2023-24 Cahn Fellows & Their Allies

Dr. Amanda Ainley

New World Preparatory Charter School
Staten Island, New York
Ally: Randi Schafer

  • Dr. Amanda Ainley is serving her 8th year as the proud Principal of New World Preparatory Charter School (NWP) in Staten Island, New York. She joined New World Prep when it opened its doors 13 years ago as a founding teacher. Before becoming Principal, she served as the Director of School Organization, Assistant Academic Director, and Teacher Coordinator. Dr. Ainley is dedicated to creating an inclusive, academically challenging learning environment that enables all students to thrive. During her time as Principal, NWP expanded to a full Kindergarten - 8th Grade school and has received two consecutive 5-year renewals from the school’s authorizer, the State University of New York (SUNY). Her primary focus is supporting teachers in improving instruction to enhance student engagement and learning. She works collaboratively with the guidance department to support their work in developing the social and emotional skills of students. Dr. Ainley earned a BA with a double major in Psychology and Childhood/Special Education, and a MSEd in Teaching Literacy from Wagner College. She received her Advanced Certificate for Leadership in Education from the College of Staten Island. She obtained her Ph.D. in Education from Capella University with a focus in K-12 Studies.

Dr. Kelly Allen

Herff Elementary
San Antonio, Texas
Ally: Rosa Threeton

  • Dr. Allen received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Hampshire in Spanish and International Affairs. Later, she received her Master of Teaching from Schreiner University. Dr. Allen achieved her teacher certification in EC-4th grade and Bilingual Generalist. Dr. Allen’s passion for teaching and learning led her to pursue her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas San Antonio in 2021. Dr. Allen has been an educator since 2004, beginning her career in Comfort, TX. Dr. Allen served eight years in Comfort ISD as a Pre-K, 2nd & 3rd grade bilingual teacher. She then moved to Northside ISD and served as a Pre-K, 2nd, & 3rd grade bilingual/ESL teacher for five years. In 2017, Dr. Allen transitioned to San Antonio ISD as a Bilingual Instructional Specialist and then Bilingual Department Coordinator. In March 2019, Dr. Allen had the privilege to serve as principal of Herff Elementary School. Dr. Allen’s passions are founded in the belief that all students can learn at high levels. It's an honor to serve as an instructional leader and provide educators, students, and families the best opportunities that lead to academic excellence and a sense of belonging.

Stacy Arena

Davidsen Middle School
Tampa, Florida
Ally: Brandi Kane

  • Stacy Arena, a third generation Floridian and native of Tampa, has served as the principal at Davidsen Middle School in Hillsborough County Public Schools since 2017. She is proud and honored to serve her community as it has always been her passion to help others and work with children growing up. She followed in her mother’s footsteps when she graduated with an Elementary Education degree. Principal Arena is a product of Hillsborough County Public Schools, and has served this district in many capacities including math teacher, assistant principal, and principal since 1995. She prides herself on creating an inclusive environment for all learners and is not afraid to think outside of the box to make it happen. Her philosophies are to focus on the whole child and create ample opportunities for students to excel academically and socially. Her vision at Davidsen is to enhance the school experiences for all learners by putting systems in place to make sure all stakeholders feel safe, respected, and take responsibility for their learning. She encourages her students and staff to meet their fullest potential through a highly collaborative approach. This has resulted in a positive school culture that is directly linked to student achievement.

Kayode Ayetiwa

Health, Arts, Robotics and Technology High School (H.A.R.T)
Queens, New York
Ally: Iris Tamayo

  • Kayode, in 2016, became Principal of an urban struggling school on the shortlist for potential closure. Within one year, Kayode moved the graduation rate from 67 percent to 82 percent, a 15 percent increase. The graduation rate continued to increase yearly with a current rate of 95 percent and a college and career performance index (CCPI) rate of 91 percent. Additionally, he founded four Career Technical Education level programs in Robotics and Drone Engineering, Medical Assisting, Cybersecurity, and Cosmetology and Business Management. He also founded an Urban Agriculture program featuring hydroponics and aquaponics that has received approval and recognition by New York State. Notable achievements include being designated as a Chancellor's Master Principal, a high performing principal. Kayode is also a member of the Chancellor's Principal Advisory cabinet. He has served as a coach to both principals and aspiring principals on behalf of the First Deputy Chancellors office and the Office of Leadership. Finally, he was nominated and selected as a finalist to serve in the U.S. Secretary of Education’s National Governing Board. Kayode’s mission and passion is to take extraordinary measures to provide the rigorous academic foundation for the optimal success of our extraordinary students.

Wendy Baker

Moore Elementary
Arlington, Texas
Ally: Ravin Jackson

  • Wendy Baker was just recently appointed Principal at Mary Moore Elementary in Arlington ISD. Prior to that she led West Elementary School since 2015. She was the Assistant Principal at Beckham Elementary School in the Arlington ISD from 2012 to 2015. Wendy Baker was a special education teacher at Beckham from 2005 to 2012. She taught special education at Webb Elementary School in the Arlington ISD from 2003 to 2005. Wendy began her career as a deaf education teacher at Sam Houston and Martin High Schools in the Arlington ISD from 1991 to 1993. She holds a bachelor’s from TCU and a master’s from the University of Texas at Arlington. In June of 2023, she graduated from the esteemed,Texas based, Holdsworth Leadership Program where she worked with her leadership team to improve student outcomes whose learning was interrupted by the 2020 Covid pandemic. She believes passionately in the value of public school education and is dedicated to creating an environment where students and educators feel valued, supported, and challenged.

Dr. Linda Beck

Castle Heights Elementary School
Los Angeles, California
Ally: Miriam Cano

  • Linda Beck has been an educator with the Los Angeles Unified School District since 1983, having served as a Classroom Teacher, Instructional Advisor, Assistant Principal and most recently as the Principal at Castle Heights Elementary School which hosts both a School for Advanced Studies and a World Language Program. Linda graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Developmental Psychology and subsequently earned a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential, Masters and Doctoral Degrees from UCLA. Her dissertation, "Teacher Reflective Practice Documenting Reflection in a Teacher Collaborative Group," highlighted her interest in developing self awareness in both staff and students, a passion that has continued throughout her career. Linda is the principal at a large elementary school that attracts both neighborhood learners and scholars from across the west side of Los Angeles. Staff and families have developed a collaborative relationship that supports a sense of community, supportive of academic and social emotional growth. A Castle Heights event of note is ‘Campus Campout’ where staff and families pitch tents on the school grass and spend the night together! Linda and her husband Steve are the proud parents of three adult children, Matthew, James and Hannah.

Neil Beech

Gainesville High School
Prince William County, Virginia
Ally: Aubrey Quigley

  • Neil Beech grew up in England and attended Sheffield Hallam University to study Science Education. His time there ignited his passion to become a career educator and continue to learn and grow within the profession. In 2001, Neil began his career at Brenstville District High School as a Biology teacher in the Cambridge International Examination’s (CIE) program. During this time, he also provided professional development to teachers in schools offering CIE coursework on the east coast. Neil became Principal of Osbourn Park High School in 2010. During his ten years as principal, he worked to open access to advanced coursework for all students and developed systems to improve teachers' assessment practice across all curriculum areas. His work led to increased graduation rates and a significant increase in students’ Advanced Placement performance. He received a Milken Educator Award in 2011 and has continued to participate in activities associated with the Milken Foundation. In 2020, Neil was recognized as Prince William County School’s Principal of the Year. He was also named the first Principal of Gainesville High School, a newly constructed school in Prince William County, VA, where he currently serves as the proud Principal of the Gainesville Cardinals.

Jay Bland

Morris Brandon Elementary School
Atlanta, Georgia
Ally: Tameka Small

  • Jay Bland has been in education since 2005 and all within Atlanta Public Schools. His leadership and instructional journey took an unconventional route when Jay taught PE and Health in Middle School for 10 years prior to 9 years of elementary school administration. Jay credits his leadership development and success from his early years in scouting where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1999 and from coaching high school Varsity soccer from 2007-2014. In 2014, Jay was interviewed and hired to be the Assistant Principal at Morningside Elementary School where he spent the next three years learning everything about elementary school including instruction, how to build relationships, and, of course, learning from the incredible leaders around him. Following in his mother’s footsteps, who was a Principal within Atlanta Public Schools for several years, Jay applied for and was awarded his first Principal role in 2017 at Morris Brandon Elementary School, where he remains today. Morris Brandon Elementary School is in the heart of North Buckhead and serves students from Pre-k to 5th grade. Jay is excited to continue with his leadership journey as a Cahn Distinguished Principal Fellow in 2023.

Donna Bonanno

P.S. 060 Alice Austen
Staten Island, New York
Ally: Brigitte McCue

  • Donna Bonanno has served as an educator in the New York City Department of Education since September 1999. Throughout her career, she has served as a Classroom Teacher, Literacy Coach, Assistant Principal, and since 2014 has been the Principal of P.S. 60. Donna is an instructional leader who has created, with her staff, a warm and welcoming environment where all students feel safe and can see themselves in the curriculum. She believes every student has a voice and is to be a partner in their learning. Currently, Donna is on the New York State Blue Ribbon Commission that focuses on graduation requirements. Donna has a commitment to ensure all children have access to high quality education. She recognizes each child is an individual and respects their individual needs, making learning accessible to all. Donna believes a student’s academic success is fostered by positive relationships with peers, staff and parents. Under Donna's leadership, P.S. 60 was selected by the DOE as a pilot school for The Lighthouse Collaborative and will be a Lighthouse Collaborative school this upcoming year. P.S. 60 showcases their best practices in Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education and Social Emotional Learning for schools across the city.

Néstor Bravo

Charles M. Schenck Community School
Denver, Colorado
Ally: Vany Miramontes Marquez

  • Néstor Bravo is a school Principal in Denver, Colorado. Originally from Venezuela, he has been in the U.S. for the last 15 years–all 15 of which have been in education–with the past nine years dedicated to school leadership. Néstor has led Instructional Teams from ECE through 12th grades, including Advanced Placement classes and IB programs. He has also led the Athletic Department of a 4A Division High School and now is in his 6th year as a Principal of the only Dual Language Elementary School in the southwest of Denver. Néstor is a proud dad and husband. He is also a competitive Obstacle Course Race athlete who loves functional fitness and trail running. He is passionate about the future of our society beyond classroom instruction. Character development, compassionate leadership, and collective responsibility for bettering the future of our children are among his biggest motivations in educational leadership and in life.

Dr. Shawn Brown

EBC High School for Public
Service-Bushwick
Brooklyn, New York
Ally: Seneca Campbell

  • Shawn F. Brown, Ph.D., has been an educator in New York City for over 20 years. He has served as a Teacher, Dean, Assistant Principal, and Principal. Dr. Brown has led schools in some of the city's most economically challenged communities. His efforts have produced significant impacts on all quantitative metrics. Since 2011, Dr. Brown has served as Principal of E.B.C. High School for Public Service in Bushwick, Brooklyn. His theoretical framework as an educational leader combines Servant Leadership, Intersectionality, and Collaborative Leadership Theory. In 2012 the school was recognized for transitioning from a failing school to a school in good standing. As a scholar, Dr. Brown holds three Master's degrees (General/Special Education, Educational Leadership, and Urban Education), advanced certification in Africana Studies, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy. As an expert in quantitative data analysis, he supports doctoral students and various research projects. In addition, Dr. Brown teaches at Brooklyn College and mentors international students at Rutgers University. Raised by immigrant parents, he takes pride in modeling excellence for marginalized students from impoverished communities. He's most proud of being a man of faith, a husband, and father.

Douglas Burak

Leonides Cigarroa Elementary School
Dallas, Texas
Ally: David Villegas

  • In 1997, Douglas Burak graduated from Providence College with a B.S. Degree in Elementary and Special Education. Starting his teaching career in 1997, Doug worked as a public school teacher in Woonsocket, Rhode Island and then in Dallas, Texas. He later served as the math instructional coach from 2014 to 2016 while earning a Master’s Degree from Southern Methodist University in Educational Leadership. Since 2017, he has served as principal of Leonides Gonzalez Cigarroa Elementary School. Doug believes in the importance of building positive relationships and meeting the individual needs of all students. He loves the families in Dallas ISD, and he is especially grateful for the tremendous amount of community support in Northwest Dallas.

Ken Burdette

Park Hill Elementary School
Denver, Colorado
Ally: Katie Main

  • Ken has served as the proud principal at Park Hill Elementary in Denver since 2015. Prior to this role, Ken served as a high school principal and an assistant principal in a K-8 charter school. He has served in Denver since 2007. Ken's career began as a middle school teacher in Baltimore, Maryland, which led to an interest in educational leadership and an opportunity for advancement in the school system. With a passion for equity and building trusting relationships, Ken has been able to serve in a variety of roles over the course of his career. He is an advocate for his students and families, and has helped establish strong school communities in all schools in which he has been employed. Ken continues to see himself as a leader of students and educators, truly relishing the opportunity to work in school buildings and in positive, thriving school environments.

George Carter

P.S. 079 Francis Lewis
Queens, New York
Ally: Alycia Morell

  • George Carter has been principal at P.S. 79, the Francis Lewis school, since 2014. A St. John's University School of Education graduate, Mr. Carter has spent his entire career working in NYC schools. As principal, he has worked to improve student outcomes and the overall student academic experience. Mr. Carter believes in a student-centered approach to instruction that focuses on connections to real-world learning relevant to students’ lives. Students at P.S. 79 participate in a project-based learning curriculum tied to partnerships within the local community. Mr. Carter also believes the school community members are its most valuable resource, he works to tap into teacher and parent expertise to augment the school’s curriculum and provide real-world learning experiences for students. Staff and parent expertise are used to expose students to the opportunities surrounding them and help prepare them for college and career readiness. At P.S. 79, school culture is everything. Mr. Carter ensures students and staff find P.S. 79 a place they want to be by cultivating meaningful relationships and connections with the community. When not at work, George spends time with his wife, Danielle, two sons, Broderick and Baxter, and dog, Mabel.

Ryan Coors

Norwood Park Elementary School
Chicago, Illinois
Ally: Dr. Krista Rajanen

  • Ryan Coors is the Principal of Norwood Park Elementary. He believes that as leaders we should model the expectations we have for our students, staff, and communities. He also believes in partnering with staff and respecting their professional autonomy. Ryan finds inspiration in Simon Sinek’s response to leadership, “True leadership starts with distinguishing between being 'in charge' versus taking care of those 'in our charge”.” Ryan decided upon an educational career after his fourth-grade teacher encouraged him to join the profession during his sophomore year of college. In 2005 he began teaching kindergarten in Tucson Unified School District. In 2006 he taught at Clinton Elementary and during this time he became a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT). In 2015 Ryan was selected by the Chicago Leadership Collaborative in conjunction with New Leaders to be a Resident Principal at Burley Elementary. In 2016 he became Principal of Norwood Park. During his time at Norwood, he recertified his NBCT credential setting the tone for the level of instruction that is expected and delivered by the staff. One of his proudest accomplishments to date is building a culture where social, emotional, and academic instruction is balanced throughout the school day.

Gill Cornell

Williamsburg High School of
Architecture and Design
Brooklyn, New York
Ally: Giovanni D'Amato

  • Gill Cornell has been an educator for the New York City Department of Education since 1992 and the Principal of Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design (WHSAD for short) in Brooklyn, NYC, since 2009. As a high school ELA teacher, Gill spent the entirety of his career teaching both special education and general education students who struggled in reading and writing. Gill holds the belief that while his students struggled with reading, it is not necessarily appropriate to present literature that is below the grade level of the student. Instead, it is important to understand each individual student’s instructional needs and meet those needs so that students can both read and write about age appropriate literature. In fact, Gill often taught ninth graders an eleventh grade American Literature curriculum to great success. When Gill became Principal of WHSAD, he decided that his school would focus on the lowest performing students of NYC, giving them an equitable chance at academic success. Over time, Gill and his team developed a highly respected Architecture program that provides industry access to struggling students. In 2020, WHSAD became an honored recipient of the National Blue Ribbon Award in Recognition of Exemplary High School Performance.

Jessica Cruz-Pena

P.S./ IS 178 Holliswood
Queens, New York
Ally: Enesa Purisic

  • Jessica Cruz' roots are deeply embedded in the NYC public school system. As a product of the public schools, she learned of and from the diversity NYC has to offer. Throughout her years as a public school student she cultivated a passion for the arts, wisdom in the power of literacy, and a drive fueled by determination; a sense of grit that has paved her way throughout her educational career. In 2001 she started her educational career as a teacher in Spanish Harlem where she fueled her passion for the arts. In 2009 she transitioned to a central role. As a Literacy Coach for the Children First Network, Jessica supported several schools across the city providing tailored, strategically planned literacy-based professional development. In 2012 She became Assistant Principal of P.S. 154 in the South Bronx where she channeled her drive and determination to improve learning outcomes and social emotional wellness of her students. In 2016 Jessica became Principal of P.S./I.S. 178, The Holliswood School in Queens, NY. Throughout her principalship, Jessica has made her school a Showcase School, a pilot school for Hidden Voices curriculum, and a beacon for the development of the whole child. Transformative education is her fuel; equity is her mission.

Daniel de los Reyes

Charles R. Darwin Elementary School
Chicago, Illinois
Ally: Vanesa De La O

  • Daniel de los Reyes is an experienced educator and school Principal of Darwin Elementary. As a teacher, Daniel has been recognized on multiple occasions for having the highest academic growth amongst his students within his district’s network. During Daniel’s administrative tenure, Darwin Elementary has been able to reach the highest levels of achievement in academics, social-emotional learning environment, and arts programming. One of Daniel’s proudest accomplishments as Principal has been his mentorship of over 40 resident-teachers during his Principal tenure. As a servant leader, Daniel is driven by his passion to serve students, their families, and his staff and in providing the best dual-language education possible. As a Principal, his goals include creating a holistic approach to education while developing the human capacity of all students, staff, and families amidst an ever-changing educational landscape. In addition to his professional roles, Daniel is a proud husband and parent of three children--two of whom are students at the school he leads.

