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Biographical Statement : Anup Aryal is the Chief Evangelist for OpenCurriculum (www.theopencurriculum.org), a Pittsburgh based startup that is looking redefine access to quality educational content both online and offline. As someone who grew up in poverty in both his native Nepal as well as here in Pittsburgh, it was education that gave him opportunities which lifted him out of poverty. As a result, he is passionate about educational access and quality for students all over the world. Besides working for OpenCurriculum, he is also a cheerleader for Rukmini Foundaiton(www.rukminifoundation.org), a small foundation dedicated to providing educational access to poor girls in Nepal in order to combat early marriages and child births.
What excites Anup about doing the LIL Program : I am excited by the disruptive change we are bringing by collaborating with many interested parties to tackle a very difficult task of inequity in education.
Anup’s leadership in three words or less: Transformation, Innovative, Fairness
Biographical Statement : Branden Ballard is the Manager of Recruitment of Public Allies Pittsburgh, an AmeriCorps program that is in partnership with the Coro Center for Civic Leadership. Born and raised in Detroit, MI, Branden ventured to Pittsburgh to further his education at the University of Pittsburgh and has made it his home since. Branden holds a Bachelors of Art in Social Sciences from Pitt and a Masters of Art in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University. Branden currently serves as the Parliamentarian of the Urban League Professionals of Greater Pittsburgh. He was named as one of the recipients of the 2010 Fab 40 under 40 Awards from the New Pittsburgh Courier, a Public Service Award recipient from Champion Enterprises Pittsburgh (2012) and was recently named a Rising Star (2013) by Baker Leadership. Branden also served as a Pittsburgh delegate at the One Young World Conference in Zurich, Switzerland in 2012 and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
What excites Branden about doing the LIL Program: I get to work with people who are just as passionate about education as I am, learn how to process and develop my leadership abilities, and sit with some of the most well respected people in this realm and soak it in like a sponge…how can you not be excited?
Branden’s leadership in three words or less: Servant Leader
Biographical Statement : Jon Banuelos is a professional musician/composer and teacher with a specialty in Flamenco guitar and culture. Jon has studied in Andalucía Spain under Flamenco guitar Masters where he immersed himself in the culture and the sound that is Flamenco and he has applied his knowledge of Flamenco to his own compositions as well as adapting a teaching style that closely resembles his studies in Spain. This style is very reminiscent to a mentoring relationship where knowledge is passed from teacher to student in a way that the knowledge will be then passed on to future generations. Jon believes that music one of the best tools we as a society have to pass along cultural knowledge, a bridge from the past to the future and a strong platform for anyone to learn what they have to offer to this world. Jon is originally from Los Angeles but he now resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
What excites Jon about doing the LIL program : I am finally able to tackle questions about education, mentoring, parenting and public policy, that I have had since I left High School. I am able to to do this in a group of my peers who all seem to have this great drive to help the youth succeed and for the education system to improve not by a little but by a lot. I am excited to attend each session for I know I will leave the session with another idea or question that makes me think deeper into the matters that I mentioned above as well as ideas to start making change.
Jon’s leadership in three words : Listening, Patience, Action
Biographical Statement : Cyrene Bey is an educator at heart! She has taught dance, theater, math, reading, science, social studies, job readiness, and curriculum development, to a multitude of age ranges and ability levels. She has been an educator for ten years. Cyrene firmly believes that all people can learn regardless of their current circumstance, past situations or societal labels. Her holistic student centered ideology works well in her current position with Propel Charter School as a Science Teacher and Science Specialist. In this role, Cyrene develops and implements professional development for science teachers, mentors science teachers, manages a curriculum website for grades three and four across the district and teaches grades three and four. Prior to working for Propel, she worked in charter school and traditional public school settings. Cyrene has been recruited to developed curriculum for several non-profit organizations in the Pittsburgh area and panels on education issues. In the past, Cyrene has sat on the boards of YouthWorks Inc., volunteered for Brothers and Big Sisters and the African American Council of the Arts.
