Patrick O’Laughlin
Hello, my name is Patrick O’Laughlin, and I am the father of Maverick, who is just
finishing up kindergarten. Like many others, my wife, Maverick, and I moved to this
neighborhood to be able to have the best possible opportunities for him to learn and
grow.
Since joining 321, it has been a joy to be involved in school field trips, etc. Our journey
has not always been easy, as Maverick has additional needs that has required
additional support, and navigating the system in search of obtaining a quality and
responsive IEP for his needs. It is a system that is confusing and complicated, and often
requires more time and attention than you think you have to give. It is with this in mind that I would like to join the SLT.
By profession, I am an attorney with 16 years of experience, in all forms of litigation
practices. I believe this experience positions me well to be a SLT member, as I am well
aware how systems that are meant to support don’t always work the way they’re
supposed to, or the way you’d like them to. As a friend who was also a parent of a child
with special needs once told me, the system doesn’t *give* resources, you have to
*take* resources. Fortunately, I have found deep levels of willing partnership with
everyone at 321 as we have navigated this process. If selected, I promise to be an
advocate for any other parents and children who are in similar situations. Further, I
promise to be available and responsive to any who ask, as we work to shape the future
of our beloved school.
Patrice Greenglass
As a parent of two PS 321 students—a rising 1st grader and a rising PK4er —I’m deeply committed to our school community. We moved to this neighborhood specifically for PS 321, and I’ve loved being involved from day one—volunteering for every field trip and attending all school events with enthusiasm.
Professionally, I bring over a decade of experience in education—as a classroom teacher, curriculum coach, and education technology leader. I began my career as a NYC DOE middle school English teacher and department co-chair, later joining AltSchool to support educators as a curriculum ambassador and integration lead. Most recently, I worked at SchoolMint, partnering with district leaders across the country to improve equity in public school admissions and to design impactful professional development for educators.
I am now a stay-at-home mom pursuing certification as a parent coach, with a deep interest in child development and intentional parenting. I’m passionate about supporting schools from every angle—teacher, coach, technologist, and now parent—and I’m excited to bring that passion, along with my collaborative and strategic mindset, to the School Leadership Team at PS 321.
Doni Soro
It’s a familiar chuckle in our house. The one I get every time I walk down the street with my 7-year-old daughter, Abigail Soro, waving to friends, calling out names, and exchanging smiles, while I ask her who these people are. It’s a humbling, yet heartwarming, reminder of how deeply rooted she’s become in this community since we’ve called this vibrant neighborhood home four years ago. And a quiet nudge that I need to step up, to truly invest myself here. And what better place to start than the heart of our community, PS 321?
That’s why I’m running for the School Leadership Team. Not just as a PS 321 parent, but as someone who believes in the power of community, collaboration, and education to shape not only children’s futures, but our own as well. I’m running because I believe my journey, diverse experiences, and deep-seated passion for education can genuinely contribute to this team. As a former educator, an immigrant, and an education policy advocate, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of a strong, supportive school environment.
Originally from Côte d’Ivoire, I arrived in the U.S. with two master’s degrees, invaluable educator experience, and an unshakeable belief in education’s ability to uplift lives. My path led me to NYU for a third master’s, then to the United Nations Development Programme, where I had the privilege of leading international education and development cooperation programs. In 2018, I founded Kultured Advisors, driven by a desire to foster African Diaspora communities’ social, economic, and cultural integration in New York State and beyond.
As an NYS Economic Development Professional, I manage multimillion-dollar programs and have supported over 3,000 small and medium-sized businesses, all aiming to drive economic growth, create jobs, and increase participation in high-growth industries across our state. These experiences, though seemingly distinct, have honed my ability to collaborate, strategize, and advocate for meaningful change, skills I am eager to bring to PS 321. Beyond contributing my professional expertise, this is also a deeply personal endeavor.
By actively engaging with the SLT, I want to learn how PS 321 works, how our school system makes decisions, and how I can be a better partner in my daughter’s education journey and become an even more effective partner to the school. Ultimately, I want to show my daughter how much I value her education and our shared community. I want to model for her the importance of commitment and proactive engagement, what it means to care, to show up, and to serve. I want her to understand that school isn’t just a place she goes to every day. It’s a community we all build together. I’d be honored to bring my perspective, energy, and collaborative spirit to the SLT, and to work with all of you in shaping the future of PS 321. Thank you for considering me for the School Leadership Team.
Sara Vaswani
My name is Sara Vaswani, and I’m the proud mom of a 6th grader, a 4th grader, and a 1st grader. I’ve been part of this wonderful, welcoming community for seven years and feel incredibly fortunate to be here. To me, the strong partnership between the school and families — and among parents themselves — makes P.S. 321 a truly unique and special place.
