Board of Trustees
Maria Andrade
Title: Board Trustee, President
Maria is a Newark resident with an ardent drive for social equality and an inspirational leader. She is currently employed as a Counselor for the CPCP UBELL TRIO Federal Grant Program at NJIT. She coaches/mentors a STEM FTC Robotics Team by CLEAR. Maria is an exceptional young leader who has made a big difference in all projects that she commits to from leading a mentoring program to help minority students pursue a college education to Latina’s efforts for gender equality in her free time .
Throughout her professional career, she has worked closely with curriculum specialists to further develop the successful mentoring component of the NJ GEAR UP Project. She has developed strong relationships and established strong partnerships with non-profit and corporate organizations that help to bridge the gap between education and opportunity through internships and social impact projects.
Maria has 10 years of experience in urban classroom settings. Ranging from Special Needs Program, as an Autism Instructor in a self-contained classroom to the Juvenile Detention as a biology instructor. Ms. Andrade has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from NJCU. She is a graduate from the Center for American Women in Politics (CWAP)NEW-Leadership Cohort Class of 2016. She was also awarded a Political Science Certificate from TWC-The Washington Center in Washington D.C. She has been recognized by the New Jersey City University (NJCU)- Opportunity Scholarship Program EOF and inducted into Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society, along with being a part of the National Society of Leadership and Success- NJCU Chapter. She is also a Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) Women in Global Policy Almuna -She proudly serves as the Regional Ambassador for the NJ GEAR UP & College Bound Alumni Network since 2010.
As a woman of color, 1st generation Ecuadorian Immigrant, a young mother and social justice fighter she has dedicated herself to Social Justice, Equality, Minority Issues, Criminal Justice Reform, Education and Advocacy for marginalized communities. She is actively involved with many organizations that share her vision. Maria is a member of the Community Advisory Board at RWJBH Clara Maass Center of Excellence for Latino Health (CELH) and Somerset RWJBH . Currently she also serves as the President Board of Trustees for Roseville Community Charter School The first Charter School Board to be Certified in NJ by NJSBA she is also a NJSBA Certified Board Member. Ms Andrade is an appointed member of the Hispanic Commission for the Office International Relations and Diaspora Affairs in the great city of Newark. Twice she has been in The Latino Spirit Digital Annual Publication as one of the 100 Statewide Latino Leaders in NJ. Recently, she has been featured in Insider NJ Publication 2020 “Millennials to Watch”.She serves as Member at Large Executive Board Member at Essex County College . Ms. Andrade is a honorary founding member of Women Economic Forum NJ Chapter.
Ms. Andrade firmly believes that while influence and environmental factors can impact one’s development, individuals are ultimately the masters of their own destinies and she refuses to be limited by circumstances that are out of her control. She is personally invested in ensuring that all children are given an education with the highest quality that nurtures scholarly development with 21st century skills.
Ms. Andrade is the happy and loving mother of two beautiful children Michael and Dahlya
Caren Freyer
Caren Freyer serves as regional public affairs manager PSEG. She brings forty years of corporate and community leadership. Caren is retired Chairwoman Newark Youth Investment Council, active Board of Overseers Member NJIT and has served as Vice Chairwoman Commissioner Essex County Utilities Authority. She Graduated from Kean University with degrees in Public Administration and Political Science. She resides in Millburn NJ was born at Beth Israel Hospital Newark and is a Congregant of Temple Ahavas Shalom The Newark Jewish Museum on Broadway.
Dr. Charity Dacey
Dr. Charity Dacey is a faculty member and associate dean in the School of Education at Felician University. She attended Smith College where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in American Studies. Dr. Charity Dacey is a strong supporter of public education and spent several years teaching in public schools as a K-12 educator, mentor teacher and cross-country and track coach. These experiences led her to working for the New Teacher Project in both the Bronx and Manhattan as well as in Maryland recruiting, selecting, training and supporting new teachers in the Teaching Fellows Program. Dr. Charity Dacey attended Mercy College and earned an M.S. in Organizational Leadership. She spent the next 11 years recruiting, teaching and advising pre-service and practicing teachers in New Jersey at Montclair State University. Dr. Charity Dacey is passionate about the power of education and shares her belief with students that “education, by its very nature, should help people to develop their best selves” -Nell Noddings. At Montclair State University, Dr. Charity Dacey was recognized with the advising administrator award of the year in her role as the Director of Teacher Education Admissions and Retention. At Montclair State University, Dr. Charity Dacey earned a Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Teacher Development. Her dissertation investigated the ways in which classroom teachers make meaning of ethical practice. In 2018 she joined the School of Education at Felician University. Dr. Charity’s larger research agenda blends ethics, assessment practices, self-study and how to foster more inclusive, socially just, culturally responsive education in K-12 classrooms. She teaches courses in Educational Assessment Development and Evaluation Models, Learning and Development in Children with and without Disabilities, Pedagogy in Inclusive Elementary Education, Psychological Foundations of Education, Assessment of Authentic Learning, and First Year Experience. Dr. Charity Dacey serves as a journal reviewer, committee member for assessment and advising at her university, and also serves on the advisory board for the Boys and Girls Club of Lodi LEAP.