She earned a B.A. from Carlow University in Elementary Education with a PA certification in Elementary Education and holds a M.Ed in Administration and Policy Studies and Curriculum Development from the University of Pittsburgh accompanied by a PA Administrative K-12 certification.
What excites Cyrene about doing the LIL program: “I am exceedingly pleased to work with a group of people who demonstrate a tremendous amount of passion towards societal and educational issues and who want to positively impact the future of our youth.”
Cyrene’s Leadership in three words: Compassionate, Diligent, Systematic
Biographical Statement : Katie Bordner has been teaching students Spanish for eight years. She has taught on the South and West sides of Chicago, and now teaches at CityCharterHigh School. Katie is passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences for her students by integrating technology into the curriculum, inviting native Spanish speakers to converse with students, and helping lead an international service learning trip that takes students to Costa Rica. Katie loves to discuss ways to improve educational outcomes for youth, and is an organizer for edcampPGH. In her free time she likes to read, make jigsaw puzzles, take photos, travel and run & bike.
What excites Katie about doing the LIL program : I am excited to be part of LIL because as a teacher I have experience in our education system but rarely have the opportunity to connect and learn about the many organizations that are working to address the other factors in students’ lives that effect learning. It has been great to participate in LIL because they bring all atakeholders to the table.
Katie’s leadership in three words or less : passion, driven and connected
Biographical Statement : Stephen Buccilli is very excited to be a part of CORO’s Leaders in Learning. Steve works in the manufacturing sector and brings over 20 years of management and leadership experience with him. In 2007 Steve returned to College to acquire his bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership from DuquesneUniversity which he obtained in 2011. Steve continued on with his studies focusing on a Master’s Degree in Leadership with a concentration in Community Leadership which he obtained this year (2013); with the eventual goal of putting his schooling and experience to best use in helping Nonprofits to grow and be more effective. Steve was a founding member of the Duquesne Breakfast Club, an informal adult student organization at Duquesne’s School of Leadership that focuses on coordinating volunteer efforts to better the community. Steve has volunteered for various organizations such as the Sarah Heinz House, The Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, Children’s Hospital, Shepherd’s Heart Mission, and The Homeless Children’s Education Fund. Steve’s passion is rooted in helping others reach their potential and facilitating in their personal growth.
What excites Stephen about doing the LIL Program : What most excites me about the LIL program is that it puts me in a position to do something that needs done, namely improve the education system. Of course learning from SME’s and collaborating with like minded people is also important, but I have always wanted to do something like this.
Stephen’s leadership in three words or less : Learning to be courageous
Biographical Statement : Katherine DeVoursney hails from Muskegon, Michigan and graduated from AlbionCollege in 2011 with a degree in Art History and a concentration in Public Policy & Service from the Gerald R. Ford Institute. Katherine served as an Americorps member at City Year Detroit (2011-2012) a non-profit that provides tutoring and mentoring to students most at-risk of dropping out. Katherine is now serving her second Americorps term at Public Allies Pittsburgh. She is placed at the University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development and works for Ready Freddy: Pathways to Kindergarten Success. Katherine is passionate about art as a vehicle for social justice and has coordinated two community murals - the first in Detroit with artist Cedric Tai and the second in Sharpsburg, PA.
What excites Katherine about doing the LIL program : I am excited about Leaders in Learning because it is comprised of many different people wih many different views about the current state of public education. Though our discussions we learn from each other and whatever project we ultimately decide to implement will be built upon our newfound knowledge and our shared belief that a group of committed, passionate individuals can spark positive change in our communities.
Katherine’s leadership in three words : Flexible, Accepting, Creative
Biographical Statement : Jennifer Diaz is FAME’s (The Fund for Advancement of Minorities through Education) Program Coordinator for the past 3 years. She came to FAME with almost ten years of professional experience, primarily in the sales/recruiting and training field. Jennifer is very active in her community and volunteers with several organizations. She is a graduate of ClarionUniversity with a major in English Literature and a minor in speech communications. Jennifer completed her master’s degree at CarlowUniversity with a MS in Professional Leadership with a concentration in training. Jennifer has a strong passion for helping people achieve their goals and aspirations and enjoys creating and developing training workshops both for adults and students.
