Committee Members and Volunteers
Frankie Dascola, Curriculum Committee
Frankie Dascola is the Music Director, Co-Advisory for the Ram's Rainbow Alliance and the Social Emotional Learning Lead at I .S. 93 in Ridgewood, Queens. During the week Frankie spends time as a NYC DOE Teacher, pushing students to express themselves through music and the arts. Frankie also works as the Head of Operations for the Big Apple Leadership Arts Academy where she works to enrich marginalized communities and uplift students through music and community service. On weekends Frankie can be found supporting various arts and cultural endeavors or biking all over Brooklyn.
Jubie Deane, Events and Administrative Volunteer
Jubie Deane (she/her) is a 212 Original and life-long Lower East Sider. She is a proud champion of arts in education & has always believed that books are magical enough to change lives.
Mor Erlich, Curriculum Committee
Mor Erlich (he/him) is the creator of Sez Me, an LGBTQ multidisciplinary educational program for all ages, and The Dragtivity Book, an educational tool for engaging kids in conversations about drag, gender, and identity. He presents the workshop "Dragtivity Time with DQSH and Sez Me" in collaboration with Drag Story Hour NYC.
Emily Greytak, Curriculum Committee
Emily Greytak (she/her) is a queer activist, researcher, and parent. As a former radical cheerleader, she knows firsthand the power of performance to make change and is overjoyed to be a part of DSH NYC! Emily has a PhD in Education and leads research and evaluation efforts for mission-based nonprofits, previously at GLSEN and now at the ACLU. She also teaches part-time at Brooklyn College and is active with local groups fighting for justice and equity in NYC schools.
Lily MacLeod, Administrative Volunteer
Lily MacLeod (she/her) is thrilled to be working with DSH! She is a recent graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a degree in Gender Studies. She is excited at the chance to work for such an incredible organization that similarly believes in the power of storytelling!
Zak Malik, Volunteer Government Lobbyist
Zak Malik (he/him) is a proud Brooklyn native and a Policy Advisor at Cozen O'Conner, where he provides pro-bono lobbying services for DSH. Over the past several years, he has worked closely with DSH staff in navigating the City's budget process, working with them to secure government funding to provide free community programs throughout the boroughs. He has truly appreciated the opportunity to advocate for such a meaningful organization and is excited to continue to advance their goals throughout NYC. Zak has a Master's Degree in Special Education and he especially loves DSH's readings for children on the autism spectrum.
Kalima McKenzie-Simms, Curriculum Committee
Kalima McKenzie-Simms (she/her) is currently the Manager of LGBTQ Programs at the NYC Department of Education, and she is a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools. During her own coming out journey as a young adult, Kalima worked at PFLAG NYC, providing support for their families and educating schools across New York City for 8 years. Kalima has been honored by GO Magazine's 100 Women We Love Class of 2021, and named one of Business Equality Magazine's 40 LGBTQ Leaders Under 40 in 2020. Now, Kalima has an MPA Degree from CUNY City College and her vision for NYC schools is that all students, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can feel seen and safe, and will know where and who to go for support within their school communities.
Naomi Peña, Curriculum Committee
Naomi Peña (she/her) is a native New Yorker raised in the Lower East Side. Her parents were immigrants who instilled the need to excel through education. As a result, advocating for education has become her life's work. Naomi became involved in educational advocacy work when her oldest child was diagnosed with Dyslexia 15 years ago and given an IEP. She quickly had to learn how to navigate the special education bureaucracy in NYC and saw how overwhelming it was to navigate. Through supports from organizations, she learned the special education law and lent herself to be a support for other special education parents. In 2015 she joined the Community Education Council for school district 1. During her time on the council, the council worked on the first ever district-wide diversity admissions policy in NYC. Through the councils relentless commitment for diversiry, a version of their plan has been implemnted for the '18-'19 school year. As of 2017, Naomi has been the president of the CEC1.
Kat Savage, Coordinator of the Curriculum Committee
Kat Savage (she/her) is the managing librarian of the Adams Street Library in Dumbo, Brooklyn. As a children's librarian at the Park Slope branch of Brooklyn Public Library, she partnered with a local community member to bring DSH to Park Slope Library in 2016. She received her MLIS from Pratt Institute in 2012.
Carolina Snaider, Curriculum Committee
Caro (she/her), was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Former preschool teacher, she is currently a doctoral candidate in Early Childhood Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research explores how educators are making classrooms with young children more welcoming and inclusive of all gender identities and expressions. Captivated by the incredible work of DSH, she became a volunteer in the Curriculum Committee
Wanda A. Ward, Graphic Design Volunteer
Wanda A. Ward is a Seattlite that's been in Brooklyn for over a decade. She has a degree in Graphic Design and recently got her Juris Doctorate. Wanda is elated to be working with DSH NYC and believes that drag queens & kings are the patron saints of. the LGBTQIA+ community!
