Our Faculty

Few teachers embody the spirit of Saint George Academy like Ms. Donovan. A graduate of Saint George herself, she returned to the school in 1992 after completing her undergraduate studies at Barnard College and earning a graduate degree in political science from NYU. More than 30 years later, she remains a pillar of the community.

“Coming back to teach at the school I attended was really meaningful,” Ms. Donovan says. “I loved the culture of St. George when I was a student, and I wanted to build on that for the next generation. I want them to have the same fantastic experience and memories that I had.”

Ms. Donovan teaches social studies with an approach that emphasizes active engagement, group projects, and real-world connections. “I want students to experience history firsthand, not just read about it,” she explains. One of her favorite lessons is a tenth-grade simulation of the Congress of Vienna, where students represent different nations and negotiate the future of post-Napoleonic Europe. “They strategize, make secret deals, and vote on outcomes — it lasts for several days, and the kids love it. They learn not only about history but about diplomacy, negotiation, and problem-solving.”

Her classes also stress public speaking, presentations, discussion, and writing. “I want students to develop their own ideas, access diverse sources, and get comfortable communicating. It’s about teaching not just history, but skills they’ll carry into the rest of their lives.”

Ms. Donovan is the advisor of both the Drama Club and the Yearbook Committee, creating opportunities for students to explore creativity and collaboration. The Drama Club now includes more than 25 students, with full productions each year. “Every year we put on a show, and I always find ways to write in more parts so more students can participate,” she notes. “It’s not just about the performers — there’s stagecraft, management, and technical production too.”

“What I would want new families to know,” Ms. Donovan says, “is that this is a very safe environment. Everyone knows each other. We can work one-on-one with students to deepen their learning and maintain rigor. It’s a kind, caring, and supportive place, but also one that holds high standards. I’m not just teaching social studies — I’m teaching work ethic and integrity. We’re teaching the whole student.”

Her favorite local spot? Veselka, for stuffed cabbage with mushroom sauce — a true East Village tradition.

 For the past two years, Mr. Mak has brought both global experience and personal resilience to Saint George Academy’s science classrooms. Born in Congo, he earned a master’s degree in physical chemistry in Belgium and began his career with Coca-Cola, managing operations in Eastern Congo. When war broke out and his home was destroyed, the company relocated him to a neighboring country. Eventually, he came to the United States to continue his studies, earning a master’s in Economic Policy Management from Columbia University.

After working on Wall Street, Mr. Mak turned toward his true passion: education. For nearly a decade, he volunteered with Prep for Prep, tutoring high-achieving students. At Saint George, he now teaches physics, astronomy, econometrics and data science, often connecting advanced topics like AI and statistics to real-world applications. “In a small school like this, the curriculum is flexible. We can meet students where they are and push them further — like a tenth grader studying physics and calculus at the same time. That rarely happens in public schools,” he explains. His teaching style emphasizes organization and strategy: students learn note-taking, study habits, and how to think critically about complex problems. “The best students are not just smart — they are organized. They have strategies for how to learn.”

Beyond the classroom, Mr. Mak is active in the Columbia University Alumni Association and serves as an advisor to the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo to the United Nations. Each summer, he travels back to Congo to teach university-level physics or chemistry. Fluent in French, English, and three Congolese languages — Monokotuba, Lingala, and Kikongo — he also connects his students to a truly global perspective. 

“Saint George is not a rigid place. It’s a school where teachers are accessible, where innovation is possible, and where students are challenged to think outside the box. That’s why I’m here.” 

His favorite local spot? Wegmans at Astor Place, where he stops almost daily for sushi or salad. 

After earning her degree in psychology from the University of Maryland, Ms. Mowdy returned to complete additional undergraduate coursework in education, later earning graduate degrees in TESOL and Secondary Education in English. For the past two years she has been part of the English faculty at Saint George Academy.

For her, the draw of Saint George lies in the expectations: “Students should come here if they want to be challenged. The expectations are high, and in a small classroom setting, teachers can make sure those expectations are met.” 

One of her favorite projects is StoryCorps, where students interview someone who has been deeply influential in their lives — a teacher, parent, or friend — and connect the experience to literature such as Tuesdays with Morrie. “It gives students the opportunity to speak with meaning, to listen deeply, and to see how personal stories connect to the texts we study.”

Her favorite Saint George memory is Spirit Week, when the entire school participates in themed days, traditions, and activities. “It’s the perfect mix of academics and community — bonding, fun, and celebration. Everyone comes together, and you feel the energy throughout the school.”

When she’s not teaching, she loves to eat at Café Maude in the East Village, known for its dumplings and global flavors.

For more than 20 years, Dr. Halverson has been part of Saint George Academy, where she teaches both mathematics and philosophy. Her path to the classroom is unusual: with a Ph.D. in mathematics from Northeastern University, a master’s from Boston University, and a bachelor’s from the University of Arizona, she worked as a software engineer and actuary for over a decade before turning to education. “I wanted to do something that would contribute to society,” she explains.

At Saint George, Dr. Halverson values the school’s small size, cohesive student body, and welcoming atmosphere. “It’s a place where students instantly feel like they belong,” she says. The school also gives her the freedom to teach in ways not often possible elsewhere. In math, her classes mix short lessons with individual and group work, supported by a range of assessment methods to meet different learning styles. In philosophy, she runs her classroom like a college seminar: open, discussion-based, and connected to the world students know. “We explore the history of Western philosophy, and I link it to things they recognize — like The Matrix — so they can see how ideas shape the world around them.”

Dr. Halverson's  background in computer science and programming still informs her teaching, giving students a perspective that connects abstract reasoning with practical applications.

Why should a family consider Saint George? “Families who come here find more than academics. They find a culture that prizes excellence, respect, and the joy of learning — a place where students grow into their best selves.”

Her favorite East Village spot? Mamoun’s Falafel on St. Mark’s Place, a classic neighborhood staple.

Few teachers can match the breadth and longevity of Mr. Puliafito, who has been teaching at Saint George Academy since 1981. Over the years, he has taught biology, chemistry, earth science, computers, and even physics, bringing his deep background in science and technology into every classroom.

A native New Yorker, Mr. Puliafito grew up on the East Side and still lives in the same building where he was raised. He studied pre-med on a scholarship at St. Francis College in Brooklyn and later earned a master’s degree in educational technology from NYIT. His career included more than 50 years designing curriculum, training teachers in technology, and working with institutions such as St. Francis, NYIT, and Touro College.

His passion for education began in high school, when he volunteered at a shelter for children run by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. “Their needs were so much greater than my own,” he recalls. “That experience changed me forever.”

At Saint George, he values the sense of community above all. “Here it is more like family. Teachers work together, we respect one another, and we love the students. The students are personable, they give you energy, and that energy makes you want to teach.”

Outside of teaching, Mr. Puliafito’s life has been as colorful as the East Village itself. He studied acting through the Meisner technique at Carnegie Hall, appeared in several films (including an NYU project that won a summer festival award), and was once up for a role in The Godfather.

For decades, his favorite spot was Kiev, the legendary diner once on the corner, where he ate breakfast daily. Today, he splits his time between Manhattan and a home in Fishkill, though his heart — and his teaching — remain firmly rooted in the East Village.

“The reason I’ve stayed here so long is simple — the students. They are bright, personable, and full of potential. They’re the reason Saint George feels alive.”