Meet Our Team | Administration

At Kuumba Academy, we believe in the importance of recruiting, retaining, developing, and supporting great teachers and leaders who can help our students meet high standards.  Read on to meet our Administration!

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Dr. Natakie T. Chestnut-Lee

Chief Executive Officer 

Experience: Dr. Natakie T. Chestnut-Lee is a distinguished educational leader with a wealth of experience in school administration and district-level management. 

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Renowned for her visionary strategies and collaborative decision-making, Dr. Chestnut-Lee has a proven record of developing and implementing impactful educational programs. 

Dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive organizational culture is evident in her focus on student achievement, staff development, and community engagement. 
With strong interpersonal and communication skills, she drives continuous improvement and exceeds organizational goals. 

Dr. Chestnut-Lee is passionately committed to promoting equity and excellence in education, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

Fun Fact: "I love to travel, explore different cuisines, and enjoy the theatre. Whether I'm savoring street food in a far-off city or taking in a live performance, I believe in the power of cultural experiences to inspire creativity and innovation."

E-mail: nchestnutlee@kacsde.org

Sally Maldonado

Chief Operations Officer

smaldonado@kacsde.org

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Sally Maldonado

Chief Operations Officer<

Education: Bachelors degree in Elementary and Special Education from University of Delaware; Masters degree in School Leadership from Wilmington University
Experience: Started my professional career in education right here at Kuumba Academy in 2002. Has taught 4th-6th and served as the Academic Dean and Head of School before becoming Chief Operations Officer for Kuumba.
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT
Email: smaldonado@kacsde.org
Tara Robbins

Principal

trobbins@kacsde.org

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Tara Robbins

Principal<

Education: Master's Degree in Educational Leadership with K-12 Principal Certification, and Social Emotional and Behavioral Wellness Endorsement from Immaculata University, Teaching Certification from the University of Delaware, Master's of Fine Arts Degree in Performance & Choreography from Smith College, Bachelor's Degree in Dance from Slippery Rock University
Experience: Before transitioning to the role of Principal, Ms. Robbins served the Kuumba Academy community as an Instructional Coach. She directed the dance program at Cab Calloway School of the Arts for seven years, where she focused on cross-curricular artistic collaborations.  Ms. Robbins taught at DeSales University for ten years and has been invited to many colleges nationwide, where she served as a Guest Artist in Residence. As a passionate arts advocate, she serves on two Boards of Directors, the Delaware Dance Education Organization and the Cab Calloway School Fund, and understands the transferable skills gained in the arts are a powerful asset in teacher leadership.
Fun Fact: Ms. Robbins toured nationally and internationally as a professional dancer and choreographer. She was named the 2023 SHAPE Delaware Dance Education Teacher of the Year. She is obsessed with houseplants and loves the good energy!
Email: trobbins@kacsde.org
Kenneth Brown

Family Engagement Director

kbrown@kacsde.org

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Kenneth Brown

Family Engagement Director<

Education: B.A. in Political Science from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and a M.Ed. fom Cabrini College in Pennsylvania.
Experience: Ken is a founder of Kuumba Academy Charter School and has been with Kuumba since the beginning. 28+ years
Fun Fact: Love to host parties and detail cars.
Email: kbrown@kacsde.org
Cherri Carr

Lower School Coordinator/Enrollment Specialist

ccarr@kacsde.org

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Cherri Carr

Lower School Coordinator/Enrollment Specialist<

Education: EDUCATION
Experience: EXPERIENCE
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT
Email: ccarr@kacsde.org
Sheila Cratic

Upper School Coordinator/ Director of Before & After School

scratic@kacsde.org

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Sheila Cratic

Upper School Coordinator/ Director of Before & After School<

Education: Bachelors Degree-Criminal Justice, Wilmington University, Delaware
Experience: 15+ years as an Administrator, 10 years as a janitorial coach, 3 years Educational Para, 2 years 21st Century Site Administration, 2 years Director of Before & Aftercare Program.
Fun Fact: Love to travel, Love family time, and instperation of my faith.
Email: scratic@kacsde.org
Norberto Rivera

Building Engineer/Custodian

EMAIL

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Norberto Rivera

Building Engineer/Custodian<

Education: EDUCATION
Experience: EXPERIENCE
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT
Email: EMAIL
Genelle Freeman-Saul

Dean

gsaul@kacsde.org

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Genelle Freeman-Saul

Dean<

Education: Master's Degree from Wilmington University.
Experience: I started at Kuumba in 2008 as a first grade teacher. I served in that role for three years. I then served as the Reading Specialist for seven years. This is my second year serving as the Dean of Students for grades K-4
Fun Fact: I love the fall, Halloween, and  watching scary movies.
Email: gsaul@kacsde.org
Taron Williams

Restorative Practices Coordinator

twilliams@kacsde.org

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Taron Williams

Restorative Practices Coordinator<

Education: EDUCATION
Experience: EXPERIENCE
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT
Email: twilliams@kacsde.org
Brandon Gray

