Our PRINCIPALS

Sharlene earned a Bachelor of Science in sociology, a Masters of Science in Education (with a Specialization in Counseling) “with Distinction” and a Certificate in Marriage and Family Counseling from Hofstra University on Long Island. N.Y.

Over the course of 43 years, she worked as a teacher and counselor in public schools on Long Island. She also worked evenings teaching the GED program at Suffolk Community College. 

To satisfy her creative side, Sharlene directed and/or choreographed almost a dozen musicals in local high schools. 

After retiring and “taking a year off”, she returned to work in the School District of Philadelphia as a counselor and Dean of Students for three years. Before returning to New York, she continued her journey down the east coast and spent an additional six years plus at a charter school in Southeast, D.C. as a counselor, interim Dean, student event planner and Master scheduler.

Sharlene has conducted several student and teacher workshops over the years on many topics including Bias Identity, Cultural Competency, Discipline and Parent-Teacher Relations.

Currently, she runs her own small party planning business on Long Island.

 GAIL BROOKS, ED. D.    Dr. Gail Brooks’ background is one of educational service and research for over 40 years. Her career started as a history teacher and later as the chair of the social studies department at Camden High School (NJ). She’s been a high school Assistant Principal and Principal. Later, she became the Director of Curriculum and Assessment for the Camden City School District (NJ) before going to Monroe Township Public Schools in Middlesex County (NJ) as the Assistant Superintendent. Finally, she became the Superintendent of Pleasantville Public Schools in Pleasantville, NJ. The highlight of her accomplishments in Pleasantville was the purchase of wireless laptop computers for every child in the district. This strategy optimized instructional time and added integrated approaches to teaching and learning. 

Dr. Brooks worked in both urban and suburban districts as well as in higher education. She worked at Rowan University and Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (HBCU) as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Education and as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Policy and Administration at Rutgers University, Camden campus. Her educational philosophy is based on the idea that given the appropriate environment, every child can improve educational outcomes. Dr. Brooks considers herself a “pracademic,” a practicing academic. Most recently, she worked with adjudicated youth and youth who have dropped out of school in New Jersey. Her role was to head a team of educators, social workers and business professionals all focused on assisting young people toward bright futures. 

Dr. Brooks’ research interests are clearly aligned with the idea that education is a major component of community revitalization. When communities have strong educational institutions the entire populous benefits. Schools, therefore, can and should be at the locus of interest for any community in development. She believes that education is a civil right and a moral imperative.

Dr. Brooks received her B.A. from Hofstra University (NY) in History and Education and both a M.A. and an earned Ed.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in Leadership in Professional Education.

Dr. Brooks has one daughter, three grandchildren and two poodles to keep her busy.

she/her . . . from Brooklyn, NY is a melanin women of African descent. jylani is an educator, creative, cultural architect + consultant. Her work has been featured in various non-profits, educational institutions and international platforms seeking culturally relevant, joy and healing-centered, educational programming that intends to awaken and enlighten marginalized and under-resourced communities. jylani ma’at is also the Communities of Color, Program Manager of iBme (Inward Bound Mindfulness Education) and provides professional development for the FirstFiveAlemeda.org.

Ms. Brown is a masters level educator who brings a veterans level of experience to classrooms, inclusive after school programs and communities. She has designed K-12 and university curricula for both public and independent settings including: The Bank Street School (NYC); NYC Public Schools (NY); Baltimore City Public Schools (MD); Oakland Unified School District (CA); Oak Knoll Montessori School (CA); Orange and Contra Costa Unified School Districts (CA); The Walden School and Head-Royce.

jylani is extremely deliberate about integrating ethnic children literature and culturally appropriate content into her rich programmatic designs. Her work with children and the community of adults that support them, reflects embodied opportunities to connect mindfulness to historical, spiritual, mental and physical wellness. Social justice and issues of global competence are also frequent themes that encourage preliminary and deeper contemplation.

  Dr. Steele has 30 years solid experience working with at-risk children with behavioral problems and has proven adaptability and expertise working with multi-cultural populations. She worked 13 years as a mentor for at-risk students with Project Support and McKinney- Vento Grants for Homeless students. She worked in the private, public, nonprofit, academic, and social enterprise sector. She spent much of her career working to improve the diversity, representation, and inclusion of underrepresented groups in education.

