Our Team

Andrew Foglia is the Founder and Executive Director of Bold Charter School. Mr. Foglia’s commitment to improving public education began during his tenure with Teach For America, during which he taught middle school math and science in Newark, NJ. After Teach For America, Mr. Foglia joined a high-performing charter school in New York City, where he was both a teacher and school leader. Mr. Foglia is dedicated to increasing access to world-class schools for all children, and leads Bold in service of that mission. Mr. Foglia earned a Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University and a Masters in Education from Harvard University.

Arelah Thompson is the Dance Teacher at Bold Charter School. She has over 15 years experience in teaching dance. She has a strong background in Hip-Hop, Dancehall, African, Jazz, Contemporary and Salsa. As an educator, she's passionate about nurturing the next generation of students, providing an inclusive environment, and encouraging students to reach their fullest potential in both dance and daily life. She believes that through dance students can freely express themselves and increase self confidence. In addition, Arelah Thompson is the CEO/Founder of Arelah's Dance Academy which is located in Brooklyn. She looks forward to inspiring students and sharing her love and passion for dance.

Carolyn Konopka is a Lead Teacher and Grade Team Lead at Bold Charter School. Ms. Konopka's passion for educational equity began in high school while she was researching inequality between educational outcomes of different communities in NYC. In college she worked at a pre-school, and through her Political Science degree, she became interested in education policy. After graduating, she began working at a charter school, becoming passionate about the academic and social-emotional growth students could make in just a few months. During her time as an educator she has worked with students in 2nd-5th grades, and has loved learning more about best practices to support all learners and building relationships with students and families.

Dianna Devito is a School Operations Manager at Bold Charter School. Dianna's passion for working with children started when she worked as an office coordinator for a pre-school summer program where she found fulfillment in watching students learn and grow. Since then, she has become a dedicated operations professional and previously led the school operations team at a high-performing charter school in New York City. She is committed to ensuring schools operate at a high level to best support Bold students, staff, and families. Dianna earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Syracuse University.

Emily Heiler is an Art Teacher at Bold Charter School. Ms. Heiler is passionate about the arts and sparking creativity in the next generation. She is committed to empowering students to use art as a way to express themselves and making a safe space to do so. Ms. Heiler comes to Bold with professional experience working in museums and galleries. She also has experience teaching art at the high school level. Ms. Heiler received a BFA from Ringling College of Art and Design with a concentration in painting.

Emily Palermo is a Curriculum Design Lead at Bold Charter School. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Ms. Palermo has taught at two high performing charter networks over the past 6 years, teaching 5th Grade ELA in both Brooklyn, NY and New Haven, CT. She has also been a grade level chair, coached ELA teachers in 7th and 8th Grade classrooms, and supported in curriculum development. Throughout her time in the classroom, Ms. Palermo has felt most passionately about creating curricular materials for students to experience rigor and joy in any classroom they walk into. She believes that the right materials can help students and teachers successfully access any content that comes their way. She is thrilled to be joining Bold’s team to support their mission of helping students realize their full intellectual and personal potential. Ms. Palermo holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Sociology from Colgate University in Hamilton, NY and Masters in Middle Childhood Education from Relay Graduate School of New York.

Emily Sacker is a Teaching Fellow at Bold Charter School. Her passion for education is rooted in her early experiences advocating for students with special needs through the Best Buddies organization. There, she worked to empower students of all abilities, both inside and outside the classroom. Her dedication to education extends to her current role as a Corps Member with Teach For America, where she is committed to building a positive and enriching classroom community. Her journey began in Long Beach, California, where she was inspired to address the educational gaps she experienced as a student. With a diverse professional background in political advocacy and legal aid, Emily brings a strong focus on equity and advocacy to her teaching. Now based in New York City, Emily enjoys working in the same school district where her grandfather once attended, and she is thrilled to be closer to her family. She holds a degree in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. Emily remains deeply passionate about ensuring that every child has access to quality education and a learning environment where they can thrive.

