Why Work at P.S. 83?

P.S. 83 Luis Muñoz Rivera is a great place to work if you want to join a high-performing, deeply caring elementary school that serves East Harlem students from 3K through 5th grade in a fully accessible, community-centered building.

P.S. 83 is committed to providing a rigorous, caring education rooted in the proud heritage of East Harlem, with high expectations for every child and real support to meet them. The school focuses on academic excellence, personal growth, and preparing students to thrive in a diverse and changing world.

Teachers work within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), Positive Behavioral supports, and a culturally responsive approach so instruction is both rigorous and inclusive. The school’s vision emphasizes equitable, high-quality learning in every classroom, every day, for every student.

P.S. 83 is one of East Harlem’s highest-achieving elementary schools, with students consistently performing above city and state averages in core subjects. The school is ranked in the top 16% of all New York State elementary schools, reflecting strong, sustained academic results.

As a staff member, you join a team that uses data, high expectations, and individualized support to help students build confidence, critical thinking, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.

The school’s climate data shows a strong culture of mutual respect and trust. According to the NYC School Survey, 96% of families say they feel respected by their child’s teacher, and 96% say the principal is an effective leader.

Equally important, 95% of teachers say they would recommend P.S. 83 to other families, signaling confidence in the school’s leadership, systems, and community. Relationships matter here—staff, families, and students work in close partnership to help every child thrive.

P.S. 83’s leadership team, including Principal Frances Castillo and Assistant Principal Maria Baldanza, emphasizes both high expectations and deep care for students. Their message to families—“we don’t just teach children, we believe in them”—extends to how they support and uplift staff as professionals.

The administration is described by families as a great team that “go out of their way” and work closely with teachers to provide the very best educational experiences. Staff join a school where leadership is visible, responsive, and aligned to a clear mission and vision.

P.S. 83 is recognized by the NYC Department of Education as a Fully Accessible School, making it a welcoming workplace for staff and families with diverse physical needs. The building includes elevator access to all floors, accessible entrances and ramps, ADA-compliant restrooms, wide hallways, and Braille and visual signage.

This commitment to access reflects a broader school culture focused on equity and inclusion for all students and adults. As a staff member, you work in a building and community designed to remove barriers and ensure everyone can fully participate.

P.S. 83 supports the whole child through a robust network of services and partnerships. The school houses a Mount Sinai School-Based Health Clinic on-site, giving students access to medical and mental health services during the school day at no cost to families.

The school also offers social-emotional learning supports, a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), City Year partnership and after-school programming, technology-integrated instruction, and a variety of enrichment opportunities and events. For staff, this means you are part of a team where academic, social-emotional, and health supports are aligned to help every student succeed.

P.S. 83 serves 3K, Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Grades 1–5, allowing educators to specialize in early childhood and elementary education. Early childhood classrooms emphasize strong foundations in literacy, mathematics, social development, and independence, setting students up for long-term success.

Teachers get to see students grow over multiple years in a cohesive, developmentally responsive program. This continuity supports meaningful relationships, consistent instructional practices, and shared expectations across grades.

The school day runs from 8:00 AM to 2:45 PM, providing a consistent, student-centered schedule. Within this structure, staff work in classrooms designed around rigorous instruction, high expectations, and individualized support.

Because the school uses data-driven priorities and MTSS, teachers benefit from clear systems for identifying student needs, collaborating with colleagues, and aligning instructional goals. These structures make it easier to focus on what matters most: high-quality teaching and meaningful relationships with students.

Family testimonials highlight the impact of P.S. 83’s staff and programs. Parents describe teachers who “don’t just teach—they invest,” and share stories of children who went from struggling readers to award-winning writers, or from early learners to students accepted into specialized middle schools.

Many families emphasize the dedication of teachers, the support of leadership, and the strong academic outcomes their children achieve. As a staff member, you join a school where your work is recognized, valued, and deeply appreciated by the community you serve.