Principal Appointments for SY 2015-2016

Principal Appointments for SY 2015-2016 Public Appointments as of July 16, 2015 Abdullah Zaki - Dunbar SHS Abdullah A. Zaki II began his career as an AP language arts teacher at Roosevelt Senior High School here in Washington, DC almost 15 years ago. He has also served as an assistant principal at Ballou Senior High School and Benjamin Banneker Academic High School. Currently, he is the Principal of Kelly Miller Middle School which offers one of two Gifted and Talented programs in Ward 7. Under his leadership, truancy has dropped significantly and suspensions have been dramatically reduced. Most importantly, over a four-year period, Kelly Miller students standardized test scores have increased by more than 30% in math and by more than 15% in reading as measured by the DC Comprehensive Assessment System (DC CAS). Mr. Zaki holds a bachelor s degree in English from Howard University, a master s degree in secondary education from The George Washington University, master s degree in education administration from Trinity University and a master s in executive leadership from Georgetown University s McDonough School of Business. Aimee Pressley - River Terrace Dr. Pressley began her career in education in 2003, serving students in Prince George s County as a special education teacher for seven years. She taught Spanish and mathematics to students with emotional disturbances and cognitive disabilities before transitioning to DCPS in 2010. Dr. Pressley worked as a special education coordinator and assistant principal at Mamie D. Lee Special Education Center before being chosen to lead Mamie D. Lee as its principal in July 2012. Currently, Dr. Pressley also serves as a special education advocate for Howard University s School of Education. She holds a bachelor s degree in computer information systems from Strayer University, a master s degree in special education from John Hopkins University, and a doctoral degree in educational administration and policy from Howard University. Alethea Bustillo - Bruce-Monroe ES Alethea Bustillo has over 21 years of experience as an educator including 17 years at Bruce-Monroe. She began her career in DeWitt, Arkansas as a high school French teacher before transitioning to teach English language learners at Bruce-Monroe Elementary School in DCPS. She taught for 10 years at Bruce-Monroe before being promoted to instructional coach of literacy for the school. Ms. Bustillo spent five years as the instructional coach before transitioning to the assistant principal position at the school in 2013. Ms. Bustillo holds a bachelor s degree from Smith College and a master s degree from New York University. Alysia Lutz - Janney ES Alysia Lutz has over 12 years of experience as an educator. She began her career in London, England as a first grade teacher before transitioning to teach first grade at Murch Elementary School in DCPS. She spent three years with DCPS before relocating to Hong Kong, China for two years to continue teaching. In 2009, she 1200 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 T 202.442.5885 F 202.442.5026 www.dcps.dc.gov

returned to DCPS as the instructional coach at Smothers Elementary School, where she remained until 2013. In 2013, she became a principal intern in Boston Public Schools while enrolled at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Once completing her school leader preparation program, she returned to DCPS as an assistant principal at Stoddert Elementary School. She holds a bachelor s degree in English from Duke University, a master s degree in early childhood education from Trinity University and a master s degree in school leadership from Harvard University. Angel Hunter King ES Angel Hunter began her career in education as a special education teacher in 1998. She spent seven years as a classroom teacher before transitioning to the role of educational director of Alternative Solutions for Youth. Ms. Hunter has spent much of her career working with special education students and in 2009 she joined DCPS in the Office of Specialized Instruction. In 2013, Ms. Hunter was selected as a member of the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, a rigorous, 30-month program designed to prepare DCPS's highest performing leaders for the principalship. As a fellow, Ms. Hunter served as a resident principal at Wilson Senior High School and Shepherd Elementary School. For the past year, Ms. Hunter has served as assistant principal of Shepherd Elementary and acting principal of Hendley Elementary. She holds a bachelor s degree and a master s degree from West Virginia University and a master s in educational leadership from George Mason University. Annie Mair (interim principal) Payne ES Annie Mair has spent the last 42 years serving