Katharine DeBenedictis

P.S. 198 Isador E. Ida Straus
Manhattan, New York
Ally: Talia Berger

  • Katharine DeBenedictis is the proud Principal of P.S. 198 in Manhattan. She enthusiastically took on the role in 2016, after serving as the Assistant Principal. Katharine started her journey in education while completing undergraduate studies in Human Services at George Washington University. While fulfilling an internship working with children with autism, Katharine discovered her passion for special education, leading her to graduate studies at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated with a Master’s of Arts in Early Childhood Special and General Education and went on to work in special education classrooms in New York City. Katharine completed the NYC Department of Education’s Leaders in Education Apprenticeship Program (LEAP). She was recognized as a 2019 Blackboard Award Honoree for Outstanding Principal. Not only is Katharine the leader of her school community, but a resident of the school’s neighborhood. Her weekend outings to the park or grocery store with her own children often become opportunities to connect deeply with P.S. 198’s students and families. She shares in their interests and priorities both in and outside of school. Katharine prides herself on creating a community in which joy and inclusion are the school’s core values and at the center of all learning.

Janine Dillabaugh

Eagleton Elementary
Denver, Colorado
Ally: Julio Gamba Vega

  • Janine A. Dillabaugh is a Principal at an elementary school in Denver Public Schools in Denver, Colorado. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs as well as her Master’s of Arts in Educational Equity and Cultural Diversity from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She completed her Principal Licensure through the University of Denver’s Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program. Prior to becoming a school leader, Janine served as an elementary school teacher in several metro Denver districts, with a passion for supporting and advocating for multi-language learners and their families. In addition to her Principal role, Janine is an Executive Coach dedicated to supporting instructional leaders in their growth and development. She has demonstrated her commitment to educational equity, distributive leadership, and coaching through her years of service in public schools. Janine and her husband Trevor, son Enzo, and daughter Estella live in Denver and enjoy time exploring sunny Colorado.

Matthew DiPrima

Burns Middle School
Tampa, Florida
Ally: Dawn Simon

  • Matthew DiPrima has been the Principal at Burns Middle School in Brandon, Florida since 2014. Prior to Burns, he was an Assistant Principal at Bartels Middle School in 2012 and opened Mulrennan Middle School as an Assistant Principal in 2003. All of the schools he previously served were high achieving "A" rated schools by the state of Florida. In 2002, he was the Director of the Florida Summer Migrant Institute at the University of South Florida. He obtained a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, (2002) and a Bachelor of Science in Social Science Education Degree (1993) from the University of South Florida. He was hired as a novice social studies teacher in 1993 at Tomlin Junior High and in 1995 transferred to Plant City High School. He is married with two children, enjoys traveling, watching Tampa sports teams and listening to Elvis Gospel Music.

Emily Feltes

North-Grand High School
Chicago, Illinois
Ally: Alexis Chapa

  • Emily Feltes currently serves as the proud Principal of North-Grand High School, a high-performing neighborhood Chicago Public School on the city's West Side. Emily has been the Principal of North-Grand since 2016. Prior to that, she was an assistant principal, curriculum coordinator, department chair, and teacher of English and English as a Second Language (ESL). Through her efforts, North-Grand has increased its graduation and freshman on track rates over the past decade to exceed District averages; she has decreased the drop-out rate drastically; and she continues to work with her team to improve college access and persistence for her students. Emily is a tireless advocate for English Learners and has spent the past decade building a strong bilingual program at North-Grand. She has had the privilege of teaching English Learners in Mexico, Cuba, and the Czech Republic, in addition to working with her bilingual community in Chicago. As she considers herself a life-long learner, Emily is currently working toward completing her PhD in Urban Education Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She also recently earned her superintendent endorsement and one day hopes to work with groups of principals to transform systems in an urban setting.

Camille Forbes

P.S. 206 Jose Celso Barbosa
Manhattan, New York
Ally: Enlly Paulino

  • Camille Forbes is the principal of P.S./M.S. 206 José Celso Barbosa, in District 4 in East Harlem, Manhattan. A native New Yorker, Camille has been a career educator since 1995, all of which have been spent in the East Harlem community. While attending Hunter College, she completed her student teaching in various schools in District 4. Her 6-year teaching career was spent at East Harlem Block School. Camille then became a Staff Developer/Literacy Coach at P.S. 206 where she not only provided professional development for the staff, but also facilitated workshops for educators throughout the district. In 2008, Camille became Assistant Principal and in 2011 she was promoted to Principal. During her tenure and under her leadership the school has expanded from a grades 3-5 elementary school to a grades 3-8 elementary and middle school…P.S./M.S. 206. The school is the only one in NYC that has a Dual Language NEST program (an inclusive dual language program for students on the autism spectrum). Camille strives to create and foster a school environment where students become independent thinkers, have a sense of identity and belonging, and know that their voice is heard and matters.

Simer Garcha

Pacoima Middle School
Los Angeles, California
Ally: Arum Han

  • Simer Garcha, born in Punjab, India, was the first female college graduate in her family, an achievement she credits to the unwavering support of her parents. She has always harbored a passion for education. Simer immigrated to the USA in 1996 and embarked on a fulfilling career by joining the Los Angeles Unified School District as a substitute teacher. In 2003, Simer found her true calling when she became a part of Pacoima Middle School, a Title 1 school that presented both challenges and opportunities. Simer wholeheartedly embraced her new school and worked tirelessly alongside her exceptional teachers and staff in various roles before becoming principal in 2016. Simer's dedication and collaborative efforts led to remarkable achievements for the school. Pacoima Middle School earned accolades such as WASC accreditation and the Magnet Schools of America distinction award. Recognizing the importance of community partnerships and environmental sustainability, Simer successfully secured a significant $800,000 CNRC grant. This grant will be utilized to establish outdoor reading gardens and contribute to tree plantation initiatives. Simer Garcha's dedication, resourcefulness, and collaborative approach are transforming Pacoima Middle School into a thriving institution, where students and staff are inspired and empowered to achieve their full potential.

Ana Garcia

Maywood Elementary
Los Angeles, California
Ally: Ana Padin-Torres

  • Ana Laura Garcia is the Principal of Maywood Elementary, a Title I public school in the Los Angeles Unified School District. She has been in education for the past 31 years, as a Teacher, Instructional Specialist, Title 1 Categorical Program Advisor, Instructional Coach, and Assistant Principal and now as Principal. With an unwavering commitment to innovation, she spearheaded the opening of the first Computer Science Magnet Elementary School in the region. Under Mrs. Garcia’s leadership, the school received the California Gold Ribbon, the California Title I Academic Achievement Award, was STEM certified, was recognized as a Top Los Angeles County Public School for Underserved Students by Innovate Public Schools, and was selected as a Practitioner School who models learning experiences that grant students opportunities to engage in future ready skills and computer science education on a daily basis. Mrs. Garcia’s commitment to equity and accessibility to computer science ensures that every student receives an equal opportunity to engage with cutting edge technology and digital resources, regardless of their socio-economic background. Guided by a LEADER vision, she challenges traditional norms, enabling young learners to explore the realms of coding, robotics, and computational thinking, setting the stage for students to become innovators and problem solvers.

Sarah Gilman

Garvanza Technology/Leadership Magnet
Los Angeles, California
Ally: Claudia Argueta

  • Sarah Gilman has been a principal at Garvanza Elementary Technology and Leadership Magnet (GETLM) since 2017. Prior to the principalship, she served as a National Board Certified passionate and innovative classroom teacher, Intervention Coordinator, Instructional Technology Specialist, and Assistant Principal. In Ms. Gilman's six years as a principal, she has led the school community with empathy, courage, and clarity of purpose. Under Ms. Gilman's leadership, the school has developed a shared mission and vision and launched the Technology and Leadership Magnet. Additionally, the school has been named an Instructional Technology Practitioner School, California Pivotal Practice School and Leader in me Lighthouse School. The school has also received the 'MAGI' award for professional development and the Leading Edge Ed Tech Award for school-wide implementation of transformational instructional technology. Most importantly, her leadership has created the conditions for individual and collective genius to flourish as the school community lives out the GETLM mission: Empowering Leaders by Educating Hearts and Minds.

Ayanna Greenidge

P.S./I.S. 266
Queens, New York
Ally: Liza Reyes

  • Ayanna D. Greenidge has served as the leader of P.S./I.S. 266Q since 2017. She has expertise in serving elementary and middle school grades under the same roof, fueling her commitment to making meaningful, long-standing community connections. After earning a B.A. in Psychology from New York University and a M.A. in Elementary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, Ayanna began her teaching career in 2006 at the Little Red Schoolhouse (Manhattan). A year later, she transitioned into serving students within the NYC Department of Education. Ayanna’s journey has included the following roles: Classroom Teacher & Literacy Coach (District 29 - Jamaica), Assistant Principal (District 30 - East Elmhurst), and Principal (District 26 - Bellerose). As a longstanding Queens educator, she loves supporting a beautiful tapestry of children and families, bolstering her passion for culturally responsive-sustaining education work. She also believes in the power of emotional intelligence, which was ignited while earning a M.Ed. in Public School Building Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University. Finally, Ayanna proudly plays the role of mom to Omari and Malcolm in Oceanside, NY. Identified by the moniker of OMANA, they all share a love of superheroes, amusement parks, and silly moments.

Twila Guajardo

Travis Early College High School
San Antonio, Texas
Ally: Shelly Lingo

  • Twila M. Guajardo is the proud principal of Travis Early College High School in San Antonio ISD. Travis ECHS is a high performing public charter school where 80% of scholars graduate with an associate degree from San Antonio College by the time they graduate high school. With 19 years of experience in K-12 education, Twila has served as a substitute, special education aide, teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal. She is passionate about removing barriers to student achievement and is wholeheartedly dedicated to building adult capacity to serve the needs of learners. She has worked in large urban and mid-size rural school districts at the middle and high school levels building systems that support professional learning and champion high expectations for all. Among her proudest team accomplishments are earning designations as a Level 1 and Level 2 High Reliability School and being recognized by College Board as an AP Honor Roll District for increasing minority enrollment and performance in rigorous AP courses. She has a Bachelor of Science from Texas Woman’s University, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin University and is pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Texas A & M Corpus Christi.

Dr. Althea Hammond

Ambrose Plamondon Elementary School
Chicago, Illinois
Ally: Deborah Berkman

  • Dr. Althea M. Hammond is a native of Chicago and is a proud product of Chicago Public Schools. Dr. Hammond has worked for Chicago Public Schools for the last 26 years. Her roles have included: Intermediate and middle school Math and Science teacher, Science Coach, School Counselor and Case Manager, School Business Manager, and Principal. Currently she is the Instructional Leader and Principal at Plamondon STEM Elementary School, a Lead Assessor with CPS DPQ, a Chicago Public Education Fund Professional Learning Community Leader, and an Adjunct faculty member at DePaul University in the Office of Innovative Professional Learning - providing professional development and consulting on the development and action of equity and social justice based educational practices in schools. Dr. Hammond believes that public education can be a “game changer” for children – assisting in providing equitable access to learning that will propel their lives forward to heights unknown. She says, “My job is to ensure that the teachers I lead, and the children who are served by my school, get the best I have to offer. This means I can’t be complacent. I have to continuously build my own capacity so that I can give my 110% daily."

Gerardo Hernandez

North Dallas High School
Dallas, Texas
Ally: Kayla Boyer

  • Gerardo Hernandez serves as the principal of North Dallas High School, embarking on his educational journey in 2006 as an elementary school teacher within Dallas ISD. His unwavering commitment to fostering student success and upholding teaching excellence has remained steadfast throughout his career. Gerardo proudly attained a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2006, further advancing his knowledge. In 2013, he achieved a significant milestone by obtaining a Master’s of Science in Educational Leadership from Texas Woman’s University. After cultivating a rewarding path as an educator, he embraced the role of an administrator. His professional journey led him to serve as an Assistant Principal at Roger Q. Mills Elementary School and Sam Tasby Middle School. Subsequently, he took the helm as principal at Edwin J. Kiest Elementary School and Thomas J. Rusk Middle School until 2023–marking a pivotal juncture in his career–transitioning to North Dallas High School. Among his notable accolades, Gerardo received recognition as Principal of the Year for the North Dallas Vertical Team, along with the distinguished title of Master Principal for a Secondary School in 2023. These honors underscore his remarkable contributions to education and reflect his enduring dedication to students.

Katiuska Herrador

Jones Academy Of Fine Arts and Dual Language Academy
Arlington, Texas
Ally: Ana De La Rosa

  • Katiuska Herrador has been an elementary school principal since 2012. She currently serves as Principal of the Jones Academy of Fine Arts and Dual Language in Arlington, Texas, where she led its transformation and opening in 2015. Before arriving in Arlington, she served as principal, assistant principal, instructional specialist and bilingual teacher in Irving, Texas. Katiuska graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree and obtained a Master of Education degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. She was selected to participate in “Improving Schools: The Art of Leadership” in 2014 and “Leadership: An Evolving Vision” in 2018 at The Principals’ Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She led a team of teacher leaders through the two-year Holdsworth Campus Leadership program and worked as a Field Supervisor for aspiring school administrators for the University of Texas at Tyler. Katiuska is actively involved with the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association and serves as a mentor to 1st year principals. She is passionate about language and culture education, arts integration, leadership development, and bringing the fun to schools. In Katiuska’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two daughters and watching them perform and play sports.

Maria Herrera

Sylmar Academy Biotech
Health/Eng Magnet
Los Angeles, California
Ally: Mariela Flores

  • Maria Herrera is the founding principal at Sylmar Biotech Health & Engineering Magnet and has been an educator with the Los Angeles Unified School District since 1997. She strongly believes in giving back to her community and proudly serves in her hometown. As the first person in her family to attend college, she understands the impact public education has on underserved populations and wants to ensure students in these communities receive a quality education. She graduated from Occidental College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Teaching. She went on to pursue a second Master’s Degree in School Administration at California State University, Northridge and attended USC's Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership Program. Principal Herrera’s students consistently exceed a 95% graduation rate, with the Class of 2023 achieving a 100% graduation rate. Her school implements a Linked Learning approach with a focus on STEM pathways. As such, students experience hands-on learning and real-world application through internships. Furthermore, the Lemelson-MIT Program recognized her school as a 2022-23 InvenTeam. These opportunities for students align with her vision to create a strong STEM pipeline and graduate highly qualified students of color to enter the STEM workforce.

Dr. Patricia Hurrieta

Grant Ranch ECE-8 School
Denver, Colorado
Ally: Sandra Castor

  • Dr. Patricia Hurrieta has been with the Denver Public Schools since 1993 and brings 30 years of extensive experience with culturally-responsive educational leadership to her role as Principal of Grant Ranch School. Previously, Patricia served as the Executive Director of the Culture, Equity, and Leadership team, and a variety of other roles. As the Principal at Godsman, Patricia developed and implemented an innovation plan that focused on the language development of all students. As a result, achievement increased to meet expectations and more importantly, ensured the biliteracy of students matriculating in 5th grade. Patricia creates organizational structures that ensure English Language Learners (ELL) have access to linguistically-diverse learning environments and are engaged through exceptional instructional strategies that facilitate seamless English language acquisition. With a team of educators in four Colorado districts, Patricia worked to create a Seal of Biliteracy for students attaining college-level biliteracy in multiple languages. Patricia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Bilingual/Multicultural Education, a Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Her research focused on the characteristics of principals who serve in schools with predominantly ELL populations that outperformed comparable schools.

Kimberly Jahn

South Tampa Academy at
Monroe Middle Magnet
Tampa, Florida
Ally: Katherine Pettit

  • Kimberly W. Jahn joined the team at Monroe Middle School in April of 2022. She is a former exceptional student education (ESE) teacher who taught students with behavioral disabilities, grades K-12. If asked, she will tell that teaching this challenging population of students was her mission. Mrs. Jahn is a proud product of Hillsborough County Schools and most of her time teaching was spent in Eastern Hillsborough County. While at Brandon High School, Mrs. Jahn was the Head Coach for Varsity Softball. Mrs. Jahn relocated to Clay County, Florida where she continued working in ESE classrooms and coaching softball while completing her graduate studies at the University of Florida. Mrs. Jahn earned her Master of Education Degree in Educational Leadership and assumed her first Assistant Principal position in 2007. Upon return to Hillsborough County Public Schools in 2008, Mrs. Jahn served as an ESE Staffing Coordinator, Site Administrator at Mendez Exceptional Center, Assistant Principal at McLane Middle School, and Principal of Dorothy Thomas School. She resides in Valrico with her husband Kevin. Mr. and Mrs. Jahn's favorite thing to do is TRAVEL! They plan to sell their home and become full time RVers upon retirement.

Lourdes Jimenez

Ruben Salazar Elementary
Bilingual Center
Chicago, Illinois
Ally: Ana Rodriguez

  • Lourdes Jimenez is entering her 15th year as the proud Principal of Ruben Salazar Bilingual Education Center in Chicago. 32 years ago, Lourdes began her career as a classroom teacher. Since the first day that Lourdes entered the doors of Salazar, she has made it her mission to provide a nurturing learning environment where marginalized students are offered a high quality and holistic curriculum and where families feel welcomed and supported. One of her recent accomplishments includes the designation as an Independent Schools Principal (ISP), a recognition given to principals performing at the highest level. Recognized for her leadership skills, Lourdes served as a mentor for principals within CPS. Driven by her desire to provide all students with an elite education, Lourdes established a dual language program at Salazar. As an immigrant child of working class parents, the Dual Language Program resonates with her. The program empowers students to become biliterate and bicultural, while strengthening their identity and building cultural awareness. Lourdes is a dedicated lifelong learner who consistently seeks professional development to strengthen her educational acumen and leadership ability. She firmly believes that every student deserves a rich education and is committed to fostering a nurturing environment.

