Armistead Gardens Elementary/Middle School

Mr. Bob Pisano

Middle School Guidance Counselor

email:

RPisano@bcps.k12.md.us

I am one of the School Counselors here at AG. I have worked at Armistead since 2017. I have been in Baltimore City Schools since 2006 and I love what I do. I am a graduate of Kutztown University and Johns Hopkins University. I am married with two children. My kids are in 3rd and 6th grade. I am a huge Buffalo Bills fan. Lets go Bills and AG Owls!!

Ms. Alexandria Valenti

Elementary Guidance Counselor

email:

AFValenti@bcps.k12.md.us

I am one of the school counselors at Armistead Gardens! I came to AG for the 22-23 school year and love every day. After spending my early years in New York and New Jersey, I made my way to Maryland after high school. I started my college career at Harford Community College, finished my Bachelors in Psychology at Towson, and went back for my Masters at Loyola University. My favorite things include watching hockey (Go Rangers!), the color yellow, reading, listening to podcasts, and being AG's "Off-brand Taylor Swift."

Ms. Heather Pecoraro

Speech Therapist

email:

HSPecoraro@bcps.k12.md.us

Bio coming soon!

Ms. Alexis Silva

Speech Therapist

email:

ASilva@bcps.k12.md.us

I am one of the speech language pathologists at AG! I have been here for the last 3 years. I work with our early learning programs along with our general education students. I moved to Baltimore from Washington D.C. where I attended Howard University for my undergraduate and graduate studies. I love exploring new places, playing music, my dog Bucky, and my cat Chuy.

Ms. Karen Jones

Adaptive Physical Education

email:

KSJones@bcps.k12.md.us

Bio coming soon!

Ms. Kristy Karanikolis

Occupational Therapist

email:

KLKaranikolis@bcps.k12.md.us

Masters in Early Childhood Education, Towson University, Bachelors of Science in Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science, Towson University I have worked for the Baltimore City School system since 2006 providing Occupational Therapy services from birth to age 21. I love the beach and warm weather!

Ms. Kathy Bittner

Literacy Coach

email:

EBittner@bcps.k12.md.us

My name is Ecaterina Bittner. I have been an educator in Baltimore City Schools for the past 39 years. During this time, I have taught in the primary grades, and have supported outside of the classroom setting as an Instructional Support Teacher, Teacher Mentor, and currently as a Literacy Coach. I have lived in Maryland for most of my life, but was born in Athens, Greece and came to the United States with my family when I was 4 years old. I am bilingual and am able to read and write in Greek, as well. In my spare time, I love being with my family, our 2 dogs, our friends ,reading, shopping, being near the water, and spending time gardening!

Ms. Beth Barletta

Math Coach

email:

EKBoyer@bcps.k12.md.us

Hello! I was the 5th grade Math teacher here at AG and moved this year to the role of Math Coach!

I have been at Armistead for 10 years but I have been teaching here in the City for over 15. I moved to Baltimore after graduating from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania where I got my BA in Education, and later my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. In 2013, I received the Baltimore City Teacher of the Year award and had a wonderful time meeting other teachers from across Maryland and representing our amazing district. In my spare time I enjoy reading (especially Harry Potter and any type of historical fiction), traveling (my favorite spot is Disney!), attending musical concerts, and spending quality time with my husband and two children.

Ms. Liz DeVors

Reading Interventionist

email:

EBDevors@bcps.k12.md.us

I am an intervention teacher at AG. I have been here for 3 years. I have been teaching for 15 years. I have taught grades first to fifth grade. I love to teach reading! I graduated from University of Pittsburgh and Washington and Jefferson College. I love to run and shop. AG is the place to be!

Ms. Gwen Gomez

Reading Interventionist

email:

GPost@bcps.k12.md.us

I am the Intervention/GAL teacher for grades K-2. This will be my 19th year teaching and I have been at Armistead for 13 years. I have taught 1-5 grades throughout my career. I am from Pennsylvania and moved to Baltimore after graduating from Kutztown University. My husband and I have made Maryland our home and I have two amazing children. I enjoy going on new adventures with my family and spending time with friends. I also have been loving to learn new crafts like jewelry making and most recently sewing. I teach because I love to learn new things and would like to pass that passion onto students!

Ms. Jillian Murphy

Reading Interventionist

email:

JMMurphy@bcps.k12.md.us

Bio coming soon!

Ms. Christine Osenburg

Reading Interventionist

email:

COsenburg@bcps.k12.md.us

I am one of the Reading Intervention Teachers at AG. This is my 2nd year at AG and my 25th year with Baltimore City Schools. I have been a Pre-Kindergarten teachers, Kindergarten teacher and a Media Specialist. I moved to Baltimore from my hometown, Philadelphia. I went to West Chester University and I continued my education at UMBC and NDMU. I love football (Go Birds!), reading, shopping, and enjoying time with my family and friends.

Ms. Darlene Green

Literacy Paraeducator - 1st Grade

email:

DVGreen@bcps.k12.md.us

Bio coming soon!

Ms. Deborah Costas

Literacy Paraeducator - 2nd Grade

email:

DLCostas@bcps.k12.md.us

This is my 18th year with Baltimore City Schools, and my first year at AG. I previously worked with Pre-k, Kindergarten and 3rd grade students. This year I will be working with 2nd grade as an early literacy tutor. I'm excited to see what this year has in store. I graduated from Shepherd University with a BFA in photography. I enjoy hiking, traveling, photography, art, jewelry making, making home made pizza, grilling, coffee, and shopping at Costco.

Picture coming soon!

Ms. Yashira Valenzuela

Literacy Paraeducator - Kindergarten

email:

YValenzuelaMorillo@bcps.k12.md.us

Hello! I am one of the early literacy tutors here at AG. This will be my first year working here, and I work with Kindergarten. My job is to provide support in a small group setting to the little ones in their learning to read. I graduated from Baltimore City College, and I am a current junior at the University of Baltimore, majoring in Human Service Administration. I am also a former student of AG, graduating back in 2017. I am from Alabama, but my mother and I mainly lived in Massachusetts until we moved to Baltimore in 2011. I am very into video games, and I have a new-found love for crocheting. I love having movie marathons with friends and families, and I love doing Zumba. I love reading as well and my top favorite books are: 1. A Thorn of Court and Roses series 2. The Naturals series 3. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Ms. Kellye Green

Paraeducator

email:

KMGreen@bcps.k12.md.us

Bio coming soon!

Mr. Franklin Aquino

ESOL Paraeducator

email:

FAquino@bcps.k12.md.us

I’m one of the ESOL support staff at AG for the past 3 years. I moved to Maryland from Queens, NYC. I am originally from Dominican Republic. I enjoy music: merengue típico, bachata, salsa, vallenatos, jazz and many others from different countries. I enjoy reading books about nature, science, engineering, and life guidance books like the Bible. I also enjoy riding a bike, hiking, and the beach.

Ms. Rosalia Quiñones

ESOL Paraeducator

email:

RQuinones@bcps.k12.md.us

Bio coming soon!