What excites Jennifer about doing the LIL Program : I’m excited to be part of the LIL program because it gives me an opportunity to connect with other professionals that care about education in the Pittsburgh area.
Jennifer’s leadership in three words: Compassion, Committed, Caring
Biographical Statement : Ashley Jones is the Fund Development and Program Assistant for the Fund for Advancement of Minorities Through Education (FAME). FAME is a non-profit scholarship program for African American students attending one of six independent schools around Pittsburgh. As a graduate of WinchesterThurstonSchool, Ashley was a FAME Scholar in high school. She attended St. John’sUniversity in Queens, New York where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and minored in social work. Prior to returning to Pittsburgh, Ashley interned for the New York City Children’s Center (NYCCC), Queens Campus, which is a residential hospital for children with psychiatric disabilities. She worked in the Education Department assisting in the middle and high school Language Arts classes as well as working in the after school program.
What excites Ashley doing about doing LIL program : I am excited to be able to work with such a diverse, yet like-minded group of people who, like myself, sincerely care about quality education for all students. This group has infinite potential to make a difference in Pittsburgh, and I can learn something from each of them.
Ashley’s leadership in three words: Passionate, Humble, Steadfast
Biographical Statement : Dawn A. Johnson was graduated from CCAC in 1998 with a certificate in Drug and Alcohol and an Associate Degree in Correction Administration. She began working at Abraxas, an out of home placement facility for teenage females with drug and alcohol issue. In 2000 she began working at the Shuman Detention Center with detained youth, an area in which she really enjoyed working. The ability to help someone see hope, worth and ability to achieve was extremely rewarding. In 2009 she began working with the homeless, untreated women with mental illnesses. She currently works at the Northview Heights Family Support Center where she is able to use all her experience to assist people in bettering their lives. Finally (the best part of her life), she is a single mother of three children. She is proud to say they have all graduated from high school and now attend college. Life is now inspiring her to be a secure, consistent, and strong foundation for her family and community. She continues to foster hope, endurance, and success in the lives she touches.
What excites Dawn about doing the LIL program : I am excited about the positive energy in our sessions; it creates endless possibilities. I am looking at ways to improve myself and the lives of others. It is a rejuvenator to a tired spirit.
Dawn’s leadership in three words or less : Constructing, Curious, Determined
Clara Kitongo
Biographical Statement : Clara Kitongo joins the Leaders in Learning 2013 group as an SCA Green Cities Fellow working with the Green Building Alliance. She is very interested community development, sustainable engineering and youth empowerment. In her position at GBA, Clara works closely with schools to help them move towards sustainable culture and practices through using a holistic approach to the sustainability process. Through the Leaders in Learning experience, Clara hopes to get closer to making a decision on next steps after completing her 8.5 month fellowship at the Green Building Alliance. Clara has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from ChathamUniversity and also has Civil Engineering background from CarnegieMellonUniversity. Prior to joining the fellowship at GBA, Clara worked as a high school mathematic teacher at the YeshivaGirlsSchool in Squirrel Hill. Clara hopes to continue working with youth and communities while applying both her experience in sustainability and education.
Biographical Statement : Michelle LeMenager is an employee of the University of Pittsburgh, where she has worked at the Institutional Review Board for the past six years. Her primary roles are reviewing research protocols to insure they follow Federal human rights standards and conducting educational outreach as the institution’s Student Research Liaison and International Research Liaison. Prior to her regulatory position at the University, Michelle held various positions executing research. First, as a researcher assistant, and later holding leadership roles as a Project Coordinator. The research she was engaged in over this time encompassed a variety of different fields including Public Health, Psychology, Epidemiology and Cardiac Care. Michelle is also strongly committed to reducing education inequality in Haiti and the United States. She holds a volunteer staff position with Universal learning Center-Haiti. The mission of this non-profit organization is to provide free educational resources and opportunities to the general public in developing nations. She travels to Haiti regularly to lead efforts in opening learning centers that contain tools such as libraries, computer labs and lecture space for educational programming on a variety of topics. Michelle is currently working towards gaining the skills necessary to make a career change to the field of international humanitarian service specifically, focusing on empowering women and girls through education.
