Administrative Team

Hello P.S. 143Q Family!

I am so happy to be back and working with the greatest team around. I know we didn’t plan to work under these circumstances, but I do believe with the patience, flexibility and perseverance we all have, we can overcome any hurdle that comes our way.  This year I will be supervising grades two and three, as well as K-5 bilingual education. 

My experience in working with English Language Learners and students in dual language programs has taught me how to recognize the strengths of bilingualism, as well as the challenges educators face in helping these students reach proficiency. In District 24, we educate students from some of the most diverse communities in the nation. I am fortunate that in this role, I have the opportunity to continue to serve the community I am most passionate about.

I look forward to continuing to uphold the goals of Ms. Lucas to promote a positive school culture while sustaining and initiating educational programs conducive to student learning. Together, we will coordinate efforts that will keep staff and students feeling supported, encouraged and motivated to meet our shared goals and vision.  

It remains my goal to continue to build relationships with each of you and to meet the needs of our learning community throughout the year. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, suggestions or feedback. 

Proud Assistant Principal,

Alexis Estrada

[email protected]

Dear P.S. 143Q Community,

I am thrilled to start my eigth year at P.S.143Q! My passion for education began in college when I organized a tutoring program in Philadelphia. Twice a week, I drove a large van full of tutors into Philadelphia's Chinatown where we helped students of all ages. Knowing I could make a difference in children’s lives is what motivated me to move to NYC and become a Teaching Fellow. I began my career teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in Astoria, Queens as a first-grade teacher. During my eight years there, I modeled lessons for the Office of English Language Learners and the Office of Gifted and Talented. My primary focus in instruction was in designing units where students learned through inquiry-based research projects in early childhood.

I am a strong advocate for our community, especially for our English Language Learners (ELLs). Growing up as an ELL was not easy. There were very few bilingual or ESL programs in the suburbs of Boston. As a newcomer to the country, I did not speak any English and was placed in a bilingual Chinese program where I had to take a van to a school that made several stops. The ride was dreadful and long; thus, my parents decided to place me in a mainstream English speaking class with ESL once a week.  While my family did not speak English well, they did teach me how to persevere through language barriers when I was young.  My experience as a first-generation American is what drives me to be a diligent Assistant Principal for our ELLs.

Students learn best when they feel comfortable in their school and classroom. At PS143, we strive to ensure that all our students feel safe and are at their best all day, especially after a long bus ride to school. We also want students’ families to feel comfortable in reaching out about their questions and concerns. Information is such a powerful tool, and there is no better way to share information than through a website! With a touch of your phone, you can connect instantly with any staff member in our school. I am very excited to be working as the Assistant Principal for English as a New Language (ENL). This year will be full of explorations and new discoveries for our ELLs. We have a lot of new and wonderful things to share with you this year!

With love,

Karen Pang

[email protected]