Jose Brevil, Math Teacher and Technology Coordinator. A native of Haiti and a teacher in Miami, FL for three years, Mr. Brevil has an engineering background. He is currently a doctoral student pursuing a degree in organizational leadership (with a minor in school business administration). Mr. Brevil received his B.S. degree in Computer Science and his M.Ed. degree in Educational Leadership (along with his Type 75 certificate) from Florida Atlantic University.

 

Joshua Brollier, Special Education Classroom Assistant.  A Tennessee native and a drummer in a rock band, Mr. Brollier joined our staff in December 2007 after serving as a substitute teacher for several months.  Mr. Brollier earned his history degree from the University of Memphis.  When he is able, Mr. B enjoys reading history books, promoting peace, and traveling the midwest and abroad with his rock band.

 

Pam Brown, Umoja Partner.

 

Joyce Caine, Principal. Ms. Caine taught for nine years (mainly high school) on the East Coast before moving to Chicago five years ago. Upon relocating to this city, she was assistant principal at a private school on the west side in Austin for three years. Next she was a principal intern through the New Leaders for New Schools program for one year at Manley Career Academy High School, under the mentoring of Dr. Katherine Flanagan. A product of the Newark, NJ public school system, Ms. Caine received a B.A. degree in African-American Studies (Literature concentration) from Yale College, an M.A. degree in Christian Education (School Administration focus) from Dallas Theological Seminary, and an M.Ed. degree in Educational Leadership from National Louis University.

 

Sylvia Diaz, School Clerk Assistant.

 

Kevin Jackson-Edinburg, Special Education Teacher.

 

Stephanie Jackson, School Clerk. A published poet and gifted singer, Ms. Jackson has a wealth of experience working with youth and children in education and social work settings. She received her B.A. degree in Spanish from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan and worked for a year and a half at a youth residential home. Ms. Jackson then worked for about four years at Lydia Home, assisting families in crisis management and reuniting mothers with their children. Just before joining our team, she worked for about three years as administrative assistant and dean of students at a private Christian school in the Austin community on Chicago’s west side.

 

Jamar Kelly, School Assistant.

 

Michael Kolody, Math Teacher.

 

Kyle Miller, English Teacher. Mr. Miller worked in corporate America for two years at Motorola before entering the teaching profession. After a year of working as a resident in AUSL’s first class, he went on to teach for two years in a CPS elementary school and then for two years in a CPS charter high school.

 

Sean Mitchell, Health and Physical Education Teacher. A graduate of Illinois State University with a B.S. in Physical Education, Mr. Mitchell taught middle school P.E. for three years in Waukegan, IL and taught Driver’s Ed summer school for several years at Waukegan H.S. Mr. Mitchell also has six years’ experience as project manager for custom home additions and new developments.

 

Judith Parker Mastin, English Teacher. National Board Certified teacher who loves literature, writing, and technology, Mrs. Parker Mastin has been an educator for a decade. Prior to joining our staff, she spent the first half of her teaching career at a private school and the latter half at a Chicago public school. Mrs. Parker Mastin received her B.A. in Literature from Chicago State University, her Master’s in Elementary Education from Saint Xavier University, and her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction (technology focus) from Grand Canyon University.

 

Jennifer Shukla, Science Teacher. Mrs. Shukla received her B.S. degree (Biology major and Chemistry minor) and her M.A. degree in Teaching Secondary Science both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to moving to Chicago this year, she taught science for two years at a middle school in Colorado and for four years at a high school in North Carolina. Also, Mrs. Shukla had the distinction of working as Dean of Faculty at the Summerbridge Program in Hong Kong for one summer, where she did work similar to what she will do in our teacher training program.

 

Enoch Smith, Dean of Students, Operations Manager, and Director of Athletics.

 

Scott Topel, English Teacher. Mr. Topel came to Collins Academy with five years’ experience in education. He taught high school in Orland Park, IL for one year and he taught high school in London, England for four years. During his time in the U.K., Mr. Topel was also Head of House (equivalent to our Dean of Students) for three of his four years there.

 

Angel Turner, Assistant Principal. Raised on the South Side of Chicago, Mrs. Turner graduated from Chicago Vocational High School and went on to receive her B.A. from Loyola University and her M.A. from Saint Xavier University. She taught for four and a half years in Chicago Public Schools, and then worked as Associate Director (Assistant Principal) at a Chicago charter school for one year prior to starting at Collins Academy.