Faculty & Leaders
School Leadership
|
Annie Ferrell Jessica Hayes Chris Kang Kyle Klopcic Caleb Miller |
Shradha Patel Brett Peiser Marvin Pierre Jabali Sawicki |
Elementary Academy |
|
|
Shawn Abernathy Stephanie Allison Chancey Anderson David Bournas-Ney Emily Brown Michael Burks Pedro Carreño Kellie Clark Elizabeth Coffin Erik Cotton Lauren D'Angelo Keith Davis Megan Downing Laura Doyle Mia Dunlap Jennifer Elson Deirdre Flood Candice Fryer Anthony Gayles Rachel Hemsey Ashley Herring |
Keisha John Matt Korsky Jarell Lee Kristen Liu Justin McLennan Alison McSheehy Alivia Nuzzo Damilola Okuboyejo Charnay Paris Catherine Prefontaine Mary Rainis Christina Richards Jaimie Salkovitch Rachelle Scolari Rob Sgobbo Sarah Sisu Andrew Stephenson Rhema Stradford Ariel Thompson Ashley Woods |
Middle Academy |
|
|
Shawn Abernathy Esinam Bediako David Berlin John Burnett Jessica Carroll Simon Chang Elizabeth Coffin Erik Cotton Pia Dandiya Keith Davis Arpana Dhir |
Lisa Dotson Andres Gonzalez Goodman Ashley Herring Zachary Hilty Nicole Javier Keisha John Karen Johnson Matt Korsky Marcus Sabbs Joel Tracy |
Jabali Sawicki Principal
Jabali Sawicki is the Principal of Excellence Boys. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, Mr. Sawicki taught Science at Roxbury Preparatory Charter School in Boston, MA. There, he played a central role in implementing the school's academic program while founding a support group for boys and a competitive soccer program. Mr. Sawicki is a 2003 KIPP Fisher Fellow. He graduated from Oberlin College, where he received a dual degree in Biology and Philosophy, and received an M.A. in Educational Administration from Columbia University Teachers College.
Annie Ferrell Elementary Academy Director
Annie Ferrell is the Elementary Academy Director at Excellence Boys. Previous to this role, Ms. Ferrell was the Director of Staff Development at Excellence Boys. Before joining Excellence Boys, Ms. Ferrell was a First Grade Teacher at Wilkinson Elementary in South East, D.C. Ms. Ferrell holds a B.A. in History from Vassar College and a Masters in Education from Hunter College School. Ms. Ferrell also holds an intervention certificate through the Ennis William Cosby Graduate Certificate Program at the Fordham University Graduate School of Education. She is an alumna of Teach For America.
Shradha Patel Middle Academy Director
Shradha Patel is the Middle Academy Director at Excellence Boys. Ms. Patel holds a B.A. in Educational Studies from Brown University and a Masters in History from Tufts University. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, Ms. Patel was the Graduate Services Coordinator at Roxbury Preparatory Charter School in Massachusetts, where she tracked the academic and social progress of and provided support to nearly 300 RPCS alumni. Prior to this role at Roxbury Prep, she served as an eighth grade History teacher for four years. Before joining Roxbury Prep, Ms. Patel served as a Humanities teacher at both the Patrick Lyndon Pilot School and the Graham and Parks Public Alternative School, both in Massachusetts.
Kyle Klopcic Elementary Academy Director of Operations
Kyle Klopcic is the Director of Operations for the Elementary Academy at Excellence Boys. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, Mr. Klopcic was a Senior Analyst in Corporate Strategy and Business Development at The Walt Disney Company. Before working at Disney, Mr. Klopcic was an Investment Banking Analyst at Lehman Brothers. He holds an A.B. in Economics from Harvard University, where he also obtained a Spanish language certificate.
Chris Kang Middle Academy Director of Operations
Chris Kang is the Director of Operations for the Middle Academy at Excellence Boys. Mr. Kang holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Michigan, an M.S. in Education from the Bank Street College of Education, and an M.B.A. from the Yale School of Management. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, Mr. Kang worked with Teach For America on the Selection Design & Decision Quality, Human Assets Team as a 2009 Education Pioneers Fellow. Mr. Kang formerly taught 7th and 8th grade Math at the Elysian Charter School in Hoboken, New Jersey and at M.S. 246: Crossroads Middle School in New York City. Before teaching, Mr. Kang served as an AmeriCorps Member with Partners in School Innovation in San Francisco, California.
