Principal, Camden Prep Mt. Ephraim Elementary School

I graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in 2013 with Bachelor of the Arts degrees in Political Science and Psychology. I went on to earn my MAT from Relay Graduate School of Education and have recently been accepted to Drexel University’s EdD program for Educational Leadership and Management. I started my journey in education in 2013 with City Year Philadelphia, serving as a tutor at Thurgood Marshall working with 6th graders in literacy and math. I joined the 2014 TFA South Jersey cohort and began my work with Uncommon Schools as a Camden Prep founder. Over the last almost 10 years, I have been blessed and privileged to serve my Whitman Park scholars as a Kindergarten teacher, 1st grade teacher and Instructional Leader, 2nd grade teacher and Instructional Leader, 3rd grade teacher and Instructional Leader, Principal Fellow, and now Principal.

Principal, Ocean Hill Elementary School

My journey in education began on campus at Cortland where I had the privilege of working at the daycare center. Once I graduated, I worked as a paraprofessional for the DOE but quickly realized it wasn’t for me. That’s when my friend Luana told me to apply to Uncommon Schools. I did my demo lesson with Rob at LPBV, where I was offered a position as a founding K teacher. It was at 1784 Park Place where I found my community and love for teaching. Fast forward, I became one of the founding 1st grade teachers and an instructional leader. Right before the world shut down, I was offered a seat in the principal fellowship. In year 2 of the fellowship, I moved over to OHES and had the privilege of working in the neighborhood I grew up in. When I am not in school, you can catch me with my big, fat Jamaican family, friends, or pup Bentley. I am also an avid reader—I am on book 214 so far this year. My friends always laugh at me because no matter where I am or what I’m doing, I will finish reading that chapter..

Principal, Leadership Prep Ocean Hill Elementary Academy

I started my journey in education as a Summer Teaching Fellow in the summer of 2014 during my junior year at DePauw University. I studied psychology and economics at DePauw and was awarded the Posse scholarship to attend the university. In time time as a DePauw student, I never imagined a career in education until I was an STF and truly fell in love with the community at LPOH and the vision and mission of our overall community at Uncommon Schools. I started my journey at LPOH and 10 years later – I am leading the herd. I came back to teach as Kindergarten SPED teacher and then became a 4th grade lead teacher and eventual IL before transitioning to the role of DCI at LPOH where I spent the year also being developed as a Principal Fellow before finally stepping into the role as principal 4 years ago. I am looking forward to the next 10 years as an Elephant and all the opportunities to continue to grow alongside some of the best and brightest people I’ve ever met.

Principal, Unity Prep

For the past 15+ years, Andria Williams has dedicated her life to empowering young people and adults through language and literacy to disrupt and reimagine a more equitable and just world. She’s been fortunate enough to do this work in many seats — as a volunteer, teacher, instructional coach, and principal. Each position has endowed her with a distinctive vantage point as a leader. She began her career as a 9th and 10th grade Reading and Language Arts teacher in Miami-Dade County Public Schools before relocating to Orlando, Florida to teach middle school ELA. In 2014, she embarked on a charter school adventure, working at Harlem Children’s Zone before migrating to Brooklyn to serve at Unity Prep where she currently serves as principal, shaping the minds of middle school students.

Ms. Williams holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Florida State University and a Master of Education in Reading Education from the University of Central Florida.

When she’s not working in schools, Andria finds joy in traveling, attending concerts, and spending time with her nephews.

Principal, Leadership Prep Brownsville Elementary Academy

Aliya McDaniel was born in Manhattan and raised in Queens, NY for a short period of time before moving to Montclair, NJ where she attended Elementary, Middle and High School. She then went on to attend Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia where she studied History and fell in love with Education. In her junior year of college she became an Uncommon Schools Summer Teaching Fellow where she interned at Excellence Girls Charter School. After her fellowship she received a full-time offer as a Third Grade teacher at Excellence Girls and served in that role from 2013-2017, while receiving her Master’s in Elementary Education at Relay Graduate School. Aliya served as a Mentor Teacher to and Director to Summer Teaching Fellows for three summers, where she was able to pay it forward to rising educators. In 2017, Aliya transitioned to the role of Dean of Students and Families at Leadership Prep Brownsville where she remained for three years. Aliya was blessed to expand her impact and be accepted into the Principal Fellowship in 2020, as the fellow at Ocean Hill Elementary school, where she trained for a year in preparation to become the Principal of Leadership Prep Brownsville. Now in her third year of Principalship at LPBV, she continues to live by the scripture, “To whom much is given, much will be required (Luke 12:48)” as she pours into the Brownsville community.

