Our Teachers
Our creative writing workshops are taught by an all-star group of teachers ranging from poets to illustrators, filmmakers, novelists, performers, clothing designers, and comedians – many of whom hold several of these titles!
Above all, they are experienced classroom practitioners. Uptown Stories teachers write terrific curricula, are dynamic and engaging in the classroom, can tailor their lessons to different age groups and abilities, and most importantly, are passionate about the craft and art of writing.
To top it off, most of our teaching artists are residents of upper Manhattan. Discover more about the fantastic Uptown Stories teachers below!
Daemond Arrindell is a multi-genre writer, filmmaker, educator, and performer interested in found poems, visual poetics, persona, experimentation and exploring what legacy means.
His work has appeared in City Arts, Specter, Crosscut, Poetry NorthWest, Seattle Review of Books and The Pitkin Review.
In a previous life I was a life guard at Jones Beach!
An NYC native, dedicated to supporting students and families, Hanin has been a School Counselor for 8 years. She has a graduate degree in School Counseling from NYU and a bachelors in Psychology from Lehman College.
Hanin loves to see students exposed to various modes of art and self expression, and how they become confident using them to explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas through the process.
I have very flexible fingers and love watching historical documentaries!
Gal Cohen is an artist and educator based in Washington Heights, NYC. Her work explores the intersections of memory, identity, and place, often drawing on personal narrative and urban environments.
As an educator, she is committed to creating inclusive, imaginative learning spaces where students of all ages can experiment, reflect, and grow.
I am an art and urban tour guide, leading urbanic tours at the High Line, and gallery tours in Chelsea. Also, my studio space is in the Cornerstone Center, right above Uptown Stories!
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Stacy shares her expertise in creative writing and musical theater with kids of all ages, drawing from experience as a performer and published author.
With a rich catalogue of plays, musicals, and award-winning children’s books like Chance to Fly, she's acclaimed for her Camp Rolling Hills series.
Stacy once sang the National Anthem solo for a NY Jets game! She was 16 at the time.
Nicco Diaz is a Queer Afro-Nuyorican poet, playwright, actor, and teaching artist. A first-gen Cornell grad and former Nuyorican Poets Cafe Chief-of-Staff, he brings bold roots and sharp storytelling to every space.
His work has been published in PALABRITAS and Out Loud, and he has performed across NYC. In Aug '24, he self-published his debut poetry collection Un Chin Chin, a celebration of joy, grief, and Afro-Caribbean resistance.
I LOVE science, incorporating it into my writing often, and once memorized the Periodic Table of Elements.
Nelson Diaz-Marcano is a Puerto Rican NYC-based theater maker, advocate, community leader, and educator.
His plays have been produced and developed by The Road Theatre Company, Pipeline Theatre Company, Clubbed Thumb, The Lark, Vision Latino Theater Company, The Orchard Project, Classical Theatre of Harlem, and The Parsnip Ship among others.
The first time I ever came up with a story was because I was afraid of a pig!
Beyond appearing on stage and screen, Rosy is an urban farmer, a linguist, and a keeper of stories, whether through the preservation of folkloric songs, the cultivation of community, or the language of movement and sound.
Rosy's artistry is shaped by her Haitian heritage, spirituality, and commitment to justice. She believes in art as a lifeline, a bridge, and a catalyst for change.
I appear in a episode of Raising Kaanan for like 5 seconds. I can show you a clip I swear.
With an MS in Education from City College, Geeta has worked in schools teaching literacy and after school programs and doing hunger relief work as a volunteer.
Geeta has dedicated most of her professional life to volunteerism in agriculture, food, and the environment but has found intersections in peace movements, the arts, activism, and education.
Geeta lives on the Upper West Side with her husband and daughter where she weaves, knits, crochets, and plays with her cat Tito!
Gina Goico is an artist, educator, and PhD candidate in Performing & Media Arts at Cornell University. They hold an AFA in Illustration from Altos de Chavon, a BFA from Parsons The New School for Design, and an MA in Arts Politics from NYU.
Gina's multidisciplinary work examines the construction of Dominican identity, gender, and rebellions in the Dominican Republic and its NYC diaspora.
I love climbing trees and dancing. I also play some bass guitar!
Over the past 5 years Cassidy has worked with students of all ages with a focus on creative expression and social-emotional learning.
Cassidy finds inspiration in her work when she watches students engage in the creative process and can be there as a support on their journeys.
Cassidy has been to the midnight release of every Hunger Games movie.
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After earning her MFA in writing for young adults from The New School, Molly has taught creative writing at schools across NYC, including NYU, Fordham, FIT, and SVA.
Molly is the author of young adult novels "Epically Earnest" and "Thanks for Listening" (named a Kirkus Best YA books of '24), as well as picture book "I Have Seven Dogs". Her play "The Patron Saint of Other Women" won the Georgia College Arts and Letters Drama Prize in 2021.
