Hannah Solomon, Co-Founder and Assistant Principal Ms. Solomon has had some of the highest value-added reading gains in the city of New York as a Reading teacher at Village Academy Charter School, where 70.7% of her students passed the New York City reading test, up from just 37.5% the previous year. Hannah is a graduate of Brown University, where she studied Judaic Studies and Afro-American Studies. She also attended Harvard University, where she received her Masters in Education before starting her charter school career as a lead Teacher at Frederick Douglass Academy Charter School in Boston. She loves to teach and is devoted to ensuring our citizen scholars have an equal opportunity to the pursuit of happiness. Jaime White, Director of Curriculum and Assessment Jaime White comes to Democracy Prep with over fifteen years in urban education. She holds a bachelors degree from the University of Massachusetts in Anthropology and African American Studies, a masters in education from the University of Pennsylvania and is current working on her doctoral degree in education at Columbia Teachers College. In addition, Ms. White is Nationally Board Certified in adolescent education. One of Ms. White's most crowning achievements was her work a founding staff member of Roxbury Prep Charter School, one of the highest performing schools in the country serving predominately low-income students of color. She has helped write numerous charters and worked with various start-up charter schools hoping to replicate the success of Roxbury Prep. She remains deeply committed to urban public education. Katie Duffy, Director of Development Ms. Duffy comes from a long line of educators and joined the DREAM Team in May 2007. Ms. Duffy began her career at the New York Region Leadership Academy, a program of Prep for Prep, where she taught Ethics. Ms. Duffy was most recently the Director of Student Affairs at Harlem Day Charter School, where she managed the after-school and outplacement programs. Ms. Duffy is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and is currently pursuing her Masters in Educational Leadership from George Washington University. Ms. Duffy's favorite part of her day is spending time with the scholars in her advisory. Linda Jones Easton, Director of Operations Ms. Easton is a Manhattan resident whose career includes administrative positions with the Montclair, New Jersey Board of Education, Harlem Dowling Children's Services and Sheltering Arms Children's Service, where she served for over 20 years. She has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Immaculate Conception Elementary School in Montclair, Manhattan's Creative Arts Workshop for Children, Upward, Inc., the Brooklyn Charter School, BELL New York (Building Educated Leaders for Life) and the District Council 1707, Local 215 Health and Benefit Fund. She is also a founding Board member of Harlem Day Charter School. Annerys Soto, Office Manager Ms. Soto was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. After my arrival to the US, Ms. Soto attended City College of New York, where she graduated with a Bachelor in Art Education. After graduation, Ms. Soto worked as an Admissions Counselor for the Undergraduate Division, where she constantly guided young men and ladies, to continue their education. Ms. Soto is currently enrolled in a General & Special Education program at Touro College. Ms. Soto is excited to be part of the DREAM team. Karen K. Reece, Recruitment Coordinator Ms. Reece graduated with a degree in Educational Services from Concordia College in Bronxville, New York. After college, Ms. Reece ventured into the mental health and non-profit arenas. Ms. Reece entered the non-profit world to benefit the lives of children. In her experience as a Manager for The Fresh Air Fund, Ms. Reece coordinated free summer vacations for thousands of New York City children to experience the joys of summer in rural and suburban communities in Northeastern States. In summer of 2006, Ms. Reece found her way back to her true love and passion, education. She will be pursing a Master's degree in Education for administration and teaching. She will continue on her life long commitment to serving children. Aaron Beener, Special Projects Coordinator Mr. Beener was born and raised in Harlem, New York. He attended the Delta program at M.S. 54 Booker T. Washington and later completed high school at the Bronx H.S. of Science. Mr. Beener received his BA in Spanish from Morehouse College with a minor in Biology. His most recent accomplishment was when he obtained a MA in Spanish Language and Linguistics from Middlebury College. Mr. Beener loves kids and is excited to give back to his community. His experiences growing up in Harlem coupled with international travels have given him the ability to closely relate to the students as well as help them see and think outside of their own perspectives. Amier Carmel, LMSW, School Social Worker Mr. Carmel grew up in Northern NJ and attended Simon's Rock College of Bard in Great Barrington, MA where he earned his BA in Philosophy. After moving to "The Big Apple" he pursued a Master's in Social Work at New York University. During his clinical social work education he became interested in Modern Psychoanalysis and is a Psychoanalytic Candidate at The Center for Modern Psychoanalytic Studies in Manhattan. He is also an advanced Doctoral student at the Vermont Graduate School for Psychoanalysis. Mr. Carmel enjoys taking long walks in Central Park and thinking about the secret to the universe. Alexis Meza, Technology Coordinator Mr. Meza grew up and currently resides in the Bronx. He is a member of the 2nd graduating class of KIPP Academy New York, having graduated in 2000. He then attended Fordham Preparatory School, a Jesuit private school located in the Fordham University Rose Hill campus. After graduating from high school in 2004, he decided to explore the world outside the city and chose to attend Dartmouth College which is five hours away from New York in the small town of Hanover, NH. After two years there, he took a break and joined the DREAM team at Democracy Prep in the first year of its existence. Mr. Meza returned to Dartmouth for the spring just to realize he wanted to return to the city and continue his schooling there. At Democracy Prep, he provides the staff with tech support as well as with data management.