2026

The Ariane Dewey Dannasch Empathetic Elementary Educator Award: Judy Brandwein

We are beyond proud to celebrate our very own Ms. Judy, as the recipient of The Ariane Dewey Dannasch Empathetic Elementary Educator Award ($1,000 and one of Ariane’s children’s books) given by Harley Spiller from Franklin Furnace. This honor so beautifully reflects who she is and how she shows up for our school community every single day. In true Ms. Judy fashion, this recognition isn’t just about the award itself, but about the love, care, and connection she pours into our students, families, and staff. She listens deeply, supports generously, and meets every child exactly where they are—with compassion, patience, and heart everyday! What makes this moment even more special is Ms. Judy’s decision to give her cash prize back to our school. This selfless act speaks volumes about her character and her commitment to our school. It’s a reminder that for Ms. Judy, the work has always been bigger than recognition—it’s about impact.

M. Lucy Militello, Principal, P.S. 889 Brooklyn

Judy Brandwein about to be surprised as the second recipient of Franklin Furnace’s Ariane Dewey Dannasch Empathetic Elementary Educator Award.

Harley Spiller presents Judy Brandwein with The Surprise, by George Shannon with pictures by Ariane Dewey and Jose Aruego. Photo by Principal Militello.

Judy Brandwein, known by the students of PS 889 as “Ms. Judy,” is officially the school’s social worker. Her office, full of bean bag chairs, motivational posters, and art supplies is a welcoming place for students who are feeling anxious, having a challenging day, or just need someone to talk to. But her efforts at PS 889 reach far beyond the usual responsibilities of a social worker. She has a long history of partnering with NYC cultural organizations to enrich the educational experiences of the children at her school. She has collaborated with Franklin Furnace for many years, providing amazing opportunities for students to work with artists in puppetry, comic book-making, video production and animation. She believes that “children can achieve success in many different ways. For some it’s math or science and for others it’s art, music, dance or theater. Providing these different avenues to excel develops a self-confidence that carries over into all areas of their lives.”

Judy was born and raised in Brooklyn. She attended Brooklyn College and received her MSW from Columbia University. Her earlier career was as a community organizer, working with tenant and block associations throughout New York City. She became involved in the schools as an active Parents Association volunteer, which eventually led to her employment with the NYC Department of Education. She was in the very first cohort of Parent Coordinators, and then became the coordinator of her school’s Magnet arts grant. After that, she took on the position of School Social Worker.

2025

The Ariane Dewey Dannasch Empathetic Elementary Educator Award: Ariane Dewey Dannasch

Created in loving memory of Ariane Dewey Dannasch, an award-winning author and illustrator, longtime friend of Franklin Furnace, Board of Directors and Visionaries Committee member, and teaching artist in our SEQuential ART for KIDS education program. The inaugural Ariane Dewey Dannasch Empathetic Elementary Educator Award, known as The Ariane was established in 2025 to honor Ariane’s legacy. A cash prize of $1000 will be awarded annually to a NYC public school elementary educator who embodies kindness, empathy, creativity, and dedication to student learning and exemplifies Ariane’s manifold talents and joyous spirit. Each recipient will also receive one of Ariane’s children’s books and a copy of This Is A Test, a film about her artist brother Ken Dewey.

Children’s Books by Ariane Dewey

The inaugural recipient is Ms. Iris Montagna of longtime Franklin Furnace partner school PS20 The Clinton Hill School, Brooklyn, New York. Ms. Montagna is depicted here receiving the surprise award, and her bio follows below.

Ms. Iris Montagna is a dedicated and passionate educator with a career spanning over four decades. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education, along with certifications in Science and Special Education. She also holds a common branch teaching license for grades Pre-K through 6. Ms. Montagna began her teaching journey in the private school sector during the 1980s before transitioning to the New York City public school system in 2001. Since then, she has taught in various public schools across Manhattan and Brooklyn, bringing her expertise and enthusiasm for learning to countless students.

For the past seventeen years, Ms. Montagna has been an integral part of the PS20, the Clinton Hill School community. She has taught multiple grade levels, including Pre-K, Kindergarten, and grades 1 through 4. At the start of the 2024 academic year, she embraced a new role as the library cluster teacher, where she continues to inspire students through inquiry-based learning and literature. Her approach integrates International Baccalaureate transdisciplinary themes that promote global mindedness, creativity, and curiosity.

Throughout her tenure at PS20, Ms. Montagna has fostered meaningful collaborations with visiting artists from Franklin Furnace, an organization committed to avant-garde and innovative arts education. She has had the privilege of working closely with the award-winning artist, performer, playwright, and educator Ms. Alva Rogers, who presents the Franklin Furnace SEQuential ART for KIDS program at PS20. This grant-funded initiative merges art, writing, and performance, cultivating students’ creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Ms. Montagna says, “I am deeply honored to be the inaugural recipient of the Ariane Dewey Dannasch Empathetic Elementary Educator Award from Franklin Furnace, an unexpected and prestigious award celebrating the legacy of Ariane Dewey Dannasch. I remain committed to fostering a love of learning, the arts, and exploration in students, ensuring they develop the skills and confidence to thrive in an ever-changing world.”