Staff

Kia Johnson

Executive Director

Kia Childs is the Executive Director of Great Oaks Charter School – Wilmington. She began her career as a Teach for America teacher in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has since worked at several high performing charter networks including KIPP and Mastery Charter Schools. Most recently, she served as Assistant Principal for Great Oaks Charter School – New York City.

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

Jamillah Posey

Middle School Dean of Students

Delonte Gardner

High School Dean of Students

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

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!

Richard Kearney

Athletic Director/Health & Physical Education Teacher

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

Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Stephanie Toronto

Director of Student Support Services

Stephanie Toronto is the Director of Special Education at Great Oaks Charter School – Wilmington. She was born and raised in Marlton, NJ. She graduated from the University of Delaware with Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and received her Masters in Special Education from Wilmington University. Stephanie is thrilled to be embarking on her 6th year in education and to serve the students of Great Oaks – Wilmington.

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.

Hannah Maxa

Assistant Dean of Students, High School

Imani Roman

Assistant Dean of Students, Middle School

Joia McManus

AmeriCorps Program Manager

April Montgomery

Business Operations Manager

Megan Shay

Manager of Great Oaks Fellows

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

Lori Coleman

Nurse

Bridget Strupczewski

School Counselor

Kaitylyn Jakin

6th Grade ELA 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

Kendria Waltower

6th Grade SpEd Teacher

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

Cassandra Calderon Castro

7th Grade Social Studies Teacher

Chris Cross

7th Grade Science Teacher

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.

Jerrica Flint

7th Grade ELA Teacher

Malcolm Richardson

7th Grade SpED Teacher

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

Aliyah Thomas

7th Grade Math 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.

Jeneana Ponder

8th Grade SpEd Teacher

Anthony Davis

9th Grade Math Teacher

Kaitleen Gillis

9th Grade SpEd Teacher

Rafael Rodriguez

9th Grade Social Studies Teacher

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

Alisa Vidwan

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

Jamal Tate

10th Grade SpEd Teacher

Julia Zimmith

10th Grade Math Teacher