Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School

Kesha Atterberry returns to Williamsburg Collegiate for her second year as the school’s Counselor. After completing her Master’s Degree of Social Work from New York University, Ms. Atterberry gained experience directing a variety of educational programs in New York City at several youth organizations, including The DOME Project and the Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center. Prior to joining WCCS, Ms. Atterberry served as the Director of Mabel Barrett Fitzgerald Day Care Center in New York City where she supervised the staff, reviewed lesson plans, and researched current early childhood education methods and trends. Ms. Atterberry earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Ithaca College.

Michael Belson Writing Teacher

Michael Belson returns to Williamsburg Collegiate as a 6th Grade Writing teacher. Prior to arriving at WCCS, Mr. Belson taught 7th and 8th Grade English Language Arts in the Bronx as a Teach For America Corp Member. He received his undergraduate degree in English from the University of California Berkeley and is working towards his Master’s Degree in Secondary Education in English Language Arts at Pace University.

Monica Bintz Science Teacher

Monica Bintz returns to WCCS as a 6th Grade Science teacher. After graduating from Mary Washington University in Virginia, Monica joined Teach For America and taught 8th grade science in Washington, DC. During her time in Washington, DC, Monica also coached the school’s women’s basketball team. Prior to arriving at WCCS, Monica worked as a Senior Recruitment Coordinator for College Summit, Inc. in which she recruited workshop volunteers in the DC area.

Alexandra Bronson Science Teacher

Alexandra Bronson joins Williamsburg Collegiate this year as a 5th Grade Science Teacher. Ms. Bronson graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a degree in religion and studio art. While pursuing her degree, Ms. Bronson served as a Teach For America campus campaign manager, helping to bring awareness and knowledge of Teach For America to her campus. Upon graduating, Ms. Bronson became a Teach For America core member and taught 6th Grade Science at a middle school in New York. Ms. Bronson recently earned a Masters Degree in Science for Teachers from Pace University.

Shaymora Blanks Special Education Teacher

Shaymora Blanks returns to WCCS for her third year as the Special Education teacher. Prior to taking on the Special Education role last year, Ms. Blanks joined Williamsburg Collegiate in 2006 as a 5th Grade Science teacher. Ms. Blanks received her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Spellman College after which she joined Teach For America and taught middle school science and reading in Miami. During her two years in Miami, Ms. Blanks served as an on-campus recruiter for Teach for America at Spellman College.

Kate Butrie Math Teacher

Kate Butrie returns to WCCS this year as a 7th Grade Math Teacher. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Ms. Butrie began her teaching career as a Teach For America Corps member at a middle school in New York City. While at the University of Pittsburgh, Ms. Butrie was a Division I Varsity Athlete on the Swim Team and was voted captain by her teammates for her final season. Ms. Butrie recently received a Master of Arts degree in Education from Pace University.

Adam Cobb Science Teacher

Adam Cobb returns to Williamsburg Collegiate this year as an 8th Grade Science Teacher. Mr. Cobb graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Engineering Mechanics, where he researched fracture behavior of microvascular channels and volunteered as a tutor for the Minority Enrichment Program. Mr. Cobb began his teaching career with Teach For America and taught high school biology in Philadelphia, PA. During his two years in Philadelphia, Mr. Cobb helped create a biology curriculum aligned to state standards, while serving as an active leader for Teach For America as a 2007 Orientation Program Coordinator. Mr. Cobb recently received his Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Pennsylvania.

Michael D'Auria Director of Operations

Michael D’Auria joins Williamsburg Collegiate this year as the Director of Operations. Prior to arriving at WCCS, Mr. D’Auria spent three years working for Bain & Company, a management consulting firm. While at Bain, Mr. D’Auria served clients across various industries including private equity, technology, telecom, media, and consumer products. Also during his time at Bain, Mr. D’Auria spent six months on externship in Mozambique, working as a volunteer consultant for TechnoServe, and focusing on local agricultural development. Mr. D’Auria graduated from MIT with a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering.

Stephanie Ely Dean of Curriculum and Instruction

Stephanie Ely returns to WCCS for her third year as the Dean of Curriculum and Instruction. Before taking on this role, Mrs. Ely taught 5th Grade Math at WCCS for two years. After graduating from Colgate University with a degree in Philosophy and French, Mrs. Ely began teaching as a Teach For America corps member at Vailsburg Middle School in Newark, NJ. Mrs. Ely taught seventh and eighth grade for three years, served as a math coach at Seton Hall, and spent the summer as a Corps Member Advisor at the Teach For America Institute in the Bronx.

