4TH-DIMENSION LEADERS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Founder and Executive Director of 4th
Angela Perry is the founder and executive director of 4th-Dimension Leaders, an organization dedicated to disrupting discrepancies in opportunity. Angela began her career in education as a middle school math teacher. After teaching and serving in school- and systems-level leadership roles, she worked in the non-profit education sector, cultivating partnerships, managing development efforts in new markets and leading program design. A member of Aspen's Pahara network, Angela has more than 20 years of teaching and leadership experience, is a widely recognized adult learning facilitator, panel moderator, and entrepreneurial program designer through her founding work at ENCORE Facilitation Partners.
Beth Twardus is currently a teacher in the Christina School District. Previously, she served in the Colonial School District in a variety of roles including teacher, math department chair, team leader, clinical educator, union representative, and mentor. She was awarded Colonial Teacher of the Year for AY23. Beth has a bachelor's degree in education from Elizabethtown College, a master's degree in education from Wilmington University, and a master's degree in instructional leadership from Grand Canyon University. She is an alumnus of the Equity Practitioner Program and now serves as the Direct Action Project coach. Beth believes that every stakeholder has a duty to speak up and listen in a collaborative manner on a continuous basis for the success of education and the future of the students.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Certified Accountant
- Member of the Board
- Director With the Siegfried Group
Brendah Walyemwa is an internationally chartered certified accountant (ACCA) and a CPA certified in Virginia. She has 20 years of accounting experience in various environments including public accounting, financial reporting and supporting clients through transactional and technical accounting needs.
Brendah is currently a director with The Siegfried Group, LLP where she spent 8 years working in a client-facing capacity, supporting clients through various transactional, technical, and financial reporting needs. She also served as the Director of Employee Inclusion and Advancement, a position in which she headed up the efforts to ensure all employees are empowered to actively pursue their personal advancement goals and are supported through the many opportunities available within the organization. Brendah has served in various capacities during her time with the organization including National Technical Team Leader, Team Leader and a Unique Ability Mastery Professional. Before joining the Siegfried Group, Brendah worked in public accounting with both PwC in Washington, DC and EY in Uganda and managed the financial reporting function at Vangent, Inc. (now part of GDIT). She got her Bachelor's degree from Uganda Martyrs' University where she majored in Accounting.
Brendah's biggest joy is raising her two children with whom she lives in Sterling, VA. They love going to the beach, baking, and their annual trips back to Uganda to visit with family.
Brendah has always had a passion for serving and has volunteered with her church, mentored high school students, served the homeless and taught audit classes to college students.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Executive Director of Dual Generation Services for the State of Delaware
Helen Anderson is a Wilmington native who still resides there with her daughter. Ms. Anderson is currently the Executive Director of Dual Generation Services for the State of Delaware. In her role she works with Wilmington families to bridge the gap between education and social services to end systemic poverty. Ms. Anderson's passion for youth, has helped her to create a holistic initiative, that encompasses various State agencies and community partners to provide housing, employment, social service navigation, and educational opportunities. Ms. Anderson is living out the legacy of her father, William "Hicks" Anderson and the work that he started with Wilmington Families.
Ms. Anderson is a former Special Education Teacher who took on the challenging role of working with some of our most vulnerable students in Northern Delaware. Her teaching methods were inclusive, allowing her students to truly flourish and be prepared for their future. Ms. Anderson enjoyed her time as a Dance and Senior class advisor at the school. In addition, to teaching she worked as a Human Resource Director in the private sector for over 10 years. Ms. Anderson has the pleasure of serving on several boards in her community and in education. In addition, she also teaches and organizes educational activities for the youth at her church. Ms. Anderson earned an MBA and Master's in education from Wilmington University.
Job Titles:
- Equity Practitioner Program Project Facilitator
Joe Ross is currently a teacher in the Red Clay School District. He started his educational career with Teach For America as a 2014 corps member in the Oklahoma City Region at Frederick Douglass High School. Joe moved to Delaware in 2016 to teach social studies at MOT Charter High School and later at Great Oaks Wilmington Charter High School. He received his bachelor's degree in philosophy from Oklahoma State University, a master's degree in theology and history at Abilene Christian University, and a master's degree in educational leadership from Wilmington University. Joe is an alumnus of the Equity Practitioner Program and committed to the ongoing disruption of systemic inequity.
