BROOKLYN PROSPECT - Key Persons
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- Math Teacher / Calvin College
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- Social Worker / University of Wisconsin - Madison
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- Head of Instruction - Principal in Residence / University of Washington
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- Dean of Students / Syracuse University
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- Interim Head of Student Support Services
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- College Counselor & College Department Coordinator / Washington University in St. Louis
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- Kindergarten Teacher / University of Miami
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- Member of the Network Office Team
- Recruitment Specialist
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- Spanish Teacher / St. Francis College
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- Interim Principal / University of Valley Forge
Beyond the walls of Prospect Schools, AJ is a passionate advocate for underserved communities and college access for all. He founded the male development and empowerment program at The East Flatbush Community Research School, collaborating with the My Brother's Keeper initiative founded by Former President Barack Obama. AJ has also partnered with NYC district offices and The City University of New York to provide professional development for educators on culturally responsive teaching practices, trauma-informed practices, and supporting young males of color. For the past decade, he has worked with CUNY Research Foundation at Medgar Evers College, empowering young adult learners in the Adult Literacy Program and The Black Male Initiative, a program focused on increasing matriculation, retention, and graduation rates of underrepresented students, particularly men of color. AJ's passion for education has extended to various universities, including New York University, Columbia University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Yeshiva University, where he has taught adjuncts and/or as a field instructor for graduate students.
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- Head of Literacy / University of Chicago
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- Science Learning Specialist / Gordon College
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- Head of Student Support Services / Hunter College
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- Humanities Learning Specialist
SUNY Stony Brook, B.A., Columbia University, Teachers College, M.A.
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- Artist - in - Residence / Parsons
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- Math Learning Specialist / California Polytechnic State University
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- Member of the Network Office Team
- Associate Director of Finance / McGill University
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- Enrichment: Music Teacher
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- Science Teacher / Medgar Evers College
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- Humanities Teacher / University of Oklahoma
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- Science Learning Specialist & Associate Department Head
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- Math Learning Specialist / Northwestern University
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- Physical Education Teacher / University of Central Florida
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- ELA Learning Specialist & Literacy Department Head / University of New Hampshire
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- Lead Teacher / New York University
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- Academic Counselor / City College of NY
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- IB Teaching & Learning Coordinator & Psychology Teacher / the Ohio State University
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- Assistant Dean of Students
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- Lead Teacher / Skidmore College
Skidmore College, B.A. & B.S.; Hunter College, M.A.
Worcester State University, B.A.; Simmons College, M.A.
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- Art Teacher / Rhode Island School of Design
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- Member of the Network Office Team
- Recruitment Specialist
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- Member of the Network Office Team
- Student Recruitment and Enrollment Specialist / Fordham University
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- Director of Student Supports
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- Humanities Teacher / Indiana University
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- Social Worker Intern / University of Maryland
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- After School Activity Specialist
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- Director of School Operations / Rutgers University
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- Teacher / Brooklyn College
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- World Language Department Head / University of Valencia
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- 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.
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- Learning Specialist / University of Texas at Austin
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- Member of the Network Office Team
- Associate Director of Student Supports
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- Arts Department Head / Emerson College
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- Head of Instruction / University of San Deigo
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- Registrar / CUNY Queens College
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- 11th Grade Level Leader & English Teacher / City College of New York, B.a., New York University, EMAT Candidate
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- Member of the Network Office Team
- Director of Information Technology ( IT ) Manhattan College
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- Kindergarten Teacher / Hamilton College
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- After School Program Manager
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- Lead Teacher / City College
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- Lead Teacher / Hunter College
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- Science Teacher / California State University
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- Academic Operations Manager / John Jay College of Criminal Justice
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- Head of Litearcy Instruction / Binghamton University
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- Spanish Teacher / Carnegie Mellon University
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- Member of the Network Office Team
- Director of HR Operations
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- Network Director of Academics K - 5 / University of Oregon
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- Dance Teacher / State University of New York - Oneonta
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- Director of College Counseling / Williams College
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- ELA Teacher, ELA / Humanities Department Head / Wesleyan University
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- Behavioral RTI Counselor / University of Vermont
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- Lead Teacher / St John 's College
St John's College, B.A.; Relay GSE, M.A.; Columbia University Teacher's College, M.A.
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- Math Teacher / University of Houston
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- Operations Coordinator / Kingsborough Community College
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- 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.
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- Science Teacher / Florida Gulf Coast University
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- Humanities Department Head / Columbia University
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- Associate Director of Student Supports / Trinity College
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- Senior Director of Communications and Public Affairs / William Paterson University
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- ELA & Humanities Teacher / New York University
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- Director of Operations / Yale University
Yale University, B.A.; Relay Graduate School of Education, M.A.