Jazmin Moore is a dedicated Lead Teacher and Grade Team Lead at Bold Charter School. From a young age, Jazmin has been committed to learning and fostering a love for knowledge. Before joining Bold, she honed her skills as a Grade Team Lead at another high-performing charter school. Jazmin's educational background includes a Master’s degree in Business Leadership and Change Management from NYU, and she is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Childhood Education. Her mission is to inspire students to be curious, creative, and continuously growing, firmly believing that knowledge is a powerful tool for lifelong learning.

Jewel Watson is a Sports Teacher and Basketball Coach at Bold Charter School. With a deep love for athletics and a commitment to nurturing students' physical abilities, Coach Watson brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to our sports programs. She has honed her skills through years of practical experience and continuous professional development. She is well-versed in a wide range of sports, field games, physical fitness and nutrition. Her expertise extends to both individual and team-based sports, allowing her to offer comprehensive training and support to our students. Coach Watson’s coaching philosophy centers around promoting sportsmanship, teamwork, and personal growth. She firmly believes that sports not only develop physical fitness but also instill valuable life skills such as discipline, resilience, and leadership. By creating a positive and inclusive learning environment, Coach Watson empowers students of all skill levels to strive for excellence, set and achieve their goals, and enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle. She is actively involved in our school's physical education curriculum development and collaborates with other faculty members to create engaging and dynamic lessons that cater to diverse student interests and abilities. Outside of school, Coach Watson continues to pursue her own athletic endeavors. She runs a summer basketball tournament in New York City. She is a Personal Trainer, Nutritionist, and Basketball Trainer who stays up-to-date with the latest advancements in sports training techniques. This dedication and ongoing learning allows her to provide our students with the best possible guidance and support.

Joana Garcia is a Senior Operations Associate at Bold. Joana is passionate about supporting students and ensuring their success and excited to join the team at Bold. She finds immense satisfaction in witnessing students thrive and believes that every child deserves an equal opportunity to excel academically and personally. Prior to joining Bold, Joana worked as an Operations Associate at a high performing charter school in Harlem. Joana earned a Bachelor of Arts from Brigham Young University-Idaho.

Kadidja Ndiaye is a Teaching Fellow at Bold Charter School. Ms. Ndiaye’s passion for teaching was sparked by her own elementary school teachers, who instilled in her a deep appreciation for reading. This early influence drives her commitment to fostering a love of literature in her students today. With a focus on creating inclusive and supportive learning environments, Ms. Ndiaye is dedicated to helping each student reach their full potential, ensuring they leave her classroom with both academic skills and a lifelong enthusiasm for learning. Ms. Ndiaye holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature from St. Bonaventure University and a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from Baruch College.

Kayla Bostwick is a Curriculum Design Lead at Bold Charter School. She has spent the last 10 years working at a high-performing charter school in Harlem, where she taught Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade and led on the school leadership team as an Assistant Principal and Principal. Ms. Bostwick is highly passionate about education equity and ensuring that all students have access to a high quality education. Ms. Bostwick earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Culture and Politics from Georgetown University.

Leah McGee-Gold is a Lead Teacher at Bold Charter School. Ms. McGee-Gold’s passion for working with children began in high school, where she worked as an assistant teacher in a daycare. Inspired by the children’s progress and growth over the years, she knew she wanted to become an educator. While pursuing her degree, Ms. McGee-Gold nannied for several families across the city. She recently graduated from Barnard College with a degree in Astrophysics and Philosophy. Ms. McGee-Gold is excited to join a team of educators who are committed to empowering students to achieve their full potential.

