Kalyca, who has taught middle school English in the Bronx for thirteen years, is the eldest child of a Registered Nurse and social worker originally from Altamonte Springs, FL. She steadily looks for ways to invest in educational dialogue for the creation of transformative change. She currently serves on the United Federation of Teachers’ Education Task Force to formulate suggestions around the Common Core Standards revisions. Kalyca has served as a Lead Teacher, Peer Instructional Coach, and a Cooperating Teacher for a Hunter College English Education Student Teacher.. Kalyca is also a Bronx trained mediator through the Institute of Mediation and Conflict Resolution (IMCR) and believes in restorative justice practices when holding adolescent children accountable. Her latest endeavor involves drafting a charter to open a social justice charter school in NYC. Kalyca holds a B.A. in Literature from The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL ( Go Noles!) and a M.S. in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from Columbia University, New York, NY. Most importantly, she finds solace in volunteering with her church’s worship arts’ team. In her spare time, Kalyca enjoys Facetime conversations with her nephews, especially when Elmo is involved, returning home to shop with her pioneering mom and sassy grandmother and taking long walks in Pelham Bay Park.