Meet Our Team | Instructional Support

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!

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"When you give them avenues to compose, the stuff that comes out of them is interesting and it is deep and you just think... WOW."

- Darnell Miller | Music Instructor

Angelina Peterson

Reading Specialist

apeterson@kacsde.org

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Angelina Peterson

Reading Specialist<

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
Tykisha Goldsberry

K-2nd grade Instructional Coach, Gifted and Talented Teacher

tbratcher@kacsde.org

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Tykisha Goldsberry

K-2nd grade Instructional Coach, Gifted and Talented Teacher<

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. I am recently engaged!
Email: tbratcher@kacsde.org
Blair Borish

3rd-8th ELA/Social Studies Instructional Coach

bborish@kacsde.org

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Blair Borish

3rd-8th ELA/Social Studies Instructional Coach<

Education:  B.A. from University of Penn; M.Ed from Temple University
Experience: Ms. Borish gained classroom experience at Serviam Girls Academy (New Castle, DE), Girard College (Philadelphia, PA), and Mastery Charter Shoemaker Campus (Philadelphia, PA). She has experience teaching sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. Her areas of strength are Good Reading Habits, Text Variety and Complexity, Vocabulary Development, and Writing Organization and Instruction.
Fun Fact: Ms. Borish loves yoga, traveling, Harry Potter, Marvel Movies, and Wonder Woman.
Email: bborish@kacsde.org
name

3rd-8th Math/Science Instructional Coach

email

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name

3rd-8th Math/Science Instructional Coach<

Education:
Experience:
Fun Fact:
Email: email
Eula Hooten

Special Education Director

ehooten@kacsde.org

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Eula Hooten

Special Education Director<

Education: EDUCATION
Experience: EXPERIENCE
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT
Email: ehooten@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
Lindslay Laurent

Speech Language Therapist

llaurent@kacsde.org

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Lindslay Laurent

Speech Language Therapist<

Education: EDUCATION
Experience: EXPERIENCE
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT
Email: llaurent@kacsde.org
Jara Zwolak

3rd-5th Reading Interventionist

jzwolak@kacsde.org

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Jara Zwolak

3rd-5th Reading Interventionist<

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
Diamond Lee

K-8 Emotional Support Teacher

dlee@kacsde.org

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Diamond Lee

K-8 Emotional Support Teacher<

Education: EDUCATION
Experience: EXPERIENCE
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT
Email: dlee@kacsde.org
Nicole Branche

Arts Appreciation Teacher & Emotional Support Teacher

nbranche@kacsde.org

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Nicole Branche

Arts Appreciation Teacher & Emotional Support Teacher<

Education: EDUCATION: Temple University
Experience: EXPERIENCE: I am an educator specializing in behavior health, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and arts integration for grades K-8. With a background in behavior and education, I excel in creating engaging learning environments that foster positive student interactions and improve behavior. My approach combines communication skills with a deep understanding of student needs, allowing me to support diverse learners effectively.
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT: My teaching doesn’t stop in schools. I teach acting and also am an acting coach. I have over 20 years of acting experience, with more than a decade of consistent work in the industry working with a theater company. My first love was dance with a focus in hip hop and modern. I’ve directed mini productions for schools and camps, I also have played in a few independent films. I love delicious food, the beach, and traveling. 
Email: nbranche@kacsde.org

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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