Russell Byers Charter School: Staff Biographies

A B O U T U S :
Staff Biographies

Faculty

	Geno Aloi is in his third year at Russell Byers as a Special Education teacher. Geno graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor's degree in Special and Elementary Education, and he is currently pursuing a Master's degree and Reading Specialist Certification at Gwenydd Mercy College.
	Donald Bradley is in his second year as a 6th grade teacher. He received a Bachelor's degree from Temple University in Asian religions, along with Post- Baccalaureate certificate in Elementary Education from West Chester University. Prior to coming to Russell Byers, Don worked as a yoga instructor, an environmental educator, and an Outward Bound instructor.
	Shawn Brandon is in her second year as our reading and math specialist. Shawn taught in New York City for nine years. She has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Boston University and a Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling from Hunter College. Shawn also participated in a teacher leadership program at The Reading and Writing Project at Teachers College, Columbia University.
	Sarah Bresnahan is one of our music teachers. She received her Bachelor's degree in Music from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and also holds graduate degrees in Music from Indiana University-Bloomington. Sarah is a clarinet repair specialist and has taught clarinet privately for the past 12 years.
	Jennifer Carvalho teaches 4K and is in her second year at Russell Byers. She graduated from Eastern University with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Before coming to Russell Byers, Jen spent two years teaching at a charter school in Chester, PA. She is currently pursuing a certificate in Early Childhood Education at Easter University.
	Holly Chapman teaches 3rd grade. This is her fifth year at Russell Byers and her fourth year as a classroom teacher. She has a Bachelor's degree from The College of William and Mary. Holly worked in publishing and association management before obtaining her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with Elementary Certification from Rosemont College.
	Juliana Chapman joins Russell Byers this year as a 5K teacher. She received her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Chestnut Hill College and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Education at Gratz College. Julie has spent the past seven years teaching in private schools in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs.
	Rebecca Chase teaches Special Education for 4th through 6th grades and is starting her third year at Russell Byers. Rebecca has a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood, Special Education, and Elementary Education from Temple University. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree and Reading Specialist Certification at Gwenydd Mercy College.
	Jennifer Coppertino is in her first year teaching 5K, having spent the previous two years as a teaching fellow. She has a Bachelor's degree in English from Temple University and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Elementary Education. Jennifer is a yoga instructor for both adults and children.
	Leah DeLoach cis in her second year at Russell Byers as a teaching assistant. She has a Bachelor's degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management from The University of Delaware. Leah will soon be pursuing an Elementary Education degree.
	Sara Demoiny is in her third year of teaching 6th grade at Russell Byers. She taught in the Philadelphia public schools for four years before coming to our school. She has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Carson-Newman College and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Penn State University.
	Jasmina Dominguez joins Russell Byers this year as a teaching fellow for 1st and 2nd grade. Jasmina learned about our school through her work with Big Brothers Big Sisters. She graduated from Drexel University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications.
	Bill Fitzgerald is a 5th grade teacher. He received a Bachelor's degree from Holy Family University and a Master's in Education from St. Joseph's University. Bill has been teaching in Philadelphia schools for 17 years.
	Sonia Gerena is a teaching assistant for 5K, and she has been at Russell Byers from its beginning. She attended Temple University and worked in another Philadelphia charter school for four years before coming to Russell Byers. Sonia also runs the school's breakfast program.
	Sharon Golding provides English as a Second Language instruction. She received her Bachelor's degree from Shippensburg University and has 12 years of teaching experience in elementary schools. In her fifth year at Russell Byers, Sharon is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Teaching English Speakers of Other Languages at Temple University.
	Nora Hildenbrand joins Russell Byers this year as a 5th grade teacher. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from Boston University and a Masters degree in Elementary Education from the University of Pennsylvania. Nora taught middle school science for two years in the School District of Philadelphia before coming to us, and she has also worked as an educator in London, Syracuse and New Orleans.
	Lindsey Hofflich comes to Russell Byers Charter School as a Special Education teaching fellow. She earned a Bachelors of Science Degree from Temple University in Special Education, Early Childhood and Elementary Education with a minor in Sociology. She has been teaching Pre-K at a local private school for two years.
	Linda Hopkins teaches 5K. She has a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from West Chester University. Linda taught in The Archdiocese of Philadelphia for two years before coming to Russell Byers in 2005.
	Teron B. Ivery is a founding 4K teacher. Teron earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Millersville University and a Master's degree from Holy Family University. He is permanently certified in the fields of Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Teron has had multiple experiences with Expeditionary Learning professional development and Outward Bound courses. He was recently a presenter at an EL national conference.
	Amy Jared is the art teacher. She has a Bachelor's degree from Rhodes College and a Master's degree from The University of the Arts. Amy has over 20 years of experience in the field of art education. Prior to coming to Russell Byers in 2005, Amy worked in the Division of Education at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where she developed award-winning art programs for children, families, schools, and communities.
	Delores Johnson is in her third year as teaching assistant for 5K. Delores retired from Verizon with 31 years of experience in telecommunications and customer service. She also coached a track team for her church for ten years.
	Rebecca Levenberg is in her third year as our Special Education Coordinator. She received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Learning Disabilities from Northwestern University. Rebecca has more than fifteen years of experience in special education and has worked with preschool, elementary, middle, and high school students.