Ian Jones

Denver Online
Denver, Colorado
Ally: Dr. Nadia Coleman

  • Ian is an experienced education professional and has served as the principal of Denver Online since 2014. With over 22 years of experience, his background includes teaching, instructional technology, and leadership. Under his guidance, Denver Online has grown from serving 135 students in grades 9-12 in 2014 to 630 students in grades 6-12 in the 2022-23 school year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ian successfully transitioned Denver Online to a fully online model. Looking ahead, the school is preparing to return to a personalized blended learning approach in the upcoming 2023-24 school year. Ian has consistently achieved positive outcomes, with Denver Online earning favorable ratings as part of the Colorado School Performance Framework. Over the years, he has prioritized whole-child and trauma-informed programming, as well as increased student participation in concurrent enrollment options. Ian's expertise lies in continuous improvement, change management, instructional systems design, and leveraging the flexibility of digital education for student success. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the UNC-Asheville and a Master's Degree in Instructional Systems Design from the UNC-Wilmington. Ian and his wife, both educators, reside in the Denver metro area with their two sons, one of whom is a Junior at Denver Online.

Dr. Heather Karuza

Nathaniel Narbonne High School
Los Angeles, California
Ally: Dr. Lavon Flowers

  • Dr. Heather Karuza has served as the Principal at Nathaniel Narbonne High School in Harbor City, CA since 2022. Previously, she served as Principal of Alexander Fleming Middle School in Lomita, CA from 2019 to 2022. She received her PhD from Claremont Graduate University in 2014, where she studied education with an emphasis on urban school leadership. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics (2003) and a Master of Education Degree from UCLA (2004), as well as a Master of Arts Degree in Education Administration from Cal. State, Dominguez Hills (2010). Heather is an avid driver of educational development through the use of technology and data analysis. Heather is a Level 2 Google Certified Educator, an expert in the use of Google Apps for Education, and she also is a Microsoft Innovative Educator. Heather previously worked as the Assistant Principal at King/Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science. Prior to that, she was at Thomas A. Edison Middle School as an Assistant Principal, Math Instructional Coach, and Math Teacher. Heather has been an adjunct professor for the Cal. State Dominguez Hills Graduate School of Education since 2015, teaching graduate students seeking to earn an administrative credential.

Dr. Joi Kilpatrick

William Boyd Elementary School
Atlanta, Georgia
Ally: Jahmal Fagan

  • Dr. Joi C. Kilpatrick entered the education field over 19 years ago as a fourth-grade teacher with the DeKalb County School District. Dr. Kilpatrick served as an assistant principal for four years. After serving the DeKalb County School District for 13 years, she became the proud Principal of William M. Boyd Elementary School in the Atlanta Public School System. During her tenure as Principal, she has seen significant growth based upon the Georgia Milestones Assessment. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Kilpatrick aligned her efforts with supporting teachers through remedial instructional strategies, as well as their emotional wellness. By focusing on emotional wellness, she implemented the use of Community Circles to ensure that all staff members are connected beyond work, and function as a family unit. With the use of Community Circles, Dr. Kilpatrick garnered significant gains on state mandated assessments in all subject areas and excelled with staff engagement surveys, such as Gallup. Dr. Kilpatrick is a proud graduate of Spelman College, where she received her bachelor's degree in elementary education. She is also a graduate of Clark-Atlanta University and Brenau University, where she received her doctoral degree in Elementary Education.

Amy Klimowski

Jonathan Burr Elementary School
Chicago, Illinois
Ally: Kayla McCabe

  • Amy Klimowski has been the Principal of Jonathan Burr Elementary School located in the Bucktown neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois since 2017. During her tenure at Burr, she has led the school to be one of only two Personalized Learning Demonstration Sites in the entire city. She has been an educator for over 24 years, all within Chicago Public Schools. Amy started her career on the northwest side of the city in an underserved community as a classroom teacher before becoming the literacy coach, curriculum coordinator, and eventually the Assistant Principal of that same school. Beyond school leadership, Amy has served in many mentoring roles within the district. She is a member of CPS’ Principal Eligibility Assessor team and she has mentored three first-year principals. Amy currently serves as a mentor principal who works directly with a Resident Principal. She also was named a Chicago Public School “Game Changer” in 2022. Amy is passionate about building a school community that embraces diversity and “chooses kind.” When you walk the halls of Burr, you can hear her laugh before you see her.

Kasie Longoria

Hill Elementary
Arlington, Texas
Ally: Cheryl Stevenson Postlewate

  • Kasie Longoria has been the Principal at Hill Elementary in Arlington ISD in Arlington, Texas since 2017. Prior to this role, Kasie served as an Assistant Principal and Principal Fellow in both Arlington ISD and Dallas ISD. Through intentional relationship building, putting kids first, and creating systems for change, Kasie was able to take Hill Elementary from a C rated school to an A rated school in the course of the last 5 years. In addition, Kasie has been named Rookie Principal of the Year and Principal of the Year for Arlington ISD. She has worked in administration for 10 years and received Teacher of the Year prior, while she was an elementary teacher in Wylie ISD. She studied elementary education at the University of North Texas. Additionally, she attained her principal licensure through Dallas Baptist University where she got her Masters in Educational Leadership. She currently lives in Oak Cliff in Dallas, Texas with her husband and daughter who she adopted in September of 2022.

Clare Lundquist

University Prep - Steele St.
Denver, Colorado
Ally: Monique Chavez

  • Clare Lundquist is the Principal of University Prep Steele Street. She began her career in education in 2011, starting as a teacher, and then moving into instructional leader, Dean of Academics, and Principal roles. At the beginning of her career she was a founding Kindergarten and 1st grade teacher in Newark, NJ. Clare leveraged this experience to eventually be a founding Dean and then Principal of University Prep Steele Street, a turnaround school in Northeast Denver. In the first year of turnaround, University Prep Steele Street had the #1 growth score across all schools in Colorado in mathematics, and the #8 growth score across all schools in Colorado in ELA. Throughout her time at University Prep Steele Street, the school has consistently scored in the top two tiers of the state School Performance Framework, most recently achieving a green rating. Through intentional coaching cycles and data analysis protocols with her instructional leadership team, over 70% of University Prep Steele Street's kindergarten through second graders were at or above grade-level in the 2022-2023 school year. Clare believes in academic excellence for all children and is deeply committed to the work of developing leaders and teachers in service of scholars.

Dr. Mark Marinoble

Cedar Point Elementary School
Prince William County, Virginia
Ally: Haylee Foor

  • Dr. Mark Marinoble is currently in his tenth year as the proud principal of Cedar Point Elementary in Bristow, VA. He previously served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Driven by the belief that constructivist learning enhances engagement, motivation, joy, and resilience, Mark encourages students and staff to embrace experimentation, collaboration, and risk-taking. Under Dr. Marinoble's guidance, Cedar Point has implemented various initiatives to support students' academic and social-emotional growth. Notably, he spearheaded the creation of the Tech Lab at Cedar Point in partnership with Qualcomm and Virginia Tech, establishing one of the pioneering elementary makerspace labs on the east coast. Since its inception in 2017, the Tech Lab has welcomed over 7,000 visitors, engaging them in STEM activities and inspiring future careers in the field. Drawing inspiration from John Wooden, Mark also developed the Cedar Point Champion Pyramid, promoting positive citizenship among students. A teacher at heart, Mark serves as a mentor to other principals and teaches School Law to aspiring administrators as an adjunct professor. Mark earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Virginia Tech, a Master's degree in Administrative Leadership from the University of Virginia, and a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Virginia Tech.

Joseph Martinez

Carpenter Community Charter
Los Angeles, California
Ally: Melodie Hong

  • Joseph P. Martinez has been serving public schools in Los Angeles since 1991, and he has been the principal of Carpenter Community Charter in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) since 2009. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Loyola Marymount University. He obtained his Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential and Master Degree in Educational Leadership and Policies Studies from California State University, Northridge. Throughout his tenure with LAUSD, he has served as a Youth Services Director, Classroom Paraprofessional, Teacher, Mentor Teacher, Math Coach, Elementary Instructional Specialist, Assistant Principal, and Principal. Joseph leads one of the largest high-performing elementary schools in LAUSD. Carpenter Community Charter consistently exceeds District and State benchmarks across all metrics and was recognized in 2018 as a California Distinguished School and Exemplary Arts Award school. He encourages students and staff to meet their fullest potential by providing an environment that is safe, values diversity, and encourages problem-solving collaboration. Since 2010, Joseph’s school has had an international exchange partnership with a European University that involves student teachers who come to Los Angeles to be mentored by Carpenter teachers and share best practices. In 2016, Joseph received the California Distinguished Educator Award by California State University, Los Angeles.

Yvonne Martinez

Baskin Elementary
San Antonio, Texas
Ally: Monica Ramirez

  • Yvonne Martinez has served the SAISD community since 2003 in the following capacities: teacher, instructional coordinator, assistant principal, associate principal, principal, and principal mentor. Yvonne, a San Antonio native, graduated from Antonian College Preparatory High School and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a specialization in Early Childhood Education and Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She believes that all children can achieve at high levels when teachers are supported and empowered, and partnerships with parents, families, staff, and community members are formed. Yvonne is a servant leader and lifelong learner with a passion for teaching and learning, excellence and equity in education, and fostering shared leadership and accountability.

Dr. Gloria Martinez

Lorenzo De Zavala Elementary
San Antonio, Texas
Ally: Wendy Bermudez

  • Dr. Gloria Jean Martinez, a native of San Antonio, Texas, proud daughter and granddaughter of Mexican immigrants. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Our Lady of the Lake University, then a Master’s and a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She holds a Texas Superintendent Certification. Dr. Martinez spent 17 years in Edgewood ISD as a bilingual teacher, literacy teacher, instructional facilitator, assistant principal, and principal. During her first principalship, she led Loma Park Elementary to receive 5 Distinction Designations 2 years in a row from the Texas Education Agency. In 2017, Dr. Martinez took a principal position with San Antonio ISD, at Sarah King Elementary, an improvement required school where she spent 3 years. In her 1st year, she assisted in getting the school out of improvement required. In 2020, she received a promotion that took her to Pleasanton ISD serving as the Director of School Support. Dr. Martinez is beginning her 24th year in education and currently serves as the principal at De Zavala Elementary with San Antonio ISD. She is a lifelong learner, passionate about providing a quality education and building relationships with students, staff and community.

Kristin McHugh

The Richard Hungerford School
Staten Island, New York
Ally: Michel Rueda

  • Kristin McHugh is the proud principal of 721R, The Richard Hungerford School. The Hungerford School is a NYC D75 school that provides highly specialized instructional support for students with significant challenges such as autism, multiple disabilities, and intellectual disabilities. The school has 500 students across 10 sites on Staten Island. These sites range from special classes in general education buildings to agency settings. The middle and high school students are all alternate assessment students who learn academics based on NYS Next-Gen Standards and Activities for Daily Living. Principal McHugh started teaching special education in a 12:1:1 class of students with limited verbal and cognitive abilities. During that time, she learned the importance of an IEP team and the work of Related Service Providers. She believes in the importance of every student having the ability to self-advocate, verbally or through AAC. She understands the role schools play in ensuring students receive a quality education that will prepare them with the skills they need to be successful. These skills include not only academics but also Activities for Daily Living skills and vocational skills. The students receive a balance of academics and diverse work opportunities and know the importance of being reciprocal members of their community.

Marisa Mendez

Nelson Early Childhood Education Center
San Antonio, Texas
Ally: Valerie Castillo

  • Marisa Mendez is a passionate early childhood educator who serves as the Founding Principal of Nelson Early Childhood Education Center in SAISD. Marisa is a proud alumna of St. Mary's University. She earned a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from the UTSA and Master's Degree in Special Education from Texas A&M. She also holds a Texas Superintendent Certificate. Marisa has served Title I schools in various capacities ranging from Assistant, Pre-K Teacher to Vice Principal. During her first principalship, Marisa led Kindred Elementary to accountability improvements earning Five Distinction Designations from the Texas Education Agency. Marisa was the inaugural recipient of The David Chavarria Award, which honors the hard work of a leader who shows Excellence in Early Childhood and that exceeds expectations contributing to the success and growth of the City of San Antonio Head Start program. It is her belief that all children deserve high quality early learning experiences. Marisa treasures the lessons learned from families and students served, especially those from her two sons: RJ and William. Adopting her eldest when he was a five-year-old rambunctious student, shifting her from his teacher to mommy.

Marisa Miranda

Glenkirk Elementary School
Prince William County, Virginia
Ally: Diane Fernandez

  • Marisa Miranda is the principal at Glenkirk Elementary in Gainesville VA. Miranda is a student-focused leader whose educational philosophy is “every student, every day.” Miranda was born and raised in the Philadelphia area. A proud military spouse, she has lived with her husband and son in several areas of the United States and overseas. In 2003, Miranda began her educational career in Darmstadt Germany where she learned the meaning of how integral the school is to the community when faced with adversity. Miranda taught in Fairfax County Public Schools and continued her teaching career, and ultimate transition into leadership, in Prince William County Public Schools. Miranda has taught grades first through fifth in her career and served in Prince William as an Assistant Principal and Principal. In 2017, Miranda became principal at Glenkirk Elementary School, and over the course of the last six years, made it a place where students and staff can collaborate and find new and innovative ways to accomplish all things. Eager to share her knowledge and experience with others, Miranda has presented at several conferences, with the most recent on the topic, “Current Practices in Evidence Based Literacy Instruction from the Field.”

Nishira Mitchell

Adams Middle School
Tampa, Florida
Ally: Nadia Morley

  • Nishira Mitchell, Principal of Adams Middle School since 2019, started her educational career in 2006 as a high school teacher in Leon County. Shortly thereafter, Nishira relocated to Tampa where she began her career with Hillsborough County in 2008. She is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University with a B.A. Degree in Social Science and Teacher Education (2005). While teaching full-time and serving as Senior Class Sponsor, Mrs. Mitchell earned her M.Ed. from University of South Florida in 2010 as well as promotion to Assistant Principal for Student Affairs. A short time later, she earned a promotion to Assistant Principal for Magnet Curriculum. In 2016, she was the first leader from her school district to have her proposal titled “Diversity and Achievement in an International Baccalaureate Program in an Urban Area” presented at an IB Conference. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, she believes in uplifting the community through service. Nishira is dedicated to disrupting barriers that interfere with equity in education. Nishira believes that restorative practices in schools can increase positive relationships while increasing access to a culture for learning focused upon equity. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and children.

Tiffany Momon

Cascade Elementary School
Atlanta, Georgia
Ally: Terri Lewis

  • Principal Tiffany Barron Momon has been a principal since 2018. She is currently the Principal of Cascade Elementary School in Atlanta, Georgia, where the motto is "Growing from Good to Great." Principal Momon began her professional journey as an educator in 2000 with the district that formally educated her as a former student, Atlanta Public Schools. She is a graduate of Spelman College. Principal Momon has a special love for her native town and the students that reside within the Atlanta city limits. She believes that all scholars can thrive when provided the resources, opportunities, and skills needed to be successful. Principal Momon loves working with at-risk youths and communities. She considers herself a change agent and thrives in situations that are conducive for a positive change. During her tenure as Principal of Cascade Elementary, she and her team worked collaboratively to ensure that the school received the International Baccalaureate Authorization and exited the State of Georgia's School Turn Around List, among other achievements. Although Principal Momon has accomplished many goals during her tenure, she is committed to continuing the work to improve academic performance and conditions for the students of Atlanta and beyond.

An Nguyen

Ford Boulevard Elementary and
Dual Language Academy
Los Angeles, California
Ally: Maria Garcia

  • An Nguyen is the principal of Ford Boulevard Elementary School & Dual Language Academy located in East Los Angeles, California. Returning to Ford represents a full circle for An, who started as a teacher at the school twenty-one years ago. An has held numerous positions servicing diverse communities in LAUSD. She was a National Board Certified Teacher in 2006, and as a principal, started the Spanish Dual Language program at her first school in 2018. She has consistently demonstrated her commitment to biliteracy, bilingualism and cultural proficiency. Under her leadership, Ford achieved a historic milestone as the first school in LAUSD to be awarded the CABE (California Association for Bilingual Education) Seal of Excellence. It reflects the program’s distinction in promoting academic excellence by celebrating diversity, multilingualism and multiculturalism. Born in Vietnam, she escaped with her family as an infant, and spent years in a refugee camp before immigrating to and settling in the Los Angeles area. She attended public schools, which fueled her unwavering belief in the transformative power of public education. She continued her studies at UCLA and is a “double Bruin” with a degree in Economics and Masters in Education from the Teacher Education Program.

Jackson Nicolas

Earlington Heights Elementary School
Miami, Florida
Ally: Romano Vargas

  • Jackson Nicolas is a recognized thought leader, educator and facilitator who has dedicated his professional career to education. Since 2001, he has served in a variety of roles as a teacher, academic dean, assistant principal and principal receiving various accolades for his accomplishments. Principal Nicolas also adds the distinguished honor of being Miami Dade County Public Schools’ 2022 Principal of the Year. Nicolas is an executive lead principal that provides principal coaching, mentoring and professional development for teachers, school leaders and parents. Utilizing his rich background in educational administration, instructional leadership, classroom and behavior management, he facilitates workshops that focus on the power of relationships and social emotional responsiveness (SER). He has helped countless educators and schools break away from their traditional discipline models to one that creates both a responsible climate and responsible students. In his workshops, Nicolas shares research-based, practical strategies to improve school leadership, student achievement and classroom management that align with his belief in “Leading with Senses” as his guiding principles. He has provided keynote addresses promoting these principles and plans to present on a national circuit. Principal Nicolas is on a mission to share his knowledge and wisdom with the world to inspire people to reach greatness!

