Teacher Spotlight

Teacher's Name: Mr. Joseph Masi

Grade/Subject: 2nd & 3rd Grade / Special Education

Years at P.S. 83: 5 years

Tell us about yourself:

I grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut and have been passionate about education since I was a student at a school similar to P.S. 83. Before joining P.S. 83, I taught Special Education in East New York (Brownsville) and earned my Masters Degree in Childhood Education from Mercy College.

What do you love most about teaching at P.S. 83?

I truly value the strong partnerships I’ve built with our students, parents, and colleagues. The sense of community at P.S. 83 makes it feel like a second home.

What are your students working on this month?

In Math, my class is learning about measuring in centimeters, inches, meters, yards. In Reading, we are learning about how things grow and change, covering topics like plants needs, story structure, cause and effect, and character traits.

Fun fact about Mr. Masi:

I enjoy life beyond school by spending time with my family and my dog, Sammy. Whether I am cheering on the Dodgers, watching WWE and AEW, or keeping up with Law & Order, I usually am doing it with an iced coffee nearby.

A message to P.S. 83 families:

It is truly a blessing to work within such an amazing community of students, families, and colleagues. At P.S. 83, we are more than just a school—we are a family, and I am so grateful for the partnerships we’ve built together.

Teacher's Name: Ms. Wei Li

Grade/Subject: Grade 2 / General Education

Tell us about yourself:

I was born and raised in China, where my love of learning began. I later came to the United States to pursue my graduate studies and eventually found my professional home at P.S. 83, where I started teaching in 2001. Over the years, I’ve had the joy of teaching first, second, and third grade students, and I truly value the relationships I’ve built with my students and school community. Outside the classroom, I enjoy reading, gardening, and relaxing with my dog, Buster, who keeps me company and brings a lot of joy to my life.

What do I love about teaching?

I truly love teaching at P.S. 83—it has become a second home to me. I feel so fortunate to work alongside such dedicated and supportive fellow educators. One of the things I love most
about teaching is that it is never boring; every day brings new challenges and new accomplishments. I find so much joy in seeing my students make progress and in watching them grow academically, emotionally, and socially. Building strong bonds with my students, their families, and the entire school community is incredibly meaningful to me and is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.

What are my students working on this month?

This month, my students are reading informational texts about the weather. We are learning about extreme weather conditions and how they affect the way people live. In math, we are exploring measurement by learning how to measure length using different units, such as centimeters, inches, feet, yards, and meters. Students are also learning how to choose the most appropriate tools to measure different objects.

Teacher’s Name: Ms. Anisha

Grade/Subject: Grade 2 / General Education

Tell us about yourself:

I grew up in Fremont, California and received my Bachelor’s of Science in Cognitive Science at the University of California, Irvine. I moved to New York City in 2021 to pursue my love for education through City Year New York where I served at P.S. 83 in Ms. Li’s classroom. I then graduated with my Masters in Inclusive Childhood Education at New York University and rejoined the P.S. 83 community as a 2nd grade teacher. Outside of teaching, I enjoy dancing, reading, and spending time with my two dogs, Milo and Joey.

What do you love most about teaching at P.S. 83?

I love teaching at P.S. 83 because it is such an inclusive and engaging community. The collaborative nature of students, families, and staff makes everyone feel welcome and involved. Even though I have only worked here for three years, I immediately felt like I was part of the P.S. 83 family.

What are your students working on this month?

This month, my students are focusing on measurements in math, including using and identifying different units. In ELA, my students are gathering information about extreme weather and forecasts, which will conclude with each student completing an essay on their chosen weather event.