BROOKLYN PROSPECT - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Math Teacher / Calvin College
Job Titles:
- Director of Student Supports / University of Washington
Job Titles:
- Math Teacher & Math Department Head
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Lower School
Job Titles:
- College Counselor & College Department Coordinator / Washington University in St. Louis
Job Titles:
- Math Learning Specialist / Eastern University
Job Titles:
- Kindergarten Teacher / University of Miami
Job Titles:
- Member of the Network Office Team
- Recruitment Specialist
Job Titles:
- Resident Teacher / St. Francis College
Job Titles:
- Principal / University of Valley Forge
Job Titles:
- Director of Upper School / University of Chicago
Job Titles:
- Director of STEM and Student Supports
Job Titles:
- Head of Student Support Services / Hunter College
Job Titles:
- Humanities Learning Specialist
SUNY Stony Brook, B.A., Columbia University, Teachers College, M.A.
Job Titles:
- Artist - in - Residence / Parsons
Job Titles:
- Math Learning Specialist / California Polytechnic State University
Job Titles:
- After School Program Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Enrichment: Music Teacher
Job Titles:
- Director of Student Supports
Job Titles:
- Science Teacher / Medgar Evers College
Job Titles:
- Humanities Teacher / University of Oklahoma
Job Titles:
- Math Learning Specialist / Northwestern University
Job Titles:
- Physical Education Teacher, Network IB Coordinator of PE / University of Central Florida
Job Titles:
- Interim Director of ELA, Humanities and World Language / University of New Hampshire
Job Titles:
- Dance Activity Specialist
Job Titles:
- Kindergarten Teacher / New York University
Job Titles:
- Special Education Teacher
Job Titles:
- Academic Counselor / City College of NY
Job Titles:
- Member of the Security Team
- Social Worker
Job Titles:
- IB Teaching & Learning Coordinator & Psychology Teacher / the Ohio State University
Job Titles:
- Resident Teacher ( School Support )
Job Titles:
- Lead Teacher / Skidmore College
Skidmore College, B.A. & B.S.; Hunter College, M.A.
Job Titles:
- Art Teacher / Rhode Island School of Design
Job Titles:
- Member of the Network Office Team
- Recruitment Specialist
Job Titles:
- Member of the Network Office Team
- Student Recruitment and Enrollment Specialist / Fordham University
Job Titles:
- Director of Student Supports
Job Titles:
- Teacher / Brooklyn College
Job Titles:
- Dean of Students at Summit Academy
- Founding Principal
Cyana Rahming began her career as a Dean of Students at Summit Academy in Red Hook, Brooklyn. There, her experience nurtured an appreciation for community and advocacy, which she believes is vital in upholding equitable education systems. She later continued her work as a Dean with Uncommon Schools at varied locations in Brooklyn. One of which became a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School during her tenure.
Most recently, Cyana served as a Dean of Instruction and Assistant Principal with Ascend Schools in Brooklyn. Her leadership lends expertise around creating and sustaining school systems that prioritize safety, inclusivity, socio-emotional learning, and academic rigor. Some notable student outcomes from her prior leadership experiences include substantial growth in student reading levels and NYS ELA exam scores.
Cyana has also coached varsity girls' volleyball and is an extracurricular activity enthusiast. She can often be found cheering for students with their families at school events. She has a 2 year-old daughter, Cielle, who is thrilled to be an honorary Prospector!
Cyana earned a B.A. in English Literature from Hofstra University, specializing in creative writing. She then earned her M.S. in Social Work from Columbia University, specializing in nonprofit management. She is an Urban Education Leadership Program doctoral student at Columbia University Teachers College.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Founding Principal / Boston College
Dana Cordero is a seasoned educator with over ten years of teaching experience, including six years at Brooklyn Prospect Downtown Elementary School where she was integral to the growth and success of the school. Dana began her journey as an educator as an undergrad at Boston College. Studying there sparked a flame for education and social justice that she has nurtured ever since. She received her M.S.Ed from Hunter College while teaching first grade.
