9th Grade Faculty

Ms. Banh

Living Environment

I'm so excited for this year's incoming 9th graders! I'm Ms. Banh – your Living Environment teacher. Besides topics such as Global Warming and Mass Extinction making Living Environment such a vital subject to our lives, Covid19 has definitely placed the importance of learning about cells, cell communication, the immune system, pathogens, infectious diseases and maintaining homeostasis within our body systems ever more crucial, engaging and impactful. Welcome to ECO for a historical 2020-2021 school year!

Mr. Biscardi

College Advisor

Welcome to the High School of Economics & Finance! The key to your future success is opportunity recognition, persistence, and access. My purpose as your college advisor is to provide you with that access and the tools, resources, and guidance so you can create your most-successful self. I will assist you to find the many pathways that lead to success both during your high school career and beyond! It starts NOW! So, head on over to the Summer Reading page and get started!

Ms. Caesar

Health

Welcome incoming freshmen, to the High school of Economics and Finance! My name is Mrs Elizabeth Caesar and I am going to be your 9th grade Health teacher. I am so excited to meet you and have fun in my class 2020-2021. We are going to have a fabulous school year full of fun and learning about mind, body and personal well-being. Enjoy your summer!

Ms. Choma

Living Environment

Hi everyone! My name is Ms. Choma and I teach Living Environment and Chemistry. In Living Environment we learn a wide array of topics such as, the human body systems, genetics, the environment, and ecology! In Chemistry, we learn about the most basic units that make up the matter we see in our everyday lives! Both subjects have so many interactive labs that help you connect the content you learn about to the world around you. I can’t wait to meet all you and for you to get started with your learning experience at HSEF!

Mr. Duffy

Global History

Hello incoming freshmen and welcome to HSEF! My name is Mr. Duffy and I teach 9th grade global studies. This year you will be analyzing civilizations from around the dating back to the nomads (think of the hunters and gatherers) and through to the Renaissance (the artists who created the Mona Lisa). It is going to be a great year! I look forward to seeing you in my classroom.

Mr. Gomez

Business/Global History

I am Mr. Gomez, I teach Global History and Business courses. Considering the unprecedented times that we are current living in, I am looking forward to studying and discussing current events such as the status of our economy, our government, and our communities. I am also the Track coach. We have a great HSEF Running Community. Please reach out to me if you are interested in joining our running community. See you in September!

Mr. Greenberg

Introduction to Business

Hello incoming 9th graders! I’m Mr. Greenberg and I teach an exciting class called Introduction to Business. We’ll learn the basics of business by studying your favorite companies like Nike, Starbucks, and Apple. Units include marketing, advertising, economic indicators, presentation skills, and the stock market – all from the center of global business: New York City’s Financial District! See you in September!

Mrs. Hernandez

Bilingual School Counselor

Welcome Class of 2024! My name is Mrs. Hernandez and I am a Bilingual School Counselor. My role as a School Counselor is to assist you with the transition from middle school into High School and to work closely with your parents, teachers and entire school community so that you can succeed academically and earn your High School Diploma. It is my responsibility to ensure that you realize your full academic potential, that you make informed choices about your College/Career plans, become responsible young adults who can advocate for yourselves, make healthy choices, and become engaged and positive members of society.

¡Bienvenidos estudiantes de la Clase del 2024! Mi nombre es Sra. Hernández y soy consejera escolar bilingüe. Mi papel como consejera escolar es ayudarlos con la transición de la escuela intermedia a la escuela secundaria y trabajar estrechamente con sus padres, maestros y toda la comunidad escolar para que puedan tener éxito académico y obtener su diploma de escuela secundaria. Es mi responsabilidad asegurarme de que realicen todo su potencial académico, que tomen decisiones informadas sobre sus planes universitarios / profesionales, se conviertan en adultos jóvenes responsables que puedan abogar por si mismo, tomen decisiones saludables y se conviertan en miembros comprometidos y positivos de la sociedad.

Mr. Hunter-Ceruti

Exploring Computer Science

Hello, incoming 9th graders. I am Mr. Hunter-Ceruti and I teach a fairly new course at HSEF called Exploring Computer Science. This course is a yearlong course developed around a framework of both computer science content and computational practice. Assignments and instruction are contextualized to be socially relevant and meaningful for diverse students. Units utilize a variety of tools/platforms and culminate with final projects around Human-Computer Interaction, Problem Solving, Web Design (HTML, CSS), Programming (Scratch, Code.org), Computing & Data Analysis, and Robotics. I look forward to meeting you all in September! Please feel free to reach out via email.

Ms. Jacobs

Physical Education

My name is Ms. Jacobs and I teach Physical Education. This year we aim to develop your physical competence and knowledge of movement and safety, and your ability to use these to perform in a wide range of activities associated with the development of an active and healthy lifestyle.