Pierre Orbe

DeWitt Clinton HS
The Bronx, New York
Ally: Jaylene Lorenzana

  • Pierre Orbe is a first generation American born to Ecuadorian parents. Born and raised in New Jersey, he graduated from Drew University with a Bachelor’s in Neurobiology. His goal was to attend medical school so that he might ultimately learn to help his older brother, who is autistic. Pierre’s father suggested he work as a teacher while earning the money to go to medical school. Pierre quickly realized this was a direct opportunity to impact students with learning disabilities. He was subsequently accepted into NYU as a Goldman Sachs Fellow and achieved his Masters in Science Education. After 10 years as an Assistant Principal at Talent Unlimited, he accepted the offer of a principalship at DeWitt Clinton High School, the third principal the school had hired that same academic year. DWCHS was on the state closure list with a 46% graduation rate, and less than 23% of students achieved college credits. Pierre mentored a new generation of assistant principals, and together they turned around DWCHS. The class of 2023 boasted a 97% graduation rate, with over 90% of students having achieved college credits. DWCHS is focused on having all eight pathway programs CTE certified while raising parental involvement in student affairs.

Marie Orth-Sanchez

Dr. Carlos J. Finlay Elementary
Miami, Florida
Ally: Lynda Garcia

  • Marie (Lena) Orth-Sanchez enters her 8th year as the proud principal of Dr. Carlos J. Finlay Elementary (CJF). CJF is an award-winning Title 1 school in the Miami-Dade County Public School District (MDCPS) which implements a dual language program and serves as a professional development school for Florida International University (FIU). Lena collaborates with FIU’s School of Education to develop and mentor the next generation of highly effective educators and has cultivated relationships with other FIU departments to maximize opportunities for her students. Lena also created an innovative program called FIU Jr. Scholars wherein students periodically visit the FIU campus to experience state-of-the-art resources. This program also allows students to broaden the scope of what they see as possibilities for their futures. Lena is an inspirational leader that motivates students and staff alike to strive for their personal best. She creates a positive school culture through shared leadership and promotes continued academic success through data-driven decision-making. Lena also worked with MDCPS as an assistant principal and English teacher. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from FIU and Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. She has been married 31 years and has three amazing daughters.

Dr. Cory Overstreet

Kate Starr Kellogg Elementary School
Chicago, Illinois
Ally: Jamell O'Neal

  • Dr. Cory Overstreet has served the students of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) for the past twenty years as a high school teacher, high school and K-8 school assistant principal, mentor principal, and K-8 principal. He is currently in his eighth year as the principal of Kate Starr Kellogg. Kellogg has earned and maintained a Level 1+ school quality rating; is recognized by CPS as an established supportive school; and was ranked among the top 25 CPS schools by Chicago Magazine. Cory is a Chicago Principal Fellow and participated in executive leadership development through Northwestern University. He is an elected member of the CPS CEO’s Principal Advisory Council; has served as a mentor for five first year principals; and is a principal eligibility assessor. Cory was recently recognized as an Outstanding Restorative Administrator in the district and honored with a “Movers & Shakers Leadership Award” by the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association. Cory holds master’s degrees in Curriculum & Instruction and School Leadership from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He earned his Doctorate of School Leadership and superintendent license from Loyola University Chicago. Cory is very proud to lead a neighborhood school where his three children are students

Zeynep Ozkan

I.S. 289 Hudson River School
Manhattan, New York
Ally: Yelena Berdichevsky

  • Zeynep Ozkan serves as Principal of I.S. 289, Hudson River Middle School, in Manhattan, where she began in 2009 as Assistant Principal, transitioning to the role of Principal in 2013. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Biology from Boston College and her Masters Degree in School Leadership from Harvard University. Zeynep moved to New York City in 2008 for the NYC Leadership Academy. Prior to that, she taught in Oregon, California, Hong Kong, and Istanbul and holds close her upbringing in Nebraska and Oregon. Her first teaching job at Cobb Street with exceptional children, along with her work at the Breakthrough Collaborative in Hong Kong and the Exploratorium Science Museum in San Francisco, have shaped her educational values. She believes in the greatness of every individual and the power of communities to solve problems together. With experience in public and private schools, both domestic and international, Zeynep aims to create opportunities for children and adults to thrive. In addition to her passion for education, Zeynep loves to SCUBA dive and play with her dog, Hudson.

Emily Paige

Urban Assembly Unison School
Brooklyn, New York
Ally: Ebony Ford

  • After graduating from NYC Public Schools, Emily was lucky to land in a special cohort-based program for NYC undergraduates at New York University aimed at onboarding students with potential who needed extra support in an Associates Degree program called The General Studies Program. Through a connected learning model for her first two years of college, Emily experienced, for the first time in school, what relevant, cohesive, and meaningful learning could look like, and that led her to the School of Education. Graduating with an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at 23 years old, Emily began her journey as a NYC Public School educator and has never looked back. Her experience at NYU drove her to build powerful, connected, and meaning-based educational opportunities for the thousands of students she has served from grades 3 - 12 during her time as an elementary and middle school teacher, as an instructional coach for middle and high schools, and as a middle school principal (since 2013). Through the years, Emily has been able to study alongside and learn from some of the most incredible educators. She is humbled to begin her journey alongside many more brilliant educators as a Cahn Fellow.

Miosotis Ramos

Milton Fein School
The Bronx, New York
Ally: Kara Laperle

  • Miosotis Ramos has been the Principal of Milton Fein School, 10x007, in the Bronx since 2017 after serving as the Assistant Principal since 2007. As an experienced educator and school administrator, driven by passion and value for education, she takes pride in providing the best for her students and school community. As an elementary school principal, her goals include equity and excellence. Miosotis Ramos has been recognized by her colleagues and school community for her commitment to providing students with opportunities to grow as learners and leaders. During her leadership, the school has continued to show growth and proficiency in Literacy and Mathematics. After earning her B.A. in Psychology from Hofstra University, she entered the foster care and adoption world to explore her passion for advocacy and betterment for children. During that time, she established an alliance to help support foster children and their educational experiences. During her time as an educator and administrator in NYC, she has led, supported, and participated in advocating to promote the best interests of English Language Learners. She has held administrative roles since 2004 as an Instructional Support Specialist for English Language Learners, Director of Testing and Assessment, Assistant Principal, and Principal.

Dana Rappaport

P.S. 234 Independence School
Manhattan, New York
Ally: Kara Pranikoff

  • Dana Rappaport Chaqor celebrated her 35th year as an educator in 2023. Dana has been the Principal of PS 234 Tribeca, New York, since 2018. Dana spent 25 years as a teacher at PS 321 in Brooklyn, where she piloted inclusive education in one of the first schools in the city to adopt the ICT model of teaching. In 2013, she transitioned to the role of Assistant Principal where she supervised special education. Dana was a Model Assistant Principal for the Learning Partners intervisitation program, where PS 321 was a host school. She was an adjunct lecturer at Hunter College in the Curriculum and Teaching Department for many years. Dana crafted a new mission statement with the School Leadership Team in 2019. The shared vision articulates building a strong, open-minded and inclusive community that embraces unique identities, values, learning styles, and points of view. The school develops the whole child through a commitment to rigorous instruction and an inquiry-driven approach to learning. Dana presented the school’s work on Social Studies and DEI at a Teachers College Reading and Writing Roundtable in spring 2021. Her school was the recipient of the National Blue Ribbon Award for Exemplary High Performance in 2021.

Jazmin Rivera Polanco

Bronx Haven High School
The Bronx, New York

  • Jazmin Rivera-Polanco, was raised in the South Bronx, NY. She earned a degree from Pace University and started working as an English teacher in 1997 at the school where she was taught by teachers who taught her. She worked as an English Literacy Coach, was trained at Teacher College, and worked as an English Lead Teacher, Assistant Principal, Middle School Principal, and High School Principal. She earned two Master’s degrees from The City College of NY (MA) and from Bank Street College of Education (MS.ed). Jazmin is also an alumna of the LEAP program, has taught and held leadership positions in Districts 7, 9, and 12, and is currently the Principal of Bronx Haven Transfer High School. As a transfer high school principal, Jazmin works with a team of dedicated professionals to reengage and motivate the most at risk students. She provides students with extensive opportunities to obtain certifications in various fields such as ECE, OSHA 30, food handlers, phlebotomy, and EKG. Her goal is to provide students with the opportunity to have certifications that can provide them with employment opportunities after graduating high school or skills that will allow them to pursue a college degree.

Marlene Roddy

Martin High School
Arlington, Texas
Ally: Kelly McCollough

  • Marlene Roddy has been the principal at Martin High School in Arlington, Texas since the 2011-2012 school year. Witnessing significant socioeconomic changes in her community, the most important role she has played with her staff was recognizing, appreciating, and supporting those changes by finding ways to educate all of Martin's students at the highest level. She believes a high school’s strengths come through the opportunities provided to students in all areas – academics, athletics, fine arts, and service. During her tenure as principal, a program that she helped to establish with her staff was the Martin STEM Academy. The force behind this initiative was that high schools across the nation were not preparing students adequately to handle STEM coursework at the post-secondary level. The STEM Academy became an application program that promoted diversity and equity and recruited students from all the district junior highs. Created in 2016, the program has achieved remarkable success. High school students in this program take STEM college courses in their junior and senior years at the University of Texas at Arlington. Taking 175 students into the academy yearly, these students upon graduation not only go onto prestigious universities but are also awarded significant scholarships.

Dr. Concepcion Santana

Norma Butler Bossard Elementary School
Miami, Florida
Ally: Rachael Castro

  • Dr. Concepcion C. Santana has been an esteemed educator with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) since 1989, as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal, positively impacting the lives of students from diverse ethnic, economic, and academic backgrounds. In her current role as principal of Norma Butler Bossard Elementary, an A-rated school recognized for its’ high-quality academic, dual language, and performing arts programs, she is known for her student-centered, inclusive approach; transparent communication with all stakeholders; passion for lifelong learning; and her ability to encourage and inspire others to excel and succeed. Dr. Santana is an alumna of Florida International University (FIU) where she earned both her Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees in Childhood and Reading Education, respectively. She received her Certification in Educational Leadership at Nova Southeastern University and her Doctor of Education in Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership at the College of William and Mary. She currently serves as Adjunct Professor for FIU in the MS Educational Leadership Program, where she imparts her knowledge and expertise to the next generation of educational leaders. In her role as Executive Lead Principal in M-DCPS and service on District committees on teacher development, she supports and mentors principals in these areas.

Leah Schultz-Bartlett

Beach Court Elementary
Denver, Colorado
Ally: Sathya Wandzek

  • Leah Schultz-Bartlett is starting her ninth year as the principal of Beach Court Elementary in Denver. She is no stranger to the Denver Public Schools (DPS). She began her journey in DPS as a student and has proudly served as an ELA-S teacher, instructional leader, principal resident and principal over the last twenty-eight years. She has successfully led Beach Court through the turnaround process. Beach Court serves its community in partnership with the PEBC (Public Education Business Coalition) along with many community art and science organizations. Beach Court was awarded a 21st Century Campos SMART Lab grant to bolster STEAM learning. Mrs. Schultz-Bartlett values relationships and agency. She holds this quote near: “To teach in a manner that respects and cares for the souls of our students is essential if we are to provide the necessary conditions where learning can most deeply and intimately begin” (Bell Hooks 1994). Beach Court was awarded the Distinguished Whole Child Award in 2023. Mrs. Schultz-Bartlett holds a Bachelor Degree in Spanish Bilingual/ Bicultural Education and a Master Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She is the mother to two DPS students and can be found attending many of the sporting events that Denver has to offer.

Emily Shu

Bronx Envision Academy
The Bronx, New York
Ally: Angel Bookal

  • Emily Shu has worked for the New York City Public Schools since 2003. A former art teacher, she is passionate about creating opportunities for students to stretch their thinking, be creative, and find opportunities within the school community and beyond. She strives to create strong partnerships with arts organizations and cultural organizations to extend learning beyond the classroom. She has been the proud Founding Principal of Bronx Envision Academy since 2011 and is a graduate of Bank Street College of Education (M.S.Ed. Leadership in the Arts), Rhode Island School of Design (MAT Art and Design Education), and Swarthmore College (Art and History).

Dr. Bisleixis Tejeiro

Aventura Waterways K-8
Miami, Florida
Ally: Kathleen McBride

  • Dr. Bisleixis Tejeiro is a dedicated and enthusiastic educator with a strong passion for education. Dr. Tejeiro has served as an educator for Miami-Dade County Public Schools since 2001. Bisleixis began her career as a teacher in P.S. 195 in the Bronx in 1999. Her leadership journey began in 2005 when she became the Assistant Principal of Miami Park Elementary School. In 2015, Bisleixis was promoted to Principal of Gratigny Elementary School. Currently, Dr. Tejeiro is the Principal of Aventura Waterways K-8 Center. Dr. Tejeiro has successfully led and managed a diverse team of teachers and staff, creating a positive and enriching learning environment for students. She believes in fostering a strong sense of community within the school. She is an advocate for open communication and collaboration among teachers, parents, and students to ensure the best educational experience for all. Bisleixis earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from St. John’s University, Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from St. Thomas University and her Doctorate in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership from the College of William and Mary. Dr. Tejeiro is a lifelong learner constantly seeking new knowledge and exploring innovative ideas in the field of education.

Rennina Turner

Miami Jackson SHS
Miami, Florida
Ally: Melva Cogdello

  • Rennina Turner is the current Principal of Miami Jackson Senior High School. Rennina began her career in school administration as an Assistant Principal at Miami Central Senior High School. After serving in the role of Assistant Principal for three years, she was appointed as Principal of Miami Central Senior High School. As Principal, Rennina had the distinct honor and privilege of hosting former President Barack Obama as he kicked off his national education tour. Rennina has also served as Principal of Andover Middle School where, in 2015, she was selected as a finalist for Principal of the Year for the North Region. Rennina also serves as Executive Lead Principal providing support to the Central Region Office as well as her colleagues. Rennina is an inspirational leader whose values are aligned with her actions. Understanding succession planning is critical, she takes pride in developing talent. A Miami Jackson Hall of Fame Education Inductee (2018), Rennina was nominated and selected by Legacy magazine as one of Miami’s Top Black Educators in 2021. Rennina continues this work with her high school sweetheart/husband Reggie and their 3 children, Reggie, Jr., Amani, and Ryan.

Katherine Welsh

Ellen Mitchell Elementary School
Chicago, Illinois
Ally: Derek Gould

  • Katherine Welsh is the Principal of Ellen Mitchell Elementary School, a Chicago Public School located in West Town. Over the last 22 years, she has served as a teacher and has held school, network, and district-level leadership positions. During her tenure as the Deputy Chief at the Office of Diverse Learners, she led district efforts around inclusion for students with diverse needs. Her work in the Pilsen/Little Village Network amplified the high quality bilingual practices across the city. After serving at the district level, she realized her heart was with students and teachers, where policy intersects with practice. She served as an Assistant Principal at Jenner Academy of the Arts and Ravenswood Elementary, before moving into the principalship at Mitchell. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Human Development from Boston College, a Master’s from Roosevelt University in Educational Leadership, and a Master’s Degree in Reading from Northeastern Illinois University. She is a proud CPS parent and is committed to improving the lives of Chicagoans through the power of education. Her commitment to equity and inclusion is propelled by her efforts to elevate teacher, parent, and student voices in decision making at the school and district level.

Iris Witherspoon

Bronx HS for the Visual Arts
The Bronx, New York
Ally: Teresa Marino

  • Iris Witherspoon, a Latina born on the island of Puerto Rico, has served as the Principal of the Bronx High School for the Visual Arts, a CTE school specializing in graphic design, since 2015. Throughout her 20+ year career in the NYC Public Schools, she has served in schools and at the district level. As a member of the Lighthouse Collaborative, she was showcased for her literacy work. She was also spotlighted for her MTSS work on addressing adolescent literacy by the NYC Public Schools Literacy Collaborative. Her “What I Need”- aka W.I.N. Program, has received citywide attention and is being used as a model to address adolescent literacy on the district level. In addition, she was awarded the SEL Star School Award by the Urban Assembly for showcasing high-quality Social Emotional Learning and prioritizing the social emotional and academic development of young scholars. She is currently a doctoral (Ed.D.) student at the Graduate School of Education’s Educational Leadership, Administration and Policy program at Fordham University. Iris has completed several marathons and triathlons and has been a vegetarian for the last decade. She enjoys spending time with her family and is happily married with two children.

Martin Woodard

P.S. 183 Robert L. Stevenson
Manhattan, New York
Ally: Jamie Heisner

  • Martin began his career in education, teaching sixth grade in a suburb of Philadelphia. After moving to New York City three years later, he started his tenure with the New York City Department of Education. He taught for eleven years at P.S. 158, and during this time, he graduated with his Masters Degree from Teachers College, Columbia University. After obtaining his second Masters Degree in School Administration from Fordham University, he left the classroom to serve as Assistant Principal at Yorkville Community School. At YCS, Martin worked with the founding principal for six years to grow the school for grades 2, 3, 4, and 5. During this time, Martin participated in the NYC Advanced Principal Leadership Institute. This year-long study provided him with the tools to take on a principalship. Martin still remembers the day the superintendent called and asked him to become Principal of P.S. 183, a role he's served in for the past seven years. Martin loves P.S. 183, named a Blue Ribbon School in 2017. On tours, he says, “In a city of 9 million people, our school feels like a small community.” Outside of work, Martin loves attending theater, opera, and traveling the world with his husband.

