Meet Our Team | Faculty and Staff

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 them!

"Kuumba is a great place to be. It allows kids to learn through the arts, dancing, singing, and jumping up and down. It exists to ignite passion in students."

- John Vitsorek | First Grade Teacher

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Kindergarten
1st Grade
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
Instructional Support Team
Arts Team

Jesi Herlyn

KINDERGARTEN

jherlyn@kacsde.org

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Jesi Herlyn

KINDERGARTEN

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: jherlyn@kacsde.org

Arleisha Lewis

KINDERGARTEN

alewis@kacsde.org

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Arleisha Lewis

KINDERGARTEN

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: alewis@kacsde.org

Amber Davis

Kindergarten

adavis@kacsde.org

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Amber Davis

Kindergarten

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: adavis@kacsde.org

Jasmine Johnson

Kindergarten

jjohnson@kacsde.org

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Jasmine Johnson

Kindergarten

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: jjohnson@kacsde.org

Kayla Sudler

Kindergarten

ksudler@kacsde.org

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Kayla Sudler

Kindergarten

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: ksudler@kacsde.org

Taniyah Price

Kindergarten

tprice@kacsde.org

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Taniyah Price

Kindergarten

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: tprice@kacsde.org

Ayree Stevenson

1st Grade

astevenson@kacsde.org

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Ayree Stevenson

1st Grade

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: astevenson@kacsde.org

Alessandra Ehle

2nd Grade

aehle@kacsde.org

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Alessandra Ehle

2nd Grade

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: aehle@kacsde.org

Wanda Ford

1st Grade

wford@kacsde.org

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Wanda Ford

1st Grade

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: wford@kacsde.org

Courtney Burruss

2nd Grade

cburress@kacsde.org

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Courtney Burruss

2nd Grade

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: cburress@kacsde.org

Teresa Stone

1st Grade

tstone@kacsde.org

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Teresa Stone

1st Grade

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: tstone@kacsde.org

Ms. Rocky

1st Grade

relbedawi@kacsde.org

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Ms. Rocky

1st Grade

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: relbedawi@kacsde.org

Shysheen Nelson

2nd Grade Teacher

snelson@kacsde.org

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Shysheen Nelson

2nd Grade Teacher

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: snelson@kacsde.org

Nykisha Hall-Murphy

2nd Grade

nhall-murphy@kacsde.org

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Nykisha Hall-Murphy

2nd Grade

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: nhall-murphy@kacsde.org

Tawana Smothers

2nd grade

tsmothers@kacsde.org

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Tawana Smothers

2nd grade

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: tsmothers@kacsde.org

Lisa Smith

3rd grade

lsmith@kacsde.org

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Lisa Smith

3rd grade

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: lsmith@kacsde.org

Jantyne Love

3rd Grade

jlove@kacsde.org

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Jantyne Love

3rd Grade

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: jlove@kacsde.org

Dayja Anderson

3rd Grade

danderson@kacsde.org

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Dayja Anderson

3rd Grade

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: danderson@kacsde.org

Richelle Blue

4th Grade Science/Social Studies

rblue@kacsde.org

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Richelle Blue

4th Grade Science/Social Studies

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: rblue@kacsde.org

Jordan Robinson

4th Grade ELA

jorobinson@kacsde.org

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Jordan Robinson

4th Grade ELA

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: jorobinson@kacsde.org

Nicole Gicker

4th Grade Math

ngicker@kacsde.org

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Nicole Gicker

4th Grade Math

Education: Graduated from Wilmington University

Experience: Ms. Gicker gained classroom experience at Providence Creek Academy, Prestige Academy, and Lombardy Elementary (in grades 5, 6, and 3 respectively) through student teaching and practicum placements.

Fun Fact: She loves spending time with her family, going to events and concerts with friends, gardening, and keeping her fingers crossed for the Phillies.

