classic Debate Tournament 2013
Quarter-?nalist Varsity Extemporaneous New York State Championship 2013
Recycling for Charity, Co-Founder
Science Explorers (Grades 9-12), President
Scleroderma Foundation, Volunteer Coordinator
Speech & Debate (Grades 9-12), Public Forum Debate Captain
Name: Alyson Givre
Position: Staff Mentor (Seasonal Employee)
Years at Village East Gifted: 9 years
Activities, Awards, and Achievements:
High Honor Roll eighteen times (2007- present)
President's Education Award for outstanding academic excellence (2009)
International Mathematics/Verbal Talent Search
Distinction in Mathematics and Critical Reading (2009)
Nominated for National Scholars Program (2011)
Future Cities Competition-Best Infrastructure Award (2009)
Future Cities Competition-Best Water System Award (2010)
Building Future Leaders (2008-2010)
National Junior Honor Society (2009-2010)
National Student Leadership Conference (2012)
Excellence in Health Award (2010)
National Spanish Exam Gold Winner (2010 and 2011)
Varsity Field Hockey in 9th grade (2011)
Dolphin Macabee Swim Team-Most Improved Swimmer Award (2007)
Outstanding Judaica Student (2009)
Excellence in Attendance-Temple Beth Torah Religious School (2007)
In-school Academically High Aptitude Program (2006-2008)
Certified Lifeguard and CPR/First Aid (2011)
Odyssey of the Mind International Competition Village East Gifted team member
(2009-2010 2nd place and 2010-2011)
Mock Trial Club (2010-present)
Name: Pooja Pandya
Position: Staff Mentor (Seasonal Employee)
Years at Village East Gifted: 7 years
Attending: Stonybrook University; Civil Engineering
PGA: 3.8
SAT: 2250 (out of 2400)
Accomplishments:
High Honor Roll
National Honor Society
President's Award for Excellence
National Spanish Exam Honorable Mention
National Spanish Exam Silver Medal
The NYS Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Award
Student Executive Council Elected Member
Odyssey of the Mind International Competition/Second Place (2 Years)
NYSSMA: Four Instruments
Competitive International Dance Performer
Name: Matt Mautarelli
Position: Staff Mentor (Seasonal Employee)
Years at Village East Gifted: 9 years
Finished Middle School in 7th Grade
Graduated Bard College by Age 15
Attending Columbia University: MA/Ph.D. Program
SAT: Writing 800 (out of 900) at 13 years old
Accomplishments
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth: Appointed Poetry Queen (3 years)
Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do: Age of 12
Played first trombone with the Gemini Traveling Orchestra at Lincoln Center (Age 13)
SCMEA Concert Band, Orchestra and Jazz Band (Age 12-14).
Name: Tulsi Pandya
Position: Staff Mentor (Seasonal Employee)
Years at Village East Gifted: 7 years
Attending: Stonybrook University; Civil Engineering
GPA: 3.8
SAT: 2110 (out of 2400)
Accomplishments
National Junior Honor Society
National Honor Society
National Spanish Honor Society
National Spanish Exam Gold Medalist
Piano NYSMMA Participant
Competitive International Dance Performer
Name: A. L.
Position: Staff Mentor (Seasonal Employee)
Years at Village East Gifted: 9 years
Graduated Vassar College; Art History/American Politics
GPA: 3.9
SAT: 2330 (out of 2400)
Accomplishments
Maintained solid A+ average throughout school
Suffolk County Quiz Bowl JV 3rd Place: 2013
Suffolk County Quiz Bowl JV 3rd Place: 2013
History Bowl National Competitor: 2013
Quiz Bowl National Qualifier: 2013
District's MVP Award
Science Olympiads
Peer Ambassadors/ Anti-Bullying Program
First violin for seven consecutive years in the school orchestra
Received an A in level six NYSSMA
Fastest Runner in her school district (consisting of 10,000 students)
MVP for girls cross country in sophomore year of high school
Cross Country Team Leader: 2012, 2013
Cross Country MVP: 2011
Cross Country Varsity Member: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Sportsmanship Award Winner: 2013
All-League Award Winner: 2011
Member of Thespian Society participating in stage crew
District Enrichment Program (2006-2008)
Invited to serve as a Peer Ambassador
Earned Silver Award on the National Spanish Exam
Consistent participation in Best Buddies
Volunteer at Horseability
