Meet Our Team | Teachers

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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""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
Iesha Huff

Second Grade Paraprofessional

ihuff@kacsde.org

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Iesha Huff

Second Grade Paraprofessional

Education: EDUCATION
Experience: EXPERIENCE
Fun Fact: FUN-FACT
John Vitsorek

First Grade

jvitsorek@kacsde.org

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John Vitsorek

First Grade

Education: Mr. V. graduated from West Chester University.
Experience: Mr. V has been teaching kindergarten for over 22 years at only 2 different schools.
Fun Fact: Mr. V. loves to spend time with his family and going to concerts.
OPEN

Third Grade

@kacsde.org

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OPEN

Third Grade

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education (K-4) from Temple University, Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University, Graduated from Relay Graduate Studies for Educational Leadership
Experience: Last year was my first year at Kuumba Academy and my 14th year in the education field. I have been teaching for 11 of those years and served as an administrative leadership role for the 3-5th community of scholars for 3 years. I have taught 1st through 4th grade in my career and I absolutely love it! I have been coaching teachers for 4 years and have learned alot from that experience. I believe that an active community of educators are always working together, improving techniques and reflecting on best practices to provide the best academic experience for our scholars. I look forward to another great year at Kuumba Academy #kuumbastrong
Fun Fact: I toured once with The Roots and Jill Scott, and co-wrote a song/single that was picked up by Swizz Beats for Universal Records
Tomica Parham-Lema

LS Behavioral Interventionist

Tparham-lema@kacsde.org

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Tomica Parham-Lema

LS Behavioral Interventionist

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Fun Fact: Lorem ipsum dolor
Tykisha Goldsberry

K-2 Instructional Coach/G&T Teacher

tbratcher@kacsde.org

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Tykisha Goldsberry

K-2 Instructional Coach/G&T 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!
Ralandre' Lacy

Kindergarten

rlacy@kacsde.org

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Ralandre' Lacy

Kindergarten

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.
Glendoria Duncan

Kindergarten

gduncan@kacsde.org

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Glendoria Duncan

Kindergarten

Education:
Experience: Ms. Duncan has been a paraprofessional for three years.
Fun Fact: She’s been married for 20 years and has two daughters.
Taniyah Price

Kindergarten Paraprofessional

TaniyahP@kacsde.org

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Taniyah Price

Kindergarten Paraprofessional

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Experience: Ms. Price has worked at KACS as a floating paraprofessional, emotional support paraprofessional, and summer counselor.
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Courtney Burruss

Kindergarten Paraprofessional

cburrus@kacsde.org

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Courtney Burruss

Kindergarten Paraprofessional

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Allesandra Ehle

Kindergarten Paraprofessional

aehle@kacsde.org

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Allesandra Ehle

Kindergarten Paraprofessional

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Briel Hurling

Kindergarten Teacher

bhurling@kacsde.org

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Briel Hurling

Kindergarten Teacher

Education: B.A. in English Literature from Suffolk University in Boston, MA, M.Ed in Elementary Education from Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA
Experience: Ms. Harding gained classroom experience through student teaching in a 3rd grade classroom at Minot Forest Elementary School in Wareham, MA. She also has years of experience teaching Transitional Kindergarten in local preschools in Delaware.
Fun Fact: Ms. Harding lived in Massachusetts for the first 24 years of her life. She loves spoiling her two cats and crocheting blankets, sweaters, and scarves for her friends and students in her free time.
Tasia Muldrow

Kindergarten Co-Teacher

tmuldrow@kacsde.org

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Tasia Muldrow

Kindergarten Co-Teacher

Education: Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education as a senior at Delaware State University.
Experience: I have completed over 200 hours in my field for student teaching in various schools in Delaware. I was placed in schools like W.B Simpson Elementary and DSU’s child lab school working as a teachers aid.
Fun Fact: I’m actually from Brooklyn, New York!
Teresa Stone

First Grade

tstone@kacsde.org

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Teresa Stone

First Grade

Education: West Chester University
Experience: Ms Stone has been a teacher at Kuumba for 16 years.
Fun Fact: I have 3 dogs! I have lived in 9 places. I love the beach!
Naja Alexander

Special Education K/1

nalexander@kacsde.org

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Naja Alexander

Special Education K/1

Education: B.A. Psychology, A.A. Early Childhood Education
Experience: I have taught: Preschool, 2nd grade, 7th & 8th grade.
Fun Fact: I love baking and spending time with my family.
Tess Mukoda

