Meet Our Team | Faculty & 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!

"What makes Kuumba special is that we recognize that, if we want to teach the whole child, in addition to the academic support that we want to provide, we want to make sure we give them the opportunity explore their passions. "

- Sally Maldonado | Head of School

Sally Maldonado

Head of School

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 before becoming the Head of School for Kuumba.

Fun Facts: I am a proud Kuumba parent and sports mom and love cheering on my sons from the stands!

E-mail: smaldonado@kacsde.org

Ayanna Johnson

Principal

Education: Bachelors degree in Afro-American Studies from Harvard University; Masters degree in Multicultural Education from Eastern University

Experience: Has taught K - 10th grade and served as a Math Specialist and Director of Curriculum and Instruction before becoming a Principal. Named Teacher of the Year and founded a private school in New Jersey in 1995. Has served as a Principal for 9 years in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and now Delaware.

Fun Facts: I played the violin in school from 1st grade through 7th grade.

E-mail: ajohnson@kacsde.org

Deon Booker

Middle School Dean/Transportation/Athletic

dbooker@kacsde.org

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Deon Booker

Middle School Dean/Transportation/Athletic

Education: University of Phoenix, BSBM

Experience: I have been at Kuumba for 7 years. I started out as the PE teacher for both lower and upper school which led me to become the Behavioral Interventionist. I have now served as the Middle School Dean for the past 3 years.

Fun Fact: I am a minister and studying to become a Family Christian Counselor.

Email: dbooker@kacsde.org

Genelle Freeman-Saul

Lower School Dean

gsaul@kacsde.org

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Genelle Freeman-Saul

Lower School 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 watching scary movies.

Email: gsaul@kacsde.org

Ken Brown

Family Engagement Director

kbrown@kacsde.org

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Ken Brown

Family Engagement Director

Education: B.A. in Political Science from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and an M.Ed. from Cabrini College in Pennsylvania.

Experience:

Fun Fact:

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:

Experience:

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Email: ccarr@kacsde.org

Carol Moore

School Nurse

cmoore@kacsde.org

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Carol Moore

School Nurse

Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wilmington University. Basic School Nurse Certificate from the University of Delaware. Currently working on National School Nurse Certification

Experience: Twenty years of experience as a school nurse in grades K-8 and 5-8. Nineteen years of experience in medical-surgical nursing at Wilmington Hospital.

Fun Fact: Lifelong Learner. Enjoys vacationing and spending time with children, especially her eleven-year-old granddaughter Jordyn and her two dogs Bouncer and Grace as well as her grand dog Jackie.

Email: cmoore@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 plus as a Administrator, 10 years as a janitorial coach, 3 years Educational Para, 2 years 21st Century Site Administration, 2 years Director of Aftercare program.

Fun Fact: Love to travel, Love family time, and inspiration of my faith.

Email: scratic@kacsde.org

Teri Riggs-Lyle

ABA Therapist

triggs@kacsde.org

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Teri Riggs-Lyle

ABA Therapist

Education: Bachelors in Criminal Justice and Sociology with a Minor in Dance from Temple University. Masters in Criminology with a concentration in Business Administration and a certification in Behavior Analysis from Saint Joseph’s University. Currently pursuing my Board Certified Behavior Analyst licensure.

Experience: This will be my 3rd year at Kuumba Academy. I started my professional career in 2005 as a Family Therapist for adjudicated youth in Philadelphia and then transitioned into Philadelphia public schools as a Clinical Supervisor, Clinical Coordinator and a Dean of Students. I have been working in the Behavioral/Mental Health field for approximately 15 years.

Fun Fact: I am a Wellness Life Coach and will be launching my 2nd wellness company by the end of 2020, which will be named after my husband and son. Everything I do has to do with the ARTS, I have a black belt in Tang Soo Do (Korean Karate). I ride motorcycles and I am a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated- Spring 2008.

Email: triggs@kacsde.org

Natalie Guichard

School Counselor

nguichard@kacsde.org

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Natalie Guichard

School Counselor

Education: Bachelors of Professional Studies in Human Services from Metropolitan College of New York, and Master of Arts in School School Counseling from New York University.

Experience: Comes to Kuumba Academy with a 15 year Office Manager career, as well as experience as a School Counselor in Philadelphia School district, as well as Appoquinimink School District.

Fun Fact: Born and spent early childhood in Trinidad, but has lived most of my years in Brooklyn and Queens, New York.

Email: nguichard@kacsde.org

Lindslay Laurent

Speech Teacher

llaurent@kacsde.org

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Lindslay Laurent

Speech Teacher

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Experience:

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Email: llaurent@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