Kerri-Lynn Foley History Teacher

Kerri-Lynn Foley joins WCCS this year as a 6th Grade History Teacher. While earning a Bachelor’s Degree from Bowdoin College, Ms. Foley worked as a Teacher’s Assistant in a 5th grade classroom at the Longfellow School, and was active in multiple community groups, including co-founding Bowdoin College’s “The Undiscussed” a group that facilitates dialogues about issues of diversity. Just prior to joining WCCS Ms. Foley worked as a Student Teacher and Tutor in 5th and 6th grade classroom at Boston Collegiate Charter School.

Grisel Grullon Office Manager

Grisel Grullon joins WCCS this year as the Office Manager. Ms. Grullon graduated from New York University with a degree in Educational Theater. After graduating from NYU, Ms. Grullon worked for the NBA as a Human Resource Specialist and an Assistant Buyer. Most recently she worked as an Event Coordinator for Dylan’s Candy Bar, managing both client relationships and event staff.

Ryan Hall Math Teacher

Ryan Hall joins WCCS this year as an 8th Grade Math Teacher. Mr. Hall graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Colorado, with a degree in Economics. During college Mr. Hall was a scholar in the Presidents Leadership Class (PLC) and served as a research assistant for Jim Collins, a leading business thinker and best-selling author. After graduating, Mr. Hall joined Teach For America and taught students in the 7th and 8th grades at PS/IS 165 in Brooklyn, NY, while also creating and coaching after school programs in basketball and sports fitness. Mr. Hall recently received a Master's Degree in Secondary Education from Pace University.

Audrey Harris History Teacher

Audrey Harris returns to Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School as a 7th Grade History teacher. Prior to her arrival at WCCS, Ms. Harris taught Spanish, served as an Advisory Teacher, and organized a College Fair for Seniors at the Brooklyn Academy of Science and Environment, a public high school in New York City. Ms. Harris graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a dual degree in Spanish and International Studies. She recently received her Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from Pace University.

Christy Huelskamp Reading Teacher and Literacy Department Chair

Christy Huelskamp returns to WCCS for her fourth year as a Reading Teacher and the Literacy Department Chair. Ms. Huelskamp earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College. After graduation, Ms. Huelskamp joined the New York City Teaching Fellows and taught middle school for three years in Harlem. Ms. Huelskamp has a Master’s Degree in Education/Language and Literacy from Harvard University.

Julie Kennedy Founding Principal

Prior to founding Williamsburg Collegiate in August 2005, Julie Kennedy completed a Master of Public Policy Degree focusing on education policy and reform at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Mrs. Kennedy previously taught 5th Grade Science at Boston Collegiate Charter School where she founded the journalism club and outdoors club, and created the National Park Expedition Program. Mrs. Kennedy gained experience working in various teaching and tutoring capacities at North Star Academy Charter School of Newark. Mrs. Kennedy earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chemistry from Willamette University in Oregon.

J.T. Leaird Dean of Student Support

J.T. Leaird, our Dean of Student Support, joined Williamsburg Collegiate in its first year after completing her Master’s in Education at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. While completing her graduate degree, Ms. Leaird researched the writing development of Nashville public school students. Prior to graduate school, Ms. Leaird taught second and third grade in New Orleans as a Teach For America Corps Member. Ms. Leaird earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English modified with Studio Art from Dartmouth College.

Michelle Lin Math Teacher

Michelle Lin joins WCCS this year as a 7th and 8th Grade Math Teacher. Ms. Lin graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. While pursuing her degree, she also worked as the High School Program Coordinator for UCLA Mentorship, a student run, one-on-one mentoring program for youths in North Hollywood. After graduating, Ms. Lin became a Teach For America Corps member, and taught in a summer school program for students in New York City Public Schools.