Lyle Cooper is a Dean of Students at Bold Charter School. Growing up in East New York Brooklyn, Mr. Cooper has always had a passion for improving his community. A proud father of two beautiful daughters, he recognizes and believes we have to be life long learners, as the world and needs of our youth fluctuate. He spent 23 years in the same community working as the Coordinator for Madison Square Boys & Girls Club, then as the Director of an after school community center for the New York City Housing Authority. Finally, spending 13 years as the Dean of Student Culture with Coney Island Prep. Charter School. This experience has taught him that the development of the whole child is a balance of academics as well as exposure to other forms of expression. A firm believer in Restorative Justice and the principles of developing empathy to become a caring and well rounded person, he attended the State University of New York at Albany, earning an undergraduate degree in Sociology and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University.

Nyimasita is the Dean of Students at Bold Charter School. Her passion for education was ignited during her undergraduate years while teaching English in Spain. Her experience in the charter school sector has shown her that students can achieve remarkable outcomes when provided with high expectations and robust support. She is eager to collaborate with the Bold team to ensure that students receive an exceptional education and develop strong character for success both in school and beyond. Nyimasita holds a Bachelor's degree from Barnard College and a Master's from Relay Graduate School of Education.

Orquidia Rodriguez is a Senior Operations Associate at Bold Charter School. Her passion for operations management came at a young age running her family business, which led her to complete a degree in operations management at Baruch College.  Following her graduation, she started her work in education and found her purpose doing the work she loves, while inspiring and encouraging kids to reach their full potential. She is excited to be part of a team that strives to lead and empower one another to grow.

Ms. Harrington is an Associate Labsite Teacher at Bold. Ms. Harrington grew up in Southern Delaware and moved to New York in 2018 and began teaching at a charter school in Brooklyn. She taught 3rd and 4th grade and absolutely fell in love with teaching. Ms. Harrington believes that all students deserve the highest quality education and that teachers are imperative to shaping minds and, ultimately, a better society.

Rolando Reyes is the Student Talent Lead at Bold Charter School. A Bronx native, Rolando is passionate about empowering youth through sports and physical education. He brings a wealth of experience from his leadership roles at the Harlem Children's Zone, where he designed and implemented a sports and recreation curriculum rooted in social and emotional learning, and facilitated professional development programs for educators. Mr. Reyes earned his B.S. in Physical Education from the State University of New York College at Cortland.

Shade Chapman-Au is the Strategy and Operations Manager at Bold Charter School. Shade’s career has been dedicated to providing resources so that students can achieve their full potential, from classroom instruction in Taiwan to operational support at an education non-profit in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Shade is thrilled to be a part of the Bold Team, and to support strategic and operational success. Shade attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, where he earned a Bachelors of Arts in English.

Soi’more Cherry is a Mentor Teacher at Bold Charter School. Ms. Cherry’s enthusiasm for teaching began as a preschool lead teacher, after which she became a substitute teacher for grades K-5. Ms. Cherry believes deeply that by building character strength and fostering creativity, along with providing a rigorous curriculum, all students can and will surpass expectations of success. Ms. Cherry is delighted to work with a team of educators who are committed to excellence and believe all children are capable of greatness. Ms. Cherry earned a Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York at Cortland.

Suleidy De La Cruz was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, where she spent her high school years tutoring and working with students in various capacities. After moving to the Bronx, she attended Bronx Community College where she obtained her Associates in Liberal Arts degree, followed by a bachelor's degree in Education and Child Study from Smith College. Her passion for education stems from her belief that education is the key to sustainable change. As a first generation college student, she has witnessed the transformative power of education, and is dedicated to fostering and creating opportunities for all students. Ms. De La Cruz believes that all students are capable of achieving greatness regardless of where they come from.

Taylor Gordon is an Instructional Coach at Bold Charter School. Ms. Gordon started her career in education at a high-performing charter school in New York City, where she was a teacher and team lead. In her time there, her students consistently had among the highest pass rates in New York State in both Math and ELA. Ms. Gordon strives to create an inviting and supportive community where students are able to reach their full potential and achieve their dreams. Ms. Gordon earned a Bachelor of Science from University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Masters in Education from Touro College.