First Grade

tmukoda@kacsde.org

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Tess Mukoda

First Grade

Education: Graduated from Delaware State University-BAS Elementary Education
Experience: Tierre gained classroom experience in North Carolina and Wilmington (in third grade) and now here at Kuumba Academy in first grade.
Fun Fact: She starts each day dancing at 6AM (some dancing a day will keep the stress away), an advocate for self-care, loves to read, write, and teach.
Tawana Marks

Third Grade

tmark@kacsde.org

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Tawana Marks

Third Grade

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Margaret Johnson-Brown

7th/8th Grade Science

mjbrown@kacsde.org

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Margaret Johnson-Brown

7th/8th Grade Science

Education: Wilmington University B.S.- Early Childhood Education(Birth-2nd). Working on my Masters in Special Education K-12 through WilmU ARTC Program.
Experience: 6 years early childhood, one year elementary.
Fun Fact: I do CrossFit almost everyday!
Phyllis Herbert

One on one-Third Grade

pherbert@kacsde.org

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Phyllis Herbert

One on one-Third Grade

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Lisa Smith

First Grade Paraprofessional

lsmith@kacsde.org

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Lisa Smith

First Grade Paraprofessional

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Shysheen Nelson

Second Grade

snelson@kacsde.org

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Shysheen Nelson

Second Grade

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Wanda Ford

First Grade

wford@kacsde.org

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Wanda Ford

First Grade

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Tiana Sasu

Alumni and Attendance Coordinator

tsasu@kacsde.org

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Tiana Sasu

Alumni and Attendance Coordinator

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Heidi Parker

Third Grade

hparker@kacsde.org

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Heidi Parker

Third Grade

Education: Bachelors’ in Business Admin. from Delaware State University, Masters in Elementary Education from Wilmington University.
Experience: This is my first year teaching at Kuumba Academy. I bring 8 years of experience in the education field with experience from grades 4-8 in both Delaware and Pennsylvania charter schools. Math is my passion and I’m a big fan of teaching through various methods of instruction and keeping it fun.
Fun Fact: I love traveling (especially cruising), am a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and am a big movie person.
Carolyn Scott

Third Grade

cscott@kacsde.org

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Carolyn Scott

Third Grade

Education: Ms Scott obtained her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from University of the West Indies. She pursued her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education at St Joseph’s University.
Experience: Ms Scott has over 21 years of experience in education. She has taught Mathematics to third graders for the past 3 years. She loves teaching and believes that education is necessary for the full development of each child. She vehemently believes that it is the avenue where children can develop their intellectual, societal and physical growth. She thinks that students should garner education through a wide variety of methods as children learn in different ways: visual, auditory, kinesthetic and tactile.
Fun Fact: She is interested in learning about new cultures and meeting the needs of her students. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with all the amazing students and their families at Kuumba Academy Charter School. She is excitingly looking forward to the rewarding days ahead.
Judith Pratts

Fourth Grade

jpratts@kacsde.org

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Judith Pratts

Fourth Grade

Education: Graduated with a Masters degree from Rutgers University
Experience: Started teaching 4th grade at Kuumba in 2018. Previously gained experience at Woodrow Wilson Elementary in NJ, also teaching 4th grade math.
Fun Fact: I love spending time with my family, playing with my dog, Jeter and rooting for my favorite sports teams (NY Giants and NY Yankees).
Jason Dabney

Fourth Grade

jdabney@kacsde.org

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Jason Dabney

Fourth Grade

Education: Graduated from Gwynedd Mercy University
Experience: I have been an educator in the city of Philadelphia for 9 years as a 4th and 5th grade teacher. I am excited to bring my experience and heart for our youth to the Wilmington area to serve the families of Kuumba Academy.
Fun Fact: #1 I run a family athletics outreach ministry called Run With Vision. It is a family, community and sports organization serving our church and local community and serving with our volunteer staff is always the highlight of my weekend! #2 I am a Die-Hard Cowboys and Sixers fan (We can talk sports any time 😃 😀 )
Dr. Maureen Masters

Fifth Grade ELA Teacher

mmasters@kacsde.org

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Dr. Maureen Masters

Fifth Grade ELA Teacher

Education: BFA from Moore College of Art and Design; MS in Education from Neumann University, and she is currently working toward her doctorate in Teacher Leadership at Wilmington University.
Experience: Ms. Masters taught at Serviam Girls Academy for 7 years in New Castle, Delaware and has been the 5th grade ELA teacher at Kuumba since 2016.
Fun Fact: She worked and traveled the world as a fashion designer.
Nicole Gicker

