Kesha Atterberry    School Counselor

Kesha Atterberry joins Williamsburg Collegiate this 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.

Shaymora Blanks   Special Education Teacher

Shaymora Blanks returns to WCCS for her second year as the Special Education teacher. Prior to taking on the Special Education roll last year, Ms. Blanks joined Williamsburg Collegiate in 2006 as a 5th Grade Science teacher.  Ms. Blanks received her Bachelor of Art’s degree in psychology from Spelman 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 Spelman College.

Kate Butrie joins WCCS this year as a 6th and 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.

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Katherine Carcaterra   Reading/Writing Teacher

Katherine Carcaterra joins WCCS for her first year as an 8th Grade Reading and Writing Teacher.  Ms. Carcaterra received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art History from Washington University, where she spent a semester studying abroad in Paris.  Prior to her arrival at WCCS, Ms. Carcaterra spent two years as a Teach For America Corps member in Hawaii, where she taught 11th and 12th Grade English. In Hawaii, Ms. Carcaterra designed and implemented her school’s first AP Art History course and led a class trip to Paris in 2008.  Before joining Teach For America, Ms. Carcaterra worked as an On-Set Production Assistant in New York where she assisted several notable actors in both film and TV projects.  Ms. Carcaterra recently received her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. 

Christie Clarke  Office Manager

Christie Clarke joins Williamsburg Collegiate this year as the Office Manager.  Ms. Clarke recently graduated from New York University with a Bachelors Degree in Spanish and Linguistics.  While attending NYU, Ms. Clarke played on the school’s Women’s Club Lacrosse Team and spent a semester studying abroad in Madrid, Spain.  Prior to arriving at WCCS, Ms. Clarke interned at Common Cents New York.  At Common Cents, Ms. Clarke worked with Penny Harvest coaches to improve their program and visited elementary schools to observe and participate in their leadership meetings.

Adam Cobb   Science Teacher

Adam Cobb joins Williamsburg Collegiate this year as a 7th and  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. 

Stephanie Ely    Dean of Curriculum and Instruction

Stephanie Ely returns to WCCS this year as the Dean of Curriculum and Instruction.  Before taking on this roll last year, 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. 

Eric Green returns to Williamsburg Collegiate for his third year as a 6th Grade Math Teacher and Math Department Chair.  Mr. Green began his teaching career in Japan, teaching English to Japanese students through the JET program. Mr. Green then moved to New Orleans where he served as a Teach For America Corps Member.  In New Orleans, Mr. Green taught sixth grade and served as a grade chairperson. Prior to joining the WCCS staff, Mr. Green worked as a Teach For America Program Director in Philadelphia, where he worked on professional development with 47 TFA teachers.

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.

Karima Hassan    Math Teacher

Karima Hassan joins Williamsburg Collegiate as an 8th Grade Math Teacher.  Ms. Hassan spent the past year teaching 8th Grade Math at the American Nicaraguan School in Managua, Nicaragua.  After completing her Master’s Degree of Education in Middle School Math/Science, Ms. Hassan joined Boston Preparatory Charter School where she taught 7th Grade Pre-Algebra.  Ms. Hassan also gained experience volunteering in a variety of tutoring programs in the United States and with Visions in Action in Harare, Zimbabwe.  Ms. Hassan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Boston College. 

Molly Henderson    Science Teacher

Molly Henderson returns to Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School for her second year as a 5th Grade Science teacher.  Ms. Henderson began her teaching career with Teach For America as a 3rd Grade teacher at PS 55 in the Bronx and as a 6th Grade science teacher at New Day Academy, a small school within the New York City Empowerment Zone.  Ms. Henderson graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Human Development.

Christy Huelskamp   Reading Teacher and Literacy Department Chair

Christy Huelskamp returns to WCCS for her third 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.

Andrew Johnstone   Math Teacher

Andrew Johnstone returns to Williamsburg Collegiate for his second year as a 7th Grade Math teacher.  Mr. Johnstone graduated from Rice University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology.  After graduation, Mr. Johnstone joined Teach For America and taught 6th Grade Math, Science, and Social Studies at a public school in Houston, Texas.  Mr. Johnstone is originally from Wilsall, Montana.

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   Special Education Coordinator

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.

Thackston Lundy returns to WCCS for his third year as Director of Operations.  Prior to arriving at WCCS, Mr. Lundy worked for two years as an Associate in the New York City Department of Education’s Chancellor’s Strategic Response Group where he helped research and respond to correspondence sent to Chancellor Joel Klein.  Mr. Lundy was a Morehead Scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Philosophy.

Karen MacArthur   Special Projects Coordinator

Karen MacArthur returns to Williamsburg Collegiate for her second year as the Special Projects Coordinator.  Before coming to WCCS last year, 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.

Ryan Miller joins WCCS this year as an 6th and 8th Grade History Teacher.  After earning his law degree from Marquette University Law School, Mr. Miller was an attorney at several law firms in New York City.  Most recently, Mr. Miller worked for Loeb & Loeb LLP where he was actively involved in all aspects of Loeb’s litigation department including media and entertainment litigation, employment arbitration, and Attorneys General investigations.  Mr. Miller has a Bachelors Degree in Economics from Kenyon College.

As Managing Director of Collegiate Charter Schools, an Uncommon Schools network of middle and high schools in Brooklyn, Brett Peiser is the Founder of Williamsburg Collegiate, Kings Collegiate, and Bedford Stuyvesant Collegiate Charter Schools.  From 1998 to 2005, Mr. Peiser was the Founder, Principal, and Executive Director of Boston Collegiate Charter School, a college preparatory middle and high school serving 450 students.  Prior to this, Mr. Peiser taught History at Midwood High School in New York City.  Mr. Peiser received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University and a Master of Public Policy degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. 

Maura Raggi joins 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. 

Peter Sipe returns to WCCS for his third 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 second 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 and 6th Grade History Teacher.  Before taking on this roll, 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.

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Neal Teague   Dean of Students

Neal Teague returns to Williamsburg Collegiate as the Dean of Students.  Mr. Teague joined WCCS for the 2006-2007 school year as a History teacher, before becoming the Dean of Students last year.  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.

David Ward    English Language Arts Teacher

David Ward joins Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School as a 7th Grade Reading and Writing Teacher.  After graduating from the University of Virginia where he received a Bachelor’s degree in English and Economics, Mr. Ward taught 7th-12th grade Reading and Writing for 5 years at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac, Maryland.  Mr. Ward coached the Men’s and Women’s Varsity Tennis team and served as a Mentor in St. Andrew’s First Year Teacher Program.  Mr. Ward recently received his Master’s in Education in School Leadership from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.