the students of DC Public Schools. A product of DCPS, Ms. Mair taught for 16 years at the elementary level and at 7 different schools before moving into administration. She served as the principal of Cleveland Elementary School for 26 years, winning numerous awards, before retiring in 2013. For the next two years, Ms. Mair has served as a master mentor principal for the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, a rigorous, 30-month program designed to prepare DCPS's highest performing leaders for the principalship. In this role, she mentored and developed many individuals who eventually became DCPS school principals. Ms. Mair has a bachelor s degree from District of Columbia Teacher s College and a master s degree from Antioch College in Ohio. Arhur Mola Bancroft ES Arthur Mola has over 14 years of experience in education. He began his career in Oakland Unified School District as a project coordinator and a teacher. He remained at Madison Middle School in Oakland almost 11 years before transitioning to DC to lead Sacred Heart School, a bilingual Catholic school. In 2014, Mr. Mola joined DCPS as the assistant principal of Bancroft Elementary School. He holds a bachelor s degree from Bethany College and a master s degree in education from the University of Phoenix. Courtney Aldridge Johnson MS Courtney Aldridge has over 10 years of experience as an educator. She began her career in education as a reading and science teacher at Holy Redeemer Catholic School. She taught there for three years before transitioning to teach in Prince George s County. In 2009, Ms. Aldridge joined DCPS as a teacher at Sousa Middle School, where she taught for three years before being promoted to assistant principal. In 2014, Ms. Aldridge was selected as a member of the Mary Jane Page 2 of 8

Patterson Fellowship, a rigorous, 30-month program designed to prepare DCPS's highest performing leaders for the principalship. As a fellow, Ms. Aldridge has served as a resident principal at Leckie Elementary School and Whittier Education Campus. Ms. Aldridge holds a bachelor s degree from LaSalle University and two master s degrees from Trinity University. Cynthia Robinson-Rivers - Van Ness ES Ms. Robinson-Rivers has served the students of DC Public Schools for the last 9 years. Most recently, she has served as the Assistant Principal of Literacy for Seaton Elementary School, where she was awarded the Rubenstein Award for Highly Effective Leadership in 2014. She has also held positions as an early childhood teacher at HD Cooke and Shadd elementary schools before working at the DCPS Central Office as Master Educator and the Director of Teacher Retention and Recognition. She holds a bachelor s degree in communications and art from Stanford University and a master s in early childhood special education from George Washington University. Davia Walker Thomas ES Davia Walker has served the students of DCPS for over 18 years. She began her career as a special education teacher at Ludlow-Taylor in 1995. She transitioned to teach at Aiton Elementary School in 1999 and remained there until 2006, when she was promoted to Instructional Coach at Roosevelt Senior High School. Ms. Walker was the instructional coach for seven years before being promoted to assistant principal at Roosevelt. She held that role for two years before being selected as a member of the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, a rigorous, 30-month program designed to prepare DCPS's highest performing leaders for the principalship. As a fellow, Ms. Walker has served as a resident principal at Eastern Senior High School. Ms. Walker holds a bachelor s degree from Morgan State University and a master s in elementary teaching from Trinity University. Elena Bell - Peabody-Watkins ES Elena Bell began her career in education as a second grade teacher in Atlanta, Georgia. She spent five years as a teacher at Alfred Blalock Elementary School before transitioning to work as an early intervention program coordinator and instructor for Bolton Academy, where she remained for two years. In 2010, Ms. Bell was accepted into the Harvard University principal residency program where she spent one year as the resident principal at Edward Devotion School in Massachusetts. In 2011, she served as the resident principal for E. Dunne Technology Academy in Chicago, Illinois before being named the principal of John Vanderpoel Magnet School in 2012. Ms. Bell holds a bachelor s degree in psychology from Spelman College and a master s degree in school leadership from Harvard University. Felicia Owo Smothers ES Felicia Owo began her career in education in Prince George s County as a kindergarten teacher at Andrew Jackson Academy. In 2012, Ms. Owo transitioned to serve the students of Washington DC as the assistant principal of Friendship Public Charter at the Woodridge Elementary and Middle Campuses. She was selected by New Leaders for New Schools to be an Emerging Leader in 2011, an Aspiring Principal in 2012, and a part of their Principal Institute in 2013. Ms. Owo holds a bachelor s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, a master s degree in Page 3 of 8