In 2014, Dana was drawn to Brooklyn Prospect because of its commitment to diversity and rigorous academic programming, in conjunction with project-based learning grounded in students' questions. She served students as an elementary teacher for nearly three years before moving into a leadership role as Head of New Teacher Development where she was able to guide and train early educators. In 2018, Dana became the first member of Prospect Schools' Principal-in-Residence program, an intensive, multi-year program that prepares future leaders for the rigors of running a school. That same year, Dana was selected for the Diverse Charter Schools Coalition's inaugural cohort of School Launch Program Fellows, which gives aspiring Principals the tools they need to create and lead high performing, intentionally diverse charter schools.
In 2020, Principal Cordero founded Windsor Terrace Elementary School, the second elementary school to open in the Prospect Schools community.
Job Titles:
- Learning Specialist / University of Texas at Austin
Job Titles:
- Member of the Network Office Team
- Associate Director of Student Supports
Job Titles:
- Math Teacher / Ohio University
Job Titles:
- First Grade Teacher / Towson University
Job Titles:
- Director of Arts and Athletics / Emerson College
Job Titles:
- Director of ELA, Humanities and World Language / University of San Deigo
Job Titles:
- Registrar / CUNY Queens College
Job Titles:
- 12th Grade Student Affairs Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the Network Office Team
- Director of Information Technology ( IT ) Manhattan College
Job Titles:
- Kindergarten Teacher / Hamilton College
Job Titles:
- 4th Grade Teacher / City College, B.S
Job Titles:
- Science Teacher / California State University
Job Titles:
- Founding Director of Operations
Job Titles:
- Academic Operations Manager / John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Job Titles:
- Head of Litearcy Instruction / Binghamton University
Job Titles:
- Psychology and English Teacher / Ohio University
Job Titles:
- Member of the Network Office Team
- Network Director of Academics K - 5 / University of Oregon
Job Titles:
- Dance Teacher / State University of New York - Oneonta
Job Titles:
- Director of College / Williams College
Job Titles:
- ELA Teacher, ELA / Humanities Department Head / Wesleyan University
Job Titles:
- Social Worker / University of Vermont
University of Vermont, B.A.; New York University, M.S.W.
Job Titles:
- Lead Teacher / St John 's College
St John's College, B.A.; Relay GSE, M.A.; Columbia University Teacher's College, M.A.
Job Titles:
- Math Teacher / University of Houston
Job Titles:
- Operations Coordinator / Kingsborough Community College
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Principal / Wellesley College
Folake Akinola-Pinard started her career in education in 1997. After teaching Kindergarten, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades in both public and charter schools for a total of 15 years, she began taking on leadership roles, serving as a Mentor Teacher, Dean of Students, Head of Youth Development and School Culture and Head of Resident Teacher Development.
Principal Akinola-Pinard believes that all children and families should have access to a quality education and has used her leadership roles in schools as tools to serve as an agent of change. Through her work as a teacher, a school leader, and a volunteer for a non-profit dedicated to the spiritual, intellectual, and emotional growth of young people around the world, Principal Akinola-Pinard has seen the power of an education that teaches both academic skills and a strong mindset. She believes deeply in the BPCS mission that charges excellent teachers to prepare a diverse student body to have a positive impact on society and a lifelong passion for learning. By serving as a leader in true partnership with all members of the DTES community, Principal Akinola-Pinard believes that with our mission as the foundation, we can change the world, one student at a time.
Job Titles:
- Humanities Department Head / Columbia University
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Student Supports / Trinity College
Job Titles:
- Member of the Network Office Team
- Senior Director of Communications and Public Affairs / William Paterson University
Job Titles:
- ELA and Humanities Learning Specialist
Job Titles:
- Director of Operations / Yale University
Yale University, B.A.; Relay Graduate School of Education, M.A.
Job Titles:
- Mandarin Teacher & World Language Department Coordinator / Texas Christian University
Bio
Gravelle Pierre is a Portfolio Manager at Schottenfeld Group - Koyote Capital.
Prior to joining Koyote Capital, Gravelle served as Chief Investment Officer and Founder of Iron Harbor Capital Management, a multi-asset investment firm. Before launching Iron Harbor, Gravelle was a currency and interest rate trader at Goldman Sachs.
In addition to holding a MBA from the Sloan School at MIT, Gravelle holds a B.S. in Systems Engineering from the United States Military Academy-West Point, a M.S. in Organization Leadership from Central Michigan University, and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
Job Titles:
- 3rd Grade Lead Teacher / Oberlin College, B.S. National University
Job Titles:
- Lead Teacher / Warren Wilson College
Warren Wilson College, B.A.; Relay Graduate School of Education, M.A.
