New faculty bring with them new perspectives and a wealth of expertise–student-facing experience that spans the country, passion for their areas of focus, and a budding love for our students. Each week we’ve been featuring a new faculty member on Poly’s Instagram and Facebook feeds. In case you missed “New Faculty Fridays,” enjoy our recap of new teachers we highlighted this month. Welcome EJ Brennessel, Emn Haddad-Friedman, Benjamin Marks, and Saranicole Marino ’06!

EJ Brennessel (Lower School) 

Kindergarten Associate Teacher at the Lower School, EJ Brennessel brings a rich background in Pre-K and Nursery to the role. They are passionate about witnessing the incredible growth in young learners and love observing the emergence of writing and drawing skills, which provide a unique glimpse into the children’s personalities and creativity.

What excites them most? The joy of working with young children, who inspire daily with their authenticity and humor! So far, they’ve felt warmly welcomed by our Poly community, and they’ve even traded a hectic subway commute for a beautiful bike ride through Prospect Park.

Saranicole Marino ’06 (Middle School)

As a Poly alumna, Saranicole Marino ’06 is thrilled to return to Poly and join the faculty. With the Middle School and History Department’s warm welcome, she’s already built strong connections with her students and is eager to guide them on their journey as young historians. Teaching Grade 8 has been especially meaningful as it’s a unique time when students explore their identities and interests.

“I love teaching history because it’s essential for students to be informed and engaged citizens of the world, and it’s also an opportunity for them to learn more about themselves,” she shares. “I can’t wait to see their curiosity take center stage during the 8th Grade Capstone Project.”

Emn Haddad-Friedman (Upper School)

A proud “twice Bard graduate,” earning both her B.A. and M.A. from Bard College, Emn Haddad-Friedman joins the English Department in the Upper School with a deep love for teaching and literature. Reflecting on what excites her most about teaching, she says, “I love facilitating knowledge for students and watching them discover ideas collaboratively. There’s nothing like witnessing those ‘lightbulb’ moments when students connect with a concept or plot twist.”

This year, she’s especially excited about teaching an elective on The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin, one of her favorite literary works. In Grade 9, Emn looks forward to exploring the “breadth of international literature” with her students. Her love for books and writing drives her teaching: “Books are a perfect way to explore big ideas and I’m excited to engage in these conversations with my students.”

Describing her first impressions of Poly, Emn says, “Everyone has been so warm and welcoming—the students are wonderful, and the faculty and staff have been incredibly supportive. I’m grateful to be part of this community.”

Benjamin Marks (Upper School)

Upper School Counselor Benjamin Marks is passionate about supporting the mental health and wellness of the Poly community. His goal is to help make our school “a more welcoming, inclusive, and happy place to be.” As a psychologist, he finds fulfillment in helping students become “informed critical thinkers and self-advocates,” a role that fills him with optimism for the future.

This year, Benjamin looks forward to connecting with the Poly community and introducing Mental Health Mondays—a new program designed to raise awareness around mental health and promote the support services available to all students.

A graduate of Skidmore College, Benjamin earned a Master’s of Education in School Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. He describes his experience at Poly so far as “outstanding,” appreciating the “agency and autonomy to implement school-wide programming, run individual and group counseling sessions, consult with teachers, families, and outside service providers, and gather data to make evidence-based decisions supporting the student body’s mental health.” Fun Fact: Benjamin was born and raised in Chicago!