education from George Mason University, and a master s degree in educational administration in Trinity University. Jada Langston Luke C. Moore Academy HS Jada Langston began her career in education in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2001 as an elementary school teacher. Ms. Langston then served as a school counselor for two years before moving to Washington, DC to work as a behavior intervention specialist at SEED Public Charter School. In 2006, Ms. Langston served as a school counselor at Booker T. Washington Public Charter School. She then served as the Title I Coordinator at Nicholas Orem Middle School for three years before joining DCPS in 2012. Most recently, she has served as the assistant principal at Woodson Senior High School and Coolidge Senior High School. She holds a bachelor s degree from North Carolina State University and a master s from North Carolina Central University. Jade Brawley Shepherd ES Jade Brawley has served the students of DC Public Schools for over 14 years and for her entire career in education. She began as a general education teacher at Davis Elementary for one year, before transitioning to work at Whittier Education Campus. She taught at Whittier for ten years before being promoted to the role of instructional coach at Tubman Elementary School. In 2014, Ms. Brawley was selected as a member of the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, a rigorous, 30-month program designed to prepare DCPS's highest performing leaders for the principalship. As a fellow, Ms. Brawley has served as a resident principal at Eaton Elementary and Anne Beers Elementary. She holds a bachelor s degree in history from the University of Pittsburgh and a master s degree in elementary education from Trinity University. Kara Kuchemba - Bunker Hill ES Kara Kuchemba has over 13 years of experience as an educator. She began her career with Prince George s County as a first and second grade teacher. She spent two years as a teacher before being promoted to the role of reading specialist at Cora L. Rice Elementary School. In 2010, she spent one year as a data coach for William Hall Academy before transitioning to DC Public Schools. Ms. Kuchemba spent two years as an instructional coach at Amidon-Bowen Elementary School before being selected as a member of the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, a rigorous 30-month program designed to prepare DCPS's highest performing leaders for the principalship. As a fellow, Ms. Kuchemba has served as a resident principal at Hyde-Addison Elementary School and McKinley Technology Education Campus. This past year, she served as the assistant director of leadership development for DC Public Schools. She holds a bachelor s degree in fine arts from Dickinson College and a master s degree in curriculum and instruction from Bloomsburg University. Kim Martin - Wilson SHS Kimberly Martin has over 16 years of experience as an educator. She began her career in Lorain, Ohio where she spent five years teaching high school English and history before being promoted to the principal of Lorain Admiral King High School in 2003. She spent two years there before transferring to lead Thomas W. Harvey High School in Painesville, Ohio in 2005. Ms. Martin spent seven years as the principal of Harvey High School before being tapped to lead Aspen High School, Colorado s number one public high school in 2012. Ms. Martin has a bachelor s degree in Page 4 of 8

English and history from Case Western Reserve University, a master s degree in education from John Carroll University, and is in the process of completing her doctorate in urban education from Cleveland State University. Kortni Stafford Kelly Miller MS Kortni Stafford has over 13 years of experience in education. She began her career as a high school biology teacher at Suitland High School in Maryland. In 2004, she moved to California and taught middle school and high school science for four years. In 2008, Ms. Stafford returned to the DC area and became the vice-principal of Washington Mathematics Science Technology Public Charter High School. She joined DC Public School as an assistant principal at Ballou Senior High School in 2011. Ms. Stafford was selected as a member of the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, a rigorous, 30-month program designed to prepare DCPS's highest performing leaders for the principalship. As a fellow, Ms. Stafford has served