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2008-2009 Fellow Profiles

Kate Carpenter Bernier

Ms Bernier Kate brings to the Boston Principal Fellowship fifteen years experience in leadership, strategic planning, and management in education and community development. For the past year Kate has worked as a consultant with urban schools and nonprofit organizations with, Carpenter Bernier Consulting. Kate worked with Massachusetts 2020 in 2006 to launch the Expanded Learning Time Initiative and subsequently served at the Edwards Middle School as an ELA teacher and electives coordinator. Kate spent six years at Citizen Schools as Director of the National Network and developer of the teaching fellows program. Kate received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master's Degree in City and Regional Planning from Cornell University.

 

Ethan d'Ablemont Burnes

Mr. Burnes Ethan brings to the Boston Principal Fellowship over ten years of experience in education. For the last four years, Ethan has worked as policy director for The Boston Plan for Excellence (BPE). In this role, Ethan has taken the lead on reviewing the funding system by co-chairing the funding task force with the Boston Public Schools' Chief Financial Officer. He also worked on issues of special education, student assignment, and transportation at BPE. Ethan exhibited strong leadership in guiding strategic planning efforts and resource re-alignment. Prior to his tenure with BPE, Ethan served as Policy Analyst for the Office of the Massachusetts Governor. Ethan taught at the K-12 level at the Boston Renaissance Charter School from 1995-1999. Ethan earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University.

Walter Henderson

Mr. Henderson Walter brings to the Boston Principal Fellowship six years of teaching experience in the Boston Public Schools. For the past year, Walter has served as a fifth grade teacher at the O.W. Holmes Elementary School. Walter displayed strong leadership skills by overseeing the development of the 10 Boys Initiative at the Holmes School. Prior to his role at the Holmes School, Walter served as a teacher at Young Achievers Math and Science Pilot School. Walter earned a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Northeastern University and a Master's Degree in Special Education from Cambridge College.

 



Cynthia Paris Jeffries

Ms Paris Jeffries Cynthia brings to the Boston Principal Fellowship twelve years experience as an educator in the Boston Public Schools, where she has worked as a speech-language pathologist at the Tobin K-8 School. She has also served as the Tobin School's MELA-O trainer, language assessment team facilitator, and teacher leader. Cynthia has displayed strong leadership through her participation in 2007-2008 cohort of the School Leadership Institute's Instructional Leadership Institute. Cynthia earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from Worcester State College, and a Master's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from MGH- Institute of Health Professions.

 


Joel Jocelyn

Mr. Jocelyn Joel brings to the Boston Principal Fellowship experience in special education teaching and project management. Joel began his teaching career at the Gavin Middle School. For the past two years, Joel has served as a Special Education Inclusion teacher at the Woodrow Wilson Middle School. During his tenure at the Wilson School, Joel has served as both a member and co-chair of the school site council. In this capacity, he worked not only with other school site council members, but also with teachers, parents, and community members to identify priorities for the school. Joel has exhibited additional leadership at the Wilson by serving on the Instructional Leadership Team. Joel earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Boston College and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Boston University and is presently a Doctoral candidate at the Boston University School of Education.

Jeffrey Liberty

Mr. Liberty Jeffrey brings to the Boston Principal Fellowship sixteen years experience as an educator. For the past four years, Jeffrey has served as Senior Program Coordinator with the Boston Public Schools' Office of High School Renewal (OHSR). During his tenure with OHSR, Jeffrey has worked on developing humanities programs and curriculum for the newly created small high schools within the district. An integral member of the OHSR staff, Jeffrey also served as a convener for the conversion of West Roxbury High School into four small schools. Prior to his tenure with OHSR, Jeffrey served as Program Associate for The Center for Collaborative Education where he worked on Turning Points a national middle school reform model. He also served as a teacher in Boston Public Schools for four years at both Madison Park and Fenway High Schools. Jeffrey earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education from Brandeis University and a Master's Degree in Fine Arts from Emerson College.

Sala Semmes

Ms Semmes Sala brings to the Boston Principal Fellowship teaching experience in inclusive, substantially separate, and regular settings of education. For the past three years, Sala has served as a teacher at the Woodrow Wilson Middle School. During her tenure at the Wilson, Sala exhibited strong leadership in promoting equity and inclusion for all students by working with her colleagues around topics in special education. She has also served as a member of the reading leadership team. Concurrent with her role at the Wilson, Sala served as a teacher for BELL National in Boston, Massachusetts. Sala earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Michigan and a Master's Degree in Education from Boston College.

 

Maricel Sheets-Ortiz

Ms Maricel Sheets-Ortiz Maricel brings to the Boston Principal Fellowship seven years of experience servicing students and schools in the cities of Boston and Cambridge. For the past year, Maricel has served as the Deputy Director in the Boston Public Schools' Office of Equity. In this capacity, Maricel has supported schools in implementing the district's Eliminating the Achievement Gap policy and goals as well as providing training and assistance to BPS departments and schools on issues of discrimination and harassment. Prior to her tenure with Boston Public Schools, Maricel served as the Director of Youth Programs for the city of Cambridge's Office of Workforce Development. Maricel earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and African-American Studies from Simmons College and a Master's Degree in Education from Harvard University.