Job Titles:
- English Learning Specialist / Indiana University
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Member of the Senior Network Leadership Team
- Chief Financial & Growth Officer
Bio
Hillary Prince is the Chief Financial Officer of Prospect Schools.
Joining the Brooklyn Prospect team in 2009, Hillary has been honored to serve as a member of the founding team of the original middle school, as well as the Prospect Schools charter management organization. Leading both finance and operations for many years, she developed scalable systems and established the school's strong early operational reputation, built a foundation of strong fiscal health for the organization, and has led several building projects and new school launches. Since taking on the role of Chief Financial Officer in 2018, Hillary has narrowed her focus to finance and is now responsible for managing a budget which, under her stewardship, has grown from $2 million to greater than $35 million. Additional core responsibilities include business operations, real estate, and capital projects, and long-term strategic planning.
Prior to building a career in K-12 education, Ms. Prince developed leadership skills and gained operational experience through her work in event management with Madison Square Garden. Deciding to follow a long-held interest in education - and in particular, in school integration, herself attending an urban magnet high school - Hillary completed a yearlong graduate internship at a globally-focused International Baccalaureate magnet school in CT before moving to Brooklyn in 2006. She went on to hone and apply her operational skills to the educational space, holding several roles with The Princeton Review, including Regional Director of Operations, where responsibilities included leading the implementation and national expansion of federally funded afterschool programming.
Ms. Prince earned a B.A. in English-Literature from Skidmore College, and an M.S. in Language Arts Education from the University of New Haven, and is currently enrolled in a nonprofit leadership certificate program at Harvard's Kennedy School. Hillary left NYC in 2016 to build a home in the Hudson Valley with her husband and two young children.
Education:
Skidmore College, B.A.
University of New Haven, M.S.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Network Office Team
- Capital Projects Coordinator / Prairie View a & M University
Job Titles:
- Member of the Network Office Team
- IT Projects & Support Specialist / New York College of Technology
Job Titles:
- World Language Learning Specialist / University of Missouri
Job Titles:
- Science Learning Specialist
Job Titles:
- Science Learning Specialist & Librarian / New York University
Job Titles:
- Director of Academic Programs / Miami University
Job Titles:
- Physical Education Teacher
Job Titles:
- Assistant Principal of Programs / Baruch College
Job Titles:
- After School Activity Specialist
Job Titles:
- Humanities Teacher / LeMoyne College
Job Titles:
- Director of ELA, Humanities and World Languages / Connecticut College
Job Titles:
- Humanities Teacher / Binghampton University
Job Titles:
- Humanities Teacher / Brown University
Job Titles:
- Student Support Department Head / Yale University
Job Titles:
- Science Learning Specialist
Job Titles:
- Lead Teacher / Temple University
Job Titles:
- Member of the Network Office Team
- Director of S.T.E.M
Job Titles:
- Director of School Operations / Binghamton University
Job Titles:
- ELA Learning Specialist & Reading Enrichment Teacher
Job Titles:
- Career Counselor & CAS Coordinator / Fordham University
Job Titles:
- Operations Program Manager
Job Titles:
- Paraprofessional / Afterschool Activity Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Humanities Teacher / New York University
Job Titles:
- Spanish Teacher / Rutgers University
Bio
Juliet Cullen-Cheung is President of Steiner NYC, the real estate development arm of Steiner Studios, the 50-acre film and television facility in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where she oversees real estate development and residential property management.
Prior to joining Steiner in 2006, Juliet worked with the City of New York's Department of Housing Preservation and Development for five years in affordable housing finance and redevelopment.
She holds an MS in Urban Planning from Columbia University and a BA in Visual Art and Anthropology from the University of Chicago. As a parent of twin students in the network, with experience on several neighborhood boards, including Community Board 2, and having earned an International Baccalaureate diploma through the Chicago Public School system, she shares an affinity with the principles of Brooklyn Prospect Charter School.