Email: ngicker@kacsde.org

Ben Swanson

5th Grade Science/Social Studies

bswanson@kacsde.org

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Ben Swanson

5th Grade Science/Social Studies

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: bswanson@kacsde.org

Natasha Lamb

5th Grade Math

nlamb@kacsde.org

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Natasha Lamb

5th Grade Math

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: nlamb@kacsde.org

Kaliyna Williams

5th Grade ELA

kwilliams@kacsde.org

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Kaliyna Williams

5th Grade ELA

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: kwilliams@kacsde.org

Tasia Muldrow

Special Education K-2

tmuldrow@kacsde.org

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Tasia Muldrow

Special Education K-2

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: tmuldrow@kacsde.org

Cynthia Webb

Setting C 3-5

cwebb@kacsde.org

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Cynthia Webb

Setting C 3-5

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: cwebb@kacsde.org

Destiny Potter

Setting C Para 3-5

dpotter@kacsde.org

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Destiny Potter

Setting C Para 3-5

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: dpotter@kacsde.org

Jara Zwolak

3rd/4th Grade Special Education

jzwolak@kacsde.org

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Jara Zwolak

3rd/4th Grade Special Education

Education: M.S., Special Education & Literacy | B.S., Elementary Education

Experience: Mrs. Zwolak has a background as a teacher and an instructional coach across grades K-6. d in K-6

Fun Fact: Mrs. Zwolak, also known as Mrs. Z, has an art background and loves to be creative across medium. At home, I enjoy baking, cooking, gardening, planting, jewelry making, and photography. I enjoy learning about mindfulness, conscious parenting skills, and researching the latest trends in reading science. It brings me great joy getting to know our Kuumba scholars and creatively influencing their literacy competencies. It is my hope and dream that scholars leave our space feeling more able to identify their strengths and contributions while using cooperation and problem solving skills to thrive in their environments.

Email: jzwolak@kacsde.org

Mr. Hayes

5th Grade SpED

zwilkins@kacsde.org

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Mr. Hayes

5th Grade SpED

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: zwilkins@kacsde.org

Karen Hayes

6/7 Math; Special Education

khayes@kacsde.org

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Karen Hayes

6/7 Math; Special Education

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: khayes@kacsde.org

Sahar Ibrahim

6/7 ELA; Special Education

sibrahim@kacsde.org

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Sahar Ibrahim

6/7 ELA; Special Education

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: sibrahim@kacsde.org

Shakira Johnson

8th ELA; Special Education

sjohnson@kacsde.org

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Shakira Johnson

8th ELA; Special Education

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: sjohnson@kacsde.org

Keith Beckett

8th Math; Special Education

kbeckett@kacsde.org

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Keith Beckett

8th Math; Special Education

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: kbeckett@kacsde.org

Myles Williams

6th Grade ELA

mwilliams@kacsde.org

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Myles Williams

6th Grade ELA

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: mwilliams@kacsde.org

Joel Coppdage

6th grade Math

jcoppdage@kacsde.org

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Joel Coppdage

6th grade Math

Education: BA in math from Morehouse College, MS in applied math from North Carolina A&T State University, MA in math from Indiana University Bloomington

Experience: Mr. Coppadge as worked as a paraprofessional and math teacher at Gateway Charter School (8th grade science/social studies, 6th grade math). He has also worked as a long term substitute teacher at Middletown (high school math) and part time tutor at the Sylvan Learning Center.

Fun Fact: He loves spending time with his family and friends.
Joel also loves to watch movies and read comic books.
Lastly, Joel is a second degree black belt in karate and a part-time instructor at Gentle Palm Karate Academy.

Email: jcoppdage@kacsde.org

Debbie Mohamed

6th/7th Science

dmohamed@kacsde.org

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Debbie Mohamed

6th/7th Science

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: dmohamed@kacsde.org

Tiffany Kane

6th/7th Grade Social Studies

tkane@kacsde.org

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Tiffany Kane

6th/7th Grade Social Studies

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: tkane@kacsde.org

Lauren Robinson

6th grade ELA

lrobinson@kacsde.org

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Lauren Robinson

6th grade ELA

Education: Bachelors of Arts in English from Delaware State University

Experience: Taught both 10th and 11th grade ELA at Caesar Rodney High School.

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: lrobinson@kacsde.org

Dr. Ma'at

7th Grade Math

amukasa@kacsde.org

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Dr. Ma'at

7th Grade Math

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: amukasa@kacsde.org

Aaron Nickie

8th Grade Math

anickie@kacsde.org

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Aaron Nickie

8th Grade Math

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: anickie@kacsde.org

Teri Johnson

8th Grade ELA

tjohnson@kacsde.org

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Teri Johnson

8th Grade ELA

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: tjohnson@kacsde.org

David Dragone

8th Science/Social Studies

ddragone@kacsde.org

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David Dragone

8th Science/Social Studies

Education: EDUCATION: Bachelors of Science Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Business from Neumann University; Masters of Science Degree in Education from Temple University

Experience: EXPERIENCE: I’m a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with 15 years of clinical, operational, training, and leadership experience in the human services field serving people with mental health diagnoses, autism, and intellectual disabilities. I started my career as a Direct Service Professional working my way up to various senior leadership positions. Recently I parlayed my love for science and history into a new career path as a teacher. I have a passion for identifying and developing talent in others.