What excites Michelle about doing the LIL Program : learning new skills & challenging myself, meeting new people and having the opportunity to positively effect the lives of children in the Pittsburgh region.
Michelle’s leadership in three words or less : passionate, collaborative & motivational
Biographical Statement :
Chadwick P Mosesso is working to weave economic opportunity, environmental sustainability and cultural awareness into community design and development practices. For the past year, Chad helped successfully build a business that offers affordable home environmental assessments to low-income families. In 2012, Chad worked as a developer on the 1317 East Carson St Project, in the South Side of Pittsburgh, which successfully opened its doors in June of this year. Chad has also helped develop programming for a number of community development groups including Transition Pittsburgh, Evolver Pittsburgh, Peaceburgh and Unity through Creativity. Chad is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and StateUniversity where he earned a B.A. in Electronic and Print Journalism with a minor in marketing.
What excites Chad about LIL : Chad believes education is the cornerstone of any functioning society and that a people can be judged accurately by the happiness and health of their youth. He is excited about a program that is putting money, time and resources towards creating a city where all children are acknowledged and developed.
My Leadership in three words or less : Evolving. Genuine. Direct.
Biographical Statement : Ivonne Ortega was from Ballston Spa, NY. She moved to Pittsburgh in October 2012 and is currently a Classroom Educator in the Preschool 2 classroom at The Cyert Center for Early Education. She is a recent graduate for AmherstCollege, and holds a degree in Women & Gender Studies and Environmental Study. She is excited to be part of leaders in learning because it will serve as a bridge between her long loved passion for social justice and her new career in education. In her free time Ivonne enjoys travelling, playing rugby, cooking, practicing the upright bass and spending time with family.
Biographical Statement : Having been a part of many different Pittsburgh communities, Dean Richards is eager to expand his perspective on human interaction. To complement to his B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh (concentration of Nonprofit Management) Dean seeks to earn a master’s degree in a human services related field. With said education, he strives to occupy a middle management position in a nonprofit organization that will afford him the opportunity of working hands-on with under-served youth and their families. The many difficult and humbling experiences Dean has encountered in his personal life have instilled in him the desire to help empower, educate, and cultivate the minds of other future leaders.
What excites Dean about doing the LIL program: Leaders in Learning brings together a great diversity of talents and backgrounds which allow for a much deeper understanding of the educational adversities faced by youth within the Pittsburgh region. With this understanding we can also approach, and affect, the educational system in other regions or even on a national level.
Dean’s leadership in three words or less: analytical, fluid, personalable
Biographical Statement : Jesse Rosenthal currently works for ASSET STEM Education as a Professional Development Specialist. ASSET is a Pittsburgh-based Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education improvement non-profit, which fosters STEM fluency and college and career readiness by providing educators with highly effective professional development, hands-on educational materials, and consulting services, ultimately impacting learners pre-K through career. As a Professional Development Specialist, Jesse spends most of his time designing and facilitating trainings and institutes within the STEM domain. He is an integral part of ASSET’s Math and Digital Fluency departments, collaborating with such institutions as Carnegie Mellon University’s CREATE Lab, WQED, and the Pittsburgh Public Schools initiative, Children’s Innovation Project. As well, Jesse has facilitated around the country for the Smithsonian Science Education Center (formerly the NationalScienceResourcesCenter), and has presented at conferences nationwide. Before his time at ASSET STEM Education, Jesse spent 5 years teaching in the classroom. He taught grades 3-6 with a focus on Math and Science while working for Propel Charter Schools in Pittsburgh. Jesse received both his BS and Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Pittsburgh.
