New Faculty & Staff
We are pleased to introduce seven new faculty and staff members who have joined us this year. We wish them a warm welcome to St. Bernard’s.
Amanda Allison
Grade II Associate
Amanda Allison, originally from Brooklyn, NY, pursued her academic interests at Seton Hall University, earning a bachelor’s degree in social and behavioral sciences with a minor in sociology. After graduation, Ms. Allison dedicated four years to working at an early childhood center, honing her skills and deepening her passion for early education. She then spent two years as an associate teacher in kindergarten at The Nightingale-Bamford School. 
Katrina Berishaj
Grade II Associate
Ms. Berishaj has a passion for teaching children aged 2 to 8, having worked at The Buckley School, Dwight School, and Rodeph Sholom School. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from John Jay College and a master’s degree in early childhood education from Hunter College. 
Hemmy Flores
Front Office Associate
Hemmy Flores greets us each morning from the reception desk with a welcoming smile. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from CUNY City College of New York.
Ridie Markenson
Secondary School Advising
Ridie Markenson, who joined us last spring, has hit the ground running as our new director of secondary school advising. Mrs. Markenson is working alongside Kaley Bell and Anthony Keene to support our graduating eighth and ninth graders as they apply to secondary schools. Most recently, Mrs. Markenson served as director of student growth and co-director of high school placement at the TEAK Fellowship, a New York−based organization committed to helping “talented students from low-income families achieve their potential.” Over the course of her thirty years as an educator, Mrs. Markenson has served in many leadership roles, such as director of middle and upper school admission at Riverdale Country School, head of upper school at Morristown Beard School (NJ), dean of students at the Pingry School (NJ), and head of upper school at the Winsor School in Boston. As a long-time admissions officer, she has known St. Bernard’s and St. Bernard’s boys for most of her career, and she is thrilled to be joining our school community.
George Moraitis ’14
Associate P.E. Teacher and Coach
George Moraitis joins the athletics department as an associate coach and P.E. teacher. He attended James Madison University and is now finishing a degree in kinesiology at Montclair State University. Mr. Moraitis previously coached at Northern Valley Sports Academy in Closter, NJ, teaching children aged 2−14 the basics of a variety of sports. Mr. Moraitis is an Old Boy from the Class of 2014 and is thrilled to be back on 98th Street. “The entire St. Bernard’s community has welcomed me back with open arms, and even though it has been almost a decade since graduating from St. Bernard’s, it feels like I never left.”
Molly Pelavin
Crafts Teacher
Molly Pelavin began working at St. Bernard’s as a freelance set designer in 2022, and she is honored to join the classroom this year while our crafts teacher, Ms. Shalvoy, takes maternity leave. Ms. Pelavin began her career in education teaching English at a secondary school in rural Thailand. Upon returning to New York, she worked as an associate preschool teacher at Battery Park Montessori and as an art teacher at the Church Street School for Music and Art. Ms. Pelavin then spent four years in Los Angeles, where she wore many hats: K−fifth grade teaching associate, art teacher, set designer, and special education teacher at Citizens of the World Charter School in Hollywood. She has also worked as a set dresser, muralist, musical set designer, scenic painter, and illustrator. Ms. Pelavin holds a BFA in film from Purchase College.
Taylor Sheps
Grade I Associate
Taylor Sheps was born and raised on Long Island. She attended the University of Florida, where she earned a bachelor of science degree in psychology with a minor in education. Through her experience as a lead counselor at summer camps, Ms. Sheps developed a deep passion for working with elementary-aged children. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree with a dual certification in elementary and special education at Hunter College.
Marquis Standard
P.E. Teacher and Coach
Marquis Standard joins the athletic department as a full-time coach and P.E. teacher. Mr. Standard is from White Plains, NY, and has an associate’s degree in business management from Westchester Community College and a degree in sports management from SUNY Cortland. He has been working with children for the last ten years at various jobs including organizing birthday parties, coaching sports, and working at summer camps. Mr. Standard was most recently at The Allen-Stevenson School. In his spare time, he enjoys playing basketball, roller skating, pickleball, and tennis. He also enjoys drawing.
