Resume

Co-Executive Director & Founding Principal | 2012–Present

Math, Engineering, and Science Academy (MESA) Charter High School – Brooklyn, NY

As a co-founder and leader of MESA Charter High School in Bushwick, Brooklyn, I’ve helped build a thriving academic community that serves 500 students annually in grades 9–12. With a consistent graduation rate of 93%, MESA outperforms district and state averages on New York State Regents Exams year after year. We’ve forged strong partnerships with institutions like St. Francis College and Modern States, enabling nearly half of our graduates to earn college credits before leaving high school. Our alumni go on to attend top-tier universities including Brown, Cornell, NYU, and leading SUNY and CUNY schools. Innovation is at the heart of our work. We launched the Alumni Lab, a groundbreaking post-secondary program for disconnected youth, achieving a 100% completion rate and re-engagement in education or career training for 71% of participants. Our Career Connected Learning initiative ensures that 40% of juniors gain real-world experience through internships, jobs, or college programs. We’ve built robust pathways in IT and Computer Engineering, secured over $2 million in funding for academic and postsecondary programs, and maintained a staff retention rate of 86%—with 96% positive retention over a decade. Our commitment to equity and excellence is reflected in our professional development programs, including DEI-focused initiatives, new teacher induction, and leadership coaching. We’ve cultivated a culture of high expectations, restorative practices, and deep community engagement, making MESA a model for student-centered, future-ready education.