What excites Jesse about doing the LIL Program : The passion of these individuals. If you could experience the energy and excitement that drives our conversations, you would feel the same way. These are people that “get it” - who have diagnosed the issues and have the capacity and expertise to prescribe the changes that are necessary. I am thrilled to be a part of this program, but what excites me most is what we will do together in the years ahead, to change the educational landscape in Pittsburgh and beyond.
Jesse’s leadership in three words or less : Passionate. Adaptive. Committed.
Biographical Statement : Tyson M. Schrader is an independent, freelance English instructor with classroom experience in public and private schools. After studying English and creative writing at Carnegie Mellon University, he went on to earn his certification and master’s in education at New York University, teaching humanities, theatre, and secondary English with a diverse population of native speakers and foreign learners of English. Upon returning to Pittsburgh, he split his time between house managing for local theater companies and tutoring English privately in libraries, coffee shops, and evening in virtual environments, using video conferencing and online document collaboration. Mr. Schrader’s mission is to make education flexible and easily accessible to students of all ages and abilities, and to re-define the purpose and logistics of formal schooling.
What excites Tyson about the LIL program : is the opportunity to share ideas with other driven, like-minded individuals who are passionate about education.
Tyson’s leadership in three words or less : Preparation, Organization, Adaptation
Biographical Statement : Carlton Scott has worked as an Academic Advisor at the University of Pittsburgh in the College of Business Administration and the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences for over twelve years. During his tenure at the University of Pittsburgh he has contributed and volunteered on numerous committees and teams and advised thousands of students. Carlton earned his Masters of Arts in Counseling and Educational Psychology specializing in Student Personnel which has helped to drive his interest both professionally and personally around the areas of race relations, education, diversity, etc. Carlton has donated his time for years and currently serves as the Executive Board President of the Intercultural House (ICH), a not for profit that has existed in Pittsburgh, PA since 1969. The mission of the ICH is to alleviate the effects of institutional racism in society through education.
What excites Carlton about doing the LIL Program : having the opportunity to meet, network, interact and discuss such topics with a diverse group of highly motivated and empathetic professionals.
Carlton’s leadership in three words or less : strategic, courageous and consistent.
Biographical Statement : Christopher Taylor is currently working as a Social Studies teacher at PropelAndrewStreetHigh School in Munhall. He have taught courses ranging from US History and African American History to Anthropology and World Cultures, and have begun developing an original course this year called Social Issues in Documentary film in which students examine a range of issues such as race, class, and the environment, perform rigorous self-examinations on their relationship to social issues, and will eventually create their own documentary film projects. He is most interested in creating experiential and project-based learning opportunities for his students that give them a place within current and historical issues. Last year, his juniors successfully created, promoted, and carried out a Stand Against Racism teach-in event in which they educated the entire school and led discussions with students and teachers on institutional racism. Prior to my work at Andrew Street, He taught for two years in Pittsburgh Public Schools and earned his Masters of History Education at the University of Pittsburgh.
What excited Christopher about doing the LIL Program : is the opportunity to work with so many insightful and dedicated people toward meaningful action.
Christopher’s leadership in three words or less: collaborative, democratic, bold
Biographical Statement :
In 2010, Charmaine Turner began a community based non-profit leadership organization by starting a community basketball program for youth and adults. She started the program in hopes of keeping children off of the streets and to mentor them in leadership development. For the program she received a proclamation from council woman Theresa Kail-Smith. After high school, she became a certified nursing assistant and completed a certificate and diploma courses in medical billing and insurance coding. She also has completed a diploma course in Entrepreneurial Achievement at Chatham University. Her education goal is to have a Ph.D. in leadership and philanthropy.