Fifth Grade Science & Social Studies Teacher

ngicker@kacsde.org

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Nicole Gicker

Fifth Grade Science & Social Studies Teacher

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.
Salvatore Fratto

Fifth Grade SPED Co-Teacher

sfratto@kacsde.org

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Salvatore Fratto

Fifth Grade SPED Co-Teacher

Education: Graduated from Delaware State University with a Bachelors in Secondary English Education; Graduated from University of Phoenix with a Master of Management in Public Administration
Experience: Michelle gained experience teaching in Wilmington's first Alternative School - Neighborhood House School of Hope, as well as Hyattsville Middle School teaching Reading, English & Language Arts and recently teaching at Gunning Bedford Middle School.
Fun Fact: I enjoy WWE (Monday Night RAW and Tuesday Night Smackdown). I love NBA Playoffs - Golden State Warriors!!!
Dr. Kayla Sweet

Sixth Grade Math Teacher

rthoward@kacsde.org

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Dr. Kayla Sweet

Sixth Grade Math Teacher

Education: Ms. Sweet received her Bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech and Masters Degree in Curriculum, Administration, and Supervision from the University of Oklahoma.
Experience: Ms. Sweet taught Science and Math for three years at McLain 7th Grade Academy in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Additionally, Ms. Sweet has worked for Teach For America Tulsa National Institute as a teacher coach and Biology curriculum specialist for the past two years.
Fun Fact: Ms. Sweet moved 13 times before she was eight years old.
Lauren Robinson

Sixth Grade ELA Teacher

lrobinson@kacsde.org

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Lauren Robinson

Sixth Grade ELA Teacher

Education: Bachelors of Arts in English from Delaware State University
Experience: Taught both 10th and 11th grade ELA at Caesar Rodney High School.
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Melanie Thompson

Sixth Grade Science & Social Studies Teacher

mthompson@kacsde.org

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Melanie Thompson

Sixth Grade Science & Social Studies Teacher

Education: At Wilmington University, Ms. Thompson earned her bachelor’s degree in Middle Level Education with a concentration in English and Social Studies.
Experience: Ms. Thompson previously taught early education where she was nominated for the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education. She also taught 6th grade English and Special Education in the Colonial District.
Fun Fact: In her free time, Ms. Thompson loves traveling and going to music events with her daughter.
Adrian McDonald

Fifth Grade Math Teacher

amcdonald@kacsde.org

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Adrian McDonald

Fifth Grade Math Teacher

Education: Currently a senior at Delaware State University for Elementary Education
Experience: Completed junior practicum at various Elementary schools in Dover and a semester of student teaching at William Henry Middle School.
Fun Fact: Huge fan of the 76ers
Eric King

Seventh Grade Math Teacher

eking@kacsde.org

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Eric King

Seventh Grade Math Teacher

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Danielle Harris

Creative Writing/Black History Teacher

dharris@kacsde.org

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Danielle Harris

Creative Writing/Black History Teacher

Education: M.A. Ed College of Notre Dame Maryland, B.A. Temple University
Experience: This is my 7th year at Kuumba Academy Charter School, I previously worked in the Baltimore Arch Diocese for 7 years.
Fun Fact: Lived in Baltimore, Philly, New Jersey, and New York and chose Wilmington, Delaware to settle down and raise my daughters. The Kuumba Kadilacs sang at my wedding as I was walking down the aisle in 2016.
Blair Borish

Seventh Grade ELA Teacher

bborish@kacsde.org

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Blair Borish

Seventh Grade ELA Teacher

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.
Ronald Mickens

7th/8th grade Social Studies

rmickens@kacsde.org

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Ronald Mickens

7th/8th grade Social Studies

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Valerie Justice

Eighth Grade Math Teacher

vjustice@kacsde.org

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Valerie Justice

Eighth Grade Math Teacher

Education: Master’s Degree from The City College of New York; Currently working on Doctorate
Experience: Ms. Walker taught public school in New York City
Fun Fact: She is from New York City and has two daughters.
Myles Williams

Eighth Grade ELA Teacher

mwilliams@kacsde.org

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Myles Williams

Eighth Grade ELA Teacher

Education: He graduated from the University of Delaware in 2012, with a degree in Secondary English Education. His goal is to obtain a Master's Degree in English Literature within the next few years.
Experience: Mr. O'Connor is in his second year as an English Teacher.
Fun Fact: In his spare time, he enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling whenever possible, having been all over Europe, North America, Australia, and Africa.