Trainer Profiles
Emily Feinstein, Out-of-School Time Trainer/Coach
Cristina Harris, Senior Trainer/Coach
Sharmeen Khan, LMSW, Out-of-School-Time-Trainer
Heidi Lopez, Out-of-School-Time-Trainer
Kawana McInnis, Out-of-School-Time-Trainer
Christina Olivares, Out-of-School-Time-Trainer
Bonnie Taylor, Parent Trainer, Autism Specialist
Lisa Tazartes, Executive Director/Teacher Trainer
Emily Feinstein, Out-of-School Time Trainer/Coach
Emily has been working in youth development for over fifteen years. As a coach, trainer, and staff developer, she worked with numerous schools and after-school programs to create safe and supportive environments for children. She has trained students, teachers, and parents in conflict resolution and behavior management, coached teachers in positive discipline, developed advisory and mediation programs, and worked closely with program leaders to identify and implement best practices that promote community and collaboration. Emily has worked with a range of youth development agencies, including; Partnership for After-School Education, Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility, and Creative Response to Conflict.
Cristina Harris, Senior Trainer/ Coach
Cristina received her Masters in Social Work from New York University, and has provided counseling and training to parents, children, youth workers, and school professionals throughout the city, focusing on building strong relationships and effective communication. She began her professional career as a Teach for America teacher in the Bronx and has since directed after school programming, provided individual and group therapy to children and families, and designed educational and recreational programming for school-aged children in Ghana and Peru. Through her work as both a teacher and social worker, Cristina has gained a solid understanding of “what makes kids tick,” and this insight guides her training and coaching.
Sharmeen Khan, LMSW, Out-of-School-Time-Trainer
Sharmeen started working with youth as an adolescent herself through her high school peer tutoring program, and went on to create and implement after-school programs. Most recently, she served as the supervisor of Youth Programs at the Arab-American Family Support Center in Brooklyn, during which time she coordinated all aspects of the after-school program, teen program, and summer camp. In this capacity, Sharmeen created and delivered trainings for staff, developed and facilitated group work, and supervised a staff of youth workers. She has experience facilitating groups with middle school students in both after school and clinical settings, and has extensive expertise in the area of child and adolescent development. Sharmeen recently graduated from NYU with a Masters in Social Work and plans to continue working in a clinical, administrative, and educational capacity with children, youth, and their families.
Heidi Lopez, Out-of-School-Time-Trainer
Heidi has been working with young people in youth development and after-school settings for more than a decade. She has worked directly with youth through on multiple levels, from peer mentor and group leader to supervisor and director of a large Beacon program.. In addition, her experience includes supervision, administration, and community organizing. Heidi has her undergraduate degree in Sociology and a Masters degree in Social Work. In addition to her work as a Ramapo trainer, Heidi is a social worker at a community college, a volunteer with high school youth, and is pursuing a PhD in Social Justice.
Kawana McInnis, Out-of-School-Time-Trainer
Kawana has worked in youth development for more than 15 years as an educator, supervisor, trainer, coach, and mentor. She has served as a NYC Department of Education teacher, a youth development trainer for faith-based organizations, an Education Specialist for children in foster care, and an Educational Program Director for Advantage After School Programs. Kawana is a certified CDHS (Center for Development and Human Services) trainer for foster parents, an associate pastor for young people, and is currently participating in the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative to continue developing her skills as a youth development trainer and leader in the field. She obtained her BA in Psychology from Brooklyn College and plans to pursue a Masters in Divinity for Urban Ministry starting in 2010.
Christina Olivares, Out-of-School-Time-Trainer
Christina has been working in the field of youth development for more than 10 years in positions including Senior Program Coordinator for College Guidance at Harlem RBI, Youth Development Specialist with the NYC Department of Education, an arts curriculum developer, and an administrator. Christina’s experience working with middle and high school students in after-school settings has focused on building leadership skills in young people and coaching them toward success. Christina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Critical Multicultural Pedagogy from Amherst College, and is currently pursuing her Masters in Fine Arts at Brooklyn College.
Bonnie Taylor, Parent Trainer, Autism Specialist
Bonnie received her doctoral degree in Psychology from the Graduate Center of The City University of New York, where she concentrated in neuropsychology. She completed an autism-focused postdoctoral fellowship at the Seaver and New York Autism Center of Excellence at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. There, she participated in cutting-edge research in autism spectrum disorders, and conducted behavioral evaluations for children and adults with autism. Bonnie has also gained extensive experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities in community-based settings, including F•E•G•S and the JCC of Manhattan. Her work with people with autism spectrum disorders has included conducting diagnostic assessments and functional behavior analyses, evaluating and implementing programs, curriculum development, and facilitating social skills groups for young adults with Asperger’s. Bonnie brings to the Ramapo staff a font of knowledge and autism-specific experience for leading staff trainings.
Lisa Tazartes, Executive Director/Teacher Trainer
Lisa holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Swarthmore College. She has taught special education and is an experiential education specialist. Lisa is also certified in adventure-based counseling and life space crisis intervention. A member of the Ramapo staff for more than 15 years, she is a graduate of the Executive Level Program of the Institute for Non-Profit Management at Columbia University. Lisa is a founding director of both Ramapo’s Challenge and Adventure Retreats and Ramapo Training. Her career has been devoted to building the skills and capacity of educators and youth service professionals. Lisa is also the 2007 recipient of the prestigious Zella Bronfman Award, in recognition of her role as a change agent who is helping to transform the delivery of services to people with disabilities.
