HIGHLANDER CHARTER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of School Life and Admissions
Job Titles:
- Afterschool Program Director
Job Titles:
- School Nurse Teacher Warren
Job Titles:
- Member of the Faculty & Staff
- Teacher Assistant Elementary School
Job Titles:
- Middle School ELA Teacher
Bio:
Amanda began teaching English in 2015, and started at Highlander in 2017. She holds a Bachelors of Arts & Science in English and Secondary Education, from Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. In addition to being a teacher, Amanda is a published writer and certified Reiki Master. She is a Rhode Island native, and enjoys spending her free time reading, writing, and exploring the great outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Middle and High School Social Worker
Job Titles:
- Assistant Principal, Middle and High School
- Middle and High School Assistant Principal
Bio:
Angela has been a 7th and 8th grade science teacher at Highlander since 2016. Prior to that, she taught for 11 years at Calcutt Middle School in Central Falls. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from URI and Masters in EL Education from Brown. She also enjoys teaching yoga and running mud races in her spare time.
Bio: Angela began her career in education as Science Teacher at Calcutt Middle School in Central Falls. She came to Highlander Charter School in 2015 to continue teaching middle school science. Mrs Goulart's role shifted to the Dean of Culture and Students in 2021, and she accepted the role of Assistant Principal at the Warren Campus in the summer of 2022.
Angela has lived most of her life in Rhode Island. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in education at the University of Rhode Island, and earned a Master Degree in Bilingual Education and Cross Cultural Studies from Brown University. Mrs Goulart completed the Principal Residency Network program in 2022 and is currently enrolled in the Educational Leadership Doctoral Program at Johson and Wales University.
Job Titles:
- Elementary School Teacher Assistant
Bio:
Annie began working at Highlander in 2018, but has enjoyed working as a teacher assistant for many years. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading and digging in her garden. She also trains with East Bay Rowing Club as part of their Master's Team. Annie received a BA from Simmons College in Boston in 1983.
Job Titles:
- Position: 1:1 Support Staff
Job Titles:
- High School Resource Teacher
Job Titles:
- Elementary Reading Specialist
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- Elementary School Art Teacher
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- HS Social Studies Teacher
Job Titles:
- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Job Titles:
- Middle and High School Music Teacher
Job Titles:
- Member of the Faculty & Staff
Job Titles:
- High School Resource Teacher
Bio:
Deborah has been a Resource teacher at Highlander since 2005. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary/Special Education and a Master's Degree in Secondary Special Education from Rhode Island College.
Job Titles:
- Elementary Resource Teacher
Job Titles:
- Office Manager / Business Assistant
Job Titles:
- Middle and High School Building Substitute Teacher
Job Titles:
- Elementary Speech and Language Pathologist
Job Titles:
- Teacher Assistant Elementary School
Job Titles:
- Teacher Assistant Elementary School
Job Titles:
- High School Science Teacher Substitute
Job Titles:
- Director of Human Resources and Operations
Job Titles:
- Elementary Resource Teacher
Bio:
Helena began at Highlander in 2007 beginning as an AmeriCorps member, then advanced through several jobs while she completed her education. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island and a Master's degree in School Counseling. She has two children who attend Highlander. During her spare time she enjoys reading, cooking, and dancing.
Job Titles:
- Middle School Bilingual Teacher Assistant
Holleigh has been teaching at Highlander since spring of 2017. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Education, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Brown University. Holleigh is a proud Washingtonian who loves golden retrievers, playing soccer, and being with family.
Bio:
Holly has been a PreKindergarten teacher at Highlander since 2015. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Rhode Island in 2013 a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies with an Early Childhood Education concentration. In her spare time, Holly enjoys spending time with her family, reading and cooking.
Job Titles:
- HS Social Studies Teacher
Job Titles:
- High School Resource Teacher
Job Titles:
- Elementary School Principal
Bio: Jane has been working at Highlander Charter School since the year 2000, its first year in operation. She started as a kindergarten and first grade teacher. In the year, 2004, she moved to the administrative team. While she misses the classroom, she loves working within the greater school community and the opportunity to work every child and family. Jane attended University of Rhode Island and received her Bachelors in Early Childhood Education in 2000. In 2009, she received a M.Ed in Special Education from Lesley University. Jane's goal is to provide a safe and stimulating environment to provide students with the skills they need to become productive global citizens.
Job Titles:
- Teacher Assistant Elementary School
Job Titles:
- Director of Teaching and Learning
Bio: Dr. Blanco has been working with students and their families as an educator at Highlander Charter School since 2004. She taught 4th and 5th grade until 2015, when she became the principal at the Warren Campus. In 2021, she became the Director of Teaching and Learning for the district. As an administrator, she believes in empowering staff and students as learners to meet the mission, vision, and values of Highlander.