Principal, North Star Academy, Lincoln Park Middle School

In the fall of 2015, Carleta joined Uncommon Schools because she believes in the mission to get students to and through college. Carleta joined the principal fellowship program with hopes to continue fostering strong core values, love, and data driven instruction for the students of Newark, NJ. As the principal of Lincoln Park Middle School, Carleta hopes to continue living the mission and being a change agent. During her tenure at Uncommon, Carleta has served as a Grade Level Chair, an Instructional Leader, Co-SPED Lead, I&RS Coordinator, Grade Level Skills Lead, Summer Teaching Fellowship Director and Principal Fellow.
Carleta is a graduate of the illustrious Howard University in Washington, DC, with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Secondary Education with a concentration in urban education. Carleta also holds a Special Education certification from Relay Graduate Schools of Education.
When she is not changing history with Uncommon schools, Carleta enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones.

Principal, Roxbury Prep High School—Hyde Park

New to the Uncommon network and the northeast, Jonathan has served for the past two years at Roxbury Prep. Hyde Park. He became RPHS-HP’s Principal Fellow in Fall 2021 and has since transitioned into the role of Principal of Roxbury Prep. Hyde Park. Jonathan Carlisle received his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College in Political Science in the Spring of 2017. He then obtained his Master of Arts in Teaching w/ a Social Studies Education Concentration from Georgia State University in the Spring of 2020. He is currently pursuing his Educational Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction at Kennesaw State University.

In his spare time, Jonathan enjoys reading books that cover personal finance, personal development, and social justice. He also enjoys various premium cable TV shows, including but not limited to Billions, Succession, Game of Thrones, and House of The Dragon. He generally enjoys these shows because writers have time to develop the plot and resolution of a story over many hours of content rather than the limited two hours or so provided to movie writers, making movies highly predictable. He is also an avid watcher of the 90 Fiancé Franchise. He watches the series religiously each Sunday when new episodes are released.

Jonathan is a part of the Uncommon family for one simple reason. As a first generation college graduate, he is deeply passionate about creating intellectually rigorous learning spaces that prepare students to go through and succeed beyond college. The Uncommon mission deeply aligns with his life’s work regarding this passion.
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Principal, North Star Academy, Lincoln Park Elementary School

Throughout her eight years in education, Gail is committed and dedicated to closing the achievement gap and creating spaces that produce educational equity. She believes that providing high quality individualized education for each student is pivotal to cultivating academic excellence.

Gail graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and later graduated from William Paterson University with her Master’s in Educational leadership. Gail began her career in education teaching ESL at the Qingsu Vocational School in Chengdu China, as a child she too took ESL classes after migrating from St. Lucia.
Gail wanted to expanded her impact which led her to teach using Applied Behavior Therapy in a self-contained classroom for exceptional learners. Later she worked as a Teach for America corps member, where she had the pleasure of teaching 1st grade students in Camden. In 2016 Gail, joined North Star Academy as a founding Kindergarten Teacher at Elementary School 6 and has served in many roles within her school by becoming a Diversity and Equity Facilitator, Summer School Director, Grade Team Leader/ Instructional Coach, 2nd Grade Instructional Leader, Principal Fellow and now Principal. With a proven record of transformative academic outcomes for students, Gail’s teaching experience spans across grade levels working with students with disabilities and English Language Learners.

Her educational philosophy is based on her uncompromising belief that all students can learn, given a safe and positive learning environment, effective and strategic instruction, and a committed and focused educational team. As a mother, Gail is passionate about family and community engagement and the village approach. Gail joined the fellowship program to continue to lead with integrity by doing what is best for children, and prides herself in working shoulder to shoulder with students, teachers and leaders to support the academic and personal growth of students.

Gail is thrilled to expand her impact within her new role, as she continues to instill her love, commitment and leadership with the scholars and families she serves in Newark.

Principal, Roxbury Prep High School Nubian Square

Chelsea is a wife, mother, sister, friend, and proud educator on a mission to disrupt inequities in education that negatively impact communities of color. She holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in International Development Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Pennsylvania. Chelsea has served in multiple school-based roles, including ELA teacher, grade team leader, literacy coach, Co-Principal and Principal Fellow prior to rising to the Principal role at Roxbury Prep High School.