as a resident principal at West Education Campus and Columbia Heights Education Campus. This past year, she served as the assistant principal of McKinley Technology High School. She holds a bachelor s degree from the University of Maryland and a master s degree from Bowie State University. Loren Brody Takoma EC Loren Brody began his career in education in 2001 as an English teacher at Paul Public Charter School, where he taught for four years. In 2005, Mr. Brody became a reading teacher and literacy coach at Gaithersburg High School. Mr. Brody then transitioned to Montgomery Village Middle School in 2007 and spent three years as a literacy specialist and staff development teacher. In 2010, Mr. Brody joined DCPS as an assistant principal at Hardy Middle School where he remained until 2014. He was then selected as a member of the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, a rigorous, 30-month program designed to prepare DCPS's highest performing leaders for the principalship. As a fellow, Mr. Brody has served as a resident principal at Whittier Education Campus and Truesdell Education Campus. He holds a bachelor s degree from Yale University and a master s degree from Trinity University. Malaika Golden Aiton ES Malaika Golden has spent the last 17 years as an educator and school leader. She began her career in Prince George s County Public Schools as an elementary school teacher. She was a teacher for eight years before being promoted to the role of instructional coach and, later, assistant principal. In 2010, Ms. Golden joined DC Public Schools as a professional development specialist in the central office. A year later, she became the assistant principal at Brightwood Education Campus. In 2014, Ms. Golden was selected as a member of the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, a rigorous, 30-month program designed to prepare DCPS's highest performing leaders for the principalship. As a fellow, Ms. Golden has served as a resident principal at Anne Beers Elementary and Seaton Elementary. She holds a bachelor s degree from the University of Maryland and a master s degree from McDaniel College. Megan Vroman West EC Megan Vroman began her career in education in 2009 as a middle school special education teacher in Phoenix, Arizona. She spent two years as a teacher at Loma Linda Middle School before transitioning to work as the manager of teacher Page 5 of 8

leadership development for Teach for America. In 2012, Ms. Vroman founded Uplift Mighty Preparatory in Fort Worth, Texas and led the school for two years before moving to Washington, DC to work for Scholar Academies in 2014. She holds a bachelor s degree from Texas Christian University and a master s degree from Arizona State University. Norah Lycknell - Brookland MS Ms. Lycknell has served the students of Washington, DC for the past 11 years. She is a Nationally Board Certified teacher for Middle Grades who served as a teacher at both Fletcher-Johnson Middle School and Miner Elementary School before becoming the resident principal at Eliot-Hine Middle School. In 2009, Ms. Lycknell was chosen to lead Janney Elementary School, where she has held high standards for all students, made progress in closing student achievement gaps across racial and socioeconomic lines, and grown the school s enrollment for each of the last five years. At Janney, she has also built an arts integration program leveraging community partnerships and has significantly expanded arts offerings to include performance arts, graphic arts, and vocal and instrumental music for all students. She holds a bachelor s degree in history and political science from Northwestern University, a master s degree in teaching from American University, a master s degree in education administration from Trinity University, and a master s degree in executive leadership from Georgetown University. O Kiyyah Lyons-Lucas Powell ES O Kiyyah Lyons-Lucas has spent her entire career in education serving the students of Washington, DC. She began her career as a Teach for America corps teacher in 2007 at Columbia Heights Education Campus. She spent four years as a teacher before being promoted to an instructional coach position at the school. After serving as an instructional coach, Ms. Lyons-Lucas was promoted to an assistant principal position. Ms. Lyons-Lucas was an assistant principal for two years before leaving DC Public Schools to become the principal of Center City Public Charter School at the Capitol Hill campus. Ms. Lyons-Lucas holds a bachelor s degree from North Carolina State University and a master s degree from American University. Rinaldo Murray (interim principal) Washington Metropolitan Rinaldo Murray has over 20 years of experience in education and began his career as a high school history teacher in Prince George s County, Maryland. He worked to develop social studies curricula for summer programs before being promoted to grade level and department chair and served as a mentor teacher for incoming first and second year teachers. In 2004, Mr. Murray transitioned to Washington, DC to lead as the principal of Hyde Leadership Charter School, where he remained for five years. Mr. Murray transitioned to DCPS in 2010 to serve as assistant principal of one of our alternative high schools, Luke C. Moore Academy High School. He holds a bachelor s degree from Clark Atlanta University and a master s degree from the University of Chicago. Roman Smith Kramer MS Page 6 of 8