Beth Lombardi Reading and Writing Teacher

Beth Lombardi joins WCCS this year as a 8th Grade Reading and Writing Teacher. Prior to arriving at WCCS, Ms. Lombardi taught 9th and 10th Grade English at the Facing History School, in New York for 2 years, and was an Alternative School English Teacher for 2 years at Brownsville Academy High School, in Brooklyn, NY. Ms. Lombardi holds a B.A. in English, from the University of Massachusetts, and a M.A. in Teaching of English from Teachers College at Columbia University

.Karen MacArthur Special Projects Coordinator

Karen MacArthur returns to Williamsburg Collegiate for her third year as the Special Projects Coordinator. Before joining to WCCS, Ms. MacArthur was the Conference and Project Coordinator for The Reading and Writing Project at Teachers College at Columbia University where she oversaw the registration and logistics of six annual nationwide public school teacher and administrator conferences. Before joining Teachers College, Ms. MacArthur served as the Assistant to Chief Strategy Officer at the Advertising Research Foundation in New York City as well as Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Operations at the Children’s Defense Fund in Washington, DC. Ms. MacArthur graduated from Whitworth College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Business Management.

Shannon Marriott Science Teacher

Shannon Marriott joins Williamsburg Collegiate as a 7th Grade Science Teacher. Ms. Marriott graduated with a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University, and also holds a M.A. in Counseling from Sam Houston State University. Prior to joining WCCS, Ms. Marriott taught 7th Grade Science at Sam Houston Middle School in Irving, Texas, for 2 years. Ms. Marriott has also worked as a Licensed Professional Counselor for The Child and Family Guidance Center, in Dallas, Texas.

Amanda Meyer Reading Teacher

Amanda Meyer joins Williamsburg Collegiate this year as a 7th Grade Reading Teacher. Ms. Meyer recently earned her Master’s in Education, from Pace University, and also holds a B.A. in Government from the University of Texas at Austin. While pursuing her Master’s degree, Amanda also worked for Teach For America, teaching English Language Arts to 7th and 8th grade students in the Bronx, NY.

Ryan Miller History Teacher

Ryan Miller returns to WCCS this year as the 8th grade history teacher. Mr. Miller has also taught 6th grade history at WCCS. Prior to teaching, Mr. Miller practiced law in New York City. Mr. Miller received his BA in Economics from Kenyon College and has a law degree from Marquette University. He is currently working on his master's degree in education at Hunter College.

Thomas O'Brien Math Teacher

Thomas O’Brien joins WCCS this year as a 6th Grade Math teacher. Prior to joining WCCS, Mr. O’Brien began his teaching career with Teach For America, as a Corps Member teaching Middle School Math at Crownpoint Middle School in Crownpoint, New Mexico. He also supported fellow teachers by facilitating content specific meetings as the Math Collaborative Leader for Teach For America. Mr. O’Brien holds a B.S. with honors in Economics from the University of Oregon, and a Master’s with distinction in Secondary Education from the University of New Mexico.

Brett Peiser Founder and Managing Director, Uncommon New York City

Brett Peiser is Founder and former Principal and Executive Director of Boston Collegiate Charter School. Boston Collegiate, a college preparatory middle and high school serving over 500 students, is one of Massachusetts’ highest performing schools. In 2005, Mr. Peiser founded Collegiate Charter Schools, an Uncommon Schools network of middle and high schools in Brooklyn, New York. The network's first and second schools – Williamsburg Collegiate and Kings Collegiate Charter Schools – were the #2 and #6 ranked middle schools in all of New York City on the Department of Education’s 2009 progress reports. Since those schools began, Mr. Peiser has also helped start two new middle schools, Bedford Stuyvesant and Brownsville Collegiate Charter Schools, as well as Uncommon Charter High School which will serve students from all of Uncommon’s New York City elementary and middle schools. In 2009, Mr. Peiser became Managing Director of Uncommon New York City, overseeing nearly 2,000 students across Uncommon’s 10 elementary and secondary schools in Brooklyn. Uncommon New York City will ultimately grow to serve 7,000 students across 20 schools. Mr. Peiser is a graduate of New York City Public Schools and a resident of Brooklyn where he taught History at Midwood High School and founded an after-school community basketball program for Midwood/Flatbush teenagers. Mr. Peiser received a BA from Brown University and a MPP degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where he also earned the 2001 Rising Star award.

Maura Raggi Writing Teacher

Maura Raggi returns to Williamsburg Collegiate as a 5th Grade Writing Teacher. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Elementary Education from the University of Pennsylvania, where she was a member of the Varsity Cross Country and Track & Field teams, Ms. Raggi joined Teach for America in New York City. During her time with Teach For America, she taught 8th grade English and Literacy and founded the R.A.I.S.E Academy for previously low-achieving students. R.A.I.S.E. is now part of Teach For America’s Summer Institute curriculum for new Corps Members. Prior to arriving at WCCS, Ms. Raggi taught 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade English and Literacy at South Bronx College Preparatory. Ms. Raggi received a Masters in Secondary Education from Pace University.

