New Staff Spotlight and Faculty Feature | Ms. Keller, Mr. Kurbakov, Ms. Pouliot, Mr. Tsouristakis

Ms. Kayla Keller, our Admissions Coordinator, earned her degree in Bio Pre-Med at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. Afterwards, Ms. Keller worked in the Bronx both as a Seton Teaching Fellow and as a recruiter for the program. Catholic education has been a huge gift in her life, and her role in Admissions will help families who desire to give that gift to their children, just as her parents were able to do for her. 

Ms. Keller shares, “Given that I am brand new to Cathedral, I am most excited to learn about the school—its culture, history, and students and staff—and to tell the story of the school effectively and honestly, and prepare new students to enter into the community with ease, peace, and confidence.” We are so excited for Ms. Keller to represent Cathedral for all prospective students!

Mr. Sergey Kurbakov, a new science teacher, studied mathematics at Hunter College and is excited for the challenge of capturing his students' excitement and interest in physics. He explains that “physics is compelling to me due to the myriad of applications that it has in our society… It's life changing, because of the gradual perspective shift that happens as a result of continual learning about the world around us.” Mr. Kurbakov also hopes to learn more about his students, their personalities, and the dynamics of the school, and we wish him the best for his first academic year here at Cathedral!

Ms. Anastasia Pouliot, one of our math teachers, has nearly two decades of experience in education at both the secondary and tertiary levels. She double-majored in English and Physics, obtained her M.S. in Physics, and was even awarded a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Physics and Mathematics Education. In part, Cathedral’s all-girls environment attracted Ms. Pouliot to our school, as she has witnessed firsthand the heights which students reach in this academic setting. 

Ms. Pouliot’s dynamic passion both for words and for mathematics (made evident by her double-major) speaks volumes, as she shares: “The school’s dedication to academic excellence, especially in preparing young women from diverse backgrounds, resonates deeply with my passion for creating engaging, inclusive learning environments. It’s clear that Cathedral is more than just a place of learning—it’s a place where students can grow into confident, independent thinkers ready to take on the world, and I am excited about the possibility of contributing to this mission. What excites me most about teaching mathematics is the ability to open students’ eyes to the beauty and logic of mathematics and of the world around them. Witnessing those “aha” moments when a student grasps a challenging concept is incredibly rewarding and fuels my passion for teaching. I love mathematics, and my passion is infectious!”


Mr. Anthony Tsouristakis graduated from Queens College with a Masters Degree in History and, as one of our history teachers, is inspired by Cathedral’s dedication to helping students to “thrive academically and personally.” He is eager to learn from his students' diverse perspectives and experiences and hopes to inspire curiosity in his classes. 

Mr. Tsouristakis shares a thoughtful reflection on the importance of learning history: “History is a vast tapestry of interconnected stories and events. Every period and every civilization offers new perspectives on the human experience. I am fascinated by how societies navigate change, overcome challenges, and shape the world around them. Each thread in the tapestry helps us understand where we have come from, and we can learn from our past to better prepare ourselves for the future.” We are confident that his passion for his subject will inspire his students!

We are so blessed to have these new faculty and staff members as part of our Cathedral family!