Staff

Linda Jennings

Executive Director Interim

Jorden Jones

Middle School Principal

Jorden Jones is the Middle School Principal at Great Oaks Charter School – Wilmington. She was born in Washington DC, and grew up in Maryland. She graduated from Duke University in 2010, and developed a passion for education after joining Teach for America and teaching High School writing for two years in Philadelphia. She began her career at Great Oaks in New York City in 2013. She is thrilled to be continuing her work in education in Wilmington!

Amanda Taylor

High School Principal

Geoff Langdon

Chief Financial Officer

Geoff Langdon is a CPA in Delaware and brings the financial management and accounting skills required to effectively monitor the school’s expenses.

Nikki Darden

Director of Operations

Nikki Darden is the current Director of Operations at Great Oaks Charter School – Wilmington. She was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and received her Bachelor’s degree at Loyola University New Orleans. She is currently a student at the University of Delaware working towards her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. She began her career as a tutor at Great Oaks Charter School New York City and is excited to be a part of the team at Great Oaks Charter School – Wilmington.

Kendra Giardiniere

Director of Great Oaks Fellows

Kendra Giardiniere is the Tutor Corps Director at Great Oaks Charter School – Wilmington. She was born in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, but considers herself a true Wilmingtonian. She received her undergraduate degree from Emerson College and her Masters in Education form Wilmington University. She taught Kindergarten at Kuumba Academy and spent two years working for the Delaware Charter Schools Network, where she was first introduced to the Great Oaks model. Kendra joined the GO-WIL team in January 2014. Go Gladiators!

Felecia Russell

Director of College and Career Access

Felecia Russell is a native of Montego Bay, Jamaica, but, grew up in Inglewood, California. She went to California Lutheran University for her BA and then earned her Master’s of Public Policy with an emphasis in Education from Pepperdine University. Felecia joined the Great Oaks Tutor Corps in 2015 and is currently the Director of College and Career Access.

Tamara Price

Middle School Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction

Jazmin Cole

Assistant Director of Operations & Music Director

Jazmin Cole graduated from The Lincoln University of PA with a degree in Music Education: K-12.

Joia McManus

AmeriCorps Program Manager

Megan Shay

Manager of Great Oaks Fellows

Imani Roman

Dean of Students, Middle School

Delonte Gardner

Dean of Students, High School

Delonte Gardner was a Tutor Corps Leader. Delonte graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in Criminal Justice.

Lacrecia Henderson

Assist Dean of Students, Middle School

Aaron Jackson

Assistant Dean of Students, Middle School

Hannah Maxa

Assistant Dean of Students, High School

Ricki Hernandez

Office Manager

Richard Hernandez, a founding team member of Great Oaks Charter School – Wilmington, has resided in Wilmington since childhood. Richard studied Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources at the American InterContinental University. For the last 10 years, Richard has served in various positions within the Delaware Division of Social Services, Delaware’s Department of Labor, the Community Education Building, and now serves as the 8th FL Office Manager at Great Oaks Charter School – Wilmington.

Kevin Williams

Recruitment Coordinator

Sheila Williams

Middle School Substitute/Office Assistant

Surell Holley

6th Grade Teacher

Leland Kent

6th Grade Math Teacher

Leland R. Kent, Sr. is the 6th grade Math teacher at Great Oaks Charter School – Wilmington. After earning his Bachelor’s Degree from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, Mr. Kent began his career with Philadelphia District Attorney’s office providing supports to victims and witnesses of crimes. After 19 years in victim advocacy and services, Mr. Kent joined Teach for America. He is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree from Relay University’s Graduate School of Education and a second Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of DE.

Morgan Sagan

6th Grade Science Teacher

Morgan Sagan is the 6th grade Science Teacher at Great Oaks Charter School – Wilmington. She graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. After graduation, she launched her teaching career in Philadelphia, PA as a reading teacher. In 2015, she joined the Great Oaks – Wilmington founding team. She is thrilled to begin her third year as a middle school teacher at GO-WIL!

Thomas Slemko

6th/8th Grade Social Studies Teacher

Cassandra Calderon

7th Grade Social Studies Teacher

Chris Cross

7th Grade Science Teacher

Jerrica Flint

7th Grade ELA Teacher

Barbara Espiritu

8th Grade ELA Teacher

Barbara Espiritu graduated from St. John’s University with a degree in English.

Elijah Morris

8th Grade Math Teacher

Kashana Roberts

8th Grade Science Teacher

Kashana graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in Cognitive Science with a concentration in Neuroscience and a minor in Psychology.

Jody Ann Green

7th Grade SpEd Teacher

My name is Jody-Ann Green, and I am a Special Education Math Teacher at Great Oaks Charter School – Wilmington. I was born in St. Andrew, Jamaica, however, I feel like a native of Delaware. I am an alumna of the University of the West Indies and Wilmington University. I am currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching at Relay Graduate School of Education Delaware. I enjoy hiking, reading and am a big fan of the Outlander television series.

Kelsie Lozada

Special Education Teacher, Middle School

Kendria Waltower

Special Education Teacher, 6th Grade

Kendria Waltower graduated from Lincoln University of PA with a degree in Human Services.

Malcolm Richardson

Special Education Teacher, 7th Grade

Malcolm Richardson graduated from The Lincoln University of PA with a degree in Music Vocal Performance.

Anthony Davis

9th Grade Math Teacher

Rafael Rodriguez

9th Grade Social Studies Teacher

Rafael Rodriguez graduated from Florida International University with a degree in History.

Alisa Vidwans

9th Grade Science Teacher

Amani Young

9th Grade ELA Teacher

Lauren Bravo

10th Grade Science Teacher

Erica Hitchens

10th Grade ELA Teacher

Erica Hitchens is the 9th grade ELA teacher, and part of the Instructional Leadership Team at Great Oaks – Wilmington. She was born in Philadelphia, but lived and went to school in the North Wilmington area of Delaware since the age of 9. Erica obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from Wilmington University, then received her Teacher Certification from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. She is in her fifth year of teaching, and is thrilled to be working at Great Oaks – Wilmington!

Calvin Samuel

10th Grade Social Studies

Julia Zammith

10th Grade Math Teacher

Destiny Pennington

Special Education Teacher, 9th Grade

Jamal Tate

Special Education Teacher, 10th Grade

Jeneana Ponder

Special Education Coordinator, Middle School

Kaitleen Gillis

Special Education Coordinator, High School

Richard Kearney

Athletic Director& Health and Physical Education Teacher

Petra Cesarine

Career and Technical Education Instructor

Bridget Strupczewski

School Counselor

Lori Coleman

Nurse

Natin Rao

Building Substitute Teacher