Kamilah Briscoe was appointed as our Middle School Director for the start of the 2022-2023 school year. Ms. Briscoe is a  long-time educator and advocate of educational opportunities for students across New York City. She has worked for more than 20 years in diverse settings, including; education research institutes, charter schools, public and private colleges, and educational foundations. Over the course of her career, Kamilah has developed programming for a new high school in Harlem; managed a new and innovative academic resource center in CUNY’s City College; helped to establish an education policy research center at New York University; and created new educational initiatives for the Thomas J. Watson Foundation. She has been singularly focused on ensuring that young people have the resources they need to learn, play and grow in supportive and vibrant classroom environments that meet their individual needs and allow them to realize their most ambitious goals for themselves.   

Kamilah joined Staten Island Academy in 2018 as the Grade 7 and 8 English teacher. She has since served as the Grade 7/8 Dean and as the 7/8 Girls’ basketball and softball coach. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a Master’s degree from Teachers College, Columbia University. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Kamilah is a proud graduate of an independent high school in Massachusetts. She is thrilled to lead Staten Island Academy’s Middle School, honored to be a member of the Academy community, and humbled every day by the opportunity to work with the school’s outstanding faculty, staff, students and families. 

Ms. Rizzo has been at Staten Island Academy since 2002 and serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Middle School and Director of Middle School. She is responsible for assisting the Middle School faculty, students, and generally serving as the "heart and soul" of the Middle School in Kearns Hall. Ms. Rizzo also serves as the Academy Bus and Senior Service Coordinators.

Of her role, Ms. Rizzo says, "What I love most about my job is a no-brainer. Being around the kids. They really make my day! And I feel like I learn so much from them. They just make me laugh. I have wonderful colleagues, as well, who treat me as an equal and part of the whole Middle School Team. I’m so lucky to be exactly where I am."

Mr. Shanley is the Grade 5 - 8 Dean of Students and teaches Math and Science . He coaches Middle School baseball and is the Faculty Tech Adviser to the Fine Arts Department.  A Staten Island Academy graduate, Mr. Shanely has worked in education for 10 years.  He holds a bachelor's and master's degree from the University at Albany. In his free time, Mr. Shanley enjoys birdwatching and the outdoors.