My middle school superlative was most likely to save the turtles!
Miss is a published author and illustrator of celebrated graphic novels and comic books. She specializes in teaching comic writing and illustration.
Her graphic novels such as Henni and Escape From “Special” have made top book lists, The New Yorker’s Daily Shouts, and been nominated for awards.
Miss once played a zombie in a low-budget horror movie.
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Jane - poet, performance artist, and educator - publishes student work and teaches writing, literature, and performance across all age groups.
Jane's published poetry book Names is part of the award-winning ABC Chapbook Series. One of her poems has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize.
Jane fronts the band The Icebergs and was a part of Sister Spit, the famed west coast women’s poetry troupe!
A high school teacher, journalist, filmmaker, and soccer coach, Kat speaks 5 languages fluently and has lived all over the world.
She is always excited to make lifelong memories and friendships through a shared love of stories.
Tess Michaelson is a writer, interdisciplinary artist, and educator with an MFA in nonfiction writing from Columbia University.
Tess’ articles have been published by The Chicago Review, independent online magazine The Rumpus, The Brooklyn Rail, and more.
Tess has an identical twin!
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Our deputy director, Dorkys currently educates students of all ages in writing and art across Washington Heights and Inwood.
Her bilingual works have appeared in Time Out NY Kids, BET, Parents Latina, Syracuse Post-Standard, and the Manhattan Times.
Dorkys keeps the gears of Uptown Stories turning, but when she's not at US she spends her time painting and illustrating!
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Kate, a dedicated educator, taught middle and high school humanities in both public and private schools for over 25 years before founding Uptown Stories.
Her own fiction has appeared in The Madison Review, Brain Child, Salamander, and The Ledge!
Kate is a lifelong New Yorker and has lived in Washington Heights since 2003 with her two kids. Thank you Kate for the gift of Uptown Stories!
Alessandra is a Cuban-American actor, deviser, storyteller and teaching artist. She has a BA in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Devised Physical Theatre.
Alessandra enjoys connecting with students using all forms of storytelling to help them discover their own voice. She believes deeply in the power of storytelling to teach social-emotional learning.
I love reading fantasy books, dancing (especially salsa!), and getting to know people by reading their astrology charts to discover what the stars have in store for them!
Joel is an educator who is passionate about helping kids find their voices through creative expression.
He has experience working in education and community programs that inspire confidence and curiosity. He is excited to continue this work with Uptown Stories at Amistad Dual Language School.
I have watched every Marvel movie, I love storytelling in all forms (video games, movies, and books), and I am always up for a riddle or puzzle game.
An academic, dramatic writer, critic, tutor, actor, vocalist/lyricist, and DJ, Michael believes the spirit of improvisation is a building block for the most fully-realized, incendiary storytelling.
Michael did his undergraduate study at WashU, earning a B.A. in English. He recently completed a master’s degree with a Creative Writing concentration, in an interdisciplinary liberal arts program at Dartmouth College.
I am the co-captain of an annual high school reunion football game known as the "Wiener Bowl".
Kai Naima Williams is a multidisciplinary writer, performing artist, and educator. She is passionate about telling stories across different mediums - from the page to the stage and on screen.
The author of two poetry chapbooks and children's picture book "The Bridges Yuri Built," Kai's work has been honored by the Asian American Arts Alliance, the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival and the NYT.
I am fascinated by fortune-telling and enjoy giving my friends I Ching readings!
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Ready to Join a Workshop?
If you can’t wait to turn the page, the writer has succeeded in telling you a great story. What does it take to develop characters, settings, dialogue, and plot elements that have you on the edge of your seat? This workshop answers those questions and more! We’ll breakdown the parts of fiction writing each week and test out what we’ve learned with some on-the-spot writing. You’ll work with your peers, too — giving advice and feedback, while hearing what they have to say about your work.
Not only does this workshop make you a better writer, but when you understand the process, it makes you appreciate your favorite writers even more. Don’t leave us on the edge of our seats — register now for this workshop!
Sometimes images speak louder than words, but what kind of impact can you create if you put them together? In From Flash to Fiction, we’ll explore the writing of, from, and alongside the images that speak to us. Together, we'll wonder about how to bring images to life with our words and sharpen our imaginations by playing in the crosshairs of writing and photography. Using photos we take ourselves or ones we find through research, we’ll find inspiration for short stories.
This class will also include a field trip to the New York Public Library’s Picture Collection. Every writer will have the chance to look through their vast collection and write something they love based on their discoveries!
If you like fairies and monsters, epic battles and poisoned apples, there is no doubt you will LOVE Fairytales, Myths, and Fables. We're unraveling the stories we all know, learning about their origins, alt versions, and why they seem to have everlasting staying power in readers' minds.
We'll write our own original or adapted magical tales, add to spine-tingling myths, and put a new twist on fantastical fables. If you want to live happily ever after, this is the workshop for you!