Mr. Krellenstein

Basketball Coach/English

Hello, incoming ninth graders! My name is Mr. Krellenstein. I teach English at the High School of Economics and Finance. I am also the HSEF Varsity Boys Basketball Coach.

This place has so much to offer you! Our school is at our best when our students participate and share their thoughts and feelings, so I hope you are ready to take ownership of your own learning.

I am looking forward to hearing your perspectives on a wide variety of texts and topics. Furthermore, I am probably most looking forward to helping you share your voices in fun, creative, and meaningful ways. Can't wait to meet you all!

Mr. Lehrer

Health/Physical Education

My name is Mr. Lehrer and I teach Physical Education. Throughout the year, many different opportunities will be provided to attain the skills, knowledge and attitudes for a health lifestyle. We will be developing our motor skills in a variety of different ways, building our health-related fitness, physical competence, and positive attitudes about physical activity. I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Ms. Marcelle

Algebra

My name is Ms. Marcelle and I teach Common Core Algebra 1 and Geometry. In these classes we will be touching on some topics you probably learned last year while incorporating new topics, ideas, and approaches to solving mathematical problems/concepts. I look forward to meet you in the classroom.

Ms. Morelli

Athletic Director

Welcome 9^th graders! I am Ms. Morelli, the Athletic Director here at the High School of Economics and Finance. We have a robust and inclusive PSAL Varsity sports program. In the Fall, we offer Bowling and Cross Country for both boys and girls and Tennis for girls. In the Winter, we offer Basketball for boys and girls. In the Spring, we offer Handball for boys, Flag Football and Softball for girls, and Outdoor Track for both boys and girls. Regardless of past sports experience and skill level, we have a sport for you! For more information and required forms, please visit Student Athletics on HSEF's site or email me amorelli@schools.nyc.gov.

Mr. Peña

SAPIS Counselor

Dear Class of 2024,

Welcome to the High School of Economics & Finance!

In September, you will be joining us and we are so eager to welcome you!

You might be excited or enthusiastic, or you might be a bit nervous or anxious. Actually, you might be experiencing a mixture of emotions, and you know what? Mixed emotions are quite common for new students entering a high school for the first time. Many other freshmen are likely feeling pretty much the same as you are. It’s a time of transition, but we are here to help!

As the school’s SAPIS Counselor, I want you to know that I am here to support you and help your high school career be a successful one. Through the program I coordinate, the SPARK Youth Leadership Program provides engaging teen discussion groups during the day, leadership-based courses, school-wide activities, and a comfortable place to think, talk, and plan about important situations, decisions, and goals.

My office is on the 9th floor, room 905.

I look forward to meeting each of you. Welcome!

- Mr. Alvin Peña

SPARK Youth Leadership Program

View Mr. Peña's curated selection of Resources for incoming 9th grade families and students

Mr. Perez

School Counselor

Welcome to the High School of Economics & Finance. Over the next four years of your high school experience I will be working with you on the academic, college, career, and life-readiness skills needed in today's society. I will be available to assist with any personal, social, or family issues you may have. Working together will ensure success in life, the community, and school. I am excited to be working with you and your families and wish you success in the new school year.

Ms. Robson

Health/Living Environment

Hi students! My name is Ms. Robson and I teach chemistry and health. In health class, we cover various ways to help stay mentally and physically healthy. If you are also in my chemistry class, we cover interesting chemistry topics and how they relate to everyday life. I look forward to our class!

Ms. Rowe

Global History

Hello class of 2024. My name is Ms. Rowe and I teach Global History and Geography 9. This year we will be covering the period in history beginning with Prehistoric Man and continuing through the period of the Renaissance and Protestant Reformation. We will also learn what about Enduring Issues and how to connect past events with the present. I can’t wait to see you all in September!

Ms. Schum

Algebra

Hello Future HSEF Freshman! So nice to "meet" you. My name is Ms. Schum and I teach Algebra I. This year we will focus on building your foundation in mathematics to new levels - Working with the different properties (commutative, distributive, associative); Using inverse operations to solve for an unknown variable in both equations and inequalities; Working with functions and understanding how to graph them; Factoring; and more to help you get the knowledge you need for future math courses in your High School career. I look forward to working with you!

Mrs. Strutz

Algebra

Hello incoming 9th graders! My name is Mrs. Strutz and I will be your Algebra I teacher. We will be kicking off your High School math adventures with a focus on linear, exponential, quadratic, and polynomial equations and functions. We will also learn to model and solve problems using algebra, functions, sequences, probability and statistics. I can’t wait to meet you – and I look forward to problem solving together!

Mr. Tabasso

English

Hello future 9th graders! My name is Mr. Tabasso. This year we will learn about heroes and villains and dastardly semi-colons and iambic pentameter and much more; but more importantly, with any luck we will all learn a little bit more about ourselves, and how our identities are formed. I look forward to sharing in your personal journey, and maybe recommending a great book or two along the way, see you in September!