Getting to Know MS54

Getting to know ms54

Get to know our favorite Booker T. administrators and teachers, digging deep into their own middle school memories. Return each month for new profiles!

Dr. Elana Elster
Principal

Dr. Elster traces her path from Virginia to New York City (now in her 28th year at Booker T. and 16th year as principal!), yearns for the good ol’ days of a full, noisy school, and fondly recalls how middle school influenced her path in life. Learn more.

Anne McIntosh Pejovich
Parent Coordinator

From acting with Dustin Hoffman (twice!) on film and stage, to running the school’s musical, bake sale, auction, charity events and more, Anne McIntosh Pejovich turns her parent coordinator job up to 11. Learn more.

Laura Lynch Geraghty
Assistant Principal

From a post-college travel agent stint to Booker T.'s assistant principal for eight years, Laura Lynch Geraghty traces her academic path. She also recalls her own middle school years on Long Island, from nerve-wracking chorus try-outs to class trip roller coasters! Learn more.

Emery Dickerson
School Safety Agent

From working in a famous theater book store (while Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote In the Heights there) to keeping Booker T. students safe for 10 years, school safety agent Emery Dickerson has had quite a diverse career. And wait till you see him solve a Rubik’s Cube! Learn more.

MS54 Booker T. Washington
103 West 107th Street
New York, NY 10025
Phone (212) 678-2861

MS54 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission to its programs, services, or activities, in access to them, in treatment of individuals, or in any aspect of their operations. The lack of English language skills shall not be a barrier to admission or participation in the district’s activities and programs. MS54 also does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices.