The eighteen Mary Jane Patterson Fellows who lead schools as principals are (in alphabetical order):
Courtney Aldridge – Johnson Middle School
Courtney Aldridge began her teaching career as a Math teacher in Prince George County Public Schools, while earning one of her two Master’s Degrees from Trinity University. In 2007, she accepted a DC Public Schools teaching position at John P. Sousa Middle School. Prior to entering the Fellowship, she served as one of the Assistant Principals at Sousa MS. As a fellow, Ms. Aldridge has served as a resident principal at Leckie Elementary School and Whittier Education Campus.
Zara Berry-Young – Malcolm X Elementary School
Zara Berry-Young was educated in the District of Columbia Public School system and graduated from Howard University and University of the District of Columbia. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech and language Pathology and her masters’ degree in Early Childhood Ed/Administration. She has been a teacher in the therapeutic and private school sectors in the District, District of Columbia Public Schools and Prince George’s County Public Schools. She has also held the position as a Prince Georges County Title 1 Integrated Learning Teacher, reading resource teacher, test coordinator and the Scholastic READ 180 Program Manager serving the District of Columbia Public Schools. As a fellow, Ms. Berry-Young has served as a resident principal at Shepherd Elementary School and Stoddert Elementary School.
Eric Bethel – Turner Elementary School
Eric Bethel has served the students of Washington, DC for the past 12 years. He spent 8 years as an elementary school teacher at Marie Reed Elementary School before becoming a DCPS master educator and later a senior master educator. After two years of serving at the district-level, Mr. Bethel returned to school-based leadership as an assistant principal at Powell Elementary School. In 2013, he was selected as a member of the inaugural cohort of the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, a rigorous 30-month program designed to prepare DCPS's highest performing leaders for the principalship. This unique pipeline program also provides intensive support and targeted coaching during fellows' first year as MJP principals. As a fellow, Mr. Bethel has served as a resident principal at Ketcham Elementary School and Kelly Miller Middle School. He holds both a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in elementary education from Mount Saint Mary’s University.
Jade Brawley – Shepherd Elementary School
Jade Brawley’s teaching career began at Adelaide Davis Elementary School, where she taught second grade. For the next ten years, she taught third, fifth and sixth grades at Whittier Education Campus, where her students consistently made significant academic progress. In addition to teaching, she assumed various leadership roles including serving as grade level chairperson, Teacher Lead, SST coordinator, and afterschool program director. While at Whittier, she also had the opportunity to incorporate STEM into literacy instruction. In 2010, she transitioned into the role of instructional coach at Harriet Tubman Elementary School. As a fellow, Ms. Brawley has served as a resident principal at Eaton Elementary School and Beers Elementary School.
Loren Brody – Takoma Education Campus
Loren Brody began his career in education 12 years ago as an English and Reading teacher in Washington, DC. He subsequently developed an expertise with literacy instruction through roles as teacher, coach, and content specialist in schools in both DC and Montgomery County, MD. As an AmeriCorps volunteer in Baltimore and DC after college, he discovered his passion for teaching. He went on to earn his master’s degree in educational administration from Trinity University. Prior to entering the Fellowship, he served as an assistant principal at Hardy Middle School for four years. As a fellow, Mr. Brody has served as a resident principal at Whittier Education Campus and Truesdell Education Campus.
Lloyd Bryant – Anacostia High School
Lloyd Bryant began his career as a history teacher in Indianapolis Public Schools. In 2003, he relocated to Maryland and taught in both Prince George’s County and Prince William County before transitioning into school leadership. Mr. Bryant joined DCPS in 2008 as an assistant principal at Dunbar Senior High School. He also served as an assistant principal at Spingarn Senior High School before becoming a member of the inaugural cohort of the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, a rigorous 30-month program designed to prepare DCPS's highest performing leaders for the principalship. As a fellow, Mr. Bryant has served as a resident principal at both Maury Elementary School and Banneker Senior High School. Mr. Bryant holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Hampton University as well as a master’s degree in educational administration from Trinity University.
