Staff

Teacher Spotlight Archives

Revisit past Teacher Spotlights from P.S. 83 — meet our grade 2 and grade 3 educators in their own words.

Each month, P.S. 83 Luis Muñoz Rivera shines a light on the educators who make our school feel like home. The Teacher Spotlight Archives gather those past features in one place, so families can revisit the teachers, the grade levels, and the classroom work they have shared along the way.

Every spotlight is written by the teacher in their own words — their background, what they love most about teaching at P.S. 83, what their students are working on, and a fun fact or two. Browse by month below.

April 2026 · Grade 2 May 2026 · Grade 3 Current Spotlight

Staff Picture 2025–2026

Every year we gather the whole team for an all-staff photo — a snapshot of the educators, support staff, and partners who make up the P.S. 83 community.

Staff Picture 2025–2026Photo available on the school website. Visit us during school hours, 8:00 AM to 2:45 PM, to meet the team in person.

Grade 2

April 2026

Our second-grade team shared what they love about P.S. 83 and the measurement, reading, and weather work happening in their classrooms.

Mr. Joseph Masi

Mr. Masi

2nd & 3rd Grade / Special Education
5 years at P.S. 83

Tell us about yourself

I grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut and have been passionate about education since I was a student at a school similar to P.S. 83. Before joining P.S. 83, I taught Special Education in East New York (Brownsville) and earned my Masters Degree in Childhood Education from Mercy College.

What do you love most about teaching at P.S. 83?

I truly value the strong partnerships I've built with our students, parents, and colleagues. The sense of community at P.S. 83 makes it feel like a second home.

What are your students working on this month?

In Math, my class is learning about measuring in centimeters, inches, meters, yards. In Reading, we are learning about how things grow and change, covering topics like plants needs, story structure, cause and effect, and character traits.

Fun fact about Mr. Masi

I enjoy life beyond school by spending time with my family and my dog, Sammy. Whether I am cheering on the Dodgers, watching WWE and AEW, or keeping up with Law & Order, I usually am doing it with an iced coffee nearby.

A message to P.S. 83 families

It is truly a blessing to work within such an amazing community of students, families, and colleagues. At P.S. 83, we are more than just a school — we are a family, and I am so grateful for the partnerships we've built together.

To support our journey, I've created a website called The Learning Link. I invite you all to explore it for free, high-quality resources designed to make learning engaging, fun, and less stressful for students and parents alike. Check it out here: The Learning Link — Thank you for all you do!

Ms. Wei Li

Ms. Li

Grade 2 / General Education
Teaching at P.S. 83 since 2001

Tell us about yourself

I was born and raised in China, where my love of learning began. I later came to the United States to pursue my graduate studies and eventually found my professional home at P.S. 83, where I started teaching in 2001. Over the years, I've had the joy of teaching first, second, and third grade students, and I truly value the relationships I've built with my students and school community. Outside the classroom, I enjoy reading, gardening, and relaxing with my dog, Buster, who keeps me company and brings a lot of joy to my life.

What do I love about teaching?

I truly love teaching at P.S. 83 — it has become a second home to me. I feel so fortunate to work alongside such dedicated and supportive fellow educators. One of the things I love most about teaching is that it is never boring; every day brings new challenges and new accomplishments. I find so much joy in seeing my students make progress and in watching them grow academically, emotionally, and socially. Building strong bonds with my students, their families, and the entire school community is incredibly meaningful to me and is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.

What are my students working on this month?

This month, my students are reading informational texts about the weather. We are learning about extreme weather conditions and how they affect the way people live. In math, we are exploring measurement by learning how to measure length using different units, such as centimeters, inches, feet, yards, and meters. Students are also learning how to choose the most appropriate tools to measure different objects.

Ms. Anisha

Grade 2 / General Education

Tell us about yourself

I grew up in Fremont, California and received my Bachelor's of Science in Cognitive Science at the University of California, Irvine. I moved to New York City in 2021 to pursue my love for education through City Year New York where I served at P.S. 83 in Ms. Li's classroom. I then graduated with my Masters in Inclusive Childhood Education at New York University and rejoined the P.S. 83 community as a 2nd grade teacher. Outside of teaching, I enjoy dancing, reading, and spending time with my two dogs, Milo and Joey.

What do you love most about teaching at P.S. 83?

I love teaching at P.S. 83 because it is such an inclusive and engaging community. The collaborative nature of students, families, and staff makes everyone feel welcome and involved. Even though I have only worked here for three years, I immediately felt like I was part of the P.S. 83 family.

What are your students working on this month?

This month, my students are focusing on measurements in math, including using and identifying different units. In ELA, my students are gathering information about extreme weather and forecasts, which will conclude with each student completing an essay on their chosen weather event.

