SBCSICA was founded on the belief that a high quality education and a vibrant, deep connection to the local community go hand in hand. By maintaining a strong relationship with the community and teaching students about its rich and complex history, we hope to create citizens who will contribute to the continued revival of the South Bronx.
We believe in and set exceptionally high professional and ethical standards for our board, leadership and staff. If necessary we take swift action to ensure those high standards are maintained as it is of utmost importance that we set an exceptional example for our students.
Please review our important board and other official documents below Please contact us for any document requests, information or questions.
SBCSICA invites families who believe in holistic, culturally rich, and language-diverse education. If you want your child to grow academically, creatively and globally — to become confident, empathetic, and ready for tomorrow’s world — you belong with us.
Evelyn Hey has been the principal of SBCSICA since it opened its doors in August 2005. She has over 25 years of experience in teaching and administration within the NYC public schools. She has expertise in professional development, thematic curriculum planning, bilingual curriculum programs, balanced literacy, best practices, and instructional leadership. She earned a Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from Bank Street College and a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Good Counsel College.
Dr. Blige is a results-oriented and visionary educational leader with a track record of success in instructional administration/specialist. With a strong passion for fostering student achievement, Dr. Blige brings a wealth of expertise in designing and implementing effective instructional practices to support student learning and growth. As an Instructional Administrator, Dr. Blige has demonstrated exemplary leadership in driving educational excellence and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
Dr. Blige has successfully led the development and implementation of district-wide instructional initiatives and frameworks. Through strategic planning and collaboration with stakeholders, Dr. Blige has streamlined educational programs, aligned standards, and supervised the evaluation and selection of instructional resources.
Dr. Blige has proven instrumental in providing targeted support and professional development opportunities to educators, fostering their instructional skills and pedagogical knowledge. By delivering impactful training sessions and workshops, Dr. Blige has empowered teachers to implement evidence-based instructional strategies, differentiation techniques, and assessment practices to maximize student learning outcomes. With a profound dedication to student success, Dr. Blige demonstrates a genuine commitment to creating a student-centered learning environment. By utilizing data analysis and formative assessments, Dr. Blige has effectively monitored student progress, identified areas for improvement, and developed targeted interventions tailored to individual student needs. Through collaboration with teachers, Dr. Blige has facilitated data-driven decision-making processes to optimize instructional practices and promote equitable student achievement.
Dr. Blige holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, complemented by over 25 years of experience and successful leadership. Dr. Blige has a relentless commitment to academic excellence, combines a deep understanding of educational best practices with strategic leadership to drive positive change and achieve outstanding results.
In summary, Dr. Blige is an esteemed and highly effective educational leader who has served students within the NYCDOE, leveraging exceptional leadership skills to drive educational excellence and foster a positive and inclusive school culture. With a focus on instructional quality, student achievement, and stakeholder engagement, Dr. Blige is dedicated to preparing students for success academically, personally, and professionally, making a lasting impact on their lives.
Azizi Madramootoo embarked on her educational journey in 2011, when she joined the SBCSICA community. Over the years, she has worn several hats, including that of a master teacher, an instructional coach, a staff developer, and an Assistant Principal. Today, Ms. Madramootoo proudly leads as the Elementary School Principal. She holds a Master’s degree in Education from Kaplan University, and she has honed her leadership skills with a School Building Leader Advanced Certification from the College of St. Rose.
Viridiana Barban
Doctor in Education from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM). MS in Science Education from Florida International University (FIU). Experienced Teacher with a demonstrated history of working in the primary/secondary/university education industry. Specialist in Cooperative learning and Thinking-Based Learning (TBL) with nearly a decade of collaboration with Dr. Robert Swartz, author of the TBL approach. She has participated as a speaker at several conferences and teacher training courses in Spain and Latin America. Currently teaching Secondary and IB Diploma Programme and serving as an adjunct professor at Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR). Founder and Director of OneTwoThink (www.onetwothink.com), an organization dedicated to research, training, and the design of educational resources related to the Pedagogy of Thinking (PdT).
The training
Teaching students how to think is essential to preparing a new generation capable of independent judgment, critical evaluation of information, and responsible citizenship in a rapidly changing world. True learning goes beyond memorization—it happens when students think effectively about content, build deep understanding, and transfer that knowledge to new contexts.
By engaging teachers in purposeful training, we equip them to foster strategic, rigorous, and skillful thinking in their classrooms. This approach transforms everyday lessons into opportunities for reflection, transfer of knowledge, and the development of thinking habits that will serve students for life.
“We train teachers to go beyond memorization—helping students think critically, creatively, and responsibly in a rapidly changing world.”
“Empowering educators to foster deep understanding, transferable skills, and a lifelong culture of thinking.”
“Transforming classrooms into spaces where thinking becomes the heart of learning.”
