HUMANITIES TEACHERS
HUMANITIES TEACHERS
ADMIN & STAFF
KEVIN HESSELTINE
Principal
ALTHEA BRUTUS-GARRAWAY
Assistant Principal
Dr. Althea is an innovative Educator-Leader, committed to supporting learners and organizations. She is passionate about empowering educators through instructional leadership that emphasizes self-efficacy, informed decision-making, and partnerships, drawing on her doctoral research about Leadership Practices that Leverage Relationships to develop Professional Learning Communities. She is especially excited about education that is made possible through experiential learning, holistic practices, and mastery-based learning, because she believes that each student can learn, exceed expectations, and achieve success in ways that are uniquely meaningful and relevant. Although she has always been interested in Education, she has acquired experience through a variety of educational programs and work experiences in high school, tertiary, manufacturing, and non-profit organizations. She started her tertiary education with modern languages, and has since completed graduate studies in Adult Education, Human Resource Development, TESOL, and Educational Administration and Leadership. She is a Caribbean native of Guyana, South America, and enjoys nature, music, and art.
Juliana Ruiz
Assistant Principal
Juliana Ruiz is an Assistant Principal and experienced educator committed to advancing equity and creating inclusive school communities where all students and staff can thrive. She began her career in 2014 as a founding school counselor at EPIC High School North in New York City and later joined the Internationals Network as a school counselor at Flushing International High School, supporting recently arrived immigrant and multilingual learners.
As a first-generation Latina, daughter of Colombian immigrants, and proud NYC Public School graduate, Juliana is deeply committed to narrowing opportunity gaps and ensuring that students from historically underserved communities have access to the support, opportunities, and resources they need to reach their goals. Her leadership is grounded in strong relationships, student advocacy, and a belief that students’ identities, strengths, and aspirations should be at the center of their educational experience.
Juliana is a proud alumna of Baruch College. She holds a Master of Science in Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from Fordham University and earned her School Building Leadership License through the NYC Schools LEAP Program in collaboration with Bank Street College of Education.
Outside of her work in education, Juliana enjoys reading, hiking, and dancing salsa.
MICHELE DEBONO
College Counselor & Internship Coordinator
YOUSRA HANIF
Program Manager
LU ZENG
Bilingual School Counselor
ROBERTO RIOS
Social Worker
MARIA DUMAS
Community Associate
VERONICA SALAZAR
Parent Coordinator
YIYI YANG
School Business Manager & Payroll Secretary
As a fellow alumni of FIHS, I've spent ten beautiful years here as a student and as a staff member. Our school is small yet mighty. Diversity makes us unique and inclusion makes us powerful! I am grateful to witness the growth of so many bright, brave and beautiful souls during my years at FIHS. I hope that I will be able to keep taking part in helping immigrant youths assimilate to the new culture and continue embracing the cultural diversity. I can't wait for what the future holds for our school!
TATIANA GUEVARA
School Aides
FARHANA CHOWDHURY
School Aides
Isbeth Arelis
Bridge Coach
Ahnaf Chowdhury
School Aides
FRANK FENG
SYEP Site Coordinator
Isabella Carreno
Office Assistant
I graduated from FIHS, and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I now work as a Spanish Paraprofessional at the same school, which I love because I help students who struggle with English improve their speaking. I am also pursuing an Associate of Liberal Arts degree at QCC and hope to work in teaching or college advising.
More about Isabella: I was born in Cali, Colombia, where I spent half of my childhood. After I moved to the United States when I was 11. I am an extroverted person and in my free time I love cooking and dancing Salsa.
