Caterpillar Teachers (2/3s)

co-op administration | grasshoppers | bumblebees | dragonflies | butterflies | crickets | fireflies | caterpillars | ladybugs | rolly pollies

Eddie Laguna
Eddie was born in Bayside, New York and relocated to Roslyn, Long Island at the tender age of 6. After attending high school in Long Island, he returned to Queens to pursue his Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education/English at City University of New York-Queens College. He is currently enrolled in the Queens College Graduate Education program. Eddie loves to write and compose music, read, write stories and skateboard in his free time. Watching the process of children creating, questioning and discovering is what attracted him to education. He enjoys how unique each student is and how much children can teach him. In his free time he likes hanging with his two silly, trouble-making cats, Lily and Loki.

Carmelle Arad
Carmelle moved to New York from Indiana in 1999.  She is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education at Hunter College.  She loves singing, reading, making things, animals, playing outside, snacks, and — of course — kids.  Needless to say, the first time she stepped into the Caterpillar classroom it felt like her dream come true! This is her second year at the Co-op School.

Basha Smolen
Basha grew up in the suburbs of Boston, and moved to Brooklyn in 2009. She earned a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Bard College, in upstate New York. Before coming to the Co-Op School, she taught children's horticulture education at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens and worked part time at a local social justice non-profit. She has also been a part-time nanny for the last 4 years. Basha is excited to join the Caterpillars this year, and especially can't wait to do some awesome cooking and gardening projects with the class!