Kristina Gurevich

Operations, Web and Digital Media

Kristina Gurevich is extremely proud to be a part of the mission of Keys to Literacy. Kristina brings over 15 years of managerial and operational experience to the organization. Having been educated in both the United States and abroad, Kristina has always been a strong proponent of enhancing education and professional development. In her most recent career role, Kristina was an Operations Manager at Unilever, Customer Development.
Lifelong learning and continued personal growth are crucial to Kristina. As the mother of two boys possessing vastly different learning styles, Kristina believes that a customized education designed to enhance individual strengths while targeting personal goals will cultivate confident, independent and successful learners. Kristina is fully dedicated to supporting the members of the Keys to Literacy and Learning community.

Anna Mazzara

Literacy Specialist

Executive Functioning Coach

Professional Developer

Anna had the fortunate experience of moving both domestically and internationally during her pre-elementary through high school years. Having been enrolled in many unique educational communities, from Montessori to parochial, and then public to private, she was able to see first hand the many varying approaches to teaching and learning. Anna always knew she wanted to pursue education and mold her background as a student into an educator. She went on to earn her Bachelor's Degree from New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development in Social Studies Education. Anna began her career in education teaching Global Studies to ninth and tenth grade students in Manhattan. After gaining invaluable classroom experience, she continued her education back at NYU, earning her Master in Literacy Education. Anna's experience includes teaching in a traditional classroom environment, developing curriculum, mentoring new teachers, providing executive functioning support, leading small group reading and writing intervention, and delivering varied Professional Development to a staff of teachers as a Reading Specialist. Anna believes that reading and writing success is attainable for every student. It is important for a learning specialist to discover what most interests the student to capitalize on their existing passions and utilize this powerful vehicle for their literacy achievement.

Dominika Lapinska

Learning Specialist

A passionate teacher and dedicated, life-long learner, Dominika earned her Bachelor's Degree as a double major in Childhood Education and English Language Arts from Hunter College. Upon graduation she spent three years teaching in an ICT (Integrated Co-Teaching) setting at P.S. 6 on the Upper East Side. During this time, she gained invaluable experience providing differentiated instruction to students with various abilities. She made sure to accommodate the diverse learning styles, allowing her to create a safe and positive learning community. Her teaching experience guided her to a self-discovered interest in Speech and Language Pathology. She noticed the need and benefit of focused, one-on-one, and small group sessions in the area of communication and language as well as reading, writing, and processing disorders. Consequently, Dominika is currently pursuing Speech and Language Pathology for her Master's Degree.
Dominika's journey as a Learning Specialist at Keys to Literacy and Learning began during her college career. She has a passion for helping others by building a strong foundation of trust through her relationships with students and families. Dominika designs her sessions to be unique and individualized, making her sessions highly engaging, creative, and effective. Besides being a Learning Specialist at Keys to Literacy and Learning, Dominika also works as a teacher at a Polish Language Supplementary School on Saturdays.

Javier Riveros

Learning Specialist

Spanish Specialist

Javier provides a unique skillset to Keys to Literacy and Learning with his Childhood Education certification, a degree in History from Hunter College and language specialization in Spanish. Javier has many years experience tutoring Spanish, most recently participating in the NYC Men Teach summer fellowship program where he taught an intermediate Spanish class at Long Island City High School. Javier has worked with students in a variety of settings as a volunteer catechist at his local church, a summer camp counselor, a college matriculation coach, and as an elementary, middle, and high school tutor. Regardless of where he meets his students, Javier's methodology is one that seeks to build lasting and fruitful relationships with his students in hopes of unlocking their fullest potential, inside and outside the classroom. In the near future, he plans to complete a Master’s program in Bilingual School Psychology to work closely with the New York City's highest-need populations, and a Master’s extension program in partnership with the New York Historical Society for Gifted and Talented Education in Social Studies. Javier’s Keys to Literacy and Learning sessions include multi-sensory instruction across all disciplines while utilizing research-based practices. Thus, he is always fine-tuning his pedagogy in preparation for his long-term career goals by empowering a diverse population of students with the love of learning and being part of the Keys to Literacy and Learning mission that looks to provide an individualized education to all.

Lexie McFarren

Learning Specialist

At a very young age, Lexie developed a passion for helping children meet their personal and academic goals. Thus, Lexi has only furthered her passion for education through extensive experience working with children which has deepened her passion for education. Lexie volunteered as an academic tutor at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital throughout her years of undergraduate study at the University of Cincinnati where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology. Currently, Lexie is a graduate student in Elementary Education at New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, thereby furthering her career goals and passion for working with children. She thoroughly enjoys planning educational activities that focus on students’ individual interests in order to make learning engaging and enjoyable. Lexie is excited to be a part of Keys to Literacy and Learning to instill the kind of confidence that will garner lifelong learning in our students.

Jenny Green

Performing Arts Specialist

Jenny D Green is a Brit-born, Brooklyn-based actor and producing artist. She has performed in more than 100 plays, readings, short films and voiceovers and also is founding producer and host of a regular radio podcast, as well as running her own production company. Jenny loves developing new work and has been involved in several workshop productions as actor, designer, producer and writer. In her work with children - including time as an early years development teacher - Jenny encourages creative play as a means to understanding and enjoying the world around us. She finds herself constantly rejuvenated by the energy and imaginations of children. Her proudest achievement at the Greenwich Village theatre she managed (Manhattan Theatre Source) was devising and running a summer theatre programme for 7-16 year olds. Theatre is an invaluable part of education, encouraging empathy for and appreciation of others, as well as confidence in self. Theatre-games develop the vital life skills of listening, focus, spacial-awareness and teamwork: learning how to relax and be present sparks joy and creative energy. And the ability to relate to theatrical text and performance sharpens both the mind and spirit, as well as providing insights into other worlds, that might otherwise be inaccessible.