Titles: Head of Middle School, Teacher

Location: Kearns Hall

Departments: Administration, English

Kamilah Briscoe was appointed as our Head of Middle School 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. Throughout 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. 

Kamilah joined Staten Island Academy in 2018 as the Grade 7 and 8 English teacher and has since served as the Grade 7/8 Dean and 7/8 Girls’ basketball and softball coach. She holds a bachelor’s from Princeton University and a master’s 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. Her focus is 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.

Title: Middle School Administrative Assistant

Locations: Kearns Hall

Department: Administration

Laura Rizzo has been at Staten Island Academy since 2002 and serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Head of Middle School. She is responsible for assisting the Middle School faculty and students and is known as the "heart and soul" of the Middle School in Kearns Hall.

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."

Title: Dean of Grades 7-8, Teacher

Location: Haugen Hall

Department: Arts

Yvette Washington-Wheatley is the Grade 7-8 Dean of Students and teaches instrumental music in Grades Pre-K through 12 in the Arts Department. She also conducts the Staten Island Academy Orchestra and directs 3 instrumental groups at the Brighton Heights Reformed Church in St. George. Ms. Wheatley was honored at the Staten Island Woman of Achievement luncheon in 2023. The annual gathering recognizes those women who give back to Staten Island in countless ways.

Title: Dean of Grades 5-6, Teacher

Location: Alumni Hall

Departments: English, History

Sally Roccaro serves as the Grade 5-6 Dean of Students, bringing years of experience and dedication to the school community. She began her teaching career in the Lower School at SIA in 1989 and is a longtime Grade 5 teacher in the Middle School. In addition to her role as Dean, she serves as the Admissions Assessment Coordinator, evaluating applicants for Lower School admission.

Mrs. Roccaro is committed to fostering strong relationships with students and families while providing leadership and support to the Grade 5/6 advisory team. She is an advocate for practices that nurture the social, emotional and academic growth of the school’s youngest middle school students, helping them build a strong foundation for success.