Job Titles:
- Position: Technology Support
Job Titles:
- High School Science Teacher
Bio:
Julissa Cruz has been a teacher assistant since 1990 and started at Highlander Charter School in 2013. She holds an associates degree in Human Development with a concentration in social development from CCRI. Julissa enjoys reading, cooking and spending time with friends and family.
Job Titles:
- Elementary School Physical Education Teacher
Job Titles:
- Middle and High School Social Studies Teacher
Job Titles:
- Middle School Resource Teacher
Job Titles:
- Position: 1:1 Support Staff
Job Titles:
- Middle School Teaching Assistant
Bio:
Lauren is settling in happily as the 2018 second grade teacher at Highlander. She recently received her Masters in Education from Rhode Island College but went to undergrad at URI. When Lauren is not consumed with her guilty pleasure of laminating school supplies, she enjoys spending time with her dog and running with her run club!
Job Titles:
- Middle School ELA Teacher
Job Titles:
- Elementary School Teacher Assistant
Bio:
Lindsay has taught third grade at Highlander since 2014. She's earned a BA in sociology from Grinnell College and an MAT in elementary education from Brown University. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Lindsay enjoys working on her house, creating ceramics, sewing, and weaving.
Job Titles:
- Business Office Assistant
Job Titles:
- Middle School Science Instructor
Job Titles:
- Elementary School Teacher Assistant
Job Titles:
- HR and Business Office Assistant
Job Titles:
- ESSR II Elementary Math Specialist
Bio:
Ms Wnuk is the 5th grade Math and Science teacher. She has been working at Highlander in various roles since 2007. She has a Bachelor of Social Work degree and a Masters in the Art of Teaching degree from Rhode Island College. She's a New England sports enthusiast and loves to travel.
Job Titles:
- Middle School MLL Teacher
Bio:
Michela has been an English teacher since 2015, and started at Highlander in 2016. She holds a Bachelors of Arts & Science in English and Secondary Education, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Rhode Island College. Michela is a Rhode Island native, and enjoys spending her free time reading, traveling, and spending time with family.
Job Titles:
- Elementary School Social Worker
Job Titles:
- Middle School Resource Teacher
Job Titles:
- Teacher Assistant Elementary School
Job Titles:
- Elementary Resource Teacher
Bio:
Patty has been a Resource Teacher for grades 5 and 6 since 2015. She has been teaching for 39 years and has a Bachelor's of Arts from Providence College and a Masters in Special Education from Worcester State College. She grew up in Framingham, Mass. but raised her six children here in the Ocean State. Patty enjoys traveling to visit her children, running with her dog, Titan and reading.
Job Titles:
- Middle and High School Math Teacher
Job Titles:
- Member of the Faculty & Staff
- School Counselor
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Superintendent
- Administration
- Superintendent and Special Education Director
Bio: Rose Mary has over 30 years of experience in the education profession. Before coming to Highlander in 2002, she worked at a range of public and independent schools both as a teacher and an administrator. She began her teaching in North Carolina at a school for students with multiple handicaps and continued using her special education degree at St. Andrew's School in Barrington, RI, where she was a resource teacher and the Special Education Director. Rose Mary also worked at Barrington High School as a resource teacher before returning to St. Andrew's as the academic director. She started at Highlander teaching grades 7 and 8 before moving into the Principal and Special Education Director position in 2004 and finally the Head of School in 2007.
Originally from Riverside, RI, she has her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Rhode Island College. Her educational philosophy is clearly visible in the school's mission, vision and values. Equity and access for all students regardless of race or socioeconomic status. All students deserve high quality educational opportunities in a safe nurturing environment where educating the whole child is key.
Job Titles:
- Position: 1 to 1 Support Staff
Job Titles:
- Position: Building Substitute
Job Titles:
- Behavior Specialist Warren
Job Titles:
- Position: Middle School Resource Support
Job Titles:
- Teacher Assistant Elementary School
Job Titles:
- Assistant to Elementary School Principal
Job Titles:
- STEAM Instructor Elementary School
Job Titles:
- Coordinator of Technology
Job Titles:
- Middle and High School Principal
Bio: Wil has been in education since 2003, having experience as a high school Social Studies teacher and as a high school administrator. He has been at Highlander Charter School since 2019, when he began as a substitute for teachers, the building principals, and the behavioral specialist. In 2019, Wil became the full-time Middle School Social Studies teacher, maintaining that role until the end of the 2021 school year. In 2021, Wil took the position as Middle School Principal. In 2022, Wil signed on as Middle and High School Principal. Wil believes that all students can learn but need to feel safe, comfortable, and be provided with all the necessary resources to be successful. A student's most valuable educational resource is a highly effective teacher. Wil is enthusiastic about working with all staff to ensure they are the best resource for students.
Originally from Piscataway, New Jersey, Wil made the move to Rhode Island in 1998 to attend Roger Williams University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education and his Bachelor of Arts degree in History. In 2008, he earned a Masters in Educational Leadership from Rhode Island College.
Job Titles:
- Middle and High School Principal
Job Titles:
- Elementary School Teacher Assistant