Dr. Steele is an experienced professional developer and helped design and implement curriculum focusing on minorities, women, girls, disadvantaged and at-risk students. She wrote and implemented a secondary science curriculum for biology and physics. She is well- organized and meets all deadlines. Dr. Steele served as a Consultant with the New York State Education Department to oversee School Comprehensive Education Plans (CEP) writing and implementation District-wide. She worked with the New York State Education Department to do District- wide walk-throughs to make sure all CEPs were implemented, as written in their plans. Dr. Steele worked at Five Towns College where she served as an adjunct professor of education. She mentored and prepared new teachers and observed them during their internship as student teachers. 

Leadership

Dr. Steele supervised the following: Middle and High School Principal, Director of Security, Director of Technology and MIT, Director of Bilingual, Director of Music, Director of ELA, Director of Athletics, Jason District Coordinator, District Middles State Coordinator, Director of Grants, Director of Special Education, and Director of Superintendent Hearings. She mentored and evaluated them on their job performance.

She helped in the budget development for two at-risk school districts on Long Island, New York for six years.

She implemented the READ 180 in the 8thgrade for struggling readers and the Respect Program, in Hempstead Middle and High school. She assisted in the completion of the CEP and State Performance Plan for the secondary schools, planned and coordinated the summer school program along with Nassau BOCES, assisted with the Learning Point Curriculum Audit and preparation of the 3-year Implementation Plan for NYSED. Dr. Steele assisted in the Middles States Accreditation of the High School, was responsible for instructional and curriculum aspects of Special Education and funded programs. She also served has a Member of Middles States Validation Team for Hempstead and Roosevelt School District.

Dr. Steele worked with a team to write a six- million -dollar School Improvement Grant for the Roosevelt High School on Long Island, New York, which they won. She served as Director of Operations for National Collegiate Preparatory High School (NCPHS) which serves predominately low to moderate disadvantage students in Ward 9 in Washington, D.C. She also assisted NCPHS with their International Baccalaureate Program and Middle States Accreditation. 

Dr. Steele traveled as a missionary to China, Jamaica, and several countries in Africa where she volunteered in the renovation of an orphanage in Toga and assisted her pastors in Ghana. Her life is one of service to others as she served as Dean of an accredited Bible College. 

In her retirement, she continues to work as an on-line scorer for State Assessment for students in grade K- 12, edTPA Science Secondary Project for PEARSON, and Education Testing Services.

Sadia White currently serves as an education services consultant. She provides education consultative services for school improvement and school turnaround. She also develops and delivers professional development sessions that meet specific needs and on-going support needs for teachers and administrators. Ms. Sadia M. White served as the Chief Academic Officer and Chief of Staff for the Newark Public Schools in Newark, NJ. Ms. White brings over 25 years of broad-based educational knowledge and experience in classroom instruction, administration, program management and leadership. As Chief Academic Officer, Ms. White spearheaded the successful opening of the district’s Special Education Command Center; the district’s first comprehensive Walk-Through for all seventy-five (75) schools, the review and approval of the budget process; the Strategic Plan and  summer school programs which included the first ever Pre-AP & AP Institutes for middle and high school students and teachers.

Ms. White’s leadership style was shaped by her extensive educational experience which began, in Washington, DC, with her position as a World Languages high school teacher and was strengthened by her roles as a world language content specialist, senior associate for systemic change, coordinator for staff development for teachers and administrators.

After honing her skills as teacher and coordinator, she was promoted quickly to a number of key executive positions that laid the foundation for the Chief Academic Officer position in Newark, NJ, a school district of 40,000 students and 75 schools. While in Washington, DC, she was an Assistant Superintendent, a position that included 32 elementary schools citywide, 10,200 students, 720 teachers and 32 principals was representative of the level of responsibility with which she was entrusted. In addition, she shaped educational policy for tens of thousands of students in her capacity as Regional Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Special Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent for the Senior High School Division and as Principal of Harriet Tubman Elementary School. She also has public charter school experience, serving as Head of Schools and Chief Academic Officer for the Community Academy Pubic Charter Schools in Washington, DC where she spearheaded the new common core curriculum standards and increased student achievement.

Ms. White’ managerial skills and academic achievements were lauded over the years with the 2004 National Distinguished Principal Award; 2004-05 President-Elect District of Columbia Association Elementary School Principals’ Award; Middle State Accreditation (school years 2004-2014) for the Harriet Tubman Elementary School; MARJIS Japan-in-Schools Fellow and the King Juan Carlos Quincentenial Fellow.

Ms. White is a Certified Public Manager, certified through the George Washington University School of Business & Public Management in Washington, D.C. She is a trained Conflict Resolution Mediator and a certified Workplace Mediator. In addition, she holds a Master of Arts degree in Adult Education/Human Resource Development from the University of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C., and a Bachelor of Science degree in Spanish/Secondary Education from District of Columbia Teachers College.