Grade 3

May 2026

Our third-grade educators reflected on decades of teaching, the post-test season of trips and projects, and the community that keeps them coming back.

Olga Tsoupros

Ms. T

Grade 3
22 years at P.S. 83
Class 3-228

My name is Olga Tsoupros and I've been teaching at PS 83 for 22 years. I am currently teaching third grade but I've been blessed to have taught second, fourth and fifth as well.

I was born and raised a New Yorker and have been part of the NYC public school system my whole life. I finished a BA from Pace university and then decided to travel abroad and spent 5 years in Europe. While there I taught fourth grade at a private American school and traveled as much as I could. I decided I wanted to come back and teach in the most wonderful and exciting school system in the world.

What I love most about 83 is the amazing community that makes up 83. The wonderful and dedicated staff, the understanding administration, the supportive families and the students who want to make us come into work every day.

In class right now we are having more fun since we worked really hard to complete the state tests. We are going on trips, working on an art project for Museo del Barrio and working on group projects that help strengthen our communication and cooperative skills. It's an exciting time in class 3-228.

Fun fact about me is that I love baking and I have the cutest dog ever!

I would like to thank the PS 83 community for always being supportive and helpful and I love working here.

Monica Pagan-Guzman

Ms. Guzman

3/4-205 Self Contained
At P.S. 83 since September 2021
Chorus Teacher, Grades 3–5

Tell us about yourself

I am a dedicated educator who believes that every child is capable of learning when they are seen, heard, and supported in ways that meet their individual needs. Over the years, I have worn many hats in the classroom — mentor, cheerleader, facilitator, counselor, and advocate — all while creating a learning environment where students feel safe, valued, and empowered to grow. I believe learning should be personal, meaningful, and collaborative. My goal is to help students develop confidence, curiosity, resilience, and the ability to connect with others while building the academic skills they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Being affiliated with the P.S. 83 Chorus since my second year at the school — and serving as the chorus teacher for students in grades 3–5 this past year — has also taught me so much about myself as both an educator and a person. Music and the arts have always been an important part of my life, and I love being able to share that passion with my students. Through chorus, I have seen students build confidence, teamwork, discipline, and joy while expressing themselves creatively.

What do you love most about teaching at P.S. 83?

What I love most about teaching at P.S. 83 Luis Muñoz Rivera School is the sense of community and culture that fills the building. Our students bring such unique personalities, experiences, and talents into the classroom every day, and it is rewarding to help nurture their growth academically, socially, emotionally, and creatively. I also appreciate working alongside caring colleagues and families who truly want the best for our children.

What are your students working on this month?

This month, students are continuing to strengthen their reading comprehension, writing stamina, and math problem-solving skills. In literacy, we are focusing on making deeper connections to texts, supporting responses with evidence, and building confidence in discussion and written expression. In math, students are practicing strategies to solve multi-step problems while explaining their thinking. Across all subject areas, we are also working on collaboration, self-management, and building independence as learners.

Fun fact about you

I have loved singing since I was in 1st grade and participated in choirs and chorus throughout the years! I also took a few piano classes, although piano definitely did not stick with me. Another fun fact — I love playing Bingo for the chance to win designer bags!

A message to P.S. 83 families

Thank you for trusting us with your children each day. Education works best when schools and families work together as partners. I appreciate your continued support, communication, and encouragement at home. Together, we can help our students grow into confident, compassionate, and successful learners.

Laura Higgins

Ms. Higgins

Grade 3
18th year at P.S. 83

Years at P.S. 83

This will be my 18th year at P.S. 83, which is also where I completed my student teaching.

Tell us about yourself

I was born in Wisconsin and moved ten times before settling in New York, which I have proudly called home for almost 30 years. I graduated with a B.A. from the University of Chicago and earned my master's degree from Hunter College.

What do you love most about teaching at P.S. 83?

First and foremost, I love the students I've had the privilege of teaching and getting to know. They have shown me what true resilience, patience, and optimism look and feel like, and they've filled my years with countless sweet and memorable moments.

A close second is the strong sense of community that is fostered and sustained at our school. From administration and staff to students and families, we celebrate one another's accomplishments and milestones and support each other when it matters most.

What are your students working on this month?

This month, we are working on writing a well organized essay as well as understanding concepts in geometry.

Fun fact about you

Before becoming a teacher, I was an actress and performed in many cities across the country.

Ms. Harris

Grade 3

Ms. Harris was featured in this month's spotlight. Her full feature will be added here soon — check back, or visit the current Teacher Spotlight for the latest profiles.

Want to join our story?

The teachers above describe P.S. 83 as a second home and a family. If that sounds like the community you want to be part of, learn why educators choose P.S. 83 — or come see it for yourself.

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