Monica Darko
Monica Darko is a middle school teacher for Newark Public Schools. Ms. Darko enjoys working with students to prepare them for high school and beyond while exposing them to 21st-century career options like computer programming and engineering. Her greatest joy is helping others find their purpose and reach their highest potential.
Ms. Darko attended Rutgers University- Newark where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology and a Master in Public Administration. Her love of public policy and education drives her decision-making to positively impact the lives of students and families in Newark.
Ms. Darko is involved in several community organizations. She is the President of the North Jersey Unit of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs Inc. Additionally, she holds membership in the Newark Branch NAACP and the First Ghanaian Society of New Jersey. She enjoys spending time with her four
children, travelling and serving on nonprofit boards. She has served as a Board Member of Roseville Community Charter School since 2018.
Tiesha McKinney
My name is Tiesha McKinney and I have been an educator for over 22 years. I have been an elementary school teacher, a data and assessment coordinator, a testing coordinator, and an academic dean. I am currently working as an elementary teacher for Newark Public Schools. I love working and being an educator because it provides me an opportunity to see the potential and talent of so many youth, right here in the city of Newark.
I have a BA in Sociology from Drew University, MAED in Curriculum and Instruction and in Education and Supervision, both from the University of Phoenix. I have also begun studying for my EDD in Educational Leadership. I am happy to become a part of Roseville Community Charter School.
Dr. Reinaldo Santiago
Reinaldo Santiago, Ed.D., MBA, M.A.S
Dr. Reinaldo Santiago was born and raised in Arroyo, Puerto Rico. He immigrated to the USA when he was 21 years old to begin his studies at Kean University. He is the Program Development Assistant at the Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development in the Department of State.
Dr. Santiago is a dedicated bilingual professional with extensive experience in developing and promoting services to address the community's needs. Dr. Santiago has over 20 years of experience in development and grant management, strategic planning and facilitation, budget management, and organization management.
Dr. Santiago graduated from Kean University in August 1994 with a BA in Special Education and Bilingual Education. In addition, Dr. Santiago received his Master of Arts in Administrative Science with certification in Public Administration from Farleigh Dickinson University in June 2008 and a master’s in business administration in Management from Northcentral University in June 2011. In May 2022, Dr. Santiago earned his Ed. D.in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. His dissertation topic is "College Advising Experiences of Latino Employees of a Nonprofit Organization: A Qualitative Descriptive Study."
Prior to his current position, Dr. Santiago worked at the Jersey City Employment and Training Program as Director of One-Stop Operations and Training Manager. He planned, coordinated, and organized programs and services delivery of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services. Dr. Santiago has worked for ASPIRA, Inc. of New Jersey as Director of Programs, Mental Health Research Association as Service Coordinator, and Assistant Borough Director, as Caseworker for Administration of Children Services (ACS).
Dr. Santiago is currently a board member for the following organizations: Program for Parents, Metropolitan Family Health Network, Friend of Newark Public Library, Boys to Leaders Foundation, and Mentorship Chair for Lambda Theta Phi, Latin Fraternity, Inc. Reinaldo is a fellow alumnus of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Ladder to Leadership Program.
Cesar Vizcaino
Title: Board Trustee
Khalil Nassiruddin
Luisa Torres
Luisa Torres is a community leader and ardent advocate for equitable education. Ms. Torres earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Justice Studies from Montclair State University. Ms. Torres earned a Master of Arts degree from Montclair State University in Law & Governance with a concentration in Compliance and Regulation where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Ms. Torres also earned a Master of Arts Degree in Business Administration from Montclair State University to refine her business acumen. Ms. Torres has worked with the with the Pre-Legal Program at Seton Hall Law School and is an alumna of the program. Ms. Torres spent six years in the banking industry prior to transitioning to the legal field where she has spent the last eight years in public and private sector. Ms. Torres serves on the Passaic County’s Census Committee and is continually active in the community."
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