This year’s 10 recipients represent a diversity of grade levels, subject areas, and each of the five New York City boroughs. These model educators will serve as Big Apple Fellows during the 2025 - 2026 school year.
Reyes Andon
Big Apple Award Recipient
P.S. 376 (32K376)
Physical Education Teacher
Mr. Andon is an exceptional physical education teacher who effectively integrates the Sport Education instructional model to promote student agency and responsibility through meaningful roles like coach, assistant coach, and equipment manager that foster ownership and collaboration. His culturally responsive classroom features visual supports with student demonstrations, teacher-created anchor charts with culturally relevant imagery and vocabulary, and culturally appropriate music that enhances engagement and motivation for his diverse student population. He ensures accessibility for English Language Learners and Multilingual Learners by providing all materials in both English and Spanish translations while using SmartBoard technology with student gifs and diverse imagery that affirms student identity. His instruction incorporates multiple opportunities for student reflection, discussion, and demonstration of understanding through peer, self, and teacher feedback, with explicit instruction on giving constructive feedback to create an inclusive learning environment. Mr. Andon integrates literacy activities including speaking, listening, and questioning while encouraging student agency through role-taking and task selection based on personal interests and skill levels. His commitment to equity extends beyond school through numerous free community partnerships and after-school/weekend programs that address access gaps in physical activity and organized sports for families facing economic barriers. He has created a safe, joyful physical education program where students feel empowered to take risks, meet learning outcomes, and develop into physically literate graduates with the motivation, confidence, and competence to engage in lifelong health-enhancing physical activity.
Raymond Babich
Big Apple Award Recipient
Mosaic Pre-K Center (24QP24)
Early Childhood
Raymond is a dedicated educator with 25 years of experience, currently serving as a special education teacher at District 24’s Mosaic Pre-K center for the past three years. A true people person, he thrives on collaboration and works closely with families, colleagues, and service providers to support every aspect of his students’ development.
Raymond created a "Fun Friday" initiative that brings together service providers for a joyful morning of activities, helping build stronger connections across the support team. He also partners with the New York Hall of Science, working with their staff to design engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons for the Mosaic community.
Beyond the classroom, Raymond plays a key role in organizing school wide initiatives, including fundraising events, clothing and food drives, and efforts to raise awareness about local community resources. His commitment to service and relationship-building helps foster a nurturing and inclusive environment for all students and families.
Fatimah Barrie
Charter Big Apple Award Recipient
Uncommon Canarsie Charter School NYC (84K724)
Fatimah Barrie is a passionate History Educator, Instructional Leader, and Dean of Curriculum and Instruction Fellow with seven years of experience in middle school education. She currently teaches 5th grade history and serves as a Lead Lesson Planner at Uncommon Schools. Committed to expanding access to meaningful, culturally rich learning experiences, Fatimah partnered with the Gilder Lehrman Institute to bring over 90 seventh graders to see Hamilton on Broadway and organized her school’s first-ever Scholastic Book Fair in 2024.
Her teaching philosophy centers on joy, curiosity, and connection, grounded in the belief that education is the path to world peace. By guiding students to explore history through the lenses of culture, identity, and global citizenship, Fatimah cultivates a classroom rooted in empathy and inquiry—empowering young people to envision and build a more just, inclusive, and compassionate world, while becoming future global leaders.
Gregory Bernardi
Big Apple Award Recipient
Franklin D. Roosevelt High School (20K505)
High School Teacher
As a veteran social studies educator, he has inspired thousands of young minds with dynamic lessons and compassionate guidance. He takes pride in creating joyful, reflective learning environments, while also leading professional development and mentoring fellow teachers. Outside the classroom, he volunteers at the Brooklyn Museum and helps protect piping plovers along New York’s shores—showing the same dedication to community and care in all areas of his life.
Valerie Facciola
Big Apple Award Recipient
P.S. 21 Margaret Emery-Elm Park (31R021)
Elementary School Teacher
Valerie Facciola has been an elementary school teacher for 18 years and is passionate about designing fun, engaging lessons that reflect and celebrate her students’ diverse cultures. She believes learning should be joyful and meaningful—so don’t be surprised to find her classroom full of laughter, music, and even spontaneous dancing as students dive into their learning.