Principal, Brownsville Collegiate

Dare’ra Spragg hails from Richmond, Virginia and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond and a Master’s in Education from John Hopkins University. Dare’ra has made it her life’s work to ensure that marginalized communities can compete confidently in every space. She taught middle school science for three years in Atlanta, Georgia where she gained experience in both the public and charter school systems. From there she set her sights on learning from the model – Uncommon Schools – and moved to Brooklyn, New York where for the past five years she’s worked as a 7th Grade science teacher, Lead Lesson Planner, Instructional Leader, a member of the Science Content Council, and most recently, a Principal Fellow before stepping into the role of Principal of Brownsville Collegiate.

Principal, Roxbury Prep Dorchester Campus

Frankline started off as a 6th grade History teacher at Roxbury Prep and rose in school leadership as principal of Roxbury Prep’s Dorchester Campus. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College where she studied History and Education. She is thrilled for the opportunity to continue to develop as a leader with Uncommon Schools.

Principal, Bedford Stuyvesant Collegiate

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Jermaine Isaac is a first-generation college student who’s passionate about education, media, and public service. Jermaine’s career began at the City Hall Council of NYC and Robert Half International, a corporate consultancy firm working on various projects for New York City. Jermaine completed his master’s in public administration at Long Island University, is the honorable recipient of the Who’s Who Award, Youth of the Year in Baltimore as recognized from community leaders, and a Pi Alpha Alpha Public Administration Honor Society recipient. At Uncommon, Jermaine has taught 7th grade English, served as an Instructional Leader, Summer Academy Director, and is now the Principal of BSC.

Principal, Excellence Girls Charter School Middle Academy

Growing up, Lenda had a series of champions that shaped her roadmap to college. Her family immigrated to the United States when she was four and education was always emphasized as the single pathway for success. As part of cohort 1 of Rainier Scholars in Seattle, an organization modeled after New York’s Prep for Prep program, she had educators and mentors through a 12-year journey who believed that she was capable beyond her family’s income and zip code. As soon as she stepped into the classroom in Brooklyn through Teach for America, she knew this was where she belonged and where her passion laid. Having taught and led in middle schools her entire career, she knows this is where she makes the greatest impact. She is so grateful for her own journey in education to come full circle as a current principal of Excellence Girls Middle Academy.

Principal, Vailsburg Elementary School

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Mariah is proud to serve her community for her eighth year at Uncommon Schools, North Star Academy. Mariah performed her undergraduate and graduate studies at Rider University and the Relay Graduate School of Education. Mariah has stretched her impact from 2nd to 4th Grade over the course of her teaching career, mastering the skills of an effective coach while serving as an instructional leader for three years. Mariah’s experience as an instructional leader inspired her to pursue North Star Academy’s principal fellowship in 2021. She is currently serving as principal of Vailsburg Elementary School.

Principal, CICS Basil Middle School

For the past fifteen years, Martine has dedicated herself to serving children, parents and community members. She served a two-year commitment with Teach for America as a 1st Grade teacher in St. Louis, MO, and continued her career in education as a middle school math teacher in both St. Louis and Brooklyn, NY for eight years. Martine pursued a career in education leadership and fully immersed herself in supporting teachers to better serve children. While working as a school leader, she’s had the opportunity to mentor and coach skilled teachers. Martine is excited to bring her classroom and leadership expertise back to her hometown of Chicago, IL at ReGeneration Schools, where she will help teachers realize their vision for student achievement, support the development of reflective practice, and model investment in the collective success of her community.

Principal, Camden Prep Copewood Elementary

As a 2016 New Jersey Teach for America Corps Member, Yvanna began her journey with Uncommon as a 1st Grade teacher at Camden Prep Mt. Ephraim Elementary before becoming a founding 1st Grade teacher at Copewood Elementary. Yvanna holds a high bar for excellence in academics and culture; working relentlessly to ensure that every member of her school community shows up as their best self. Throughout her journey at Camden Prep, Yvanna has been an Instructional Leader, DCI Fellow, Curriculum Planner, DEI Facilitator, DCI and Principal Fellow. Yvanna is now thrilled to bring her determination and commitment to serving the school community she founded, as Principal of Copewood Elementary.

Senior Director of School Support, Uncommon Schools

Jody-Anne Jones is currently the Senior Director of School Support where she focuses on training Principal Fellows across the Uncommon network to become Principals. Mrs. Jones holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Africana Studies from Rutgers University. She has also earned two Master’s degrees. The first of which came from Cornell University in Africana Studies with a focus on Caribbean Politics. She earned a certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from Cornell University as well. The second Master’s degree came from her studies at New York’s Relay Graduate School of Education in Educational Leadership. In 2018, Mrs. Jones was selected as one of two Principals in the United States to be awarded the prestigious Ryan Award. The Ryan Award is given to Principals of Urban School districts that have demonstrated great successes in the fight to close the achievement gap.