Job Titles:
- Social Worker / McGill University
McGill University, B.A., Columbia University, M.A.; Columbia University, M.Ed.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Principal of Programs / Vanderbilt University
Job Titles:
- Registrar / University of San Franscisco
Job Titles:
- 3rd Grade Teacher / Syracuse University, B.S. Fordham University
Job Titles:
- Art Teacher / Pratt Institute
Job Titles:
- 10th Grade Student Affairs Manager
Job Titles:
- Science Learning Specialist / University of Utah
Job Titles:
- Chief Academic and Schools Officer
Bio
With over 20 years in public education, Kecia Clark has relentlessly worked to help ensure that all young people have access to quality education and opportunities.
Before joining Prospect Schools, Kecia served as a Managing Director for Uplift Education in Dallas-Forth, TX, a network that serves 20,000 scholars across 45 schools. Kecia supervised seven schools in her role, managing instruction and teacher and leader development. Prior to that role, Kecia was a principal for five years in the South of Dallas neighborhood. Under her leadership, her school experienced over 45% growth in student achievement and received two academic distinctions from the Texas Education Agency. Prior to her principalship, Kecia was an assistant principal in Chicago, IL. Before she took on school leadership, Kecia taught elementary school special education and middle school and high school Math in Miami, FL, Chicago, IL, Houston, TX, and the District of Columbia.
Kecia graduated from the University of the District of Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in psychology and completed her graduate coursework at the University of Illinois Chicago. Kecia is a 2023 Pahara Fellow and holds certificates from the Harvard University School of Education and the Deloitte Courageous Principals Program. Kecia is an active member of her community, including the Alumni Council Board for the Principal Impact Collaborative and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., among others.
Job Titles:
- Science Teacher / Stanford University
Job Titles:
- Member of the Security Team
- Registrar
Job Titles:
- Physical Education Teacher
Job Titles:
- Physical Education Teacher
Job Titles:
- Member of the Security Team
- Operations Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Reading Teacher / Keuka College
Job Titles:
- Humanities Teacher / Hobart and Williams - Smith College
Job Titles:
- College Counselor / Lincoln University
Job Titles:
- Music Teacher / Pennsylvania State University
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Network Science
Job Titles:
- HR & Talent Partner / Long Island University
Job Titles:
- Director of Data / Smith College
Job Titles:
- Member of the Network Office Team
- Data Specialist
Job Titles:
- Member of the Network Office Team
- Director of HR Operations
Job Titles:
- Librarian / Trinity College
Bio
Lisa is the Chief People Officer at Prospect Schools.
Lisa brings a decade of leadership experience in education to our team. Before joining Prospect Schools, she served as the Managing Director of Operations at Harlem Village Academies, a progressive PreK-12 charter network. In this role, Lisa led the management and development of the network operations team, student enrollment team, and the Directors of Operations at all six school campuses, serving over 1,600 students.
Prior to HVA, Lisa served as a Director of Operations Manager with Uncommon Schools, where she trained the Directors of Operations and Operations Fellows at three Uncommon middle schools to ensure operational excellence. She began her journey in education when she joined Teach For America in New York City and was placed in a traditional public school in the Bronx as a sixth grade ELA and history teacher. She also taught middle school at Achievement First and was an Assistant Principal at Success Academy.
Lisa received a B.A. from Cornell College with a triple major in politics, international relations, and women's studies. She went on to complete her Master of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education.
During her free time, Lisa is an avid traveler, foodie, and recently ran her first New York City marathon!
Job Titles:
- Director of Student Support / Wesleyan University
Job Titles:
- IEP Coordinator and Learning Specialist
Job Titles:
- 3rd Grade Teacher / Bowling Green State University, B.S
Job Titles:
- Director of Afterschool and Extended - Day Programming / University of Missouri
Job Titles:
- Member of the Security Team
- Special Projects Manager
Job Titles:
- Academic Counselor / Syracuse University
Job Titles:
- Humanities Learning Specialist / Clark University
Job Titles:
- Data Programs Specialist / Bard College
Job Titles:
- Director of Student Supports Services / Brown University
Job Titles:
- Registrar / University of the South
University of the South, B.A.; M.A. Teaching - Relay
Job Titles:
- Office Manager / CUNY LaGuardia Community College
Job Titles:
- Principal / Boston College
Matt brings over 18 years of New York City education experience to Clinton Hill as the school principal. He started his career as a New York City Teaching Fellow, teaching 10th grade English at a high school in the Bronx for six years. From there he worked at the nonprofit Futures and Options, supporting high school students around the city as they started internships at various companies, before joining Prospect Schools in 2013. Matt worked for six years as the Director of School Culture at BPCS High School before serving two years as Principal in Residence at Clinton Hill Middle School, with a six-month stint as interim principal in the Spring of 2020.