Jessica Hayes Elementary Academy Director of Staff Development
Jessica Hayes is the Elementary Academy Director of Staff Development at Excellence Boys. Ms. Hayes holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Cornell University and a Masters in Childhood Education from Teacher U at Hunter College and a Masters in Education Leadership from the Summer Principals Academy at Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to serving as the Director of Staff Development, Ms. Hayes taught First and Fourth Grades at Excellence Boys. Ms. Hayes taught First Grade in Duncan, Mississippi with Teach For America.
Marvin Pierre Elementary Academy Dean of Students
Marvin Pierre is the Elementary Academy Dean of Students at Excellence Boys. Mr. Pierre holds a B.A. in Economics from Trinity College. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, he was Assistant Dean of Students at Summit Academy Charter School, and had also served as Director of Student Life at Achievement First Endeavor Middle School. Mr. Pierre also worked in the Municipal Finance Group at Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Caleb Miller Middle Academy Dean of Students
Caleb Miller is the Middle Academy Dean of Students at Excellence Boys. Mr. Miller holds a B.A. in Visual Arts from Oberlin College and a Masters degree from Hunter College School of Education. Mr. Miller previously was the Art Teacher for the Elementary and Middle Academy at Excellence Boys.
Brett Peiser Uncommon Schools Managing Director
Brett Peiser is a Managing Director of Uncommon Schools. Mr. Peiser received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University and a Master of Public Policy degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. From 1998 to 2005, Mr. Peiser was the Founder, Principal, and Executive Director of Boston Collegiate Charter School, a college preparatory middle and high school serving 450 students. Prior to this, Mr. Peiser taught History at Midwood High School in New York City.
Shawn Abernathy is a Kindergarten Lead Teacher at Excellence Boys. Mr. Abernathy holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Northern Kentucky University and a Masters degree from Hunter College School of Education. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, Mr. Abernathy taught Kindergarten with the Harlem Success Charter School.
Stephanie Allison Music Teacher
Stephanie Allison is a Music Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Allison holds a B.A. in Music from Rollins College and a Masters in Music and Music Education from New York University. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, Ms. Allison taught Music at the Metropolitan Montessori School in New York.
Chancey Anderson Fourth Grade Lead Teacher
Chancey Anderson is a Fourth Grade Lead Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Anderson holds a B.A. in Family Studies from St. Olaf College and a Masters in Teaching from the University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, she taught High School English at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis.
Esinam Bediako Middle Academy Science Teacher
Esinam Bediako is a Seventh and Eighth Grade Science Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Bediako holds a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from Columbia University and an M. Ed. from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, Ms. Bediako taught Eleventh and Twelfth Grade English at Gertz-Ressler High School in Los Angeles, California.
David Berlin Middle Academy Math Teacher
David Berlin is a Middle Academy Math Teacher at Excellence Boys. Mr. Berlin holds a B.A. in Political Science from Columbia University and a Masters of Science in Education from Pace University. Before coming to Excellence Boys, Mr. Berlin was a Fourth Grade Teacher at P.S. 135 in Brooklyn. He is an alumnus of Teach For America.
David Bournas-Ney Fourth Grade Teacher
David Bournas-Ney is a Fourth Grade Teacher at Excellence Boys. Mr. Bournas-Ney holds a B.A. in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from University of Pennsylvania. He is a first year corps member of Teach For America.
Emily Brown Third Grade Lead Teacher
Emily Brown is a Third Grade Lead Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Brown holds a B.A. in Anthropology and Environmental Studies from Bowdoin College and a Masters in Education from the University of Colorado. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, she taught Third Grade Literacy and Social Studies at Cole Arts and Science Academy in Denver, Colorado.
Michael Burks Third Grade Teacher
Michael Burks is a Third Grade Teacher at Excellence Boys. Mr. Burks holds a B.A. in Social Studies from Harvard University. He is a first year corps member of Teach For America.
John Burnett Middle Academy English Teacher
John Burnett is a Middle Academy English Teacher at Excellence Boys. He earned his undergraduate degree in English from Morehouse College. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, Mr. Burnett taught Language Arts to high school students at West End Academy in Atlanta, GA. MR. Burnett was also a Language Arts instructor for Upward Bound in Atlanta, GA. MR. Burnett is an alumnus of the Teach For America program.