Valerie helped launch a Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education (CR-SE) book club at her school, where she and her colleagues studied Cultivating Genius by Dr. Gholdy Muhammad. She developed lesson plans, led professional development workshops for fellow educators, and was honored to present virtually at a citywide PD session hosted by Dr. Muhammad herself.
In addition to her work in the classroom, Valerie has contributed to schoolwide growth through her leadership on several teams, including the Instructional Leadership Team (ILT), assessment team, CR-SE team, and Professional Learning Communities (PLC). Having recently completed the School Building and District Leadership program, she is excited to expand her impact and help shape learning experiences beyond her own classroom.
Outside of school, Valerie is a proud mom and wife who finds joy in cheering on her kids at their many extracurricular activities.
Judith Felice
Big Apple Award Recipient
J.H.S. 216 (26Q216)
Middle School Teacher
Mrs. Felice is a veteran math educator entering her 19th year in the classroom. She believes every child can achieve their academic and professional dreams. As the founder of GEMMs (Girls Empowerment Movement in Mathematics), she empowers young women to grow, take risks, and build confidence. Beyond the school day, she leads a Moon Yoga after school program and teaches future educators as a college professor. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new foods, traveling, and going on urban hikes.
Gabriela Garcia De La Noceda
Big Apple Award Recipient
P.S. 243 (16K243)
Rookie of the Year Teacher
Ms. Garcia is a third-grade Special Education ICT teacher in District 16, where she has been making an impact for the past three years. Originally from Puerto Rico, she brings her bilingual background and deep passion for language inclusivity to her classroom, creating a space that celebrates diversity and honors every student’s identity.
She believes in the power of strong routines and structures to create a safe, supportive environment where students can focus on learning and growing. A music enthusiast, Ms. Garcia weaves songs into her lessons and leads an after-school guitar program, using music as both a creative outlet and a tool for connection and engagement.
A dedicated advocate for restorative justice, she facilitates restorative circles with students and staff, encouraging empathy, communication, and peaceful conflict resolution. Ms. Garcia also leads schoolwide Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, ensuring her students' cultures are seen, valued, and uplifted.
Her classroom is a vibrant, inclusive community where every child feels empowered to thrive.
Amanda Mendez
Big Apple Award Recipient
P.S. 163 (20K163)
Arts Teacher
Ms. Mendez is the K-8 Theatre Teacher at PS/IS 163: The Bath Beach School. She is a NYC Public School alumna, third generation NYC Public School Teacher in her family, an Arthur Miller Fellow alumna. Her students and their families mean the world to her. She is very involved in her school community and is a member of her school’s graduation committee. In addition to teaching she is also the Program Director for the FIAO SONYC after school program in her building and has collaborated in writing curriculum units for Theatre for the Office of Arts and Special Projects Office.
Shaude Tyson
Big Apple Award Recipient
P.S. 262 El Hajj Malik El Shabazz Elementary School (16K262)
Elementary School Teacher
Ms. Tyson began her teaching journey in 2004 and has spent her career working with students in grades 3–5. Throughout the years, she has remained deeply committed to empowering young learners with the belief that anything is possible when they put their heart and mind to it. Beyond the classroom, Ms. Tyson actively builds strong connections with families by attending parent engagement events and offering translation support to ensure every voice is heard. Her mission is to inspire growth, spark positive change, and leave a lasting impact on both her students and the wider community.
Jane Yi
Big Apple Award Recipient
P.S. 049 The Willis Avenue School (07X049)
Elementary School Teacher
Jane Yi has been a dedicated educator at PS 49 in the Bronx for 21 years. For the past 11 years, she has taught 5th grade Math and Science in a departmentalized setting, driven by her core belief that every child is a capable learner. She tailors her instruction to meet each student’s unique learning style, providing targeted support to help them thrive.
Jane creates a student-centered classroom grounded in exploration, where discussion and debate are essential tools for learning. Her approach encourages students to think critically, share ideas freely, and embrace mistakes as valuable learning opportunities. With her guidance and strategic questioning, students grow confident in their abilities and learn to challenge themselves without fear of judgment.
In addition to her teaching, Jane served as a Model Teacher from 2021 to 2023 and currently leads her grade team as the 5th Grade Leader. She is a respected voice in her school community, offering mentorship to colleagues while continuously evolving in her own practice through collaboration and reflection.