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT: I’m a proud “girl dad” of 3 children. When not working or spending time with my family, I enjoy playing and coaching baseball (my first passion), lifting, the fall season, and learning as much as I can.

Email: ddragone@kacsde.org

Angelina Peterson

Instructional + Intervention Coach / MTSS Coordinator

apeterson@kacsde.org

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Angelina Peterson

Instructional + Intervention Coach / MTSS Coordinator

Education: Early Childhood and Elementary Education Degree- BS- from Lincoln University Reading Literacy Education- M.Ed - Cambridge College

Experience: 18 years in Education; worked as a Kindergarten teacher, 1st grade, 3rd, 4th grade, Reading Specialist, Literacy Coach and an Adjunct Professor at Harcum College.

Fun Fact: Likes to travel

Email: apeterson@kacsde.org

Melissa Dulin

Occupational Therapist

mdulin@kacsde.org

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Melissa Dulin

Occupational Therapist

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: mdulin@kacsde.org

Tykisha Goldsberry

Instructional Coach

tbratcher@kacsde.org

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Tykisha Goldsberry

Instructional Coach

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education from University of Delaware, Masters degree in Teaching Practices from The Relay Graduate School of Education

Experience: My teaching career started in the Baltimore Public City School System where I taught 3rd, 4th, and 5 grades. I began teaching at Kuumba in 2008 where I have served as a kindergarten and first grade teacher.

Fun Fact: I enjoy roller skating and bike riding.

Email: tbratcher@kacsde.org

Aysha Downey-Runyiri

Reading Interventionist

adowney@kacsde.org

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Aysha Downey-Runyiri

Reading Interventionist

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: adowney@kacsde.org

Kiona Fortune

Reading Interventionist

kfortune@kacsd.org

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Kiona Fortune

Reading Interventionist

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: kfortune@kacsd.org

Glendoria Duncan

Math Intervention

gduncan@kacsde.org

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Glendoria Duncan

Math Intervention

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: gduncan@kacsde.org

Danieska Giron-Querlas

PT Speech Therapist

dgiron-querales@kacsde.org

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Danieska Giron-Querlas

PT Speech Therapist

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: dgiron-querales@kacsde.org

Lindslay Laurent

PT Speech Therapist

llaurent@kacsde.org

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Lindslay Laurent

PT Speech Therapist

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: llaurent@kacsde.org

Darnell Miller

K-8 Music Instructor

dmiller @kacsde.org

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Darnell Miller

K-8 Music Instructor

Education: EDUCATION

Experience: EXPERIENCE

Fun Fact: FUN-FACT

Email: dmiller @kacsde.org

Michnari Robinson

K-8 Band Instructor

mrobinson@kacsde.org

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Michnari Robinson

K-8 Band Instructor

Education: BM Samford University, MM University of Wisconsin-Madison

Experience: Michnari Robinson Brass | Michnari is an active brass instrumentalist based in Philadelphia. A versatile performer, he is a member of akadotdotdot, You Do You, and the West Philadelphia Orchestra. He also teaches at the school Kuumba Academy. Michnari’s pedagogy centers the transformational power of music to uplift students as individuals and members of their communities. Driven by his conviction that music is for everyone, he served in the ArtistYear Americorps teaching artist program to nurture young musicians in Title I schools. During that time he was also the audio engineer for the Rising Stars Podcast, hosted by Carol Jantsch and co-hosted by Bernard Flythe. The mission of the podcast was to conduct interviews with young brass musicians from underrepresented demographics. Throughout his time in Philadelphia, Michnari has been fortunate to perform with local acts such as Johnny Showcase, Simcha Band, and the Weez The Peeples Collective. He has a Bachelor’s degree in euphonium performance from Samford University, where he was awarded the Northrup Scholarship for outstanding performance. He continued his studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned his Master’s degree and was honored to attend on a fellowship (AOF) and teaching assistantship. His primary teachers were Charles Morgan, Demondrae Thurman, and Tom Curry.

Fun Fact: Michnari creates in music programming and music production.

Email: mrobinson@kacsde.org