Pedro Carreño Second Grade Lead Teacher
Pedro Carreño is a Second Grade Lead Teacher at Excellence Boys. Mr. Carreño earned a B.A. in Public Policy & Latin American Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While at Chapel Hill, Mr. Carreño served as the Student Body Treasurer. He is a second year corps member with Teach For America.
Jessica Carroll Learning Support Specialist
Jessica Carroll is a Learning Support Specialist at Excellence Boys. Ms. Carroll holds a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, she taught Twelfth Grade English at Connally High School in Texas. She is pursuing a Masters degree from the Relay School of Education.
Simon Chang Math Procedures Teacher
Simon Chang is a Middle Academy Math Procedures Teacher at Excellence Boys. Mr. Chang holds a B.A. in Economics from Harvard University and an M. Ed. from the Boston Teacher Residency Program. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, he taught Seventh Grade Math and Science at Jackson Mann School in Boston, Massachusetts.
Kellie Clark Kindergarten Teacher
Kellie Clark is a Kindergarten Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Clark holds a B.A. in English from Spelman College. She was a Summer Teaching Fellow at Excellence Boys before joining the school full-time as a Teacher.
Elizabeth Coffin Social Worker
Elizabeth Coffin is Excellence Boys’s Social Worker. Ms. Coffin holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Grinnell College and a Master of Social Work from the Hunter College School of Social Work. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, Ms. Coffin was a Case Manager and Program Supervisor with the Lydia Home Association in Chicago, Illinois.
Erik Cotton is the Daytime Custodian at Excellence Boys. Mr. Cotton is a life-long resident of Brooklyn and a graduate of Bedford Stuyvesant schools.
Lauren D'Angelo Fourth Grade Teacher
Lauren D'Angelo is a Fourth Grade Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. D'Angelo holds a B.A. in Policy Studies and Geography from Syracuse University. She is an alumna of Teach For America.
Pia Dandiya Middle Academy Math Teacher
Pia Dandiya is a Middle Academy Math Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Dandiya holds a B.A. in Government from Harvard University and an M. Ed. from Boston University. She is an alumna of Teach For America.
Keith Davis is the Facility Manager at Excellence Boys. Mr. Davis has more than ten years experience in construction supervision and educational property maintenance. Mr. Davis is a graduate of New York University’s Building Construction Management Program.
Arpana Dhir Middle Academy English Teacher
Arpana Dhir is a Middle Academy English Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Dhir holds a B.A. in International Relations: Global Business from the University of California, Los Angeles. Ms. Dhir is pursuing a Masters degree from the Relay School of Education. She is a first year Corps member of Teach For America.
Lisa Dotson Middle Academy Office Manager
Lisa Dotson is the Office Manager for the Middle Academy at Excellence Boys. Ms. Dotson holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Howard University. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, she was the assistant to the President at Def Jam.
Megan Downing First Grade Lead Teacher
Megan Downing is a First Grade Lead Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Downing holds a B.A. in Politics/International Relations and French from Scripps College and a Masters of Arts in Education from University of Colorado. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, she taught First Grade at Sabin World School in Colorado.
Laura Doyle Third Grade Teacher
Laura Doyle is a Third Grade Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Doyle holds a B.A. in Sociology and French Language and Literature from the George Washington University and an M.S. in Education from Bank Street College Graduate School of Education. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, she was a Third Grade Teacher at Grand Concourse Academy Charter School in the Bronx.
Mia Dunlap Kindergarten Teacher
Mia Dunlap is a Third Grade Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Dunlap holds a B.A. in English from Spelman College. While in college she interned at the Children’s Defense Fund and co-founded the organization Students Advocating for Youth.
Jennifer Elson Second Grade Lead Teacher
Jennifer Elson is a Second Grade Lead Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Elson holds a B.A. in Psychology from Temple University. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, she taught Third Grade at Ripley House Charter School in Hosuton, TX. She is an alumna of Teach For America.
Deirdre Flood Third Grade Lead Teacher
Deidre Flood is a Third Grade Lead Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Flood holds a B.A. in Communications and Advertising from Loyola College in Maryland and an M.S. in Education from Pace University. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, she taught at schools in Bangkok, Thailand; Brooklyn; and Quito, Ecuador. While in Quito, Ms. Flood also served as the English Primary Coordinator at Colegio Americano.