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- Mandarin Teacher & World Language Department Coordinator / Texas Christian University
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- 12th Grade Level Leader & Theory of Knowledge Teacher
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.
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- Learning Specialist / Oberlin College
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- Spanish Teacher / Ohio University
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- Lead Teacher / Warren Wilson College
Warren Wilson College, B.A.; Relay Graduate School of Education, M.A.
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- Science Teacher & Science Department Coordinator / the College of William and Mary
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- English Learning Specialist / Indiana University
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- 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.
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- Capital Projects Coordinator / Prairie View a & M University
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- IT Projects & Support Specialist / New York College of Technology
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- Director of School Culture
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- World Language Learning Specialist / University of Missouri
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- Science Learning Specialist & Librarian / New York University
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- Director of Academic Programs / Miami University
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- Lead Teacher / George Mason University
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- Director of School Culture / Baruch College
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- After School Activity Specialist
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- Humanities Teacher / LeMoyne College
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- Head of Instruction / Connecticut College
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- Humanities Teacher / Binghampton University
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- Humanities Teacher / Brown University
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- Science Teacher & Science Department Head / Boston University
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- Student Support Department Head / Yale University
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- Science Learning Specialist
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- Lead Teacher / Temple University
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- Director of School Operations / Binghamton University
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- Career Counselor & CAS Coordinator / Fordham University
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- Operations Program Manager
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- Paraprofessional / Afterschool Activity Coordinator
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- Humanities Teacher / New York University
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- 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.
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- Social Worker / McGill University
McGill University, B.A., Columbia University, M.A.; Columbia University, M.Ed.
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- 3rd Grade Teacher / Syracuse University, B.S. Fordham University
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- Art & Spanish Teacher / Pratt Institute
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- Enrichment: Spanish Teacher
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- Science Learning Specialist / University of Utah
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- 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.
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- Spanish Teacher / Russell Sage College
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- Science Teacher / Stanford University
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- Literacy Intervention and Humanities Learning Specialist / Keuka College
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- Humanities Teacher / Hobart and Williams - Smith College
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- Lead Teacher / California State University
California State University, Stanislaus, B.S.; University of the Pacific, M.A.
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- College Counselor / Lincoln University
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- Music Teacher / Pennsylvania State University
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- Associate Director of Network Science
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- Humanities Learning Specialist / Trevecca Nazerene University
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- HR & Talent Partner / Long Island University
SUNY Geneseo, B.S.; The College of Saint Rose, M.S.
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- Director of Data / Smith College
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- Member of the Network Office Team
- Data Specialist
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- Social Worker / Connecticut College
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- 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!
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- Director of Student Support / Wesleyan University
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- School Social Worker, Leave Replacement
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- Lead Teacher / Illinois State University
Illinois State University, B.S.; SUNY Oneonta, M.S.
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- ELA Teacher / Skidmore College
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- Resident Teacher / Bowling Green State University
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- Director of Afterschool and Extended - Day Programming / University of Missouri
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- Academic Counselor / Syracuse University
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- Humanities Learning Specialist / Clark University
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- Data Programs Specialist / Bard College
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- Director of Student Supports / Brown University
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- Registrar / University of the South
University of the South, B.A.; M.A. Teaching - Relay
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- Office Manager / CUNY LaGuardia Community College
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- Director of School Culture / John Jay College of Criminal Justice
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- Principal / Boston College
Matt is excited to bring his 16 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 Youth Development and 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 is on his way to gaining certification as a school building leader 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, running video game clubs, 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.
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- Humanities Learning Specialist
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- Director of Capital Projects / University of Louisvile
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- Lead Teacher / Bard College
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- 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.
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- ELA Teacher and ELA / ELA SSS Department Head / University of Georgia
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- Lead Teacher / City College of New York
City College of New York, B.A., Touro College, M.A.
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- Lead Teacher / Brooklyn College
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- Science Teacher / University of California, Berkeley
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- Math Teacher & Math Department Head / Duquesne University
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- Math Teacher / University of Tennessee
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- Math Learning Specialist / University of Nevada
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- Network Director of Literacy
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- Director of Special Projects / University of Pennsylvania
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- ELA / Humanities Learning Specialist
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- Resident Teacher / City College of New York
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- Special Assistant to the CEO / St. John 's University
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- Social Worker / Concordia College
Concordia College, B.S.W.; Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service, M.S.W.