Charlette Butler – Hart Middle School
Charlette Butler began her career in education as a 9th grade English and reading teacher in DeKalb County, Georgia. She later worked as a dean of students in Broward County, Florida and a literacy coach in Montgomery County, Maryland before transitioning to DCPS. In 2008, Ms. Butler became an assistant principal at Wilson Senior High School, and in 2013, she was selected to become a member of the inaugural cohort of the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, a rigorous 30-month program designed to prepare DCPS's highest performing leaders for the principalship. This unique pipeline program also provides intensive support and targeted coaching during fellows' first year as MJP principals. As a fellow, Ms. Butler has served as a resident principal at Leckie Elementary School and West Education Campus. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English education from North Carolina A&T University as well as a master’s degree in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Donyale Butler – Savoy Elementary School
Donyale Butler began her career in education as an elementary school teacher in St. Paul, Minnesota. She later became a curriculum coordinator and professional development specialist before relocating to Washington, DC in 2006. She served as the instructional coach at Simon Elementary School for seven years before being selected as a member of the inaugural cohort of the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, a rigorous 30-month program designed to prepare DCPS's highest performing leaders for the principalship. This unique pipeline program also provides intensive support and targeted coaching during fellows' first year as MJP principals. As a fellow, Ms. Butler has served as a resident principal at Beers Elementary School and Browne Education Campus. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from University of Illinois and a master’s degree in gifted, talented, and creative education from University of St. Thomas.
Malaika Golden – Aiton Elementary School
Malaika Golden began her journey as an instructional leader as a first year teacher, serving as a grade level team leader. She then served as a Mentor Teacher and Instructional Coach. She came to DCPS as a Professional Development Specialist at central office, and served as Assistant Principal at Brightwood Education Campus for three years. Ms. Golden studied school leadership by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Educational Leadership and Administration from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. She also obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. As a fellow, Ms. Golden has served as a resident principal at Beers Elementary School and Seaton Elementary School.
Heather Hairston – C.W. Harris Elementary School
Heather Hairston began her career in education as an elementary school teacher at Watkins Elementary School in Washington, DC. She served as a teacher, math-data coach, assistant principal, and mentor/master teacher in Prince George’s County, Maryland before become a founding teacher at KIPP West Philadelphia Prep Public Charter School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She returned to Washington, DC in 2011 as a teacher at Beers Elementary School. In 2013, she was selected as a member of the inaugural cohort of the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, a rigorous 30-month program designed to prepare DCPS's highest performing leaders for the principalship. This unique pipeline program also provides intensive support and targeted coaching during fellows' first year as MJP principals. As a fellow, Ms. Hairston has served as a resident principal at Jefferson Academy Middle School and Maury Elementary School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Hampton University as well as master’s degrees in both teaching and educational leadership and supervision from Trinity University.
Angel Hunter – King Elementary School
Angel Hunter began her teaching career in Prince George’s County Public Schools. She taught kindergarten and first grade for four years and seventh and eighth grades for two years. Upon leaving Prince George’s County Public Schools, Angel continued the last two years of her teaching career in private and residential schools working with students who had a disability classification of emotionally disturbed ranging from sixth through twelfth grade. In 2006, she began working for DCPS as an IEP Developer for the Office of Special Education. She continued her education during this time by earning her master’s degree in Educational Administration from George Washington University. Prior to entering the Fellowship, she served as Program Manager for the Non-Public and Transition Unit for four years. As a fellow, Ms. Hunter has served as a resident principal at Wilson Senior High School and Shepherd Elementary School.
Kara Kuchemba – Bunker Hill Elementary School
Kara Kuchemba began her career in education at Bloomsburg University, where she worked in the Reading Center to provide specific interventions for struggling readers and coordinated the America Reads tutoring program. After completion of her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in literacy from Bloomsburg University, she accepted a first grade teaching position in Prince George’s County Public Schools. During her tenure with PGCPS, she taught both first and second grade and was the chairperson for both the Grade Level and the School Planning and Management Teams. After leaving the classroom, she worked as a Reading Specialist and Data Coach for eight years until accepting an Instructional Coach position in 2011 with the District of Columbia Public Schools. Prior to joining the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, Kara served as the Instructional Coach at Amidon-Bowen Elementary School for two years. As a fellow, Ms. Kuchemba has served as a resident principal at Hyde Addison Elementary School and McKinley Senior High School.
