Teacher Opportunity Corps

Deshana was born in Kolkata, India, and moved to the U.S. just in time to start kindergarten. Strong familial, cultural, and linguistic ties to both Bengal and NYC have shaped her experience as a first-generation immigrant, as well as her motivation to work with immigrant students and their families. She has served as a translator, curriculum developer, and educator in various settings, including refugee legal services, public, and charter schools, writing centers, and opportunity programs. After stints at New York University and AmeriCorps, she is now pursuing a dual master's degree in TESOL and Intellectual Disability/Autism within TR@TC. She will be dual certified in Students with Disabilities (7-12 SPED) and ESOL/ENL (English as a New Language). She has a love-hate relationship with language learning, identity politics, the NYC public school system, and the four years she spent obtaining a bachelor's in pre-med. During brain-off hours, she likes to play mahjong, tends to her plant children, and hit the gym and yoga mat.

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Christina is working towards an M.A. in Intellectual Disability/Autism and dual certification in Students with Disabilities (7-12 SPED) and English Language Arts (ELA) as part of the TR@TC program. Before becoming a TR@TC Teaching Resident, Christina served with the AmeriCorps program City Year New York. She graduated from Rowan College at Burlington County and Queens College, City University of New York, earning degrees in Liberal Arts and Communication Sciences and Disorders. While in college, Christina worked at internships at the NYC Coalition for Educational Justice and the U.S. Department of Education and continues to learn about policy and advocacy both in the TR@TC program and through her work in the office of Assembly Member Khaleel M. Anderson. Her academic and pedagogical interests include reading intervention, criticality, and project-based learning.

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Hello Everyone!

My name is Matthew Elias, and I am a dynamic special educator committed to fostering an engaging constructivist environment that values our students' funds of knowledge and focuses on real-world learning experiences. I am passionate about creating a diverse and inclusive learning environment influenced by bell hooks and Paulo Freire. Before TR@TC, I worked for over ten years at a non-profit organization as the Inclusion Coordinator, training staff, leading programs, and creating a safe space for my students.

I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and an advanced degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders from Brooklyn College. In 2022, I will receive a Master of Arts in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and earn dual certification in Students with Disabilities (7-12 SPED) and Biology.

Brooklyn-born, originally from Park Slope, and currently live in Coney Island; I enjoy bike riding, the beach, cooking, listening to music, and playing games.

Audrey Yatdon (he/him) is an educator pursuing dual certification in TESOL and Special Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. As a TR@TC Resident, he is currently completing a year-long teaching residency at International High School at Prospect Heights. His experience as an immigrant motivated him to pursue a career in education where he could be of service to individuals who have had similar journeys. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Sewanee: the University of the South. In addition to teaching, Audrey is also a professional performing artist. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer, making art, and watching Marvel films.