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!

Beth Yirga

High School Principal

Bethelehem Yirga is the High School Principal at Great Oaks Charter School – Wilmington. She is originally from Prince George’s County, MD. A commitment to serve a year as a Public Ally AmeriCorps Member brought Bethlehem to Delaware in 2010 and she joined Teach For America as a Delaware corps member in 2013. Bethelehem earned her Bachelor’s from Temple University, a Master’s of Public Administration from West Chester University, and a Master’s of Education in Exceptional Children from University of DE.

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.

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.

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.

Stephanie Toronto

Director of Special Education

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.

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.

Kendra Giardiniere

Tutor Corps Director

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!

Crystal Hercules

Tutor Corps Manager

Shereen Khaled

AmeriCorps Program Manager

Shereen Khaled is the AmeriCorps Program Manager at Great Oaks Charter School – Wilmington. A Southern California native, Shereen is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in Linguistics.

Tamara Price

Dean of Curriculum and Instruction

Ricki Hernandez

8th FL Main 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.

Kendria Waltower

9th FL Main Office Manager/Afterschool Coordinator

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

April Montgomery

Business Manager

Kashana Roberts

IT Director

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

Eileen Burns

Nurse

Patrick Ryan

Student Recruitment Coordinator

Patrick Ryan is from Chicago, and holds an M.B.A and a B.A from Roosevelt University.

Bridget Strupczewski

School Counselor

Kevin Paul Edwards

6th Grade Social Studies Teacher

Leland Kent

6th Grade Math Teacher/Dean's Apprentice

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/Instructional Coach/Mentor 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!

Taryn Timko

6th Grade ELA Teacher/Art Teacher

Jerrica Flint

7th Grade ELA Teacher/7th Grade Instructional Lead Teacher/Music Teacher

Victoria Kager

7th Grade Science Teacher

Imani Milliones-Roman

7th Grade Social Studies Teacher/Dean's Apprentice

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.

Michael Smith

8th Grade Math Teacher

Sean Todd

8th Grade Science Teacher

Anthony Davis

9th Grade Math Teacher

Erica Hitchens

9th Grade ELA Teacher/Elective Instructional Coach/Mentor 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!

Rafael Rodriguez

9th Grade Social Studies Teacher

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

Kaitleen Gillis

Special Education Teacher

Jody Ann Green

Special Education 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.

Jeneana Ponder

Special Education Teacher

Malcolm Richardson

Special Education/Music Director

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

Richard Kearney

Health/Physical Education Teacher