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This leadership team is arguably the most experienced in the nation, and many of them have worked together at Coleman Country for numerous years. Collectively, these teachers and coaches have been on The Ranch for more than 275 years! That MUST be a record! Five of them have been with the Colemans since the inception of the camp in 1982, several of whom were campers early on! Our reputation is based upon the excellence of our staff, and these people are the leaders of the leaders.
“Leadership by example” are our watchwords, and our Leadership Team is the ultimate model. Our staff personify sincerity in effort and endeavor, teaching our campers by example to strive for these ideals.
Our staff is the most essential and special ingredient in our gourmet recipe for happy camp experiences!
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Anna Coleman (no relation, but we would happily have her as part of our family!) has been at Coleman Country for 16 years, first as a counselor of the Pioneers (nursery through kindergarten girls and boys) and then as their supervisor. During the school year, she teaches kindergarten for the New York City Board of Education, and she holds a M.S. degree in education. Her three children have all “grown up” at camp with us; Jenna and Lindsay are former Coleman Country counselors and son Matt is a part of the Leadership Trainee program at Camp Echo.
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Michelle Koslow marks her 19th year at Coleman Country this summer! She began her tenure at Coleman Country as a Pioneer, our youngest camper, and now is a supervisor of this division! She also supervises our “Shadow” program for campers with special needs. Working her way through the ranks, Michelle has been a CIT, an assistant counselor, and a counselor. During the school year, she is a second grade Inclusion teacher in South Huntington. Michelle received her B.S. in elementary and special education and is currently working on her Master’s degree.
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Glenda Glassheim, known affectionately as Mrs. G., has been at Coleman Country since its birth. As assistant supervisor of the Pioneers, she, too, was a counselor in that division. In the winter months, Mrs. G. is an early childhood music teacher. She was graduated from Hofstra University and holds additional credits from Adelphi University. Her own children and grandchildren have been campers and staff members at various times in her 24-year career in Pioneer Village.
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Felicia Simon was a master counselor who currently leads the Scouts division, along with Lew Siegel. She is a 6-year veteran at Coleman Country, where her daughter, Samantha, is a 49er, and her son, Jake, is a former camper. An avid tennis player, skier, and coach, she knows how to make sure children have fun while being challenged to achieve their personal best. Felicia has a BA in sociology from Ithaca College. She is a former district manager for The GAP, where she was responsible for HR and retail operations for 12 stores.
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Lew Siegel is one of the original Coleman Country pioneers (original settler!) and has been a supervisor for most of that time. A retired New York City elementary school teacher, he holds degrees from CNY and Wayne State University. His wife, Karen, was also a supervisor before assuming a 12-month job as an elementary school principal. Their children Randi and Neil are both former counselors, and now their grandchildren Cole and Jesse are campers!
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Susan Schwartz and Andrew Richter are divisional directors of the Explorers, campers entering 3rd and 4th grades. Susan is a first grade teacher in the South Huntington School District. Her 11-year tenure at Coleman Country includes several years as a counselor of this division. Son Michael is an assistant counselor, and daughter Marlee was not only a former camper but also a Cross Country camper and assistant counselor.
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Andrew Richter is co-supervisor of the Explorers. He has been at Coleman Country for 10 years, and during the school year is a health and physical education teacher at North Shore Middle School in Glen Head. He also is the North Shore High School varsity bowling and golf coach. He has a Bachelors degree in health and physical education from Adelphi University, where he is also earning his M.A.
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Margie Noble and Bob Ednick are divisional directors of our oldest campers, 5th-8th graders – the 49ers. They are assisted by Gary Spitzer and Dimitri Bernadel. Margie, who was a counselor first, has been at camp for 16 years. During the school year, she is a special education teacher in high school for the New York City Board of Education. Her grandson, Dylan, is a Coleman Country Camper.
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Bob Ednick, A.K.A. "Big Bob," is celebrating 16 years with Coleman Country. A teacher and coach for the New York City Schools, he has a B.A. in physical education and health and an M.A. in guidance and counseling from Long Island University. Children Marci and Mathew have been counselors, and granddaughter Hannah currently is a Coleman Country camper.
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Gary Spitzer, assistant supervisor of the 49ers, has been at Coleman Country for 25 years! He is a special education teacher and holds a B.A. from Baruch College and an M.A. from C.W. Post. Gary also has experience as a counselor, before having assumed supervisory responsibilities.
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Zach Lynn, Program Director, is celebrating his 20th summer at Coleman Country, having started at camp as a 7-year old. During the “off-season”, Zach is the Social Science Research Coordinator at Bronx High School of Science and an adjunct instructor of education at Mercy College. He holds a BA from Hofstra University and an MA from Columbia University, where he is currently a PhD candidate in political science and education. An active researcher, he has presented to audiences as diverse as camp professionals and practicing scientists. His mother, Adele, is a former counselor and his brother, Josh, a former camper and counselor at Coleman Country. |
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David Goldstein, on the leadership team since 1982, is the supervisor of Headquarters, our staff operations. A retired New York City teacher, he earned his B.A. and M.S. degrees in education from Brooklyn College. Sons Jason and Lance were both campers and counselors at Coleman Country.
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Kevin Freeman has been at Coleman Country for 11 years, and he is the aquatics supervisor. A speech pathologist in the New York City schools, he has a B.A. from Emerson College and a Master’s in speech and language from C.W. Post. Son Matt is an assistant counselor, son Marc is a C.I.T., and daughter Alyssa was an assistant counselor.
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Karen Landsman has been a member of the leadership team for 25 years and has held several different positions over the years. Currently she is supervisor of the specialists and the counselors-in-training. Retired, she was a third grade teacher, a kindergarten teacher, and the director of Temple Israel of Lawrence’s Nursery-Kindergarten Program. She has a degree from Hunter College. Husband Sy also is a supervisor at camp, and children Eric and Barry are former campers and staff members. Granddaughter Catie is a counselor-in-training and granddaughter Sarah is a camper.
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Sy Landsman is supervisor of safety at Coleman Country; he has been at camp in supervisory roles for 20 years. A retired educator in the New York City Public Schools, he has a B.S. in business. Sons Eric and Barry and granddaughters Catie and Sarah all have been or are Coleman Country staffers or campers!
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Dimitri Bernadel, supervisor of Clubs, has been at Coleman Country for 9 years, having held positions here since he was an assistant counselor. He also assists with 49ers. He has served as a mentor of best practices to other staff members. He holds a B.A. degree in political science from Binghamton University, and he is completing his M.S. in childhood education at Fordham University, where he is the resident director during the school year.
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Samara DeKaye is athletics supervisor, a position she has held for several years. She also was a counselor, and she currently is marking her 9th year at camp. A fourth grade teacher, she has a B.A. from C.W. Post and is earning her Master’s degree in special education from Long Island University.
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Peter Bloch, with more than a decade at Coleman Country, heads up the wagon train of buses as Supervisor of Transportation. Besides overseeing the pick-up and delivery of every camper at his or her home, Peter is an integral part of training our CDL-licensed drivers. A junior high school English teacher in the New York City schools, he holds a Bachelors degree in European history from SUNY Albany and an M.S. in education from Queens College. He and his wife, Francine, are parents of two campers, Isaac, Ethan, and baby Ariella Joy.
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