PS176Q
THE CAMBRIA HEIGHTS SCHOOL
Meet The Principal & Assistant Principal
Mrs. Garcia
Principal
It is an honor to introduce myself as the interim acting principal of P.S. 176—The Cambria Heights School. I am proud to join this extraordinary school community where students, teachers and parents work collaboratively to support academic and social-emotional growth. As your interim acting principal, I have a vision of creating and sustaining an environment where all students will be empowered to become leaders and influenced to become life-long learners in order to reach their greatest potential.
I would like to share a little bit about my background. I arrive to P.S. 176 as a seasoned educator. My professional background is rooted in the fields of journalism and education having received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and minor in Anthropology from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. I also hold a Masters in General and Special Education from New York University and became certified in Educational Leadership at the College of Saint Rose. I hold the following New York State Education Dept. certifications: General and Special Education 1-6, General and Special Education Birth through 2, School Building Leader and School District Leader.
The field of education is truly where my passion lies. I began working in the New York City Department of Education in 2011. Since this time, I have worked as a general and special education elementary school teacher in grades 2 through 5 and as an applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapist for children aged birth through 2 receiving early intervention services. Most recently, I served as an assistant principal for the last 5 and a half years where I worked determinedly to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all students in my reach.
I believe in the power of inspiring and encouraging students to be their best selves in and out of the classroom. I am amazed by the students, colleagues and families that I work with each and every day and I am grateful for the opportunity to touch the lives of such a diverse student body here in Queens, NY. I believe that the relationship between families and the school are vital to the success of our students. There is an old proverb that says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Thank you for entrusting me to be an essential member of your village as we collectively take on the task of instilling our students with a sense of wonder, curiosity and an eagerness for success.
Ms. Naidu
Assistant Principal
As a graduate of CUNY Queens College, I pursued a dual Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Elementary Education and Psychology. This allowed me to understand that learning involves the social, emotional and cognitive processes that are involved throughout an individual’s life. I continued professional growth by earning Master of Science in Education (MSED) degrees in Literacy, Special Education, and School Building Leadership (SBL) from St. John’s University.
I am a proud educator of New York City Public Schools. I have served as a Literacy Interventionist in the Bronx and Brooklyn. My experiences have helped me apply a variety of teaching methods, while focusing on the individual needs of students for English as a New Language (ENLs) and Students with Special Needs. My fieldwork includes K-5 teaching in a general education setting, inclusion and persistence in Science Technology Education Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) and restorative social practices within the classroom. I currently hold New York State certifications in Childhood Education 1-6 and School Building Leadership.
I believe that leadership is essential in transforming school culture, so that students, families and teachers can excel. As an educator, I have always been passionate in my commitment to maximizing community and student performance. I strive to cultivate innate learning abilities and instill a sense of self-worth among all students and building stakeholders. I want to dedicate my career to each of these pursuits respectively while assisting communities and serving in schools that maintain high educational standards and provide students and families with opportunities for personal growth.