The South Classroom Our South Class always seems hard at work or hard at play. Lots of learning goes on here as well as celebrations for every holiday throughout the school year. The classroom is really two rooms, a main seating area for table work and snack/lunch and another room which is used for Circle gatherings, demonstrations and also houses a variety of live reptiles and amphibians. This classroom contains our South Class (5-day, mornings, Monday-Friday) for 21 three- to five-year-olds. It is also where children can be dropped off for our Earlybird Drop-off if parents require care before 9:00. Also, any older children (four- to five-year-olds) who wish to have an Extended Day option until 3:30 use this classroom in the afternoons with our Explorers' Class. Khairah Klein - Head Teacher/Explorers Teacher Khairah, the new South Class head teacher, is not really new at all. We got to know Khairah well when she headed up our summer camp for three years in a row, in '94, '95 & '96. Khairah began her teaching at the Ethical Culture School where she was an assistant in their kindergarten & 2nd grade, and she has subsequently worked as a head teacher at Columbia Grammar and at the Village Community School, also in the lower grades. Khairah then came to MMS to head up the Toddler & MWF Classes for several years. For the past two years, however, Khairah has been on maternity leave and - along with husband Michael - has been raising Christopher (MMS grad, now in 3rd grade), Adia (MMS grad, now in 1st grade) and Malia (now in the Toddler Class). Khairah, a native New Yorker, attended the Bronx High School of Science and Bates College in Maine, and received her Masters from the Bank Street School of Education. Sabina Rerecic - Teacher/Explorers Teacher Sabina has been with Morningside since 1982 and has continued to amaze her students (as well as her fellow teachers) with her boundless enthusiasm, energy and creativity. Her work ethic and dedication make her a favorite of her students and brings the South Classroom to life. She was born in Zagreb, Croatia and received a teaching certificate in 1970 from the Academy of Pedagogy at the Zagreb Teachers' Center for Preschool Education in Zagreb (the former Yugoslavia). She has been working with young children since her teens and has been a teacher since 1970. She moved to New York City in 1982. She and her husband, John, have a daughter, Sandra. Sabina is also a teacher in our afternoon Explorers' class and is legendary for bringing every holiday celebration throughout the school year alive. She has also coordinated our year-end Graduation for many years. Karyl Mpontsikaris - Montessori Teacher/ Explorers Teacher Karyl began teaching at Morningside in 1985. She brings a tremendous amount of experience as well as a love of music/dance education to the South Classroom. Karyl has lived in NYC for many years. Karyl also teaches in our afternoon Explorers' Class. Her knowledge, kindness and patience are true benefits to both her students and to her colleagues.

The South Classroom

Our South Class always seems hard at work or hard at play. Lots of learning goes on here as well as celebrations for every holiday throughout the school year. The classroom is really two rooms, a main seating area for table work and snack/lunch and another room which is used for Circle gatherings, demonstrations and also houses a variety of live reptiles and amphibians.

This classroom contains our South Class (5-day, mornings, Monday-Friday) for 21 three- to five-year-olds. It is also where children can be dropped off for our Earlybird Drop-off if parents require care before 9:00.

Also, any older children (four- to five-year-olds) who wish to have an Extended Day option until 3:30 use this classroom in the afternoons with our Explorers' Class.

Khairah Klein - Head Teacher/Explorers Teacher

Khairah, the new South Class head teacher, is not really new at all. We got to know Khairah well when she headed up our summer camp for three years in a row, in '94, '95 & '96.

Khairah began her teaching at the Ethical Culture School where she was an assistant in their kindergarten & 2nd grade, and she has subsequently worked as a head teacher at Columbia Grammar and at the Village Community School, also in the lower grades. Khairah then came to MMS to head up the Toddler & MWF Classes for several years.

For the past two years, however, Khairah has been on maternity leave and - along with husband Michael - has been raising Christopher (MMS grad, now in 3rd grade), Adia (MMS grad, now in 1st grade) and Malia (now in the Toddler Class).

Khairah, a native New Yorker, attended the Bronx High School of Science and Bates College in Maine, and received her Masters from the Bank Street School of Education.

Sabina Rerecic - Teacher/Explorers Teacher

Sabina has been with Morningside since 1982 and has continued to amaze her students (as well as her fellow teachers) with her boundless enthusiasm, energy and creativity. Her work ethic and dedication make her a favorite of her students and brings the South Classroom to life.

She was born in Zagreb, Croatia and received a teaching certificate in 1970 from the Academy of Pedagogy at the Zagreb Teachers' Center for Preschool Education in Zagreb (the former Yugoslavia). She has been working with young children since her teens and has been a teacher since 1970. She moved to New York City in 1982. She and her husband, John, have a daughter, Sandra.

Sabina is also a teacher in our afternoon Explorers' class and is legendary for bringing every holiday celebration throughout the school year alive. She has also coordinated our year-end Graduation for many years.

Karyl Mpontsikaris - Montessori Teacher/ Explorers Teacher

Karyl began teaching at Morningside in 1985. She brings a tremendous amount of experience as well as a love of music/dance education to the South Classroom.

Karyl has lived in NYC for many years.

Karyl also teaches in our afternoon Explorers' Class. Her knowledge, kindness and patience are true benefits to both her students and to her colleagues.