	Judith Locicero is teaching 5th grade at Russell Byers for the third year. Judi also taught 4th and 8th grades for ten years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Holy Family University, and she is currently pursuing her Master's degree from Gratz College.
	Marcie Martin is a teaching assistant for 4K. Marcie has been with Russell Byers for six years and is a parent of a student from the first graduating class.
	Elizabeth McGuire teaches 4th grade. She joined Russell Byers last year as a Special Education teaching fellow for the upper grades. Elizabeth graduated from The University of Delaware with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Special Education.
	Beth Morris is teaching 2nd grade at Russell Byers for the third year. Beth received a Bachelor's degree in Sociology with a Concentration in Social Inequality and Diversity from The University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Beth also has a Master's degree in Elementary Education from The University of Massachusetts in Amherst.
	Christopher Pandolfi teaches physical education. A graduate of Ursinus College with a Bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sports Science, he taught for seven years in area Catholic schools before coming to Russell Byers in 2001. Chris is currently pursuing a Masters of Education, and he is certified in CPR and First Aid.
	LaTanya A. Redden is in her third year as a teaching fellow for 3rd and 4th grades. Before coming to Russell Byers, LaTanya spent five years working with 1st and 2nd graders. She graduated from West Chester University with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, and she is currently attending Saint Joseph's University for a Master's degree in Education.
	Michelle Robinson is the owner and director of the Watoto after school program. As one of the founding teachers, she previously taught second, third, and fourth grades at Russell Byers. Michelle has a Bachelor's degree from Hampton University and a Master's degree in Elementary Education from Columbia University. Michelle recently received her Certificate of Administration from The University of Pennsylvania.
	Mary Sacchetti is in her second year at Russell Byers as a Special Education teacher. She works with 1st through 4th grades. Mary graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor's degree in Special and Elementary Education, and she is currently pursuing a Master's degree and Reading Specialist Certification at Saint Joseph's University.
	Kwame Sarfo-Mensah is entering his first year at Russell Byers as a teaching fellow. He graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and is currently pursuing a Master's degree and certification in Elementary Education at Temple University. Prior to coming to Russell Byers, Kwame worked as the 5th grade instructional assistant at West Philadelphia Achievement Charter School.
	Tara Shaw teaches 4th grade and is in her third year at Russell Byers. She has taught in Philadelphia schools for 15 years. A graduate from Temple University, she is a teacher consultant for The Philadelphia Writing Project. Tara is a contributing author of the book From Another Angle: Children's Strengths and School Standards. She is also pursuing a Master's degree and Special Education certification from Widener University.
	Rachel Smith comes to Russell Byers this year as the Spanish teacher. She has seven years of teaching experience, including four years as an elementary bilingual teacher in Philadelphia and two years of teaching in Honduras. Rachel has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Special Education from Geneva College and recently completed her ESL certificate program from the University of Pennsylvania.
	April Tomarelli teaches 3rd grade. She came to Russell Byers last year as a teaching fellow for 1st grade. April attended Rosemont College and received both a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction. She also provides private clarinet lessons to elementary aged children starting at the beginner level.
	Kathryn Walker joins Russell Byers this year as a teaching fellow for 1st and 2nd grades. She recently moved to the Philadelphia area from Washington, D.C. Kathryn received a History degree from Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, Virginia.
	Dr. Erik Westby is in his second year as our Science and Technology Coordinator. He earned a Bachelor's degree from Union College in Psychology and Master's and Doctoral degrees in Educational Psychology from Purdue University. He has 14 years of teaching experience at the university and graduate level. Erik's primary area of research focuses on how children develop an understanding of science. He is the author of numerous journal articles and book chapters on science learning and creativity in education.
	Mary Westlund is in her third year of teaching 4th grade at Russell Byers and her sixth year of teaching in Philadelphia. She received a Bachelor's degree from La Roche College in Interior Design. After working in an architectural firm for several years, Mary received her Elementary Education certificate from Concordia University. She earned her Master's degree in Teaching and Learning from Lock Haven University.
	Lisa Wilson is teaching 2nd grade for the third year at Russell Byers. She has over ten years of experience teaching second through sixth grades in Philadelphia. Lisa has a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Temple University and a Master's degree from Arcadia University.
	Tara Wilson-McMichael is in her second year as a teaching assistant for the special education team. She was a teaching assistant for 5K in the school's first year of operation. Tara received her certification in the Culinary Arts from The Restaurant School of Philadelphia. She is currently pursuing a degree in Early childhood Education.
	Sarah R. Wing is in her third year of teaching 1st grade at Russell Byers. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Sarah previously taught kindergarten and 1st grade in Massachusetts and Philadelphia.
	Krista Yutzy-Burkey teaches music and is a founding teacher. She received a Bachelor's degree in Music from Goshen College and has eight years of teaching experience in Philadelphia. With a certification from Eastern University to teach K-12 music, Krista has taught classes and directed the choir at Russell Byers for six years. Krista is also a harpist.
	Dr. Elvira I. Zuazo-Legido, is our Certified School Psychologist and is licensed as a Professional Counselor. She has been working in the field for the past 16 years in New Jersey and in the Philadelphia School District. Prior to becoming a school psychologist, she worked as a school counselor. Elvira evaluates students' academic, emotional and behavioral needs and runs small support groups on a variety of topics. She also works closely with parents.

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Russell Byers Charter School
1911 Arch Street | Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.972.1700 | 215.972.1701 fax |