Meet Our Residents

Nichola Czekaj speaks French, Chinese and Arabic. He graduated from UB in 2017 with majors in French and international politics. After graduation, he served as a youth development volunteer in Ouarzazate, Morocco, teaching English with the Peace Corps. He then spent three years managing an English training center in Yangzhou, China, further deepening his passion for world languages and cultures. Now, back in the U.S., Czekaj is dedicated to sharing his global experiences and fostering a sense of community in his hometown of Buffalo.

Emily Davis holds a bachelor’s degree in community engagement and communication from Buffalo State University. She began her community work with the Common Roots Land Trust in Meadville, Pennsylvania. She later served as a new arrivals specialist at the International Institute of Buffalo, helping secure housing for refugees. With previous experience as an elementary-level teacher’s aide, Davis is passionate about creating compassionate, student-centered classroom environments. In her free time, Davis enjoys gardening, reading, cooking, hiking and blowing bubbles to relieve stress.

Sophie Goliber is an earth scientist and educator from Otisville, New York. She earned her BS in geology from UB in 2017 and her PhD in geological sciences from the University of Texas at Austin in 2022, focusing on Greenland’s glaciers. Outside of her professional life, Goliber is a blocker for the Devil Dollies roller derby team and enjoys cooking, video games and crocheting.

Leon He is an aspiring educator from Shanghai, China, with a degree in applied mathematics and statistics from Stony Brook University. Outside of teaching, he enjoys singing, playing guitar and flute, and connecting with others through basketball.

Maya Johnson earned her BA in English with a focus on linguistics and rhetoric from CUNY Hunter College, where she also worked as a babysitter and tutor. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going to the gym and practicing yoga, and her favorite snack is Tillamook cookies and cream ice cream.

Theresa C. Land is a dedicated educator with more than 23 years of experience teaching in Buffalo Public Schools. She holds a BS in mathematical studies from Buffalo State University, graduating in 1997. Her passion for teaching, particularly math, was solidified through her work with high-risk and disadvantaged youth at the Inner-City Community Center in Buffalo. She enjoys planning community events, and in her free time, she loves listening to music, watching funny movies and indulging in chocolate.

Andrew Othman has a BA in linguistics with a Japanese concentration, earned in 2024, and received an associate degree in liberal arts in 2022. He is fluent in Japanese. He has also worked as a teacher’s aide at Stanley G. Falk School, where he honed his skills in supporting and inspiring students. His favorite book is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho.

Jakob Pachucinski holds a BS in applied mathematics with minors in data science and statistics. Outside of work, he enjoys disc golf, camping, writing music and has recently rekindled his love for Legos.

Yanely Reyes is a bilingual educator with a BA in psychology from D’Youville University, where she graduated with honors and was an active member of the E-Sports team. A proud mother of two boys, Reyes draws inspiration from her children every day. Her experiences as a dental assistant and lead-poisoning educator further ignited her desire to teach, especially in underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys reading, drawing and playing games with her boys. She also has a love for Bachata music.

Taylor M. Reynolds has a diverse academic background, holding an associate degree in liberal arts from Kingsborough Community College, a bachelor’s degree in history from the City College of New York, and a master’s degree in urban planning with a specialization in community health and food systems from the UB. With extensive experience as a data specialist and in customer success roles, Reynolds has developed strong skills in active listening, customer engagement and supporting educators. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar, golfing, making ice cream and watching Buffalo sports.

Emil Abner Rivera is a bilingual educator from Puerto Rico with a strong background in special education. He is transitioning to focus on new language acquisition. He views the school environment as a sacred space for nurturing human potential and creating a constructive, peaceful atmosphere amid global challenges. Rivera is deeply motivated by the belief that education is an affirmative action toward fulfilling our basic humanity. In his free time, he enjoys road trips, exploring new places and nature, and finds relaxation in these journeys.

Randino “Sarge” Sargent is an author, community activist and Army veteran with eight years of service, including a peacekeeping mission in Bosnia. In 2010, he walked from Buffalo to Washington, D.C., to advocate for homicide victims and raise awareness about the toll that violence takes on families and communities across our nation. Upon returning, he authored “Silent Steps: The Souls of My Feet,” which details why he was inspired to walk. He is married with three daughters and taught himself to speak Kiswahili. He aims to become a teacher in the Buffalo Public School system.

Erin Schuster holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in geology from California State University, Long Beach. She is currently completing her doctorate in evolution, ecology and behavior (EEB) at UB. With extensive experience in informal education at the Ocean Institute and the Aquarium of the Pacific, Schuster is passionate about sharing her love for earth science and inspiring students to reach their full potential. Outside of academics, Schuster enjoys crocheting, playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends and spending time with her cat.

Sherri Singletary has a deep passion for working with children, earning her associate degree in early childhood education in 1997 and her bachelor’s in 2007. She has extensiveexperience in various educational roles, including running her daycare program and working as a lead teacher at Head Start programs. Having lived on Buffalo’s East Side most of her life, Singletary is committed to empowering students and addressing community disparities. Outside of teaching, she enjoys singing in a band.

Ali Somo is a multilingual educator with a deep connection to Buffalo, where he has lived since moving from Kenya. After graduating from Lafayette High School in 2018, Somo earned his associate degree in general studies from Erie Community College in 2020 and a BA in history from Buffalo State University in 2023. While pursuing his studies, Somo worked at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and began teaching children in his community, focusing on religion and academic support. In his free time, he enjoys watching and playing soccer, especially in local Buffalo leagues.

Hannah-Kiran Thukral graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 2023 with a major in data science and a minor in English. Passionate about research, Thukral worked in a sociolinguistics lab at Michigan State University and helped establish a sociology and data science lab at Mount Holyoke. Drawn to Buffalo for its blend of opportunity and proximity to home, she is excited to contribute to a caring, student-focused school environment. In her free time, Thukral enjoys crocheting, taking long walks and diving into great TV shows. She is proud of her Punjabi heritage and spent eight years living in Bangalore, India.

Tameka Thomas holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education (birth to sixth grade) and worked as a coach for teachers at Head Start. Thomas enjoys relaxing by reading books, spending time with her family and painting. Known for being adaptive, empathetic, passionate and creative, she has a strong interest in culturally diverse literacy and enjoys developing training programs. Her favorite snack is trail mix, and she loves the children’s book “Eyes That Kiss in the Corners” by Joanna Ho.

Isabella Tronolone has a BFA in dance and a BA in English from Point Park University, and she graduated in 2019. She has spent the last five years teaching English language abroad to children ages 2 to 13 and recently began private tutoring for both children and adults online. Outside of her teaching career, Tronolone enjoys Pilates, long walks, dance classes and relaxing in coffee shops with a good sci-fi drama or catching up with friends.