As an international mom of mixed-race children, this community has helped me feel at home. I’ve always felt supported, respected, and “seen,” and that has inspired me to give back to the school that has provided such a nurturing environment where my children thrive both socially and academically.
Over the years, I’ve been involved in a variety of roles at the school. I’ve served as a class PTA liaison, chaperoned field trips, assisted during recess, and given classroom presentations. For the past two years, I’ve also been the coordinator and a volunteer for the Learning Friends program.
I was born and raised in Italy by an Italian father and an English mother. I hold an economics degree from the University of St Andrews and a Master’s in Finance from Bocconi University. I moved to the U.S. in 2011 and have lived in Brooklyn since 2013.
I enjoy working with people to find common ground and create outcomes that benefit everyone. I would be honored to join the School Leadership Team to listen, share ideas, and contribute to decisions that shape our school community.
Melissa Extein
Hi, my name is Melissa Extein. My daughter Livvie is in Kindergarten, in K-7 with Ms. Stephanie. I had her on my own as a single mother by choice. I grew up in South Florida, but have lived in NYC my whole adult life. For the past 12 years I’ve lived here in the neighborhood on Carroll St. I started hearing wonderful things about PS 321 when my childhood best friend started teaching here years ago, and then felt so lucky to live in-zone already when I got pregnant with Livvie.
I couldn’t have asked for a better first year for Livvie starting elementary school. The school has been warm and welcoming and has helped Livvie both love school and thrive there. As part of the SLT, I would work to continue this atmosphere for all families and to make sure every member of the community – kids and parents, school staff at every role and level – is able to thrive at 321. I’ve gotten to know the school throughout this first year through chaperoning class field trips, helping out with in-class activities, being part of the Family Arts Night, Equity & Inclusion, and Social & Emotional Learning committees, and volunteering for various events and tasks. I can see that this place only runs the way it does through the hard work and dedication of not just school staff, but many parent volunteers.
As far as my work and volunteer background, I’d bring to the SLT my professional perspective and experience as an organizational psychologist. For over 20 years, I’ve been consulting to organizations to help them reflect, learn, and grow. I have consulted to schools, universities, and the DOE, among many other clients, mostly nonprofit, philanthropic, and human rights-focused institutions. I use a groups and systems perspective in my work, as well as theories of social and emotional intelligence, and would use these lenses to understand the dynamics of 321 and the SLT and help inform decision-making there. I always pay close attention to issues of identity and power wherever I am. Additionally, I’m an educator, having taught leadership, power, and group dynamics classes to graduate students and executives for the past 15 years at The New School, University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia. When I was much younger, I volunteered at preschools, studied and conducted research on child development, and spent most of my 20s leading summer educational and travel programs for high school students. My other small group leadership experiences have included helping start the Brooklyn Bridge CSA as part of its founding core group and being a member of the board of JFREJ (Jews for Racial & Economic Justice).
Kids and how groups and organizations work have always been strong interests in my life, and I like knowing what’s going on and helping to shape things. I’m curious about the latest issues facing our schools, parents, and kids and probably spend more time than I should following the latest research and discussions (current obsession: how to navigate tech, screens, and AI). I’m a busy single mom, running my own consulting business, but I love being a part of this community and would look forward to the chance to get more involved as a member of the SLT and contribute to the running of the school.
Ramon Maislen
My name is Ramon Maislen and I am the parent of three boys, two of whom have
already graduated from PS321. My youngest is currently in 1 st grade and is excited to
move up to the Upper School. My experience of the NYC public school system from
elementary through high school has only furthered my appreciation for PS321. One of
the reasons for PS321’s success (aside from the amazing work of our principal,
teachers and staff) is the dedication of the parents who help to support PS321. Therefore, I would be honored to be able to take part helping PS321 to continue to be
the special place it is for both our children and the community at large.
I was born in the East Village but moved back and forth between NYC and Boston
throughout my childhood. Some of my most rigorous (and beloved) schooling occurred
at PS116 in Manhattan, where I spent 4 th , 5 th and 6 th Grades. We learned Russian in 5 th Grade, documented the fall of the Soviet Union with NYT articles, and had Russian pen pals. I experienced firsthand that NYC schools can be both academically rigorous and socially nurturing.
I have often taken the road less traveled, including when I dropped out of High School
after my sophomore year. I enrolled at Sudbury Valley School, a Democratic school
which is a paragon of student-led learning. My personal struggles in school has given
me a deep understanding that different children have different needs. After High School, I lived abroad on an off for 8 years and graduated from University in Israel. Learning at an international program in a different country with students from around the world further expanded my understanding that there are many ways for people to learn. Following graduation I helped to build an Honors Program in Leadership Development alongside my favorite University Professor.
I like working with others and I hope to add my voice as a committed member of the community who values public education and wants to ensure PS321’s continued excellence.