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Drawing from more than 26 years of experience in education, the heart of Meirelys' daily work is collaborative partnerships, leading by example, and empowering others. Meirelys earlier years were spent teaching in the Dominican Republic and higher performing charter schools in the tri-state area.

She taught in the classroom for many years and has held different positions, such as instructional coach, Assistant Principal, and most recently, Principal. Meirelys has a deep commitment to the community that she serves.

She holds a BA in Early Childhood Education and an MS in School Leadership. She is passionate about creativity, problem-solving, and equitable access so that all learners may achieve their goals. Armed with an outstanding work ethic and committed to establishing an engaging learning environment while nurturing students’ potential as well as academic and emotional growth, she is an educator who has a strong belief in creating a space in which joy and rigor are part of a child's everyday life.

Merelys is so excited to embark on this new school year with all of you, and she is grateful for welcoming her into the Amber community."  In her downtime, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and daughters. 

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Dear Amber Community,

I am thrilled to welcome all of our students and families to our Amber East Harlem community.  Amber provides a robust and well-rounded curriculum. Each and every day our teachers strive to create an inclusive and challenging learning environment where both your child’s intellectual and social-emotional needs are consistently achieved.  We prepare our students academically while building character through the five character traits of the Amber Way: Achievement, CoMmunity, ResponsiBility, HonEsty, Respect.   

Thank you for your continued support of Amber Charter School East Harlem. 

Respectfully,

Meirelys Ruiz, East Harlem Principal

Ms. Gina joined Amber Charter Schools in 2016 as the founding Dean of Students at Amber Kingsbridge. She then went on to become the Assistant Principal and now serves as the principal at Amber Kingsbridge Elementary School. Ms. Gina is a graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, MA where she was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Art in Teaching at the Elementary Level. She also holds a Master of Science in School Building Leadership from Mercy College. She began her educational journey as an elementary school teacher. She went on to become the Assistant Principal at The Learning Tree Cultural Preparatory School in Bronx, NY before joining the Amber family.

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Dear Families,

I am so excited to welcome you to the Amber family!

My goal is to create a progressive, dynamic and student-centered learning community that is grounded in character driven education. I hope to promote and foster an essential partnership between you and our school in order to provide students with the optimal educational experience.

Preparing our students academically is our utmost goal as is building their character through the five character traits of the Amber way: Achievement, CoMmunity, ResponsiBility, HonEsty, Respect.

Thank you for choosing Amber and trusting us with the education of your child.

Respectfully,

Gina Mellusi, Kingsbridge Elementary Principal

Ms. Mia joined Amber Charter Schools in 2013 as a fifth grade teacher at Amber Charter East Harlem.

She is an experienced special education and general education teacher. After several years teaching she served as Amber Charter’s Staff Developer at Kingsbridge Elementary School then promoted to be the Assistant Principal and now serves as the Principal at Amber Kingsbridge Middle School.

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Dear Families, 

Welcome to Amber Kingsbridge Middle School! As the leader of Amber’s first Middle School, we are excited to guide Amber Stars and foster their growth into Amber Leaders. Amber has a long standing legacy of rigorous instruction and innovative ways to engage and teach students. I am grateful to continue these traditions as we encourage students to reach new heights. 

Our 5th and 6th students have the opportunity to build their Amber Way character traits of Achievement, CoMmunity, ResponsiBility, HonEsty, Respect and transform into Amber Leaders as they explore the components necessary to be successful academically:

Limitless 

Energy

Ambition 

Decisions 

Empathy 

Resilience

Sincerely,

Mia Thomas, Kingsbridge Middle School Principal

Ms. Francina joined Amber Charter Schools in the summer of 2007 as a teacher at the East Harlem School. She has nearly two decades of experience teaching and leading in K-8 settings. During her time with Amber Charter Schools, she served as Dean of Students and Assistant Principal in East Harlem. She recently served as the Inwood Founding Assistant Principal and was recently promoted to the principal for Inwood elementary.  As a dedicated educator, she has also acquired the expertise to best support teachers at varying levels of experience. 

Ms. Francina holds a bachelor's and master's degree from St. John’s University with a focus on Childhood Education as well as a Master’s degree in Reading Literacy. Her Post Graduate education includes a Certificate in School Leadership and Supervision from Hunter College.

She enjoys spending time with her family, including her daughter who graduated a few years ago from Amber Charter School East Harlem.

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Dear Amber Community,

It is with great pleasure and excitement that I welcome you to our Amber community!

With the opening of our school in Inwood in 2021, throughout that school year and moving forward, I am still committed to ensuring that our school is a safe place where students can focus on developing their academic and social-emotional abilities in ways that will allow them to be key contributors to the community.  Preparing our students academically is our utmost goal as is building their character through the five character traits of the Amber Way: Achievement, CoMmunity, ResponsiBility, HonEsty, Respect

Having once been an Amber parent, I am well aware of what it means to be an Amber family and that you play a crucial role in the growth and development of your child. The partnership between our school and your family is essential to a successful experience for your child in every way possible, in which I am invested in.

We value your decision to entrust us with your child's education and development, through your choice of Amber.

Sincerely, 

Francina Yaw-Costello

Principal, Inwood Elementary Principal