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
Tara Robbins

3rd-8th Math/Science Instructional Coach

trobbins@kacsde.org

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Tara Robbins

3rd-8th Math/Science Instructional Coach<

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: Ms. Robbins directed the dance program at Cab Calloway School of the Arts for seven years, where she focused on cross-curricular artistic collaborations. She taught in the dance department at DeSales University for ten years and has also been a guest artist at more than 15 colleges across the U.S. As a passionate arts advocate, she serves on the Board of Directors for two organizations 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
Dr. Varneka Baynard

Upper School Special Education Director

vbaynard@kacsde.org

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Dr. Varneka Baynard

Upper School Special Education Director<

Education:
Experience: EXPERIENCE
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT
Email: vbaynard@kacsde.org
Eula Hooten

Lower School Special Education Director

ehooten@kacsde.org

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Eula Hooten

Lower School 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
Ralandre' Lacy

Lower School Math Interventionist

rlacy@kacsde.org

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Ralandre' Lacy

Lower School Math Interventionist<

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education (K–6) Studies; Certificate in Child Advocacy Studies; Currently working on Master’s Degree
Experience: Ms. Lacy has been a paraprofessional and teacher for over ten years.
Fun Fact: She loves traveling and spending time with her daughter.
Email: rlacy@kacsde.org
Terrone Warren

Upper School Math Intervetionist

twarren@kacsde.org

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Terrone Warren

Upper School Math Intervetionist<

Education: Mr. Terrone V. Warren is a long time resident of the city of Wilmington. Graduating from Glasgow High School and Delaware State University. 
Experience: Mr. Warren is the owner of Black Visionary Designs (BVD) Barber Salon located downtown Wilmington, Delaware serving the tri-state area. Mr. Warren is very involved in our community sponsoring for the past nine years the annual "coat and jacket" giveaway, "shoe and sneaker" giveaway, "Unity Community Day" and holiday turkey drives. Terrone has a passion for working with and supporting our youth by tutoring not only in math, but whatever subjects they may need assistance with. Keeping our community children busy and focused Terrone has formed a "Chess on the Square" which has resulted in positive energy with many neighborhood children.
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT
Email: twarren@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
Christopher Sinkiewicz

K-5th grade Reading Interventionist

csiniewicz@kacsde.org

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Christopher Sinkiewicz

K-5th grade Reading Interventionist<

Education: EDUCATION
Experience: EXPERIENCE
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT
Email: csiniewicz@kacsde.org
Diamond Lee

Nia Academy Teacher

dlee@kacsde.org

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Diamond Lee

Nia Academy Teacher<

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

Nia Academy Paraprofessional

EMAILnbranche@kacsde.org

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Nicole Branche

Nia Academy Paraprofessional<

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

OST (Out of School Time) Coordinator

mmasters@kacsde.org

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Dr. Maureen Masters

OST (Out of School Time) Coordinator<

Education: BFA from Moore College of Art and Design; MS in Education from Neumann University, and  EdD in Teacher Leadership at Wilmington University.
Experience: Dr. Masters has been a teacher in New Castle County for 14+ years and joined Kuumba in 2016. Being part of the Kuumba family is one of the best experiences of my life. Being part of the team that helps are scholars become strong individuals and strong community leaders is amazing!
Fun Fact: Before becoming a teacher, Dr. Masters worked and traveled the world as a fashion designer, she love archery, knitting, and hiking/backpacking.
Email: mmasters@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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