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- English Learning Specialist / Bard College
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- Math Learning Specialist / State University of Purchase
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- Math Learning Specialist / California State University
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- Director of Student Recruitment & Enrollment
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- Director of School Operations
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- Lead Teacher / Monroe College
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- Deputy Chief of Schools ( K - 5 ) Tufts University
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- College Counselor / Fordham University
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- Spanish Teacher / Manhattanville College
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- Athletics Department Head / St. Francis College
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- Art Teacher / City College of New York
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- Math Learning Specialist / University of Delaware
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- Senior Director of Network Operations
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- Academic Counselor / American University
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- After School Program Manager / Brooklyn College
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- 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).
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- Science Teacher / Hunter College
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- Capital Projects Specialist / Haverford College
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- Science Learning Specialist / Washington & Jefferson College
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- Math Teacher / Samford University
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- Music Teacher / Brandeis University
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- Accounting Coordinator / Manhattanville College
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- Associate Director of Special Projects & Literacy for Multilingual Learners / Brown University
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- Physical Education Teacher / Benedict College
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- Learning Specialist / Hunter College
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.
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- Associate Director of Employee Relations
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- Art Teacher / Pratt Institute
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- Spanish Teacher / University of Valencia
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- Social Worker / Emmanuel College
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- Lead Teacher / University of Buffalo
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- 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.
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- Lead Teacher / Hunter College
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- Deputy Chief of Schools ( 6 - 12 )
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- ELA Teacher / William Smith College
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- Arts & Athletics Department Head and Visual Arts Teacher / Seton Hall
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- Director of Development / Hebrew University
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- After School Activity Specialist
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- Mandarin Teacher / Central China Normal University, B.a. & M.a. City University of New York
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- Humanities Teacher / University of Delaware
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- Spanish Teacher & World Language Department Head / University of Pittsburgh
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- ELA Teacher & Learning Specialist / University of Buffalo
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- Director of Finance Operations / Villanova University
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- Director of STEAM / Columbia University
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- Lead Teacher / Ashford University
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- Math Teacher / Cornell University
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- English Learning Specialist
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- Science Teacher / Spelman College
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- English Learning Specialist / George Washington University
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- 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.
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- Humanities Teacher & Humanities Department Head / the University of Texas
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- 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
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- Social Worker / Emory University
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- 10th Grade Level Leader & English Teacher
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- High School Principal / New York University
After serving in a variety of roles at Brooklyn Prospect for the past decade, Wendell Cheung is excited to step into the role of HS Interim Principal during the 2022-23 academic year. As a New York City educator for the past 15+ years, Wendell brings a wealth of experience working with students in the K-12 and post-secondary settings at a variety of educational institutions and settings. Throughout the years, Wendell has served in the capacity as Program Coordinator at NYU Steinhardt Global Programs, Program Director for a Chinese immersion camp, Computer Science Instructional Fellow, Hunter College Adjunct Lecturer of Math Education, and a lead curriculum writer and accreditation team for the IB Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme.
Joining Brooklyn Prospect in 2012 as the 8th grade math teacher, Wendell has dedicated his career to preparing students to become global citizens and making them love mathematics just a little bit more! Using highly rigorous and accessible materials, he has been able to develop students' confidence, mathematical skill, and belongingness in the math classroom. With a belief that every student can be successful, Wendell recognizes that every student has their own strengths and he leverages their brilliance in the classroom and within the school community. As a longtime 9th grade Algebra 1 teacher in the high school, Wendell has also served in a variety of leadership roles at Brooklyn Prospect - as the MS/HS Math Department Head, HS STEM Department Head, HS Director of Instruction, and HS Deputy Principal at Brooklyn Prospect. Most recently, Wendell presented at regional math conferences and workshops, led programming for cross-functional teams as the Prospect Schools Emerging Leaders Program Lead, and is currently leading a Community of Practice with the Diverse Charter School Coalition focused on ‘Leveraging Data for Equity'.
At the core of his work as an educator, Principal Cheung aims to cultivate a community of learners where every individual is able to show up with their personal assets and grow with coaching and support. In our diverse community, Wendell is committed to ensuring that all voices and perspectives are given an equitable opportunity to achieve. In his spare time, Wendell travels the world for food, binge watches British crime dramas, loves to sing 90's karaoke songs, and is an aspiring computer programmer.
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- English Teacher / Clark University
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- Musical Theater and Film Teacher & Associate Department Head / University of Minnesota
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- Director of Network Operations / CUNY College of Technology
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- Operations Program Coordinator
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- Lead Teacher / Touro College
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- 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.
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- Director of Lower School / Spelman College