John "Marty" Martin, Jr. recently joined the 4th Dimension Leaders Board of Directors. He has served as a teacher and track and field coach at Dover High School. He has also been a school administrator, serving at every grade level. Marty is also in his second term as an elected member of the Capital School District Board of Education where he presided over the board as the chair for two years. Marty is a member of the NAACP and former chairman of the Education Committee.
Job Titles:
- Director of Programs
- Director of Programs at 4 Th
Lisa Hastings-Sheppard is Director of Programs at 4 th-Dimension Leaders. Lisa spent 22 years at Delaware Technical Community College as an instructor, executive communications manager, assistant vice president of marketing, and senior programs director. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Instruction, both from the University of Delaware. Lisa served on the Commission for Early Education and the Economy during the Markell administration and currently is a member of the Board of Directors at Wilmington Montessori School.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Vice President at Rodel
Mark Baxter is a Vice President at Rodel where he focuses on strategy, partnerships, and technical assistance for the organization. He brings a range of skills from his multi-sector work, including strategic planning, program development and support, facilitation skills, and policy development. Prior to joining Rodel, Mark served in a variety of leadership roles at the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Texas Education Agency, Educate Texas, and the Council of Chief State School Officers. Mark is a graduate of the University of Maryland and earned a Master in Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas-Austin.
Job Titles:
- Lead for Delaware Facilitator & Principal, Christina Adult Education
- Principal / Administrator of the Christina Adult Education & Literacy
Nakia is currently the principal/administrator of the Christina Adult Education & Literacy program and serves as an adjunct faculty for 4th-Dimension Leaders' Lead for Delaware program. Nakia Fambro has been an educator for over fourteen years previously serving as an assistant principal at Middletown High School for two years and at Glasgow High School for five years. Nakia demonstrates a strong commitment to academic excellence by guaranteeing that all students are provided with the curriculum, instruction, assessment and support they need in order to meet rigorous achievement standards. In addition, she enjoys working collaboratively with colleagues to maximize learning opportunities for all students and families while relying on her grit, charisma, core values, and the eagerness to improve each day. Nakia earned her Bachelor's Degree in biology education from Delaware State University and a Master's Degree in Applied Technology in Education from Wilmington University. She also completed a Certificate in School Leadership from the Delaware Leadership Project. Nakia enjoys spending time with her eight-year-old daughter Brielle who is in third grade. She loves eating at different restaurants, traveling, spending time with friends, and everything beach
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Lead for Delaware Facilitator & Executive Director, Charter School of New Castle
Rachel Valentin is currently the Principal & Instructional Leader of Charter School of New Castle Elementary Campus serving grades K - 4 (425+) students. Rachel has been instrumental in leading collective change and transforming the culture of the Charter School of New Castle during a difficult leadership transition in 2014-15. During her tenure, the school experienced a major turn-around that resulted in improved student and parent experience, consistent routines & systems; positive staff culture and academic programming.
Rachel relocated to Delaware to participate with the Delaware Leadership Project a Principal Fellowship developed by Innovative Schools. Rachel has served as an adjunct professor with Relay Graduate School of Education Delaware and now with 4th Dimension Learning. Prior to relocating, Rachel was a Teacher with Uncommon Schools in Brooklyn, NY. She has also served as Math Curriculum Planner and Instructional Coach.
Rachel has earned a M.Ed. in Education from Hunter College in New York. In addition, Rachel has earned an M.A. in Political Science with a central focus on Urban Affairs/Policy & Public Administration) Brooklyn College in Brooklyn, NY. Rachel has also earned a B.A. in History with a minor in Writing from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA.
Rachel's professional experience began at JPMorgan Chase. While there she was responsible for the strategic development and launch of new products for high profile clients, and strategic management of traditional credit and banking products. She is a professionally trained Project Specialist, Data Specialist and Relationship Manager.
Leader Message: At the Charter School of New Castle, I am committed to ensuring that students receive both the academic and personal skills needed to be college and career ready. We provide teachers with consistent coaching, best practices, high leverage targeted feedback, and data analysis to improve student academic results. My vision is that all students can and will graduate from high school and college with the tools to be successful in life. It is our responsibility to set no limits to student learning because this work matters and our students matter. All students, all students will, we will get them there!
Job Titles:
- Program Operations Manager at 4th Dimension Leaders
Syeda is the Program Operations Manager at 4th Dimension Leaders. She is graduate with honors in Applied Science-Accounting from Delaware Technical Community College. She came to the USA in 2017 and started her career by working as a front desk assistant at DelTech. She now manages program operations for EPP, LFD and BUILD with the director of 4th-Dimension Leaders. Syeda is also helping us grow our social media platforms.