Meet Our Staff
Our community is committed to doing the work…
Our Team
Paula Stamler Resnick — Founder and Executive Director
Paula’s inspiration to develop The Meeting House came from her personal experience as a parent in New York City. She began by building a diverse afterschool community of elementary aged students who had challenges around communication and connection. From there, the mission expanded to include social and emotional development for people of all ages. For more than a decade Paula has advocated around elevating the role of social and emotional learning in education and human development. Paula holds a BA from Northwestern and a Master’s in Public Administration and Management from New York University. She has been involved in local philanthropy for many years as both a funder and fundraiser and has served on boards and committees of various charities in education, global development, healthcare, arts- in-education and aging. Paula is currently Co-President of the Board of Trustees and Executive Director of The Meeting House.
Steven Rubin, LMSW — Director of Youth and Young Adult Programs
Steven is a graduate of New York University with a Masters in Social Work who trained at The Educational Alliance, the 14th Street Y and the Jewish Board for Children and Family Services. For the past six years, he has directed the teen program at TMH in addition to his role as a social skills educator. Channeling his own experiences and challenges throughout college he brings a unique lens to his work with our population. Steven has transformed our platform to include more peer role models as well as educating and training students from high school, college and graduate school in a direct service capacity. He runs weekly groups with our afterschool, teen and college populations in concert with our creative professional team of artists, educators and therapists. He also supervises our Partnership Programs with Thurgood Marshall Academy Lower School and ACT at St. John the Divine.
Kim McGarvey, MSW — Senior Clinician and Parenting Expert, Director of Juniors Program
As a clinical social worker who specializes in infant and early childhood development, Kim received her Masters in Social Work from New York University and studied infant and parent development at Bank Street College of Education. For the past three years, she has facilitated parent support groups at The Meeting House as well as directed afterschool programs for our younger population. Kim has worked with infants, children and parents in hospital, school and mental health settings for 22 years. She has experience working with typically developing children, as well as children with chronic illness and special needs. Prior to The Meeting House Kim served as the Associate Program Coordinator of the Pacella Parent Child Center at New York Psychoanalytic Institute.
“We are so happy to have found The Meeting House! Every Thursday morning, my daughter wakes up and exclaims, “It’s a Meeting House day!” She absolutely loves it! All of the teachers and therapists are amazing in how they work with these children. I am impressed with the level of attention the children receive and how wonderful the entire community is there.”
— Mother of 7 year old girl from NYC public school
Patricia Saidenberg — Co-Chair of The Board and Social Skills Educator
Patty’s love of children is boundless. As someone who has started over a dozen schools across the nation, including the JCC Preschool, here in NYC we are proud to have her on our leadership team. As a librarian, she continues to contribute to the world of children's literature by creating blogs and ensuring that multiple perspectives are represented in school libraries throughout the country. Patty has been a classroom teacher and school librarian for decades. She was one of the architects of Chris Wittle’s Edison Project, a contributor to Chicago’s, Everyday Math, a Master Teacher, created, developed and implemented curriculum for various schools across the country, contributed to state’s Frameworks, LHS Peaches and GEMS units and FOSS. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, was an MBA Wilcott Fellow at George Washington University, UCLA M.ED, and Pratt MLIS.
Meghan Corridan — Senior Occupational Therapist, Advisor
Meghan Corridan graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a BS in Occupational Therapy and has been practicing pediatric therapy since 2000. As the cousin of a young girl with severe handicaps, Meghan grew up with a deep appreciation for children with special needs and knew that she wanted to do something to help. When she explored the field of occupational therapy, she immediately became interested and never turned back. Meghan began her career at The Children’s Center for Early Learning in Brooklyn and Stepping Stone Day School in Queens. As a founding staff member of TMH she continues her involvement through direct service to students and families as well as consultations. She also runs a thriving OT private practice Upper West Side in Manhattan.
Ife Lenard, MSW, EdM — Cultural Identity Advisor, TMALS Partnership
Ife has a profound commitment to intentional spaces, service-leadership, and building relationships in a different, more human way. Her ability to serve as a catalyst share stories, unpack thought patterns that sustain harm, and deepen practices move people forward in their journey. An innovative, educational leader creating learning communities that thrived in her ten+ year tenure as a Dean, Assistant Principal and then a Founding Principal of PreK-8th grade schools. With solid school cultures grounded in nurture, love and high expectations, all schools, in her leadership, were high-achieving and high-performing schools, both with strong academic and SEL programs. Prior to her school leadership, Ife has taught every grade from 5th -12th grade as a successful science teacher -with many years as an AP biology and physics teacherIfe holds a B.S. in Human Ecology and two Masters from Columbia University, in both Clinical Social Work and Educational Leadership. She is also an independent strategic coach to school leaders, professor to graduate students, and staff developer to educators and clinicians. Before that, Ife was a school leader (Dean and then Principal) for over 10 years of high-achieving, high performing schools, Pre-K - 8th grade. She started her career as a school-linked Social Worker before teaching biology and physics. Her service-leadership has created schools and programs that build relationships in a different, more human way. They embrace holistic development for staff and children alike. Ife Lenard's commitment to intentional spaces and practices is evident in her work.