Jean Woods-Powell

Information Technology High School
Queens, New York
Ally: Elicia Rodriguez

  • Jean D. Woods-Powell has been the Principal of Information Technology High School in Long Island City, Queens, since 2018. Jean’s stance on her life’s work for children, youth, and the disenfranchised is built on the notion of “access and equity for all.” This has been exemplified through Jean's work as an English teacher, an assistant principal, and currently as a Principal in the New York City Department of Education. Jean has secured grants, collaborated with stakeholders inside and outside of the school, and facilitated many initiatives to support youth with access to college/career/civic experiences, resources such as technology and scholarships, and social/emotional wellness. At Information Technology High School, Jean has ensured students have access to Advanced Placement courses, Career and Technical Education, college courses through such partners as College Now and the National Equity Lab, and robotics with NYFirst at Cornell Tech, just to name a few. In addition, Jean has partnered with iMentor, making Information Technology High School the first iMentor school in Queens, NY, and enabling her students to have a one-on-one mentor to support them with their progress toward postsecondary success. Jean is currently pursuing a PhD in Educational Leadership at the University of Chicago Concordia.

Alyse Zeffiro

Kerrydale Elementary School
Prince William County, Virginia
Ally: Sherra Thomas

  • Alyse Zeffiro is honored and proud to serve as the Principal of Kerrydale Elementary School. Since starting her tenure there in 2018, her school has been named a 2022 National [Elementary and Secondary Education Act] (ESEA) (Title I) Distinguished School for closing achievement gaps for student subgroups. In addition, Kerrydale Elementary earned recognition as the first Visible Learning Certified School in Virginia in 2023. The systems developed and put into action by Alyse positively impacted collective teacher efficacy and clarity while building student achievement, yielding Kerrydale's highest Virginia Standards of Learning Assessment scores in nine years in all content areas. Her efforts were recognized in 2022 when she was selected as Prince William County Schools Outstanding Educator Principal of the Year finalist. As an 18-year veteran of Prince William County Schools, Alyse has served as a teacher, lead teacher mentor, and Assistant Principal. She serves in several leadership roles within Prince William County Schools, including being a principal mentor, interview panelist for aspiring leaders and principal representative on the PWCS Equity Budget Task Force. Outside of school, she loves spending time with her family and is passionate about yoga.

Allies

Claudia Argueta

Garvanza Technology/ Leadership Magnet
Los Angeles, California
Fellow: Sarah Gilman

  • Claudia Argueta has served in the Los Angeles Unified School District for twenty-one years in varied capacities, including teacher, Categorical Program Coordinator, Targeted Student Population Advisor, and currently, Assistant Principal, Elementary Instructional Specialist at Garvanza Elementary Technology and Leadership Magnet (GETLM). Throughout her career, she has utilized her innate creativity and passion for instruction to greatly impact under-performing students. In her current role, she empowers teachers and paraeducators to provide high-quality, personalized instruction to all students. Last year, she implemented systems that successfully exceeded LAUSD’s Emergent Bilingual reclassification goal by 20%. Additionally, Ms. Argueta is committed to serving families. In her work with the Partnership for Los Angeles, she built the Parent College curriculum and created systems for engagement through Family Action Teams in some of the highest need schools in the district. Ms. Argueta demonstrates commitment to education by sparking enthusiasm in those she leads. She believes in the power educators hold to transform lives by providing access and opportunities that empower students and families to lead with their hearts and minds.

Yelena Berdichevsky

I.S. 289 Hudson River School
Manhattan, New York
Fellow: Zeynep Ozkan

  • Yelena has been a New York City Public School educator for over 20 years. She is currently an Assistant Principal at IS 289, a New York City middle school. Before becoming an Assistant Principal, Yelena was a Math teacher. During her teaching tenure, Yelena facilitated the Connected Mathematics Project's (CMP) professional development for New York City Public School teachers and presented at the CMP user’s conference in Michigan. In addition, Yelena was in a New York City District 2 Leader Cohort that reviewed and revised Individualized Education Plan structures in schools. Yelena earned her Math Teacher Leader Masters Degree from Bank Street College of Education and her School Building Leader Masters Degree through the Leaders in Education Apprenticeship Program (LEAP). Yelena is passionate about creating a caring and rigorous learning environment for students to have access to high level instruction. She sees herself as a lifelong learner focused on creating opportunities for students to become independent and critical thinkers.

Talia Berger

P.S. 198 Isador E. Ida Straus
Manhattan, New York
Fellow: Katharine DeBenedictis

  • Talia joined the P.S. 198 faculty in September 2013. For nine years, she served as the special education teacher in integrated co-teaching classrooms across grades 1-5. In the 2022-2023 school year, Talia moved into an out of classroom role where she now provides foundational math support to students with disabilities, and academic intervention to general education students from K-5. In addition, Talia works to support outcomes for all students through coaching teachers. She leads professional development and grade team meetings, focusing on data analysis and planning aligned with the principles of specially designed instruction and inclusive education. Talia is passionate about special education, and leads the P.S. 198 community in holding high expectations for all students and honoring every student's individual progress.

Deborah Berkman

Ambrose Plamondon Elementary School
Chicago, Illinois
Fellow: Dr. Althea Hammond

  • Deborah Berkman was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education from The University of South Florida and began her teaching career in 1995. After a few years, she returned to Chicago and continued her teaching career with Chicago Public Schools. In 2008, she received her Masters of Curriculum and Instruction, and in 2021 earned her ESL endorsement. The ESL endorsement provided her with the skills and strategies needed to implement best practices when teaching students for whom English is not their native language. Deborah has served as a Lead Teacher for many years, as well as participating in many school organizations and leadership roles such as ILT, New Teacher Mentor, and Resident Teacher for student teachers from the University of Chicago Urban Teacher Education Program. She has also served as a Resident Teacher for the Chicago Lyric Opera Residency Program for eight years and is still going. Ms. Berkman has a passion for children's multicultural literature and a love for writing and teaching writing. She has spent her entire career teaching in the inner city. Her love of Chicago, and its children, permeates effortlessly in all she does. Ms. Berkman has taken on the role as Lead Coach and is excited to be guiding teachers towards developing into distinguished teachers. She has worked with Dr. Althea Hammond, new Cahn Distinguished Principal Fellow, for 20 years and is looking forward to this path as her Cahn Ally.

Wendy Bermudez

Lorenzo De Zavala Elementary
San Antonio, Texas
Fellow: Dr. Gloria Martinez

  • Wendy Bermudez was born in San Antonio Texas; she is a first-generation graduate whose family immigrated from El Salvador. She received her bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from Texas A&M- San Antonio, with a focus in bilingual education. She began teaching in San Antonio ISD in 2015, from which she was also a former student. Since then, she has taught Math and Science to fourth, fifth and sixth grade students. She also received her Master of Science in Bilingual Education in 2020. While working on her master's degree, she researched writing approaches with emergent bilinguals. Her research helped incorporate writing strategies across all subjects. She joined the Master Teacher Initiative in her district in 2018. In addition receiving first designation in 2021 as a recognized teacher within her district, following 2022 she became an Exemplary Teacher. Being a product of San Antonio ISD and a bilingual student herself, has driven her to make a difference in the lives of the students she teaches. She encourages her students to strive for their best, as she instructs them on how to work as a team to create future leaders for the community.

Angel Bookal

Bronx Envision Academy
The Bronx, New York
Fellow: Emily Shu

  • Angel Bookal commenced her career as an educator in 1996 as a science and math teacher for an alternative/transfer high school in Queens and later taught Living Environment at a high school in the Bronx. In 2006, she became an assistant principal at a high school in the South Bronx. An Assistant Principal at Bronx Envision Academy since 2013, she collaborates with students, faculty, staff, parents, and partners to create rich and meaningful experiences that promote college and career readiness. Angel has earned an M.S. Ed. in Educational Leadership from Bank Street College, an M.S. in Urban and Multicultural Education with a Specialization in Instructional Technology from the College of Mount Saint Vincent, and a B.S. in Biology from Guilford College.

Seneca Campbell

EBC High School for
Public Service-Bushwick
Brooklyn, New York
Fellow: Dr. Shawn Brown

  • Raised by his sisters in public housing in Brownsville, Brooklyn, academia became Seneca Campbell’s sanctuary. Throughout Mr. Campbell’s adolescence, violence and drug abuse were prevalent. Several peers fell victim to violent crimes. Others are housed in correctional facilities. The light of education provided an escape. Mr. Campbell’s journey started and continues within the N.Y.C. Department of Education. He works as a Dean of Student Culture in Brooklyn; it is an honor to serve his community. Mr. Campbell’s goal is to become an administrator and challenge preconceived notions of minority children. He believes children from low-income, single-parent homes have limitless potential. As a leader he creates a culture of trust through building community with staff members, students, parents, and community stakeholders. Mr. Campbell's curriculum is culturally relevant and raises academic rigor by challenging students to solve issues plaguing their community. Many of his scholars have similar narratives and seek authenticity. As a person who lived and works in the community, Mr. Campbell’s passion stems from knowing his purpose.

Miriam Cano

Castle Heights Elementary School
Los Angeles, California
Fellow: Dr. Linda Beck

  • Originally from Tucson, Arizona, Miriam Cano, proud daughter of Mexican immigrants, began her teaching career in 2002 with Los Angeles Teaching Fellows in partnership with Los Angeles Unified School District. She is a first-generation college graduate from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development & Family Studies. She earned a Master of Arts in Education and bilingual authorization from Mount Saint Mary’s College and a Master of Science in Inclusion from Loyola Marymount University. Ms. Cano has taught in Spanish Dual Language programs for 14 years. She is passionate about exposing culturally/ethnically diverse students to Spanish and biliteracy. She has devoted her professional career to serving students and families in dual language programs. Ms. Cano taught in high-need schools, was a founding staff member, and expanded dual language programs in neighboring districts. In 2018, Ms. Cano was recruited back to LAUSD by Castle Heights Elementary School as a founding teacher of the World Language Immersion program, wherein English-dominant students learn content in Spanish (90/10 model). She is a member of the inaugural cohort of LAUSD’s Dual Language Microcredential program. Her commitment to equity drives her to serve as the school’s designee for Emergent Bilingual students, overseeing compliance and state testing for reclassification purposes. As an international newcomer coach, Ms. Cano worked closely with students who immigrated to the United States over the past 3 years to develop English proficiency and socio-emotional skills to thrive in high school. Ms. Cano is seeking National Board certification.

Valerie Castillo

Nelson Early Childhood Education Center
San Antonio, Texas
Fellow: Marisa Mendez

  • Valerie Castillo began her career in education with San Antonio ISD in the Fall of 2009. She has been a Head Start Pre-Kindergarten teacher at Knox ECEC, Carroll ECEC, and Nelson ECEC. She received Teacher of the Year, 2017, that same year she was honored with the Jule Sugarman Distinguished Staff Award. She became the Nelson ECEC Instructional Coach in 2019 where she is able to use her extensive knowledge in early childhood education to help support teachers, families and the community. Valerie attends national and local early childhood conferences yearly to expand her knowledge and collaborate with others. Valerie earned a Master in Early Childhood Education from the University of Texas A&M San Antonio and has a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Valerie has a true passion for serving our youngest students and looks forward to continuing to grow in her practice.

Kayla Boyer

North Dallas High School
Dallas, Texas
Fellow: Gerardo Hernandez

  • Kayla Boyer is an Academic Coordinator at North Dallas High School. With experience as a team leader, a campus coordinator, and an assistant principal, Ms. Boyer is a strong instructional leader with a demonstrated history of achieving exceptional results for students and teachers. Her student-centered approach as an educator allows her to analyze large data sets critically, identify the highest leverage growth area(s), communicate information clearly, and develop initiatives to solve problems affecting student achievement. As a leader, she intentionally creates systems and plans of accountability that promote academic success and are culturally responsive to all learners

Rachael Castro

Norma Butler Bossard Elementary School
Miami, Florida
Fellow: Dr. Concepcion Santana

  • Rachael Castro, an elementary school teacher with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) since 1999, has served as an after-school care leader, paraprofessional, and teacher. Her teaching abilities, methods of instruction, leadership skills, curriculum expertise, and personal qualities are dynamic and truly set her apart from others. When considering Rachel’s strengths as a teacher, it is important to understand her emphasis on developing the whole child. Her philosophy is that every student can succeed, the route taken may seem longer, but at the end is a success story. Her teaching techniques are as vast as they are creative. This is a result of her spending her instructional time as an inclusion teacher, where adaptations are fundamental for triumph. Children would participate in her classroom where all learning modalities were presented: Kagan Strategies, Every Pupil Response Techniques including “thumbs down,” skits, response boards, student illustrations, etc. Her classroom was invigorating, inviting, and a place where learning was evident. Other admirable abilities include her effectiveness as a leader both in and outside of the classroom where she was the grade level chair, coordinating school-wide events, mentoring colleagues, providing after school tutoring for students with low achievement gains and volunteering for many school committees. Currently, she serves as the school’s reading coach. In this new role, she strives to impact student achievement by developing teachers and coaching them to master their craft resulting in student success. Mrs. Castro is an alumna of Barry University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education.

Alexis Chapa

North-Grand High School
Chicago, Illinois
Fellow: Emily Feltes

  • Alexis Chapa has been a special educator at North-Grand High School since 2018. She currently serves as the Special Education Department Chair, leading a department of 18 teachers and teacher leaders. In her role as the department chair, Alexis develops systems and structures to enable her team to remain in compliance and service students with varying levels of performance. She has a passion for promoting advocacy and achieving personal excellence in all areas of one's path. Alexis keeps students at the core of her work by supporting extra-curricular programming throughout the school, including athletics and student events. She is committed to the belief that anyone can discover the best version of themselves through multi-faceted school participation. Alexis is a first generation college student and attended DePaul University, where she obtained her bachelor's degree in Special Education. She then received her master's degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in Special Education in 2020, with a focus on curriculum adaptation. In her summers, Alexis spends significant time traveling and has been to 14 of the 63 National Parks in four years. She self-classifies as a "National Park Geek."

Monique Chavez

University Prep - Steele St.
Denver, Colorado
Fellow: Clare Lundquist

  • Monique Chavez was a founding teacher at University Prep Steele Street, a turnaround school in Denver, CO. After teaching Kindergarten for three years and 1st Grade for two years, she moved into a Dean of Academics role and oversaw the K-5 ELA program. After leading the ELA program for two years, Monique moved into the Dean of K-1 role, coaching and supporting teachers and curriculum implementation for those grade levels. As the Dean of K-1, Monique has revamped the literacy program, achieving over 70% of Kindergarten and 1st Grade scholars at or above grade-level in the 2022-2023 school year. She excels in both technical coaching skills as well as adaptive leadership skills, leading with her love and empathy. Monique has an unwavering belief in what children can achieve in early childhood, and is deeply committed to the teachers and scholars she serves in her role.

Melva Cogdello

Miami Jackson SHS
Miami, Florida
Fellow: Rennina Turner

  • Melva Cogdello, Director of Student Activities of Miami Jackson Senior High School, has dedicated more than 25 years to Miami Dade County Public Schools. Melva began her teaching career as an elementary school educator with the pursuit of having a positive impact on the lives of those she touched. She taught for six years before transitioning as an Instructional Literacy Coach for secondary education. Working as an Instructional Coach propelled her to work with administration and support teachers to improve the quality of teaching and learning. Throughout her time at MDCPS, Melva actively engaged as a leader serving in numerous leadership capacities including Department Chairperson, Coordinator of After-School Enrichment Programs, and Instructional Coach of the Professional Learning Support Teams (PLST). In her most recent role as Director of Student Activities, Melva prides herself on promoting a positive school culture that encourages academic excellence, school spirit, and pride thus, leading to higher student achievement. Melva is an avid reader and loves to spend quality time with her family.

Sandra Castor

Grant Ranch ECE-8 School
Denver, Colorado
Fellow: Dr. Patricia Hurrieta

  • Sandra Castor has been part of Denver Public Schools since 2011, including 12 years of experience in teaching and coaching with culturally responsive experience as an instructional coach at Grant Ranch School. Sandra was a 1st grade bilingual teacher in two different elementary schools where students were taught in their native language while developing English language skills to ensure a trajectory of biliteracy. Sandra began her leadership journey in a coaching and reading intervention capacity seven years ago to foster high-level instructional strategies with educators and create impactful student learning experiences. Sandra implements coaching cycles that include observations, feedback, and DDI with educators to ensure high impact instructional moves to propel student achievement. She collaborates with colleagues to help implement and improve systems school-wide for students’ educational success. Sandra is a lifelong learner who seeks educational knowledge to best serve and support students and teachers. She holds a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix, and a Master’s Degree in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She’s inspired to improve and grow to best support multi-language learners and students who continue to have skill gaps and mirror the type of student she once was.

Giovanni D'Amato

Williamsburg High School of
Architecture and Design
Brooklyn, New York
Fellow: Gill Cornell

  • Since 2012 Giovanni D’Amato has been the Assistant Principal of Humanities at The Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design, a Career and Technical Education (CTE) school in Brooklyn, NY. In addition to supervising teachers, he works on developing partnerships between the school and industry/community partners to enhance the educational experience of the students. From 2007-2012, he was a History teacher at WHSAD.

Vanesa De La O

Charles R. Darwin Elementary School
Chicago, Illinois
Fellow: Daniel de los Reyes

  • Vanesa De La O is the Instructional Coach at Darwin Elementary, a Chicago Public School. Vanesa holds her bachelor's degree in education and is pursuing her master's degree in Leadership through National Louis University. She has been in education since 2011. During her tenure as a teacher, she has had the opportunity to serve as the Math lead, leading curriculum work and interventions programming. She is the teacher representative on the Instructional Leadership Team and teacher representative of her Local School Council. Vanesa is a facilitator for Leader in Me training who has presented at symposiums across the country. Vanesa has also mentored teachers during year-long residencies through the CPS residency program. Her experience working with teachers, families, and students has helped build her potential as a teacher, leader, and mentor.