Biograghical Statement : Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Kathryn Vargas came to Pittsburgh for Graduate school, receiving her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh in 2010. She began her career as a community organizer with Bloomfield Garfield Corporation’s YouthDevelopmentCenter. For three years she has served as the Assistant to the Deputy Director at Bloomfield Garfield Corporation and for four years as Advocacy Coordinator with Neighborhood Learning Alliance. She is currently Manager of Programs, Children and Youth at the United Way of AlleghenyCounty where she spearheads a school attendance campaign, Be There, and is charged with supporting Untied Way of AlleghenyCounty’s impact funded agencies in achieving community level impact through their funded projects. Kathryn served on the 2013-14 Education Partnership’s school partner selection committee and currently serves on the advisory board for the Sprout Fund’s Spark initiative, helping to guide Sprout in the granting of their early learning focused innovation awards. Kathryn is also active member of the Garfield Community Action Team (GCAT), a regular volunteer with A+ Schools, and will be participating in the Be a Middle School Mentor program at Pittsburgh Obama during the 2013-14 school year.
What excites Kathryn about doing the LIL program : LIL has provided a wonderful opportunity to meet like minded young professionals while also networking with local experts in the field of education. . It has also provided the space to explore my personal development, something that I don’t always take the time to do on my own.
Kathryn’s leadership in three words or less : Service-oriented, Inclusive, Forward-thinking.
Biographical Statement : Krista Wentworth is a native of upstate New York, where she completed her B.A in Psychology and Religious Studies at the University of Rochester. After graduation, she spent a few years as a member of the Resource Development team for PENCIL, a Non-Profit organization that builds and supports customized relationships between business and school leaders to transform New York City public schools. After moving to Pittsburgh in the fall of 2012, Krista joined junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania as an Education Program Manager. In this role, she oversaw the educational programming for schools in several countries in the Greater Pittsburgh Area. Most recently, she took on the position of Manager of STEM initiatives, where she works with schools and companies in 32 countries in Western PA and the West Virginia Panhandle to bring work readiness programs to the students in their communities.
Biographical Statement :
Debra White is widely outgoing, and passionate about education. She attended Pittsburgh Public Schools since the age of eight. Debra graduated Valedictorian of her class at GeorgeWestinghouseHigh School. She attended ChathamUniversity and received her Bachelor and Master of Arts in Teaching. She is currently teaching Kindergarten within the Pittsburgh Public Schools, at Miller Elementary. This past year she was nominated to attend the “Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teachers and Teaching Conference,” where she learned a great deal about being a “change agent,” and having the willingness to activate change within society. Therefore, she believes LIL is the perfect place for her to ignite this passion for education, and build upon her leadership. She has always dreamed of impacting the lives of the youth, and to help give them a sign of hope that all things are possible. She wants to show the youth that, it is possible to achieve success even in their backyard. Pittsburgh is her home, and she believes through hope any gap can be bridged and connected it to a possibility. “Once they achieve this, they can then become an agent of change that they never thought possible”.
What excites Debra about doing the LIL Program: As a member of the LIL program I am excited about bringing out my fullest potential of leadership, in an effort to impact the youth, which has been a dream of mine!
Debra’s leadership in three words or less : Optimistic, Philanthropic, Inspirational
Grant Young
Biographical Statement : Grant Young is a Social Studies certified teacher, currently working with Seton-LaSalle High School and the Allegheny Intermediate Unit Waterfront Learning Program. He earned his B.A. in Spanish and International Trade from Clemson University and his Master’s in Education from George Mason University. He began teaching in 2005 in Fairfax County, Virginia before moving to Pittsburgh with his wife in 2009. He worked briefly as a project manager with a language services provider based on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. He found that he missed tremendously the world of education, where he felt he could use his skills, knowledge, and expertise to impact the greatest number of people for the future. He chose to participate in the Coro Leaders in Learning program as a way to add value to his teaching skill set through implementation of lessons at his school as well as to meet and work with intelligent, dedicated, inspired, local professionals to close the achievement gap in their southwestern Pennsylvania area schools.
What excites Grant about doing the LIL Program: The opportunity to join with a large group of like-minded, concerned, thoughtful, and hard-working professionals dedicated to improving educational outcomes of the region my family and I chose to call “home”.
Grant’s leadership in three words or less: Listen, learn, lead.