Candice Fryer First Grade Lead Teacher
Candice Fryer is a First Grade Lead Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Fryer holds a B.A. in Biology from Manhattanville College, a Masters in Education from Hofstra University and a Masters in Childhood Special Education. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, she was a Third Grade Teacher at Harlem Success Academy 2.
Anthony Gayles First Grade Teacher
Anthony Gayles is a First Grade Teacher at Excellence Boys. Mr. Gayles holds a B.A. in English from Morehouse College. He is a first year corps member of Teach For America.
Andres Gonzalez Goodman Middle Academy Math Teacher
Andres Gonzalez Goodman is a Middle Academy Math Teacher at Excellence Boys. He holds a B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Chicago and is pursuing a Masters degree from the Relay School of Education. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, he taught college-level mathematics and physics courses to high school students at the Summer Scholars Academy at City College.
Rachel Hemsey Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Rachel Hemsey is a Kindergarten Lead Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Hemsey holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She is an alumna of Teach For America.
Ashley Herring Fitness Teacher
Ashley Herring is the Fitness Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Herring holds a B.A. in African-American Studies from the University of South Carolina and a Masters in Educational Theater from New York University. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, she taught Theater at P.S. 506 School of Journalism and Technology in Brooklyn.
Zachary Hilty Middle Academy History Teacher
Zack Hilty is a Middle Academy History Teacher at Excellence Boys. Mr. Hilty holds a B.A. in Rhetoric and Philosophy from the University of California-Berkeley. He is an alumnus of Teach For America and previously taught First Grade at Excellence Boys.
Nicole Javier Middle Academy English Teacher
Nicole Javier is a Middle Academy English Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Javier holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Southern California, and a Masters of Education from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, she was a World History and African-American History Teacher at Olney High School 704 and a Seventh Grade Social Studies and Science Teacher at Turner Middle School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ms. Javier is an alumna of Teach For America.
Keisha John Special Projects Coordinator
Keisha John is Excellence Boys’s Special Projects Coordinator. Ms. John holds a B.S. in Psychology and Educational Studies from Trinity College and a Masters degree from Hunter College School of Education. Prior to serving as the Special Projects Coordinator, she served as the school’s Office Manager and Associate Dean of Students.
Karen Johnson Middle Academy Science Teacher
Karen Johnson is a Middle Academy Science Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Johnson holds a B.A. in Sociology from Harvard University. Ms. Johnson is pursuing a Masters degree from the Relay School of Education. She is a first year corps member of Teach For America.
Matt Korsky is a Fitness Teacher at Excellence Boys. Mr. Korsky holds a B.S. in Physical Education from SUNY Cortland and a Masters in Health Education from Adelphi University. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, he taught Physical Education in the Malverne Union Free School District.
Jarell Lee Second Grade Lead Teacher
Jarell Lee is a Second Grade Teacher at Excellence Boys. Mr. Lee holds a B.A. in Sociology and African American Studies from Harvard University. He is a second year corps member with Teach For America.
Kristen Liu Elementary Academy Office Manager
Kristen Liu is the Office Manager for the Elementary Academy at Excellence Boys. Ms. Liu holds a B.A. in Geography and Public Policy from Dartmouth College. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, she was a staff member for the Summer Enrichment at Dartmouth Program for high school students.
Justin McLennan Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Justin McLennan is a Kindergarten Lead Teacher at Excellence Boys. Mr. McLennan holds a B.A. in Religious Studies and a Masters in Global Leadership from Lehigh University. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, he taught Second Grade and Middle School Math at Nueva Granada School in Bogota, Colombia.
Alison McSheehy is a Music Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. McSheehy holds a B.A. in Political Science from Vassar College and a Masters in Education from Hunter College School of Education. Prior to teaching Music, Ms. McSheehy taught Kindergarten and Second Grade at Excellence Boys. She is an alumna of Teach For America.
Alivia Nuzzo Kindergarten Teacher
Alivia Nuzzo is a Kindergarten Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Nuzzo holds a B.S. in Journalism from Ohio University and a Masters in Education from George Mason University. She is an alumna of Teach For America.