Co-CEO, Uncommon Schools

Julie Jackson is the co-CEO of Uncommon Schools overseeing all 54 K-12 Uncommon Schools as well as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She started her career in education as a Teach For America corps member teaching mathematics and English language arts in Patterson Public Schools in the state of New Jersey. She earned her B.A. in Communications from Shippensburg University in 1992, an M.Ed. in Educational Administration from William Paterson University in 2002 and performed graduate work in African-American Studies at the University of Wisconsin. She has earned several honors including the Teacher of the Year award in 1998, the Dodge Leadership Award in 2002, and Teach for America’s Peter Jennings Award for Civic Leadership in 2013. Julie is a Pahara-Aspen Fellow alumnus and also served as a Board of Trustee member to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. Julie served as Uncommon’s President, Chief Schools Officer, Managing Director, Founding Elementary and High School Principal, Dean of Students, and Teacher.

Regional Superintendent of Instruction, Uncommon Schools

Na’Jee is an advocate for educational equity and mental health awareness. He has spent the past decade serving students and families in the city of Newark, NJ, his hometown. After teaching and leading as a principal, Na’Jee has decided to expand his impact as the Assistant Superintendent for Uncommon Schools’ Newark and Camden elementary schools. He prides himself on coaching leaders who lead schools that prioritize critical thinking, academic excellence, love, wellness, and community.

Regional Superintendent of Instruction, Uncommon Schools

Nikki grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. She received her B.A. in Anthropology with a certificate in African-American Studies from Princeton University. Education changed the trajectory of Nikki’s life and she is paying it forward by leading at Uncommon Schools NYC. Nikki was a 2008 Teach for America Corps member and she joined Uncommon Schools as a 1st and 2nd grade teacher and served as the Dean of Students at Leadership Prep Bedford Stuyvesant. She became an Uncommon Schools Instructional Fellow at Leadership Prep Ocean Hill where she learned best practices for leading a school. Nikki then served as the Principal of Excellence Girls Elementary Academy for seven years and during the 2017-2018 school year she was the Senior Principal of both Excellence Boys and Excellence Girls. Nikki now directly coaches five elementary principals as an Assistant Superintendent in Brooklyn.

Principal, Downtown Middle School

Nikki Jones is serving as Principal of North Star Academy’s Downtown Middle School campus for her sixth year. She joined North Star Academy in 2003 and has since been awarded with Charter School Teacher of the Year by the New Jersey Charter Schools Association as an 8th Grade English teacher, and is Uncommon Schools’ 2022 Middle School Principal of the Year. The success of every child is deeply personal to her and Nikki is a powerful model for holding high expectations for kids, while being supportive of their needs and the needs of teachers to grow.

Principal, Excellence Boys Charter School Middle Academy

Quinterrence Bell is a passionate educator and lover of learning. He is currently the proud principal of Excellence Boys Charter School, an all boys school serving grades K-8 in Brooklyn. In his current role, he oversees instruction and culture for 4th-8th grade at the school. Prior to this he served as the Principal for the Elementary School serving grades, K-4. Prior to his role as a principal, he served as a Middle School Reading Teacher and Instructional Coach at Brownsville Collegiate Middle School. He has also served as an Outreach Recruiter for Uncommon Schools Brooklyn Region. In this role, Quinterrence traveled across the country and recruited top talent to work for Uncommon Schools. He worked as a Lead Teacher and Instructional Leader at Excellence Boys Charter School, where he led students to perform to the best of their ability on Interim Assessments and New York State Test. He holds a B.A. in English from Morehouse College and a M.A. in Teaching from the Relay Graduate School of Education. He currently attends Vanderbilt University where he is obtaining his Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy.

Principal, Fairmount Elementary School

“Insult the standard.” That’s not just Tameka Royal’s motto for driving strong student achievement, it’s a representation of how she strives to be the best version of herself for the sake of all students and staff at Fairmount Elementary School – one of the strongest schools in the country – and beyond. This will be Tameka’s 8th year as principal of North Star Academy Fairmount Elementary. Prior to joining North Star, Tameka worked in education in Cleveland, Ohio, Ithaca, NY (Go, Cornell Big Red), Washington, DC, Atlanta, GA as a TFA Corp Member, and New York, NY where, in 2012, she was honored as Teacher of the Year.