He has always been a committed lifelong student, earning two Master's degrees for education from Lehman College and Baruch College, completing two year-long principal training programs through The New Teacher Project and Relay Graduate School of Education, and earning his New York State school building leadership certification through St. Joseph's College.
Throughout his career Matt has always believed in a holistic approach to educating students, getting to know them as individuals and finding ways to spark their passion. Over the years he has accomplished this through service trips with students, coaching basketball and softball, empowering interns to be successful, and focusing on getting to know each student in his classroom. Matt is excited to bring this focus on developing the whole child to Clinton Hill MS, making sure all students feel cared for and known while achieving academic success at the highest level.
Job Titles:
- English Learning Specialist
Job Titles:
- Director of Capital Projects / University of Louisvile
Job Titles:
- Lead Teacher / Bard College
Job Titles:
- Humanities Teacher / University of Richmond
Job Titles:
- Founder and Principal at Petrocelli Law
Bio
Maya Petrocelli lives in Brooklyn, which she has called home for over a decade.
Maya is the founder and principal at Petrocelli Law, PLLC, a law firm that represents clients across various industries with a focus on commercial litigation and general business disputes, as well as Article 78 proceedings against various government agencies. She is a member of the bar in New York. Maya received both the Rising Star and Super Lawyer awards from Super Lawyers NY Metro, as well as the Power Women in Business Award from Star Network. Maya has a JD from Suffolk University Law School, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Boston College.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Special Education / University of Georgia
Job Titles:
- Member of the Security Team
- Learning Specialist
Job Titles:
- Lead Teacher / City College of New York
City College of New York, B.A., Touro College, M.A.
Job Titles:
- Science Teacher / University of California, Berkeley
Job Titles:
- Director of STEAM / Duquesne University
Job Titles:
- Math Teacher / University of Tennessee
Job Titles:
- Math Learning Specialist / University of Nevada
Job Titles:
- Network Director of Literacy
Job Titles:
- Director of Special Projects / University of Pennsylvania
Job Titles:
- ELA and Humanities Learning Specialist
Job Titles:
- Humanities Learning Specialist & Reading Enrichment Teacher / Roberts Wesleyan College
Job Titles:
- Spanish Teacher / City College of New York
Job Titles:
- Special Assistant to the CEO / St. John 's University
Job Titles:
- English Learning Specialist / Bard College
Job Titles:
- Math Learning Specialist / State University of Purchase
Job Titles:
- AD of Special Education / California State University
Job Titles:
- Director of Student Recruitment & Enrollment
Job Titles:
- Director of School Operations
Job Titles:
- Social Worker / Lehman College
Job Titles:
- Deputy Chief of Schools ( K - 5 ) Tufts University
Job Titles:
- College Counselor / Fordham University
Job Titles:
- Athletics Department Head / St. Francis College
Job Titles:
- Member of the Security Team
Job Titles:
- Art Teacher / City College of New York
Job Titles:
- Member of the Security Team
- Math Learning Specialist / University of Delaware
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Network Operations
Job Titles:
- College Counselor / American University
Job Titles:
- Member of the Security Team
- After School Program Manager / Brooklyn College
Job Titles:
- Chief of Staff & Strategy
Bio
Paul is the Chief of Staff & Strategy at Prospect Schools.
Paul is honored to serve as Prospect Schools' Chief of Staff & Strategy. His career has focused on a simple - yet challenging - pursuit: creating the conditions for individuals to come together as part of a team and achieve more than they thought possible.
Paul began his career as a teacher, both in Germany (as part of a Fulbright Scholarship) and in New Orleans, where Paul was a Teach for America Corps Member. After teaching, Paul began working for the management consulting firm L.E.K. Consulting to hone his analytical and technical skills. After L.E.K., Paul joined the leadership team of Achievement First Crown Heights Middle School as a Director of School Operations. It was at this school where Paul's passion for teams truly took root. As Director of School Operations, and later as Dean of Students, Paul led the team's efforts to build a welcoming, inclusive, and inspiring team culture that allowed the team to achieve remarkable improvements in student outcomes. Seeking to expand this skillset, Paul transitioned to working at Bellwether Education Partners, a national non-profit that supports education organizations across the country. Most recently, Paul served as the Talent Chief of Staff at Achievement First where Paul has applied his passion for teamwork across a network of 41 schools. At Achievement First, Paul helped a network of 2,000+ teammates align around shared core values, define its vision for the future, and successfully navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
Paul and his wife (Eve) live in Prospect Heights with their daughter (Lilia) and dog (Harvey).
