Neil Fitzgerald, Director and CEO
Neil Fitzgerald has been part of the after-school team at PS 9 since 2006, first as Registrar and then as Co-Director, building the database and online registration system, supervising teachers, and designing the current schedule. Over the years, Neil has taught a variety of classes in the afterschool, including Running, Web Design, Ultimate Frisbee, and 9 News and he has been a running coach, teacher, and teacher educator in New York City since 1996.
Neil earned his BA from Brown University and two masters degrees in education from Teachers College, Columbia University. As an athletics coach, Neil is certified by United States Track and Field as a Level II coach in three specialties: Sprints, Endurance, and Youth Athletics.
Ryan Zavala, Site Supervisor at PS 9
Ryan Zavala joined the after-school team in September 2012 as our human resources coordinator and quickly took on a range of other responsibilities, including supervising operations at PS 166 and PS 9. Ryan has a degree in nursing and spent ten years working in acute rehabilitation with spinal cord injury patients and military service personnel returning from duty. Among his growing list of responsibilities, Ryan is spear-heading ongoing efforts to recruit and hire teachers for a variety of new after-school activities.
Diana Carrera Cifuentes, Site Supervisor at PS 84
Diana Carrera Cifuentes worked as a Preschool Director and teacher for seven years in a variety of settings in public and private schools, as well as enrichment centers. She received a Bachelor’s Degree from NJCU, with a major in Arts and Sciences, and is currently working towards her MBA. She is excited to create a safe, fun, and educational environment for your children and to work with you to help your children be supported and successful while they also have a lot of fun!