Katie Larkin – H.D. Cooke Elementary School
Katie Larkin has nearly 14 years of experience in DC Public Schools. She spent 10 years as a classroom teacher at Ross Elementary School before becoming the school’s instructional coach. As an instructional coach, she also served as a seminar leader for The New Teacher Project’s DC Practitioner Teacher Program. In 2012, she became the assistant principal at Hearst Elementary School. She was later selected to become a member of the inaugural cohort of the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, a rigorous 30-month program designed to prepare DCPS's highest performing leaders for the principalship. This unique pipeline program also provides intensive support and targeted coaching during fellows' first year as MJP principals. As a fellow, Ms. Larkin served as a resident principal at Kelly Miller Middle School and Key Elementary School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Rhode Island College and a master’s degree in teaching from George Mason University.
Katie Lundgren – Marie Reed Elementary School
Katie Lundgren began her career in education as a 3rd grade teacher in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 2004, she relocated to Washington, DC and became the center director of the Ward 6 Achievement Center. After serving as the director of site operations for the Higher Achievement Program, she became the assistant principal at Stuart-Hobson Middle School where she served for 4 years. In 2013, she was selected to become a member of the inaugural cohort of the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, a rigorous 30-month program designed to prepare DCPS's highest performing leaders for the principalship. This unique pipeline program also provides intensive support and targeted coaching during fellows' first year as MJP principals. As a fellow, Ms. Lundgren served as a resident principal at Truesdell Education Campus and Ketcham Elementary School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Rhodes College and a master’s degree in school leadership from Harvard University.
Roman Smith – Kramer Middle School
Roman Smith has 11 years of experience in education in many capacities starting as a teacher in Friendship Public Charter Schools later transitioning to the District of Columbia Public School System. Prior to transitioning to the District of Columbia Schools system, Mr. Smith was chosen to represent Friendship Public Charter Schools at Harvard Graduate School of Education’s New and Aspiring Leaders professional education opportunity. Roman holds a bachelor’s in Political Science from Howard University and a master’s in Educational Leadership from George Mason University. Prior to entering the fellowship, he served as an Assistant Principal and Department Chair at Columbia Heights Educational Campus. As a fellow, Mr. Smith served as a resident principal at Roosevelt Senior High School and Shepherd Elementary School.
Kortni Stafford – Kelly Miller Middle School
Kortni Stafford began her career as a science teacher of seven years in Prince George’s County, Maryland and San Diego, California. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland in Animal Science and Biology and her Master’s from Bowie State University in Education Administration and Supervision. She holds teaching certifications for Virginia, Maryland and California and she is a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society as well. Prior to entering the Fellowship Principal Stafford served as Assistant Principal at Ballou Senior High School, where she managed the Freshman Success Academy, working to boost school retention and promotion rates. As a fellow, Ms. Stafford has served as a resident principal at West Elementary School and Columbia Heights Education Campus.
Jennifer Thomas – Hearst Elementary School
Jennifer Geoffroy Thomas has served the students of DCPS for the past 13 years. She began her DCPS tenure as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at Powell Elementary School and has since served as an elementary teacher, an instructional coach, and a manager of the instructional coaching program. In 2013, she was selected to become a member of the inaugural cohort of the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, a rigorous 30-month program designed to prepare DCPS's highest performing leaders for the principalship. This unique pipeline program also provides intensive support and targeted coaching during fellows' first year as MJP principals. As a fellow, Ms. Thomas has served as a resident principal at Thomson Elementary School and Mann Elementary School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Boston University as well as master’s degrees in both English to Speakers of Other Languages and Elementary Education from American University.
Davia Walker – Thomas Elementary School
Davia Walker began her career with DCPS in 1995 starting as a classroom teacher for 12 years, an instructional coach and then an Assistant Principal at Stoddert ES. She is a product of DC Public schools having attended Shepard ES, Hardy Middle School, and Wilson SHS. As a fellow, Ms. Walker has served as a resident principal at Eastern Senior High School.