Job Titles:
- Science Teacher / Hunter College
Job Titles:
- Member of the Security Team
- Math Teacher
Job Titles:
- Capital Projects Specialist / Haverford College
Job Titles:
- Science Learning Specialist / Washington & Jefferson College
Job Titles:
- Math Teacher / Samford University
Northwestern University, BA, Relay Graduate School, MAT
Job Titles:
- Member of the Security Team
Job Titles:
- Science Learning Specialist
Job Titles:
- Accounting Coordinator / Manhattanville College
Job Titles:
- Director of Special Projects, Finance, & Growth
Job Titles:
- Physical Education Teacher
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Special Projects & Literacy for Multilingual Learners / Brown University
Job Titles:
- Physical Education Teacher / Benedict College
Job Titles:
- Learning Specialist / Hunter College
Job Titles:
- Human Resources Operations Specialist
Bio
Sagar Desai is a continuous learner who brings more than 15 years of experience in improving education and economic mobility outcomes, having worked with nonprofits, for-profits and NGOs in start-up, scaling and sustaining roles. He is currently an Executive Coach and Senior Consultant for Nonprofit Leaders and Organizations helping clients move towards their hoped-for future and impact.
Previously Sagar was the Managing Director of innovation at StriveTogether, where he built and scaled training programs for community leaders to transform systems in service of more equitable outcomes in communities across the country. Prior to StriveTogether, Sagar was a senior consultant with Ballmer Group, where he built and executed a national strategy to attract and prepare more racially diverse and proximate leaders to work in community partnerships, investing $35 million in national training and fellowship organizations.
Prior to Ballmer Group, Sagar served as a managing director and COO for the Commit Partnership in Dallas. The Partnership is the largest educational intermediary in the country: a coalition of more than 200 organizations serving 750,000 students. In 2019, Sagar launched a statewide campaign to systemically reform how Texas funds public education, resulting in a $6.5 billion increased investment in public education. In addition, he has incubated and scaled regional coalitions to systemically and equitably improve educational outcomes, helping to ensure that every student has an effective educator and that every student graduates college and career ready .
Sagar received his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. He currently sits on the Board of Govern for America and Brooklyn Prospect Charter Schools.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Employee Relations
Job Titles:
- Humanities Teacher / University of Wisconsin - Madison
Job Titles:
- Art Teacher / Pratt Institute
Job Titles:
- Spanish Teacher / University of Valencia
Job Titles:
- Kindergarten Teacher / University of Buffalo
Job Titles:
- Managing Director of the Charter Network Accelerator
Bio
Sara Keenan is the Managing Director of the Charter Network Accelerator, a national program that supports leadership teams of small charter networks in building the foundation they need to grow with quality.
Sara joined Achievement First in 2008 and worked there for 5 years as the VP of Leadership Development. In that capacity, she managed the professional learning for principals, created leadership pipeline programs, and strengthened the network's talent strategy and practices. Before working at Achievement First, Sara was a high school English teacher in Wisconsin, a middle school English teacher in Chicago, and a coach, supporting New York City teachers on integrating technology and media into their classrooms. Sara is an alum of Education Pioneers and the Broad Residency. She received her undergraduate degree in English Education from the University of Wisconsin and a masters degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. Sara and her husband, Vance, live in Brooklyn with their two kids.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Chief of Schools ( 6 - 12 )
Job Titles:
- ELA Teacher / William Smith College
Job Titles:
- Resident Teacher / St. Joseph College
Job Titles:
- Visual Arts Teacher / Seton Hall
Job Titles:
- Director of Development / Hebrew University
Job Titles:
- Director of School Operations
Job Titles:
- Humanities Teacher / University of Delaware
Job Titles:
- Director of Finance Operations / Villanova University
Job Titles:
- Science Learning Specialist / Gordon College
Job Titles:
- Director of STEAM / Columbia University
Job Titles:
- ELA Teacher and Cheerleading Coach / Howard University
Job Titles:
- ELA Learning Specialist & Reading Enrichment Teacher
Job Titles:
- Math Teacher / Cornell University
Job Titles:
- Social Worker / University of Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts, M.A., Fordham University MSW
Job Titles:
- Resident Teacher / University of Oklahoma
Job Titles:
- Head of Math Instruction / Columbia University
Bio
Theresa Sanchez has been an administrative professional for almost 19 years with the City of New York, she currently serves as the Operations Coordinator with the Department of Buildings. Theresa has been a member of the BPCS community for 5 years; she became an active PTSO member at WTMS when her oldest daughter started in September 2018. She served as a grade representative for the first 3 years and was voted in as PTSO President which granted her the opportunity to be a part of the President's Council monthly meetings, partner with our schools principal & faculty, and get a chance to learn more about the community, our purpose and who we are. Theresa is excited to become a member of the board as a PTSO/Parent for our High School.