Dr. Nadia Coleman

Denver Online
Denver, Colorado
Fellow: Ian Jones

  • Dr. Nadia Coleman is the Assistant Principal of Student Services at Denver Online, an innovative public school offering personalized learning through a mix of online and in person offerings. She is passionate about supporting non-traditional students through creating learning environments that support the whole child and tailor programming to each individual’s unique needs. She supports counseling, mental health, mentor programs, concurrent enrollment, special education, and whole child programming. She served as a Student Advisor at Denver Online from 2015 to 2021 before taking a leadership role. Through her role as a Student Advisor, she supported Denver Online’s transition into a blended learning program. Nadia taught English to expelled students in the Denver metro area from 2009-2015. Seeing that the experiences of expelled students were not chronicled in the research regarding school exclusion, she aimed to include students’ voices into the debate surrounding exclusionary discipline. She provided recommendations for increasing resilience and achievement of expelled students. She holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Denver. The findings of her doctoral dissertation were published in the peer review journal Educational Studies. Nadia received her Master’s of Arts in Instruction and Curriculum in Education from CU Boulder, and her Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science from Macalester College. She has presented at professional conferences including the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE) and the International Association for Truancy and Dropout prevention. She has acted as a peer reviewer and contributing editor for Children and Schools and the Teachers College Review.

Ana De La Rosa

Jones Academy Of Fine Arts and
Dual Language Academy
Arlington, Texas
Fellow: Katiuska Herrador

  • Ana De La Rosa was born and raised in a small town in Guanajuato, Mexico. She moved to Long Beach, California at age 13, where she began to learn English. As a second language learner, she faced different challenges that motivated her to become a bilingual teacher. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and her master’s in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M Commerce. In the last 10 years, she has been a bilingual dual language teacher in various grade levels. In her years in education, Ana has served in different leadership roles, such as Math Department Lead, Bilingual Team Lead, Teacher Leader Learning Facilitator, and Racial + Equity Task Force Leader. She has also been involved in her district’s learning community by participating in many focus groups and receiving certification in Results Coaching, and a dual language certification from the California Association for Bilingual Education. During her teaching career she was nominated for the Teacher of Excellence Award and was an AWARE Foundation Exceptional Teacher nominee. Currently, she is in her third year as an Instructional Coach at Jones Academy. Ana is an advocate for teachers, students and families. She loves to build relationships and help others grow. Her goal is to continue to serve her community and to advocate for struggling students. She knows firsthand the difficulties of language acquisition and she hopes to continue to build bridges for dual language learners. In her personal time, she loves to read, travel and spend time with her family.

Jahmal Fagan

William Boyd Elementary School
Atlanta, Georgia
Fellow: Dr. Joi Kilpatrick

  • Hailing from Daytona Beach, Florida, Mr. Jahmal Fagan’s career started after attending Florida Memorial University, earning his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. His educational journey continued at Queens University of Charlotte where he earned his Master of Arts in Educational Leadership. He has taught grades third through fifth. His strong instructional and leadership skills advanced him to the Instructional Coach position. He strives to build authentic relationships with students and colleagues while inspiring their creativity, curiosity, and continued learning. His in-depth understanding of effective instructional practices has assisted educators throughout the building by fostering stronger academic learners. He has helped to create an instructional environment in which all students can develop to their optimal ability academically, socially, and emotionally.

Diane Fernandez

Glenkirk Elementary School
Prince William County, Virginia
Fellow: Marisa Miranda

  • Diane Fernandez has been a Reading Specialist in Prince William County School District (VA) since 2016. Prior to becoming a Reading Specialist, Ms. Fernandez taught 2nd, 5th, and 6th grades in Fairfax and Prince William Counties. She graduated in 1999 with an undergraduate degree in English from Saint Mary's College (Notre Dame, IN) and her M.Ed in Elementary and Middle School Education from Marymount University in 2001. Ms. Fernandez earned National Board Certification as an Early Childhood Generalist in 2008. In 2022, Ms. Fernandez graduated with her Educational Leadership endorsement from Longwood University. Following her passion for literacy, Ms. Fernandez completed training in explicit, systematic, multisensory phonics instruction from The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) in 2017. She continued this passion by helping to facilitate school-based teacher professional development based on the Science of Reading with George Mason University’s Technical Training and Assistance Center (TTAC) through VDOE. She enjoys helping students develop habits that grow their hearts and minds and fostering a school and community environment that promotes literacy, communication, collaboration and appreciation for others.

Mariela Flores

Sylmar Academy Biotech
Health/Eng Magnet
Los Angeles, California
Fellow: Maria Herrera

  • Mariela Flores is entering her 8th year as a high school College Counselor. The ability to assist first-generation students in reaching their post-high school dreams of attending college or being the first in their families to graduate high school is the reason she started her education path 22 years ago. Mariela has served as an Academic and College Counselor in the Northeast San Fernando Valley for the majority of her counseling profession. She has earned an associate degree from Los Angeles Valley College, a Bachelor Degree in Science and Sociology from Cal State University of Northridge and a Master in Educational School Counseling from National University. Her educational path fulfilled a dream that no one in her family ever expected her to accomplish as a child of two hard-working parents with no middle school education. Mariela personally knows the obstacles first-generation students encounter as high school students trying to manage the college process. She has worked exclusively in Title 1 schools assisting thousands of first-generation college students navigate the college-going process. Additionally, as a UCLA admissions reader, Mariela has had the privilege to review 5,500 domestic applications for one of the most applied-to universities in the country, enhancing her knowledge to help her students be academically stronger.

Dr. Lavon Flowers

Nathaniel Narbonne High School
Los Angeles, California
Fellow: Dr. Heather Karuza

  • Lavon Flowers is an innovative educator dedicated to guiding students to succeed while inspiring them to be lifelong learners. Dr. Flowers began her career in education in 1998 serving urban communities as a Teacher, Program Specialist, LRE Specialist, and currently as an Assistant Principal. Lavon has served as Adjunct Professor since 2017 and has been instrumental in shaping the next generation of educators. She teaches graduate-level courses titled "Introduction to Curriculum and Pedagogy in Urban Secondary Schools" and “Identifying and Teaching to Student Differences.” Through this, Lavon imparts her extensive knowledge and experience in urban education, curriculum development, and effective teaching strategies to aspire future educators. As an Assistant Principal, Lavon exemplifies a commitment to excellence in education. She supervises and evaluates instructional programs through instructional rounds, formal and informal observations to ensure the highest standards of instruction. Lavon's dedication to continuous improvement is further evident in her facilitation of professional development sessions, where she employs research-based strategies to empower educators. Lavon's role as an LRE Specialist was pivotal in ensuring that students with disabilities have equal access to quality education. She coordinated ongoing professional development for district staff, enabling teachers and administrators to provide the necessary support for students with disabilities. Lavon's guidance also extended to helping schools meet compliance obligations and promoting the integration of students with disabilities into core academic programs. Dr. Flowers is a passionate educator and visionary leader committed to improving education, enhancing programs, and inspiring systemic change in the field of urban education.

Haylee Foor

Cedar Point Elementary School
Prince William County, Virginia
Fellow: Dr. Mark Marinoble

  • Haylee Foor, a product of, and teacher in, Prince William County Schools, is currently teaching third grade at Cedar Point Elementary in Bristow, VA. Haylee is in her third year of teaching in Prince William County. She is a graduate of James Madison University with a master's in applied teaching. While in college, she was able to study abroad, where she was given the opportunity to teach English to middle school students. During this time, she learned about the importance of a culturally responsive classroom. Haylee enjoys teaching, creating hands-on lessons, and working with future leaders. She is continuing her education at James Madison University working towards an Educational Leadership Certificate. With aspirations of being a principal, she is driven by a growth mindset, the ideals of inclusivity, engagement, and collaboration. Haylee is thankful for all the amazing leaders she has had the opportunity to work for and is hopeful to make an impact on others as they did for her.

Ebony Ford

Urban Assembly Unison School
Brooklyn, New York
Fellow: Emily Paige

  • Ebony Ford is proud to serve as the Assistant Principal at Urban Assembly Unison School in Brooklyn, NY. Before becoming the assistant principal, Ebony was an ENL teacher at Unison for many years. She studied at St. John's University, NYU, and Bank Street College of Education and holds certificates in teaching Social Studies, ESOL, and School Building Leadership. Ebony is dedicated to her students and their families and believes that she is always in service of them. In the future, Ebony hopes to continue helping students develop and practice the academic and SEL skills necessary to navigate through their time in school and beyond.

Julio Gamba Vega

Eagleton Elementary
Denver, Colorado
Fellow: Janine Dillabaugh

  • Julio Gamba has been a Denver Public Schools teacher and Senior Team Lead since 2020. Prior to that, he served as a Spanish Immersion Teacher for five years at Wilson County Schools in North Carolina. As a Senior Team Lead and ELA-S Interventionist, Julio strives to support his principal in creating a culture of respect at Eagleton Elementary. He is committed to ensuring students’ academic and social emotional long-term success. Julio earned his Bachelor’s Degree in English and Spanish Education from a Colombian University and his Master’s Degree in Teaching English To Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Greensboro College, North Carolina in 2018. Julio got the Superior place on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) proficiency scale in 2017. As a bilingual educator, he has been licensed in Elementary Education K-6, and in Spanish K-12 in North Carolina. He is licensed in Spanish K-12 and earned an Endorsement in Elementary Education in Colorado. Julio has extensive experience in elementary literacy, supporting and coaching teachers and students with best practices.

Maria Garcia

Ford Boulevard Elementary and
Dual Language Academy
Los Angeles, California
Fellow: An Nguyen

  • Maria Gabriela Garcia’s journey in education is a testament to her deep-rooted commitment to giving a voice back to communities in need. Her passion for education and her determination to make a positive impact led her on a path that has culminated in her current role as Assistant Principal at Ford Blvd. Elementary & Dual Language Academy located in the heart of East Los Angeles. Maria knew from an early age that she wanted to become an educator. Working as a special education teacher to instruct students with exceptionalities cemented her commitment and desire to uplift and support the needs of students in underserved communities like the one she grew up in. Her journey in education administration began with her role as Least Restrictive Environment Specialist. In this critical position, she championed the cause of providing equitable and high-quality education to students from Kindergarten to Twelfth Grade with individualized education programs (IEPs). Her leadership and expertise were instrumental in creating inclusive special education programs that ensured students received the support they needed to thrive. Next on her administrative journey was Secondary Literacy Coordinator. In this capacity, she worked tirelessly to support secondary schools in building strong literacy skills across various content areas through high capacity professional development. Throughout her career, Maria’s diverse experiences have converged to create a comprehensive approach to education. She firmly believes in putting students’ needs at the forefront of every decision, working tirelessly to close equity gaps by creating enriched learning opportunities at her school.

Lynda Garcia

Dr. Carlos J. Finlay Elementary
Miami, Florida
Fellow: Marie Orth-Sanchez

  • Lynda Garcia has been living a dream of working in education for over twenty years. Lynda is in her fifth year of teaching fifth grade at Dr. Carlos J. Finlay Elementary School. In this position, Lynda also holds the role of fifth-grade level chairperson, F.E.A. Sponsor, Parent Empowerment Meetings (P.E.M.) Sponsor as well as the S.T.E.A.M. school liaison. Lynda has a passion for supporting families like no other. When placed as a fifth-grade teacher, Lynda brought in the idea of holding monthly meetings for parents to attend and receive support in the transition to middle school. Thus, P.E.M. was born. This program that Lynda spearheads has proven to assist families, as parents express their deep gratitude every year. As the S.T.E.A.M. Liaison, Lynda works closely with the S.T.E.A.M. Department in the district, school administration, teachers, staff, students, families, and the community. Lynda oversees a series of projects, activities and partnerships with all stakeholders earning the Gold Designation for her school five times consecutively, resulting in the present Platinum designation. Lynda continues to bring innovative and supportive ideas into her classroom and her school. Her goal is to always address the whole child in order to help them flourish and become the best version of themselves. Lynda received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with ESOL from Barry University and a Master of Science in Reading from Nova Southeastern University. Lynda has had the pleasure of living in South Florida her entire life.

Derek Gould

Ellen Mitchell Elementary School
Chicago, Illinois
Fellow: Katherine Welsh

  • Derek Gould is a middle school English Language Arts teacher and teacher leader at Ellen Mitchell Elementary School in Chicago. He has been working in Chicago Public Schools for fourteen years. In that time, his passion for learning and commitment to advancing student learning outcomes has led him to pursue a Master’s Degree in Education, as well as National Board Certification. Derek achieved National Board Certification in Early Adolescence English Language Arts in 2019 and, later that year, was recognized by the Golden Apple Foundation as a finalist for the Award for Excellence in Teaching. Outside the classroom, Derek has served as a teacher leader in various capacities at the school, district, and national level. He currently serves on his school’s instructional leadership team, a team that is responsible for designing and facilitating professional learning aligned to the school’s improvement plans. Derek also serves as a team lead and mentor in the district’s new teacher induction and support program. In this capacity, he is responsible for creating professional development programs; coaching mentors from across the district; and mentoring new teachers during their first year in the district. Beyond the district, Derek serves as a member on the English Language Arts Advisory Board for Facing History and Ourselves. Derek is passionate about creating inclusive classroom experiences that affirm and celebrate the identities of the students he serves. This passion guides the work that he does at the classroom, school, and district levels.

Arum Han

Pacoima Middle School
Los Angeles, California
Fellow: Simer Garcha

  • Arum Han's educational journey started in a unique setting surrounded by a few students in what felt more like a home than a school, an experience shaped by her life as a Korean in Indonesia. This environment highlighted the challenges of limited access to quality education and the struggles of learning a new language. In 2001, Arum embarked on her teaching career with a fervent focus on ELs. Her commitment to equitable education led her to complete the Principal Leadership Institute at UCLA in 2013. Drawing from her diverse educational background, having taught courses such as ELA, ELD, AVID, journalism, and home economics in elementary and middle school, her goal is to serve marginalized students. Arum joined Pacoima Middle School where she served as a Title III Coach, ensuring robust instruction for ELs. She also spearheaded the implementation of CCSS in the ELA department, resulting in a remarkable 30% reclassification rate and a substantial increase in ELA proficiency on the SBAC. Today, as an assistant principal, Arum remains dedicated to enhancing instruction. She achieves this by consistently analyzing and sharing data to drive change, offering professional development opportunities to teachers, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to usher in continuous improvements.

Jamie Heisner

P.S. 183 Robert L. Stevenson
Manhattan, New York
Fellow: Martin Woodard

  • After receiving her Masters degree from Hunter College in Childhood Education, Jamie started working for the New York City Department of Education at P.S./M.S. 34 as a fourth and fifth grade teacher. After two years at P.S./M.S 34, Jamie began working at P.S. 183 in 2020 as a second grade teacher. There, she has served on the School Leadership Team, the Green Team, and the Math Team, which helped select a new math curriculum for the current school year. Outside of work, Jamie loves traveling, watching the Grand Slam tennis tournaments, and attending Broadway musicals.

Melodie Hong

Carpenter Community Charter
Los Angeles, California
Fellow: Joseph Martinez

  • Melodie Hong is an experienced and enthusiastic educator for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Melodie grew up within LAUSD schools and is grateful to give back to the community that gave her a strong and diverse foundation. She graduated from Cal State University, Northridge with a BA in Liberal Studies and acquired her MS degree in Education and an Administrative Credential from the University of Southern California. Melodie’s career in education began in 1997 within LAUSD as a Teacher’s Assistant. She then transitioned to Special Education Assistant while completing her college degree. After graduating college, she became a teacher in 2004 at Carpenter Community Charter. She has served Carpenter’s school community as a teacher, grade level chair, governance council member, Intervention and Emergent Bilingual Coordinator, and in 2020 became Carpenter’s Assistant Principal. Melodie's current role allows her to support teachers in implementing high-quality instruction that meets the needs of all students. Melodie believes all students have the potential to grow and learn at high levels in a nurturing environment with appropriately differentiated supports. Melodie enjoys opportunities to grow and learn through collaboration with other educators striving to have a positive impact on the growth of their school communities.

Ravin Jackson

Moore Elementary
Arlington, Texas
Fellow: Wendy Baker

  • Ravin Jackson is a native of Temple, TX. After receiving her Bachelors of Psychology from The University of Texas at Arlington, she began her teaching career. Ms. Jackson taught for five years in Grand Prairie ISD and Arlington ISD. During this time, she was honored to be PBIS Teacher of the Year and a Capturing Kids Hearts Process Champion. Through these roles, Ms. Jackson felt called to have a greater impact on student success by leading and coaching teachers. Ms. Jackson became an Instructional Coach and during this time she obtained her Masters in Educational Leadership. Ms. Jackson is a part of the Future School Leaders Network and part of AISD’s leadership cohort. For the past two years, she has been actively working as an Assistant Principal. In addition to that role, Ms. Jackson supports department and level leaders across the district as a Teacher Learning Facilitator. Ms. Jackson is passionate about advocating for students with diverse backgrounds and ensuring all students have equitable access to education.

Brandi Kane

Davidsen Middle School
Tampa, Florida
Fellow: Stacy Arena

  • Brandi Kane is currently the RTI Coordinator at Davidsen Middle School. She graduated from Rockford University with a double major in Sociology and Criminology. She interned with the juvenile parole department mentoring teens, providing support and guidance. During this time, Brandi was also raising her younger brother. These experiences led her to become an educator where she could make a more profound impact. Within a brief time of becoming a new teacher, Brandi began taking on leadership roles including Team Leader, SAC chair, Math and Writing Coach and Acting Assistant Principal. Through these experiences, she learned the importance of becoming a transformational leader beyond the classroom and began pursuing her Educational Leadership degree from the University of South Florida. Her successes in becoming that transformational leader continued when awarded Teacher of the Year in 2007 and then becoming a district mentor in Cadre 1 for new teachers and administrators. The next seven years, Brandi trained, mentored, and coached new teachers and administrators for all levels, K-12. She was an integral part of the pedagogical shift in Hillsborough County’s Observation and Evaluation Framework. She looks forward to additional leadership experiences that will positively impact all learners.

