Person - The Cahn Fellows Programs

Wontor-Leach, Elizabeth

Susan Rowden — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:50:01 +0000

Elizabeth Wontor-Leach, Practitioner

Franklin Fine Arts Center

Chicago, IL

Liz Wontor is the principal of Franklin Fine Arts Center, a public Fine Arts magnet school located in the heart of the Old Town neighborhood in Chicago, IL. She began her teaching career in Chicago as a fine arts educator. She has served as an administrator in both elementary and high school settings. In addition to serving as a principal, Liz also leads professional learning communities of principals through the Chicago Fund for Education. Recent PLC topics she had developed and led include “Building Resilient Educators in a Time of Crisis” as well as “Dismantling Systems of Oppression in Our Schools.” Her drive and passion for equity has led her to become a facilitator for the National SEED Project, and she has led numerous parent and teacher SEED groups. In addition to her degrees in Education, Liz also holds an MA in design and enjoys bringing design thinking concepts to solve school-based challenges. Ultimately, Liz strives to foster a sense of community that builds trust, positive relationships, and a shared cause- preparing all of our students to lead full and purposeful lives as their authentic selves.

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Williams, Calondria

Susan Rowden — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:47:12 +0000

Calondria Williams, Practitioner

Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy

Miami, FL

Calondria E. Williams serves as the proud Principal of Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy in Miami Florida. Ms. Williams graduated from University of Florida with a B.S. Degree in Health Science Education in 1997. She began her educational career in 1997 as a Middle School Science teacher with Miami-Dade-County Public School system, following in her mother’s footsteps, a 37-year veteran of the school district. After teaching full-time while attending graduate school, Ms. Williams earned an M.S. Degree in Educational Leadership from NOVA Southeastern University in 2005. Ms. Williams was inducted into the Principals Leadership Development Program (PLDP) at Florida International University Leadership Academy in 2021. As a Servant Leader, Ms. Williams is committed to working collaboratively to ensure all students receive a level of education that will exceed his/her academic expectations. Service to all is her life’s work. Ms. Williams credits much of her personal and professional success to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie and Gail Williams. Both extraordinary leaders who believe in the power of building positive culture that develops future leaders.

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The post Williams, Calondria first appeared on The Cahn Fellows Programs.

The post Williams, Calondria appeared first on The Cahn Fellows Programs.

Wilkins, Mulanta

Susan Rowden — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:44:21 +0000

Dr. Mulanta Wilkins, Practitioner

Benjamin E. Mays High School

Atlanta, GA

Dr. Mulanta Wilkins, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, has served as the proud principal of Atlanta’s historic Benjamin E. Mays High since 2019. She is a dedicated data and achievement driven educational leader with over 23 years of experience and a heart for serving staff and students. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia Southern University and began her career as a high school Science teacher. She later earned her Masters from Cambridge College and Doctorate from Southern Mississippi. Dr. Wilkins began her leadership journey at Tech Charter High School as the Assistant Principal for Curriculum. She was later afforded the unique opportunity to serve as the Assistant Principal at her high school Alma Mater, Tri-Cities High School, and later became Assistant Principal at North Springs High School. These experiences have molded Dr. Wilkins’ into a truly collaborative leader. As the principal of Benjamin E. Mays High School, her focus is to ensure that all stakeholders are positioned to help students achieve success. Dr. Wilkins is confident that when all stakeholders work together as a “Culture of We,” the sky's the limit.

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Valero, Alina

Susan Rowden — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:41:20 +0000

Alina Valero, Practitioner

Miami Springs Middle School

Miami, FL

Alina Valero became principal of Miami Springs Middle School in June 2018 with a vision to focus on creating an environment of pride, excellence, and success. Providing teachers and students with access to the resources needed to succeed emotionally and academically has been at the forefront of her career. Ms. Valero was born in Pinal de Rio, Cuba and grew up in Miami, Florida. Since she was a young girl, she had a desire to teach and pursued a career in education. She has had a well-rounded career, educating students with disabilities in self-contained and inclusion settings before becoming a reading teacher, Reading Coach, and later an Assistant Principal. She has had the privilege of working at the elementary, middle, and high school level. Professionally, Ms. Valero is interested in increasing her own expertise as a school leader through reflection and continued professional development. She is a proud mother of five children and two grandchildren, which she considers her greatest pride and joy. Outside of work, Ms. Valero enjoys reading, working out, and spending time with her husband and children.

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The post Valero, Alina first appeared on The Cahn Fellows Programs.

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Topps, Natasha

Susan Rowden — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:34:24 +0000

Natasha Topps, Practitioner

John D Shoop Math-Science Technical Academy ES

Chicago, IL

Providing opportunities for success and changing the educational trajectory of children has always been a priority for Natasha Topps. Beginning as a classroom teacher in 2001 to elementary school principal in 2019, Natasha meets educational challenges head on and works to alleviate challenges that affect her school community. Raised on the south-side of Chicago, Principal Topps is an instructional leader committed to excellence. Natasha received a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Rust College, a Historically Black College/University (HBCU), and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from DePaul University. As the principal and instructional leader of John D. Shoop, Natasha has worked to secure more than $1 million dollars in STEM funding and increased community partnerships to support the social and emotional well-being of her students. Other areas of expertise include: using student data to inform instruction, building teacher capacity, and working to create environments that shape academic success.. Principal Topps attributes her success to her faith in God, family, mentors, other educational leaders, teachers, parents, and community members who support her vision and work alongside her in support of the Shoop community and all of its stakeholders.

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The post Topps, Natasha first appeared on The Cahn Fellows Programs.

The post Topps, Natasha appeared first on The Cahn Fellows Programs.