Will Fletcher M.Ed — Social Skills Educator
Will has a Masters in Education from Bank Street College and is dual certified in both special and general education. He is currently a co-leader in our school-aged, teen and college programs offered at Meeting East. When not at The Meeting House, Will works at the Churchill School as a head teacher in the 5th grade. He loves working with students in a recreational way as well and has been a basketball and baseball coach as well as an academic coach, tutor and facilitator. Over the past three years has also participated and been certified in a number of diversity, inclusion and equity programs.
Virginia Buchan — Social Skills Educator/Visual Arts Specialist
Originally from England, Virginia has a masters degree in early childhood/special education from Touro College and a degree in art from Oxford University, which makes her the perfect visual arts and lead teacher. Previously she worked for several schools in the area, including The Reece School, The Gillen Brewer School and The Gateway School. Prior to following her path of teaching, Virginia was a co-founder and partner for Lost Link design studio in NYC. We are so happy she is with us and bringing her vast array of experience to our meeting house children.
Ben Freeman — Facilitator
Ben is a graduate of Brown University and Harvard Divinity School. His transformative work includes intergenerational arts programs, nondenominational spiritual care in hospital & long-term care contexts, teaching and leadership development. Ben works with The Meeting House in the areas of professional development and supports our adult in house programs
Sarah Lazar, BFA, MA — Teaching Artist
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre from SUNY Buffalo and a Masters in Applied Theatre from CUNY School of Professional Studies. She co-teaches weekly after school groups for the Meeting House's teen population often using improvisation as a platform in play. In addition, she facilitates educational workshops for schools and community organizations. Sarah uses theater arts as a springboard for developing critical skills in the realm of social emotional learning.
Eleanor Smith — Teaching Assistant
Eleanor brings over 30 years of child care experience to The Meeting House. In addition she has a decade of experience in program administration after working as an Administrator in Trinidad for both Texaco, Trinidad Iron and Steel Co. She has worked for the past ten years as a volunteer for The Meeting House as an assistant teacher in a variety of roles ranging from escorting children from school to the program. as well as supervising our homework room and helping our teaching artists in the art room. Currently she works with students attending TMALS in the Lunch & Learn Program
Nicole Washington – Mindful Educator
An experienced educator with a mission to empower youngindividuals to reach their full potential as positive, confident, andeducated leaders in our society. Nicole’s innovative approachincludes integrating SEL and Mindfulness techniques into theclassroom, fostering a nurturing environment that encouragespersonal growth and resilience. The future is brighter forcountless students on a journey to becoming well-rounded andempathetic individuals, ready to contribute to the world.
Olga Daniel — Administrator
Olga joins us after three years working at NYC Outward Bound Schools. As Administrator she serves as our parent coordinator and handles administrative and operational questions that arise for new and returning families. Olga brings a diverse and rich background as a graphic designer and we are excited to see her impact on our communications. She has worked in creative operations and over the past decade. Olga can be reached at odaniel@themeetinghouseafterschool.org.
Dafna Barhad — Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Dafna graduated from Tel - Aviv University with B.O.T with honors and has been practicing o.t since 1997. She has an associate degree in Psychodynamics Approaches to Children from Tel -Aviv University, has completed the Sensory Integration Certification Program and currently pursuing an MA in Art History with a special interest in toys and childhood in ancient world. Dafna began her career at the Developmental Center in Jerusalem working with children with various diagnoses including SPD, ASD, ADHD. She has also worked as a developmental consultant in social services and as a Facilitator in P.B.L courses at Tel-Aviv University. Prior to relocating to NYC, Dafna was the co-founder and partner of NUA clinic, specializing in sensory evaluation, and addressing children’s abilities through play. Dafna also engaged in tutoring educational staff, guiding parents and developed a sensory-art intervention program. Her approach looks at each child for their own unique strengths and the significance of community in empowerment.
Dan Sullivan — Director, Operations and Communications, Advisor
As part of the original team, Dan helped to establish the Meeting House organization from its inception and launch in 2010. He contributes to strategy and ongoing business operations, as well as guiding marketing and communications. Dan provides thirty years of executive, creative and consumer marketing experience, having launched and directed media businesses in both print and online. Prior to the development of The Meeting House, he worked in the media industry as SVP/General Manager & Group Publisher at Nickelodeon, SVP/General Manger at US Magazine and SVP of Manufacturing & Information Systems at Rolling Stone.
The 2024 SEL-CORE Team
Sarah Alsaidi — Hunter College
Yara Alyamani — Brooklyn College
Cilicia Brotherson — Hunter College
Kassandra Nedeska — Fordam Univesity
Emma Nordlicht — Barnard College
Izabella Packer — Hunter College
Madeline Toledano — Barnard College
Philipa Wamala — Fordham University
Lanting Xie — Fordam University