Kara Laperle

Milton Fein School
The Bronx, New York
Fellow: Miosotis Ramos

  • Kara Laperle is currently an Assistant Principal at Milton Fein School, PS 7. Prior to becoming an Assistant Principal, she worked as a special education teacher and then served as the ASD Nest Coach at PS 396 for ten years. She is a dedicated and passionate educator with experience educating students from diverse backgrounds, specializing in educating students with special needs. Kara received her undergraduate degree in History from Iona College and a master's degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Fordham University. Outside of school, Kara enjoys spending time with her family, staying active, and occasionally running the NYC Marathon.

Shelly Lingo

Travis Early College High School
San Antonio, Texas
Fellow: Twila Guajardo

  • Shelly Lingo began her career in education in 2002 as a secondary math teacher and has 21 years of experience in Texas schools. She has taught for 13 years in rural school districts, before moving into leadership roles. Her first leadership role was as a Texas Title I Priority Schools (TTIPS) lead teacher, where she coached teachers on researched based instructional strategies proven to increase student academic success. She also participated in a research project finding correlations between discipline, attendance, and grades. She continued her leadership roles as an instructional specialist, K-12 math coach, assistant principal, and principal. She has experience leading at both the secondary and elementary levels. Today she supports students and teachers in SAISD as the Senior Operations Coordinator at Travis Early College High School. Shelly has a passion for learning and has participated in the Enrichment Experiences in Engineering (E3) at Texas A&M, the McNeil Educational Leadership Foundation, Bexar Prep, and UTSA Superintendency Program. When working with Twila Guajardo (fellow) she was introduced to Solution Tree and found value and connection to improve her leadership skills and increased her knowledge related to educational strategies proven to increase student performance and school accountability. Shelly earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Curriculum and Instruction from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. Shelly considers herself a servant leader and looks forward to serving students and staff while growing her leadership skills in SAISD.

Jaylene Lorenzana

DeWitt Clinton HS
The Bronx, New York
Fellow: Pierre Orbe

  • Jaylene Lorenzana is a Social Worker at DeWitt Clinton High School, District 10, Bronx, New York. She attended the Borough of Manhattan Community College, where she graduated with an Associates in Science, majoring in Human Services; Lehman College, where she obtained her Bachelors of Science in Social Work; and Fordham University, where she earned her Master in Clinical Social Work in their advanced student track. Jaylene continued her educational journey and graduated with her Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership from the College of Saint Rose in May 2023. Jaylene is extremely passionate about helping bridge educational and opportunity gaps in public education. She is a product of the New York public school system and is a native born and raised Bronx resident. Giving back to her community has always been her passion. Jaylene believes developing meaningful relationships and providing the necessary tools to break barriers and give opportunity unlocks unlimited potential in our youth for independence in their postsecondary plan. In her free time, Jaylene enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and reading.

Terri Lewis

Cascade Elementary School
Atlanta, Georgia
Fellow: Tiffany Momon

  • With over 20 years of experience working in education Terri, a native of Washington, DC. pursued her professional career in the Atlanta, GA area, obtained her language TESOL endorsement and began her work as an ESOL teacher. Of her 20 years in education she has spent 10 years working with middle school students where she recognized the importance of technology in education. Terri earned an Educational Leadership Degree from Kennesaw State University in 2009, a Specialist Degree in School Media in 2013 and began her work in an elementary school setting. Currently, Terri currently serves as Math Coach at Cascade Elementary School working with teachers and students. Outside of work, Terri enjoys traveling, nature, and leather crafting. She is excited to serve as an ally developing her leadership skills in the Cahn Fellowship Program.

Katie Main

Park Hill Elementary School
Denver, Colorado
Fellow: Ken Burdette

  • Katie Main is currently the 3rd-grade literacy teacher and Team Lead at Park Hill Elementary School. While working with children as a ski instructor in Colorado, she realized her passion is being part of children's educational experience and learning process. Katie then moved to Denver to attend a graduate program and earn her Master's in Elementary Education. Her passion is in reading instruction and she is Orton Gillingham trained in explicit phonics instruction. Katie leads her team in science-based reading practices and data collection to meet all students' needs. She is the school's Site Assessment Leader, supporting teachers in administering, scoring, and analyzing data. During her teaching career, she has mentored eight student teachers from varying teacher preparation programs. Katie holds a Bachelor’s of Arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master’s in Elementary Education from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She currently is working towards her EdS in Educational Leadership at the University of Northern Colorado. Katie enjoys being outside exploring the mountains, biking and skiing, and traveling to new places.

Teresa Marino

Bronx HS for the Visual Arts
The Bronx, New York
Fellow: Iris Witherspoon

  • Teresa Marino was born and raised in NYC. Teresa and her husband, of over 28 years, are blessed with a family—twin boys and a girl—who have kept them on their toes for years. Teresa earned her BA in English Literature with a minor in Fine Arts from Dowling College. She has an MLS from the CW Post/NYU dual degree, an MS in Secondary Education from Mercy College, and an MS in School Leadership at the College of St. Rose. Her 20+ year career in education started as a middle school ELA teacher, which eventually led her to transition to high school. As a high school teacher, she wore many hats and found her passion for helping students find their voice. She started the first Student Council chapter at Bronx High School for the Visual Arts. In addition to teaching, she was the lead for student and schoolwide events, SEL implementation, and college and career programs. She truly enjoys working with students and teachers to create a nurturing and rigorous learning environment. Teresa was acknowledged by the Academy for Teachers for her dedication to teaching and is a past fellow for CA4A (College Access for All). This year, she is very excited about her new leadership role as Assistant Principal at the Bronx High School for the Visual Arts. She is confident that this leadership role will allow her to serve her school community while supporting her professional growth and development.

Kathleen McBride

Aventura Waterways K-8
Miami, Florida
Fellow: Dr. Bisleixis Tejeiro

  • Mrs. Kathleen McBride is a hardworking, dedicated, and passionate educator. Mrs. McBride has served as an educator for Miami-Dade County Public Schools for the past 16 years. Her career began in 2007 at Madie Ives Elementary teaching 4th grade and led her to Aventura Waterways K-8 Center in 2008, where she became a middle school Language Arts teacher. Since then, Mrs. McBride has served on various committees including: Safety and Wellness, 8th Grade Activities Committee, Safety and Discipline, Secretary of EESAC, National Junior Honor Society Advisor, ELA Middle School Chairperson, School Literacy Team, Professional Learning Support Team, and most recently a B.E.N.C.H. candidate with the goal of becoming an administrator. As a teacher-leader she strives to always develop collaborative partnerships with all stakeholders. At AWK8, Kathleen has grown both personally and professionally. She advocates providing support to educators and students by using effective communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills to ensure the success of teachers and students at her school. Mrs. McBride holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from St. Thomas University. Her goal is to continue working in the field of education inspiring today’s youth while also supporting our educators and community.

Kayla McCabe

Jonathan Burr Elementary School
Chicago, Illinois
Fellow: Amy Klimowski

  • Kayla McCabe serves as an Assistant Principal at Burr Elementary in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago. She began teaching history and geography to middle school students in 2008 and quickly saw the need to learn more about helping struggling readers engage with content-rich text. After earning a Master’s Degree in Literacy, she began teaching ELA in an urban setting with a large percentage of English Learners and quickly saw the need to learn more about English as a Second Language instruction. After earning an endorsement in ESL, she became an instructional leader for teachers in a network spanning 30 elementary schools, supporting curriculum development, assessment, and instruction. Kayla is now part of the Urban Leadership Program at the University of Illinois Chicago; she has served as a Resident in the Chicago Leadership Collaborative and is working toward her Doctorate in Education. Her beliefs about equitable opportunities for all children in public education; the importance of community partnership in quality and joyful educational experiences; and high expectations for academic achievement drive her work in the public school system.

Kelly McCollough

Martin High School
Arlington, Texas
Fellow: Marlene Roddy

  • Kelly McCollough has been in public education for twelve years. Before becoming an educator, Kelly worked as an engineer for ten years at Bell Helicopter. Having a heart for teaching, she earned her secondary math certification and began her education career in 2003. She ultimately found a way to marry her love of teaching and her engineering background by teaching Project Lead the Way engineering courses at Martin High School in Arlington, Texas. In her six years as a teacher at Martin, she served as the CTE department chair, Robotics Team Coach, and AISD STEM Academy math and engineering teacher. Her participation in the design and implementation of the AISD STEM Academy led her to complete a Masters in Educational Leadership. Kelly transitioned to an assistant principal role at Martin High School in 2019 and for the past two years has served as the Dean of Instruction there. Because of her own professional journey, Kelly has a passion for helping students find their personal strengths, identify goals, and chase their dreams.

Brigitte McCue

P.S. 060 Alice Austen
Staten Island, New York
Fellow: Donna Bonanno

  • Brigitte McCue has been an educator for thirty years. Brigitte has worked as a Classroom Teacher, a Math Coach, and a Universal Literacy Coach. Brigitte is currently entering her fourth year as an Assistant Principal at P.S. 60 in Staten Island, NY. Brigitte believes relationship building is the key to developing a safe and supportive environment for all. Brigitte also believes students develop as independent, capable learners, by creating their own learning paths. Brigitte supports both teachers and students in forging pathways to student leadership with weekly walkthroughs that contain glows and grows. Brigitte works as a partner in professional learning with teachers, listening and applying feedback to create productive learning sessions to support instruction and student growth. Brigitte has created opportunities for teachers to view colleagues' practices through classroom inter-visitations.

Vany Miramontes Marquez

Charles M. Schenck Community School
Denver, Colorado
Fellow: Néstor Bravo

  • Vany Miramontes Marquez is embarking on her second year as an Assistant Principal at CMS Community School, the only Dual Language Elementary School in southwest Denver, Colorado. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Human Development with an endorsement in Culturally Linguistically Diverse Education, as well as her Master’s Degree in Administrative Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Colorado Denver. Vany has had many roles in the Denver Public School district such as Interventionist, Student Teacher Resident, Teacher, Team Specialist, Biliteracy Content Lead, Senior Team Lead, Interim Assistant Principal, and Dean of Instruction. However, the driving force for Vany’s work in DPS is identifying as a proud DPS Alumni. She wants to continue to serve her community by providing a fair opportunity for all students to become contributing multi-lingual members of the community in which they are growing up. Vany is passionate about allowing space for students to be proud of their roots and culture through their discovery of their driving values as they work towards developing and owning their education.

Alycia Morell

P.S. 079 Francis Lewis
Queens, New York
Fellow: George Carter

  • Alycia Morell was born and raised in Queens, NY, and is the youngest of seven children. She lives on Long Island with her husband and has three young-adult children. Dr. Morell was the first in her family to receive a Bachelor’s degree. She has been teaching in NYC District 25 since 2009. She received her Ed.D. in Administration and Supervision from St. John’s University in 2019. Since she was a teenager, she has devoted her talent to special education and struggling learners. Dedicated to service, she volunteers for private organizations and her colleagues as a union representative. Her current position for P.S. 79 Queens is IEP teacher. In this role, she ensures quality educational services for all students. Well-versed in academic interventions, she leads the school MTSS team in identifying and supporting students with academic needs. Dr. Morell previously worked as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and was Director of ABA for an Early Intervention service provider, overseeing ABA services for young people with autism. Currently, Dr. Morell is involved with her school's Equity Team, Chronic Absentee Social Emotional Team, Pupil Personnel Team, and School Leadership Team. Through these initiatives, she actively contributes to solving problems of equity outcomes, rethinking the approach to reach the school’s most marginalized students and families.

Nadia Morley

Adams Middle School
Tampa, Florida
Fellow: Nishira Mitchell

  • Nadia has been immersed in education since 2016. Nadia emigrated from the Bahamas to pursue her education. She obtained her AA and BA degrees in Biology and a MA in Management and Administrative Leadership. Her journey consists of triumph and perseverance. Nadia has been a classroom teacher since 2022 and she earned a school-based leadership position as the Science Subject Area Leader. Nadia has risen to the challenge and taken the opportunity to mold and develop young minds while enhancing her own leadership skills. Nadia has always welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with other educators while utilizing the opportunity as a valued added measure for personal growth and development. Nadia's love of humanitarianism has fostered ongoing volunteerism with Feed America Organization and the Salvation Army. Nadia's hobbies include reading mystery novels, spending quality time with family, swimming, and relaxing by the beach.

Jamell O'Neal

Kate Starr Kellogg Elementary School
Chicago, Illinois
Fellow: Dr. Cory Overstreet

  • Jamell O’Neal is the proud assistant principal of Kate Starr Kellogg Elementary. Jamell began her teaching career with Chicago Public Schools over 21 years ago. Within that time, she served in many leadership capacities that allowed her to set high expectations and accountability for both herself and her colleagues. Her leadership efforts resulted in the implementation of best instructional practices by teachers and high academic achievement for students. In 2018, Jamell decided to become an administrator in order to advocate for students and provide them access to quality standards aligned instruction that would motivate and challenge them to strive for excellence. She received a Master’s of Arts from Governors State University in Educational Leadership. After completion of the master’s program, Jamell pursued further learning and was accepted into the rigorous New Leaders for New Schools program as a part of Cohort 22. One of Jamell’s core beliefs is that teachers have the greatest impact on student achievement. With that in mind, she is dedicated to working with teachers to improve their instructional practices to ensure equity and close the achievement gap for all students. She is excited about the opportunity to serve as an ally with her principal while strengthening her own knowledge around current educational issues. Jamell believes that as an effective leader, building relationships is essential to developing strong partnerships with teachers, students, and parents.

Ana Padin-Torres

Maywood Elementary
Los Angeles, California
Fellow: Ana Garcia

  • Ana Padin-Torres has been an instructional leader in LAUSD since 1997. As a proud product of this district, she takes enormous pride in working for a district that focuses on the neediest children of the city of Los Angeles. Currently, Ana Padin is the Assistant Principal at Maywood Elementary School and oversees the Special Education Programs. Ana holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from California State University Northridge. Over the years, she has held an array of titles which have provided her with opportunities to deepen her understanding of developing curriculum and providing intervention for the most at-risk students. Her knowledge of policy, standards, and data analysis are part of what makes her an effective leader. Ana makes time to focus on empowering parents to participate in their child’s learning experiences. She tries to bridge the cultural divide with families by introducing them to school-based platforms that will allow them to maximize the communication between them and the school. The digital climate can be overwhelming for families and communities, so her intentions are to facilitate the process. As a result, Ana has strengthened the relationship between the community and technology. In her tenure at Maywood Elementary School, Ana has participated in multiple teams that collaborated to create the first STEM & Computer Science Magnet Elementary School in the local region.

Enlly Paulino

P.S. 206 Jose Celso Barbosa
Manhttan, New York
Fellow: Camille Forbes

  • Enlly Paulino holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, Master’s degree in School Counseling from Long Island University (Brooklyn, NY 2015) and a Bachelor’s degree in General Business from State University of New York at New Paltz (New Paltz, NY 2006). Ms. Paulino holds her permanent Bilingual certification. Ms. Paulino has served in Public Schools for the past 12 years in several capacities. She has worked as a School Counselor at KAPPA III (8.5 years) and as an Assistant Principal at P.S./M.S. 206 (4 years). Ms. Paulino is passionate about educational leadership, multilingual learners and anti-racist practices. She is dedicated to fostering nurturing learning environments at P.S./M.S. 206. She plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of P.S./M.S. 206. Ms. Paulino has spearheaded initiatives to push for equity and justice to dismantle systems of oppression within the school system. Ms. Paulino is a participant of the 2023-2024 cohort of The Advanced Leadership Program for Aspiring Principals (ALPAP). This program is providing her with an opportunity to enhance existing skills and acquire new skills needed for the principalship position.

Katherine Pettit

South Tampa Academy at
Monroe Middle Magnet
Tampa, Florida
Fellow: Kimberly Jahn

  • Katherine Pettit started her teaching career in 2007 after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from The University of Tampa. After teaching for several years in Sarasota County, she moved back to the Tampa area and eventually made the switch from elementary to middle school. Throughout her career she has thrived on teaching literacy at high needs schools, with a focus on intensive reading. She has held various leadership roles such as team leader, subject area leader, AVID coordinator and consistently received highly effective ratings in the classroom. In 2022, Katherine graduated from the University of South Florida with a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science and joined the Monroe Middle School team as a media specialist. She loved having the opportunity to share her passion for literacy schoolwide and in her first year received the Ida S. Baker award, as well as Rising Star Media Specialist for Hillsborough County. Katherine is so excited for her second year at Monroe and honored to be selected as Mrs. Jahn’s ally for the Cahn Fellowship. She lives in Riverview with her husband Chris, who also works in education. When not in the library, you can find her at book club, cheering on the Tampa Bay Lightning or relaxing with her rescue pup Max

Kara Pranikoff

P.S. 234 Independence School
Manhattan, New York
Fellow: Dana Rappaport

  • Kara Pranikoff is an educator in New York City. She has been part of the PS 234 staff since 2000, where she has had the privilege of growing as a Classroom Teacher, Reading Interventionist, Instructional Coach, and Curriculum Designer. She has also been an Adjunct Instructor at Bank Street College of Education. In her current role as a DEIB Coach, she helps community members engage in the critical self-reflection and strong actions that create a thriving school where all children and families are seen, heard, and learn from each other. Kara facilitates staff-wide professional development, student and caregiver groups, and supports classroom practices with a focus on inquiry-based Social Studies instruction, and pedagogy that centers student voice. Kara’s book, Teaching Talk: A Practical Guide to Fostering Student Thinking and Conversation (Heinemann, 2017), shares ways to cultivate productive and independent student discussions in elementary and middle school classrooms. She believes that conversations have the power to nurture students and teachers to become co-conspirators in the creation of a more inclusive world.