Job Titles:
- Interim Director of Network Operations / Indiana University
Job Titles:
- Humanities Learning Specialist
Job Titles:
- Humanities Teacher & Humanities Department Head / the University of Texas
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Senior Network Leadership Team
Bio
Tresha Ward is the Chief Executive Officer of Prospect Schools.
Tresha comes to Prospect Schools with nearly two decades of experience in education and a career underscored by an unwavering commitment to educational equity. A native of the Bronx, Tresha began her career as a Teach For America corps member in the Houston Independent School District. In 2010, she opened KIPP Legacy Preparatory School - an elementary school with an International Baccalaureate focus - and grew the school to serve 900 children. Tresha then served as the School Leader Development Director for the KIPP Foundation. In this role, she provided support to more than 200 of KIPP's school leaders across the country, through the creation of leadership development programming, as an instructor for instructional leadership, and direct coaching.
After her time with the KIPP Foundation, Tresha returned to schools as Managing Director of Schools for KIPP NYC, where she focused on principal management and school turnaround. Most recently, Tresha served as Partner at Bellwether Education Partners, where she led the academic and program strategy team. In this role, Tresha's work centered around building the capacity of school and executive-level network leaders through advising and executive coaching. She has a particular passion for supporting leaders of color to sustain in their roles.
Education:
Vanderbilt University, B.A.
Stanford University, M.A. in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership
Job Titles:
- Social Worker / Emory University
Job Titles:
- Director of Specialized School Support / New York University
Job Titles:
- English Teacher / Clark University
Job Titles:
- Operations Program Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Lead Teacher / Touro College
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Member of the Senior Network Leadership Team
Bio
Yoni Samuel-Siegel is the Chief Operating Officer of Prospect Schools.
Yoni Samuel-Siegel has two decades of diverse experience in the field of education as a classroom teacher, non-profit leader, and charter school operational leader. Yoni began his career spending 10 years in the classroom as a Middle School Language Arts Teacher. During that time he took every opportunity to become more involved in his school community, including coaching basketball and track and founding a student peer leadership organization, and leading professional development sessions for fellow teachers in the region.
After leaving the classroom, Yoni transitioned to working in the education non-profit sector spending 5 years as Campus Director and Managing Director of Program with Citizen Schools in Houston, Texas. During his time as Managing Director, Citizen Schools launched two new sites of expanded learning-time programs at Houston ISD middle schools, bringing hundreds of volunteer professionals into classrooms to share their experience and helping to narrow the opportunity gap for nearly double the students in the city.
Yoni then transitioned to leading charter school operations as the founding Associate Chief Operating Officer at Camden Prep, Uncommon Schools' newest region, where he led all school and regional operations. During his time as ACOO, Camden Prep doubled its number of enrolled students and launched two new schools while opening a new building and substantially renovating another to ensure students in the City of Camden had the beautiful school facilities they deserve. Most recently, Yoni served as Chief Operating Officer for BRICK Education Network, a Newark, NJ based charter management organization.
Yoni holds a BS from Rutgers University in Administration of Justice and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from William Paterson University.
When he's not working or spending time with his family, Yoni enjoys cooking, playing games, and crossfit.
Job Titles:
- Director of Lower School / Spelman College