Rogers, Christina

Susan Rowden — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:28:50 +0000

Christina Rogers, Practitioner

Carver Early College

Atlanta, GA

Mrs. Christina Rogers currently serves as the principal of Carver Early College. Over the past two years, she has intentionally led her team to achieve gains in graduation rate, dual enrollment participation, EOC achievement data and college scholarship dollars. An educator in APS since 2008, Mrs. Rogers served as assistant principal of Therrell High School since 2017, where she also played a significant role in improvements in academics and culture. Mrs. Rogers is a proud product of the Atlanta Public Schools’ Aspiring Principals Program. Christina Rogers earned her Bachelor's Degree (English) and her Master's Degree (Secondary Education) from Georgia State University. She earned a Specialist in Education (Teaching and Learning) from Georgia State University and a Specialist in Education Degree (Leadership) from the University of West Georgia. She has also served as an advisor for the Teacher Advisory Panel for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Christina Rogers is married to Roderick Jermaine Rogers, Sr. They enjoy spending time and traveling with their children, Courtney, Rod, Jr. Christopher, Jaden, and Tyler Bobby.

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The post Rogers, Christina first appeared on The Cahn Fellows Programs.

The post Rogers, Christina appeared first on The Cahn Fellows Programs.

Riskus, Paul

Susan Rowden — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:27:07 +0000

Paul Riskus, Practitioner

Walt Disney Magnet School

Chicago, IL

Paul Riskus started his educational career as a high school chemistry and physics teacher in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood at Urban Prep High School. At Urban Prep, he also coached football and track, and became the Science Department Chair. It was in this role that he gained a love and interest in school leadership. After applying and being accepted to the EdD program in Urban Educational Leadership at the University of Illinois in Chicago, he became an instructional coach and assistant principal at Garcia High School. Following this role, he served as the Assistant Principal at Chicago’s largest elementary school, Walt Disney Magnet School. He currently serves as Disney’s principal, and is humbled and excited to be in this role. Paul is a family and community partner placing a high value on cultural and intellectual diversity, while creating optimal postsecondary opportunities for all students. He has a shared approach to leadership that strives to empower school stakeholders to create a secure environment that dreams big, has high expectations for all, and offers support that makes success possible for everyone.

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The post Riskus, Paul first appeared on The Cahn Fellows Programs.

The post Riskus, Paul appeared first on The Cahn Fellows Programs.

Myers, Kendrick

Susan Rowden — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:24:45 +0000

Kendrick Myers, Practitioner

Charles R. Drew Charter School

Atlanta, GA

Mr. Kendrick L. Myers is a husband and father of five beautiful children. Since 2007, he has made an indelible impact teaching and leading in Montgomery County, Auburn City, Opelika City, and now in Atlanta Public Schools systems. Mr. Myers’ tenacity and passion for children has enabled him to work with various organizations including BICS mentoring program, CLAS, Auburn University, AT&T, the International Mentoring Association, and Purpose Built Schools. In his tenure as an administrator, he has continuously contributed to graduation rates above 90%, decreased discipline infractions by 30%, and witnessed a host of academic achievements for students. In 2016, he was awarded State Assistant Principal of the Year in Alabama. The following school year, Kendrick moved to Atlanta as Senior Academy Dean of Students at Drew Charter School to successfully matriculate the school’s first ever graduating class with a 100% graduation rate into college. Three years later, he was named principal of Drew’s Senior Academy in July 2019. He attributes a large part of his success to collaboration with university/college partners, stakeholders, and colleagues that continuously guide him toward becoming a better administrator. Mr. Myers holds degrees from Alabama State University, Auburn University at Montgomery, and Auburn University.

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The post Myers, Kendrick first appeared on The Cahn Fellows Programs.

The post Myers, Kendrick appeared first on The Cahn Fellows Programs.

Kelly, Brian

Susan Rowden — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:21:45 +0000

Brian Kelly, Practitioner

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. College Prep

Chicago, IL

Brian Kelly has been a principal since 2019. Brian holds an EdD in Urban Educational Leadership from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Additionally, he has B.A. in Sociology and African Studies and an M.A. in Teaching and Learning from DePaul University. He earned another M.A. in Special Education and a Type 10 certificate from the University of Illinois at Chicago. For nearly 19 years, Brian has taught various history and social studies courses and served as a special education teacher for students with behavioral and emotional disorders and specific learning disabilities in Chicago Public high schools. Under Brian's leadership, he has increased enrollment by 125% since July 2019. Attendance, GPA, GA, and on-tracks have increased under his leadership. He watched GPA 's increase by a whole point over three years, from 2.59 to 3.80, and his school's attendance has increased by four percentage points, from 89% to 93%. Brian's four-year graduation rate is 99.1%. Participation in athletic programs has tripled since July 2019; Brian transformed the school by supporting and leading with his heart. Dr. Kelly has modeled what he expects, and he measures everything in the learning community to assess for the intended impact.

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The post Kelly, Brian first appeared on The Cahn Fellows Programs.

The post Kelly, Brian appeared first on The Cahn Fellows Programs.

Juarez, Jasmine

Susan Rowden — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:19:09 +0000

Dr. Jasmine Juarez, Practitioner

Pilsen Community Academy

Chicago, IL

Dr. Jasmine Juárez is a bilingual school leader with a deep understanding of diverse urban educational settings. She has experience working with students ranging from primary to high school level. With over ten years of instructional leadership, she has significantly impacted school-wide data through the use of culturally responsive teaching and differentiated instruction. Dr. Juárez’ strategic leadership style focuses on not just getting results but shifting mindsets and inspiring commitment from key stakeholders. As the current principal of Pilsen Community Academy, she is committed to improving relationships between school and community to create a shared vision that empowers students to succeed holistically.

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