Enesa Purisic

P.S./ IS 178 Holliswood
Queens, New York
Fellow: Jessica Cruz-Pena

  • Enesa Purisic has 15 years of educational experience at the elementary, junior high and high school level. She has served as a Special Education Teacher, Intervention Teacher and now Assistant Principal. Her passion for education was instilled by her family and dedication for helping students and educators find their own pathway to success. Leading by encouragement, purpose and by example, her passion for creating positive learning communities is centered around helping people thrive. A recipient of the Paula Ens Scholarship for academic excellence, Enesa's passion for academia is not just a personal endeavor. Her work has centered around helping people develop a clear vision for the next chapter of their journeys by leading local SAT prep courses, leading a district teacher-assistant principal pipeline program and developing sustainable partnerships with local colleges to support future educators. She has simultaneously supported and led projects such as special education quality reviews, created cross-school collaborative learning communities as a Learning Partner, and led and promoted play-based learning experiences as a Showcase school co-facilitator. Her work comes full circle back to the children as you can often find her reading and interacting with children and giving them explicit opportunities to be change-makers. She strongly believes schools are havens where people of all ages can develop a strong sense of self and find fulfillment in the present moment and excitement for the future.

Aubrey Quigley

Gainesville High School
Prince William County, Virginia
Fellow: Neil Beech

  • Aubrey Quigley works as a Special Education teacher at Gainesville High School in Gainesville, Virginia. After moving from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 2018, she started her teaching career at Fred Lynn Middle School as a Special Education Teacher. Aubrey spent one year as the Special Education Department Chair before moving to a high school in 2022. She graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education (PK-4) and Special Education (K-12) in 2018. Aubrey most recently obtained a Master's degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision from Old Dominion University in the summer of 2023. She is an avid reader and enjoys fishing, hiking, basketball, and traveling with her husband.

Dr. Krista Rajanen

Norwood Park Elementary School
Chicago, Illinois
Fellow: Ryan Coors

  • Krista is the current Assistant Principal at Norwood Park Elementary. A firm believer in the power of collaborative and supportive leadership and in the words of the late Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone, ‘We all do better when we all do better,’ Krista leads from a place of building on individual and community strengths and a belief that when a leader creates and nurtures strong and logical systems, communities thrive. Krista’s first experiences as an educator were as a special education teacher at Goethe Elementary. It was there that Krista was fortunate to work with a truly visionary principal who nurtured Krista’s interest in teacher leadership and ultimately encouraged her to apply and enroll in the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Doctorate in Urban Educational Leadership program. As part of her doctoral studies and in conjunction with the Chicago Leadership Collaborative, Krista completed her principal residency at George Westinghouse College Prep under the mentorship of Dr. Patrick McGill. Following her residency, Krista moved to her current position of Assistant Principal at Norwood Park Elementary where she finds immense purpose in nurturing relationships with students, staff, and families and providing leadership to processes and structures that ultimately lift all stakeholders.

Monica Ramirez

Baskin Elementary
San Antonio, Texas
Fellow: Yvonne Martinez

  • Monica Ramirez has served the SAISD community since 2001 in the following roles: second, fourth, fifth grade teacher and instructional coach. Monica, graduated from United High School in Laredo, Texas. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts with a specialization in Bilingual Education from Our Lady of the Lake University and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Instruction and Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She believes that all children can be successful learners when provided targeted, aligned, engaging instruction. Monica has a passion for coaching teachers to ensure they find effective strategies and instructional tools to help all students reach their fullest potential.

Liza Reyes

P.S./I.S. 266
Queens, New York
Fellow: Ayanna Greenidge

  • Liza Reyes serves as the UFT Teacher Center Instructional Coach and Special Education/Model Teacher at P.S./I.S. 266 in Queens, New York. She has been an educator in both New York City and Long Island school districts serving in various capacities since 2008. In her current role, she works alongside school leadership in order to develop intentional action plans aligning with the school’s initiatives while also identifying and refining instructional problems of practice. Additionally, Ms. Reyes supports her colleagues through focused coaching, coordinating inter-visitations, and designing meaningful research-based professional development to support student academic achievement. She earned her undergraduate degree from Hofstra University with a concentration in psychology, sociology, and history. Ms. Reyes graduated magna cum laude with a Master’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Hofstra University. She also holds an advanced certification in Educational Leadership from The College of St. Rose. Last year, Ms. Reyes participated in the UFT Spring Education Conference as a guest panelist alongside United Federation of Teachers President, Michael Mulgrew. Her dedication and commitment to her craft resulted in an invitation to assist with the role out of the New York City Reads initiative that was launched last year by New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Chancellor David C. Banks. As part of her involvement, she facilitated professional development for New York City teachers across all boroughs. Ms. Reyes believes schools must be the constant for students, teachers, and parents alike by creating a secure, stable, and nurturing environment.

Ana Rodriguez

Ruben Salazar Elementary
Bilingual Center
Chicago, Illinois
Fellow: Lourdes Jimenez

  • Ana Maria Rodriguez earned her B.A. in Secondary Education and History with a Middle School Endorsement. As she taught, Ms. Rodriguez worked on getting her National Board Certification, which she achieved in 2013 and successfully renewed in 2022.Right after, she completed a Masters in Educational Leadership and Administration. Not too long ago, she obtained her Bilingual endorsement and started working on a Math certification. In her 16 years as an educator, she has been privileged to work with teachers and students at Ruben Salazar Bilingual Center for 15 years in a variety of roles. Ms. Rodriguez has worked as a classroom teacher, Dean, and Bilingual Coordinator. Currently, Ana is the Assistant Principal of the school, a role in which she strives to ensure all students feel welcomed and receive a quality education. She is a team player on her school’s Instructional Leadership Team, involved in analyzing data, reviewing school goals, and creating action plans to reach those goals. Ana works alongside her team in offering SEL support to students needing guidance and support in building student agency. She continues to participate in professional development, such as the Latino Leadership Pipeline and the district’s PLCs, to strengthen her leadership role.

Elicia Rodriguez

Information Technology High School
Queens, New York
Fellow: Jean Woods-Powell

  • Elicia Rodriguez has been an educator in the NYC public school system since 2011. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Master’s in Educational Theatre and English from New York University Steinhardt, and a Master’s in Progressive Leadership from Bank Street College of Education. As an educator and a leader, Elicia believes that her role is to elicit adaptive change for all students. In her role as an AP4All Peer Collaborative Teacher from 2017-2022, she led multiple committees, including school development, the instructional leadership team, vertical alignment, and teacher team planning. Elicia believes that every student deserves a change agent in their life, whose goal is to cultivate their growth and development so they can, in turn, be the change needed in the world. Her passion for access and equity drives both her classes and her coaching. As a coach, she supports teachers with resources to aid in the development of a vertically aligned curriculum, ensuring that teacher practice provides tangible support for student success.

Michel Rueda

The Richard Hungerford School
Staten Island, New York
Fellow: Kristin McHugh

  • Michel Rueda has been an educator since 1999, working with students who take both standardized assessments and alternate assessments as a middle school teacher. She has been an assistant principal since 2006. As an assistant principal in Queens, she has supervised elementary, middle school, and high school students throughout the years. She has been able to gain a lot of knowledge from the network of principals with whom she has worked side by side in council meetings, safety meetings, curriculum talks, and everyday interactions. As an assistant principal of operations, she ensured her school was in compliance for safety, testing, and SESIS; and Michel supervised 50 related service providers and 200 paraprofessionals. She also worked to effectively ensure all staff received the professional development necessary to increase student achievement and training on how to engage parents as partners in their child's education. Her goal is for every student to be taught by a highly effective teacher. Michel believes that in order for a school to be successful, the administration, teachers, support staff, parents, and students must work as a unified team. This unified team creates a positive school community where all students feel safe and everyone is accountable for student learning.

Dawn Simon

Burns Middle School
Tampa, Florida
Fellow: Matthew DiPrima

  • Dawn Simon began her career in education in 1996 after serving in the United States Air Force. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Education from the University of South Florida and her Master's degree in Educational Leadership from Saint Leo University. She has taught in middle school, high school, and adult level educational settings in Hillsborough County Public Schools, Florida and Kashunamiut School District, Alaska. She has embraced many leadership roles during her career including Literacy Subject Area Leader, Writing Coach, Team Leader, Intern Collaborating Teacher, and Mentor and serves on various school and community committees. She believes that building relationships with colleagues, parents, and students creates a supportive environment that places the focus on success. In addition, Dawn is the proud mother of four, three of whom are educators. In her spare time, she loves traveling, reading, and spending time with her ten grandchildren.

Tameka Small

Morris Brandon Elementary School
Atlanta, Georgia
Fellow: Jay Bland

  • Ms. Small has been in education for 25 years serving children and school communities of the Atlanta metro area. She graduated from the State University of West Georgia in 1996 in Early Childhood Education. Afterwards she accepted her first teaching position in Atlanta Public Schools at Ragsdale Elementary from 1996-2002. She was voted Teacher of the Year for her school in 2002 because of her dedication and impact on children in her class. She earned a master's degree from Georgia State University in Reading, Language, & Literacy in 2002. She then served as a literacy coordinator in Cobb County Public schools from 2002-2007 at Riverside Elementary School. She then pursued a leadership certification from Georgia State University, receiving an Educational Leadership & Instructional Supervision certification in 2007. Ms. Small was excited to join the founding staff of Coretta Scott King Young Women's Leadership Academy when it opened in 2007, the first single gender school in Atlanta Public Schools. She then transitioned from a literacy coordinator to an administrator in 2010, as an academy leader, when the 9th grade academy opened. Since 2012, Ms. Small has served as an assistant principal at Morris Brandon Elementary School, focusing on positively impacting children and putting them first. Ms. Small was accepted into & completed the Aspiring Principal's Program in Atlanta Public Schools during the 2022-2023 school year. A born educator, Ms. Small continues to grow professionally, her passion for teaching and learning guiding her path.

Randi Schafer

New World Preparatory Charter School
Staten Island, New York
Fellow: Amanda Ainley

  • Randi Schafer is a dedicated school leader and educator with over 13 years of experience in K-12 schools. She currently serves as the Assistant Principal for Data and Assessment at New World Preparatory Charter School in Staten Island, NY. She assumed the role after having served as the Assistant Principal for Middle School since 2020. Randi earned her Bachelor's in Secondary Education from St. John's University in 2010 and her Master's in Mathematics Education from Brooklyn College in 2012. She completed her School Building Leader certification from St. John's University in 2019.

    Throughout her career, Randi has taken on various teaching and leadership roles. She was a math teacher and content team leader for 9 years at New World Prep. She has also served as Title 1 Coordinator, Intervention Coordinator, Associate Director of Academic Support, and Assistant Principal for grades 6-8.

    In her current role, Randi oversees data analysis, assessments, and math curriculum for grades 2-8. She works closely with leadership on school-wide initiatives and programs. Randi trains and collaborates with coordinators on data collection, analysis, and application.

    Randi is driven by supporting students from diverse backgrounds and being part of a family oriented school community. She utilizes data-driven practices, technology integration, and differentiation in her work. Outside of work, Randi enjoys relaxing on weekends and spending time with her family. Randi also enjoys keeping busy while crafting with her Cricut machine and doing projects in her workshop, using her creativity.

Cheryl Stevenson Postlewate

Hill Elementary
Arlington, Texas
Fellow: Kasie Longoria

  • Cheryl Stevenson has been the counselor at Hill Elementary in Arlington ISD in Arlington, Texas since 2003. Prior to counseling at Hill Elementary Cheryl worked at Atherton Elementary as a counselor in Arlington and started her career in education as a third grade teacher in Little Rock, Arkansas. Cheryl is also a licensed professional counselor associate (LPC-A) and works as a clinical therapist at the AISD Care Clinic counseling students who are referred for brief counseling to address maladjustments and trauma that are impeding students’ educational process. In addition to guidance and clinical counseling, Cheryl has served as a practicum supervisor for graduate counseling students and serves as the lead counselor for the Arlington High School Network in AISD. Cheryl is a certified Boys Town Common Sense Parenting facilitator and has extensive training in the Trust Based Relational Interventions (TBRI) from Texas Christian University. Cheryl was a finalist for the Nell Fielding Excellence in Counseling Award in AISD in 2022 and 2023. She studied English and Elementary Education at the University of Texas at Arlington and obtained her certification for school counseling at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock where she obtained her Masters in Education. Cheryl also completed 18 hours of post graduate work at Lamar University to gain a certificate in Clinical Mental Health. She currently lives in Arlington, Texas, and is the proud mother of two college age children who attend Texas Tech University and The University of Texas at Arlington.

Iris Tamayo

Health, Arts, Robotics and Technology High School (H.A.R.T)
Queens, New York
Fellow: Kayode Ayetiwa

  • Iris Tamayo is the proud Assistant Principal of Health, Arts, Robotics, and Technology High School. Since taking on this role in 2021, Iris continues to foster excellence in instruction so students and teachers may reach their full potential. Through a decade of action research, Iris has helped move students in the humanities and beyond, by analyzing skills gaps at the granular level and coaching teachers on how to identify and close those gaps. Iris's experience as a data specialist deepened the passion for finding high leverage entry points and scaling practices school-wide to positively impact overall student achievement. Iris’s motto on solving complicated, nuanced, student achievement problems is the following: “The answer lies in the raw data”.

Sherra Thomas

Kerrydale Elementary School
Prince William County, Virginia
Fellow: Alyse Zeffiro

  • Sherra Thomas has been serving public schools for 21 years and has been the assistant principal of Kerrydale Elementary School in Prince William County Schools (PWCS) district since the 2020-2021 school year. She graduated from Elon University, in North Carolina, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Middle School Education (grades 6-8): Mathematics. She received her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Regent University. Throughout her tenure with PWCS, she has served as a Team Lead, Classroom Teacher, Mentor Teacher, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Coordinator, and Assistant Principal. Sherra is an educational leader of a true community school with a very diverse student population. She works alongside instructional staff and encourages students and staff to meet their fullest potential by providing an environment that is safe and encourages collaboration. She and the current principal, Alyse Zeffiro, have built a positive climate and a culture of high achievement. Kerrydale was recently named 1 of 14 schools in the country as a 2022 ESEA Title I Distinguished School for closing the achievement gap between student groups. She attributes their success to the work they are doing through John Hattie’s Visible Learning research. Teacher clarity, student clarity, effective systems and processes, shared responsibility, and strong relationships are the foundation for creating their assessment capable learners that are persistent, brave, and reflective. Sherra believes Visible Learning has transformed Kerrydale; and, in May 2023 they were named the first Visible Learning Certified School in the State of Virginia.

Rosa Threeton

Herff Elementary
San Antonio, Texas
Fellow: Dr. Kelly Allen

  • Rosie Threeton has worked as a public educator in both Houston and San Antonio Texas since 2005. She has experience working as a classroom teacher, Math/Science Instructional Specialist, At-risk specialist, and is currently entering her 7th year as Assistant Principal at Herff Elementary in San Antonio ISD. She earned her undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering in Monterrey, Mexico, and she quickly learned that her heart belongs in education. In 2011 she earned her Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. She strongly believes in the power of building relationships and makes it a priority to get to know all students and staff. She has seen how attendance, behavior and academic growth improve when students develop a sense of belonging. During her spare time, Rosie enjoys reading, cooking, gardening, and traveling with friends and family.

Romano Vargas

Earlington Heights ES
Miami, Florida
Fellow: Jackson Nicolas

  • Romano Vargas graduated from Columbia College in 2012. In 2013, he began his professional career in Downtown Miami Charter School as a substitute teacher and math interventionist. He transitioned into the classroom in 2014 earning the New Teacher of the Year award and continued teaching math until 2018. Romano briefly taught at Renaissance Charter School in Plantation during the 2018-2019 school year before transitioning to Earlington Heights Elementary (EHES) in 2019. He is rated highly effective by the state and was selected as the school's Teacher of the Year in 2022 for his contribution to student excellence in academic performance during the Covid pandemic. He was petitioned by the district to accept a leadership role as Transformational Mathematics Coach for the Educational Transformation Office as a result of the tremendous impact he has had on the schools' Mathematics achievement levels. During this time, Romano earned his M.Ed. from Nova Southeastern University and plans to expand his impact as an educational leader. Romano continues to serve as the Mathematics Transformation Coach working closely with novice and veteran instructors to continue achieving excellence at Earlington. He mentors young males as the site director for the 5000 Roles Models Program and lends his talents to train students in the game of chess. Romano is a military veteran and continues to proudly serve in the Marine Corps Reserves. He is also the grateful husband to Mercy and proud father of his son Maximus.

David Villegas

Leonides Cigarroa Elementary School
Dallas, Texas
Fellow: Douglas Burak

  • David Villegas is currently in his 13th year with Dallas ISD. Prior to joining the Leonides Gonzalez Cigarroa Elementary School family, David served as an assistant principal, campus instructional coach, and teacher. He whole-heartedly has served the children, staff, and communities of Dallas ISD. David earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Media Advertising and a Master’s of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Texas at El Paso. He joined the Dallas ISD Alternative Certification Program in 2007 and in 2016, he earned a second master’s degree from Southern Methodist University in Educational Leadership. David currently serves as assistant principal at Leonides Gonzalez Cigarroa Elementary School. He is supporting the vision of the school becoming highly respected in the city, and a place where students, staff, and community feel safe; demonstrate their pride; share a love of learning; and a where all students leave above grade level in proficiency to make their way to and through college.

Sathya Wandzek

Beach Court Elementary
Denver, Colorado
Fellow: Leah Schultz-Bartlett

  • Sathya earned her undergraduate degree in Mathematics from CU Boulder, and was a cohort member of the PEBC Boettcher Teacher Residency Program. She received her Masters in Urban Education from Denver University. While teaching middle school math for 10 years in Thornton Colorado, she had the opportunity to mentor two Boettcher teacher residents, lead a curriculum development PLC, and be a lab host to the district. These experiences have been the foundation of her work with PEBC (Public Education Business Coalition) as a staff developer for the last 9 years and now for DPS. In 2021 just as Covid began she became the Dean of Instruction for Beach Court Elementary, and now taking the role of Senior Team Lead. Her passion is creating spaces for all people to see themselves as STEM thinkers and problem solvers.