Damilola Okuboyejo Third Grade Lead Teacher
Damilola Okuboyejo is a Third Grade Lead Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Okuboyejo holds a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston and an M.A. in Education Leadership Studies from Teacher College, Columbia University. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, she was a Fourth Grade Teacher at Barbara Jordan Elementary School in Richmond, TX.
Charnay Paris First Grade Teacher
Charnay Paris is a First Grade Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms Paris holds a B.A. in Dance from SUNY Brockport. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, she taught Fourth Grade at Young Achievers Science and Math School in Mattapan, Massachusetts.
Catherine Prefontaine Learning Support Specialist
Catherine Prefontaine is a Learning Support Specialist at Excellence Boys. Ms. Prefontaine holds a B.A. in History from Boston College and a Masters in Education from Hunter College School of Education. Ms. Prefontaine is an alumna of Teach For America.
Mary Rainis Kindergarten Teacher
Mary Rainis is a First Grade Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Rainis holds a B.A. in Psychology and a Master of Teaching from the University of Virginia. She is certified in both elementary education and special education.
Christina Richards First Grade Lead Teacher
Christina Richards is a First Grade Lead Teacher at Excellence Boys. Mrs. Richards holds a B.A. in Public Relations from Hofstra University. Mrs. Richards is an alumna of Teach For America.
Marcus Sabbs Middle Academy English Teacher
Marcus Sabbs is a Middle Academy English Teacher at Excellence Boys. Mr. Sabbs holds a B.A. from Morehouse College. Mr. Sabbs is pursuing a Masters degree from the Relay School of Education.
Jaimie Salkovitch Second Grade Teacher
Jaimie Salkovitch is a Second Grade Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Salkovitch holds a B.A. in Musical Theater from Syracuse University and a Masters in Childhood and Special Education from Fordham University. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, she was a First Grade Teacher at Ross Global Academy.
Rachelle Scolari Second Grade Teacher
Rachelle Scolari is a Second Grade Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Scolari holds a B.A. in History from Georgetown University and a Masters in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, Ms. Scolari student taught at an English-Spanish two-way immersion school in Cambridge, MA.
Robert Sgobbo Learning Support Coordinator
Robert Sgobbo is the Learning Support Coordinator at Excellence Boys. Mr. Sgobbo holds a B.A. in Political Science and Peace and Conflict Studies from Haverford College and Masters in Teaching from Pace University. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, Mr. Sgobbo taught Third Grade at P.S. 42. He is an alumnus of Teach For America.
Sarah Sisu Learning Support Coordinator
Sarah Sisu is a Learning Support Specialist at Excellence Boys. Ms. Sisu holds a B.A. in International Community Development from Oral Roberts University and a Masters in Education from New York University. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, Ms. Sisu taught English in China and Botswana.
Andrew Stephenson Fourth Grade Lead Teacher
Andrew Stephenson is a Fourth Grade Lead Teacher at Excellence Boys. Mr. Stephenson holds a B.A. in Music Education and Applied Music from the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, he worked in Rochester, NY, teaching music to pre-schoolers at the Eastman Community Music School and tutoring Urban Choice Charter School’s students in math and reading as part of a daily after-school program.
Rhema Stradford Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Rhema Stradford is a Kindergarten Lead Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Stradford holds a B.A. in Political Science from Hofstra University and a Masters in Education from Bank Street Graduate School of Education. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, she taught First Grade at Ethical Culture Fieldston School.
Ariel Thompson Apprentice Teacher
Ariel Thompson is an Apprentice Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Thompson holds a B.A. in Human Biology from Brown University. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, she was a Program Associate at Summer Search, a non-profit leadership development, mentoring and college preparation program for low-income high school students.
Joel Tracy Middle Academy History Teacher
Joel Tracy is a Middle Academy History Teacher at Excellence Boys. He holds a B.A. in American History from Brown University. Mr. Tracy is pursuing a Masters degree from Relay School of Education. Prior to joining Excellence Boys, Mr. Tracy taught 9th Grade Ancient World History at Pace Academy in Atlanta, Georgia.
Ashley Woods Kindergarten Teacher
Ashley Woods is a Kindergarten Teacher at Excellence Boys. Ms. Woods holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and African American Studies from Loyola Marymount University. She is a second year corps member of Teach For America.