Roman Smith has spent over 13 years serving the students of Washington DC. He began his career as an English language arts teacher at Friendship Public Charter s Blow Pierce Campus in 2002. In 2007, Mr. Smith was promoted to instructional specialist and academy director. Mr. Smith joined DCPS in 2010 and was hired as assistant principal of Columbia Heights Education Campus. In 2014, Mr. Smith was selected as a member of the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, a rigorous, 30-month program designed to prepare DCPS's highest performing leaders for the principalship. As a fellow, Mr. Smith has served as a resident principal at Shepherd Elementary and at Roosevelt Senior High School. Most recently, he has served as the acting principal for Roosevelt Senior High School. He holds a bachelor s degree from Howard University and a master s degree from George Mason University. Sah Brown (interim principal) Roosevelt HS Sah Brown has over 10 years of experience serving the students of the District of Columbia. He began his career as a special education teacher at Anacostia Senior High School. He spent two years there before transitioning to work as an elementary special education teacher at Thomson Elementary. Mr. Brown then served as an assistant principal at Woodrow Wilson Senior High School before leaving DCPS to serve as the co-principal at Cesar Chavez Public Charter School at the Parkside campus. He returned to DCPS in 2010 to serve as the assistant principal at Hardy Middle School. He spent three years at Hardy before transitioning to work as the assistant principal at Cardozo Education Campus. He holds a bachelor s degree from Lehigh University and two master s degrees from Trinity University. Sharon Holmes Simon ES Dr. Sharon Holmes began her career in education as a special education teacher in Arlington, Virginia. She was promoted to assistant principal in 1988 and spent four years in that capacity before transitioning to be the principal of Nottingham Elementary in 1992. Dr. Holmes led Nottingham for 14 years before transitioning to work in the DC Public Schools central office in 2007, where she served as a principal s coach, literacy curriculum specialist, and most recently as the acting principal at Simon Elementary School. Dr. Holmes holds a bachelor s degree from Catholic University, a master s degree in teaching from Trinity University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Sundai Riggins Hendley ES Sundai Riggins began her career as a language arts and mathematics teacher in Takoma Park, Maryland. She spent four years teaching before transitioning to serve as an afterschool coordinator with DC Public Schools. In 2005, Ms. Riggins transitioned as an English teacher at Elizabeth Seaton High School, where she taught for four years before joining DCPS as an assistant principal at Brightwood Education Campus in 2009. Ms. Riggins was an assistant principal for two years before leaving DCPS to serve as the founding principal of Monarch Academy in Baltimore, Maryland. She holds a bachelor s degree from University of Maryland and a master s degree from Trinity University. Zara Berry-Young Malcolm X Zara Berry-Young has over 15 years of experience in education and began her career as a kindergarten teacher at Perrywood Elementary School in Prince George s Page 7 of 8

County Public Schools. Ms. Berry-Young was a teacher for ten years before transitioning to join DC Public Schools in 2010. A year later, Ms. Berry-Young was promoted to an assistant principal position at Noyes Education Campus, where she served for two years before transitioning to the assistant principal role at Walker- Jones Education Campus. She was then selected as a member of the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, a rigorous, 30-month program designed to prepare DCPS's highest performing leaders for the principalship. As a fellow, Ms. Berry-Young has served as a resident principal at Shepherd Elementary and at Stoddert Elementary. She holds a bachelor s degree from Howard University and a master s degree from the University of the District of Columbia. Page 8 of 8