Dara Ratchford Math Teacher

Dara Ratchford joins Williamsburg Collegiate this year as a 5th and 6th Grade Math Teacher. Prior to arriving at WCCS, Ms. Ratchford spent 10 years teaching at Boston Collegiate Charter School, in Boston, MA. As a founding Boston Collegiate teacher, Ms. Ratchford taught Math, Science, Reading, and served as an Advisor during her tenure. Ms. Ratchford holds a B.A. from Wheaton College, in Norton, MA, a M.A. in Teaching from Simmons College, in Boston, MA, and is expected to earn a Masters of Education, Reading Specialist in May of 2011.

Peter Sipe Reading Teacher

Peter Sipe returns to WCCS for his fourth year as a 5th and 6th Grade Reading Teacher. After earning a graduate degree in International Studies from the Johns Hopkins University, Mr. Sipe worked in Rwanda for the US Embassy and the United Nations. He then worked as a public health consultant in Boston. Most recently, Mr. Sipe was a math teacher at Brighter Choice Charter School in Albany, NY. He also taught in Brooklyn as a New York City Teaching Fellow and in Seattle, WA. Mr. Sipe earned his Master’s Degree in Teaching in Elementary Education at Pace University.

Jason Skeeter Math Teacher

Jason Skeeter returns to Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School for his third year as a 5th Grade Math teacher. After graduating from Niagara University with a degree in Commerce, Mr. Skeeter taught middle and high school Math for two years in New York City public schools. He then joined Platform Learning, Inc., a supplemental education services provider, where he helped manage 50 teachers delivering instruction to over 300 NYC students. Prior to joining WCCS, Mr. Skeeter worked as a Human Resource and Finance Consultant for Explore Charter School in Brooklyn.

Mark Stulberg History Teacher

Mark Stulberg returns to Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School this year as a 5th Grade History Teacher. Before taking on this role, Mr. Stulberg was the school’s Office Manager. Prior to joining WCCS, Mr. Stulberg was Head of the English Department at the Venezuelan School of Planning in Caracas, Venezuela where he helped design curricula and supervise graduate students responsible for collecting census information in local communities. Mr. Stulberg has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the New York University Gallatin School of Individualized Study where he studied Spanish, Literature, and Political Science. While attending NYU, Mr. Stulberg also tutored students at Excellence Charter School of Bedford-Stuyvesant, another school in the Uncommon Schools Inc. network. Mr. Stulberg is Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School’s first Teach For America Corp Member.

Andrew Sundberg Writing Teacher

Andrew Sundberg joins WCCS this year as a 7th and 8th Grade Writing Teacher. Prior to arriving at WCCS, Mr. Sundberg was a 6th Grade Writing teacher at the Harlem Village Academy Charter School, in NY, NY for 2 years, and a 4th Grade Teacher at the Catherine Blaine School, in Seattle, WA for 3 years. Mr. Sundberg holds a B.A. in Education and Sociology, from Seattle Pacific University, in Seattle, WA.

Jennifer Syed Special Education Teacher

Jennifer Godwin returns to Williamsburg Collegiate as a Special Education Teacher. Prior to joining WCCS, Ms. Godwin spent two years as a Teach For America Corps member, teaching Special Education at a middle school in New York City. While at Teach for America, Ms. Godwin also spent time as a Corps Member Advisor where she helped new Corps Members prepare themselves for the classroom. Ms. Godwin earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Voice from Temple University. Ms. Godwin is working towards a dual certification in Special Education and Middle Childhood Education from Pace University.

Neal Teague Dean of Students

Neal Teague returns to Williamsburg Collegiate as the Dean of Students. Mr. Teague joined WCCS for as a History teacher, before becoming the Dean of Students two years ago. Prior to arriving at WCCS, Mr. Teague was a high school History Teacher at Charlestown High School in Boston. Mr. Teague earned his Bachelor of Arts from Kenyon College and his Masters of Education in Teaching and Curriculum from Harvard University. While at Kenyon, Mr. Teague spent his Junior Year abroad in Costa Rica studying Spanish.