Lower School Behavior Interventionist

bgray@kacsde.org

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Brandon Gray

Lower School Behavior Interventionist<

Education: EDUCATION
Experience: EXPERIENCE
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT
Email: bgray@kacsde.org
Deon Booker

Middle School Behavior Interventionist
Transportation Coordinator

dbooker@kacsde.org

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Deon Booker

Middle School Behavior Interventionist
Transportation Coordinator<

Education: BSBM University Phoenix
Experience: 10 years Kuumba Academy
Fun Fact: Minister, Church of Christ. Love exercising and spending time with my family/grand kids.
Email: dbooker@kacsde.org
Nic Williams

Middle School Behavior Interventionist

niwilliams@kacsde.org

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Nic Williams

Middle School Behavior Interventionist<

Education: EDUCATION
Experience: EXPERIENCE
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT
Email: niwilliams@kacsde.org
Doris Kirkland

Lead School Counselor/ LPCMH, NCC, M.Ed

dcorbett@kacsde.org

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Doris Kirkland

Lead School Counselor/ LPCMH, NCC, M.Ed<

Education: BS in Behavioral Science. Masters in Education focus in Counseling, Wilmington University
Experience: I have had the pleasure with working with children & Families for over 13 yrs, assessing, diagnosing and providing treatment to individuals and families dealing with emotional distress at various levels. Working within school settings, hospitals, state agencies as well as private practices has been a rewarding career and afforded me with various methodologies that I hope to utilize with students and families within Kuumba Academy.
Fun Fact: I am a fan of MMA & boxing, and like to travel to different bike trails and ride.
Email: dcorbett@kacsde.org
Ariele Castro

Behavioral Health Counselor

acastro@kacsde.org

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Ariele Castro

Behavioral Health Counselor<

Education: EDUCATION
Experience: EXPERIENCE
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT
Email: acastro@kacsde.org
Keith A. Beckett

Middle School Counselor

kbeckett@kacsde.org

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Keith A. Beckett

Middle School Counselor<

Education: Graduated from Wilmington University with a Masters in School Counseling
Experience: Over 17 years of experience in various areas of education. Served as a Paraprofessional ina the Colonial School District. Served at risk student at William Penn H.S. and John Dickerson H.S. as a Classroom Specialist. Served Special needs students at Appoquinimink H.S., Bancroft Middle School and Kuumba Academy and a Special Education Math teacher. Currently I serve as School Counselor for grades K-4
Fun Fact: I love to spend time with my family, singing and dancing, listening to music and going out with friends and family. I love to read the Bible, and cheering on my favorite sports teams.
Email: kbeckett@kacsde.org
Destiny Fulton

Elementary School Counselor

dfulton@kacsde.org

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Destiny Fulton

Elementary School Counselor<

Education: EDUCATION: Delaware State University & Wilmington University Master’s in School Counseling 
Experience: EXPERIENCE: I have a background in education, going back to 2011. This will be my fourth year as an elementary school counselor.
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT: My hobbies include traveling and making flower arrangements. I’m working really hard at teaching myself how to garden - wish me luck 😊 
Email: dfulton@kacsde.org
Ralph Bradley

Human Resources Consultant

rbradley@kacsde.org

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Ralph Bradley

Human Resources Consultant<

Education: EDUCATION
Experience: EXPERIENCE
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT
Email: rbradley@kacsde.org
Maureen Masters

Outside of School Time (OST) Coordinator 

mmasters@kacsde.org

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Maureen Masters

Outside of School Time (OST) Coordinator <

Education: EDUCATION
Experience: EXPERIENCE
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT
Email: mmasters@kacsde.org
Wayne Kingston

Technology

wkingston@kacsde.org

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Wayne Kingston

Technology<

Education: EDUCATION
Experience: EXPERIENCE
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT
Email: wkingston@kacsde.org
Nadiah Lacy

IT Support

nlacy@kacsde.org or it@support.com

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Nadiah Lacy

IT Support<

Education: EDUCATION
Experience: EXPERIENCE
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT
Email: nlacy@kacsde.org or it@support.com
Sariah Carr

IT Support

sacarr@kacsde.org or itsupport@kacsde.org

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Sariah Carr

IT Support<

Education: EDUCATION
Experience: EXPERIENCE
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT
Email: sacarr@kacsde.org or itsupport@kacsde.org
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Access to Arts Education

Through the innovative union of academics, arts, technology, and family engagement, each KACS student’s individual learning style is nurtured—resulting in creative learners who are agents of positive change in the community.

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Reputation for Success

Nearly 800 children have prepared for great futures since the school opened in 2001.

 

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Phenomenal Staff

We believe in the importance of recruiting, retaining, developing, and supporting great teachers and leaders who can help our students meet high standards.

Kuumba Academy Charter School (KACS) is a dynamic learning environment where teachers, families, students, and community partners work together.

Contact Us

1200 North French St.
Wilmington, DE
19801

302.660.4750
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