Our Team

Abigail Jacob is a Lead Teacher at Bold Charter School. Abigail’s passion for education begin in college while taking college courses about educational inequality and working with students who had experienced homelessness. Abigail was inspired by their resilience and committed to creating positive school experiences where students are supported emotionally and academically. Abigail earned her Bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Education from Hunter College, and was a Teach for America Corps Member.

Amanda Mari is a Lead Teacher at Bold Charter School. Ms. Mari is passionate about ensuring every student receives a high-quality education that gives them the knowledge and confidence to pursue their future aspirations. Ms. Mari earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Statistics from CUNY Hunter College. She is currently pursuing her Advanced Certificate in Math Education for grades 7-12 at The City College of New York.

Aminata Sillah is a Dean of Students and works to build a safe, structured, and supportive school culture where students can grow academically and socially. She began her career as a classroom teacher and has since served in leadership roles including grade team leader, Dean of Students, and Dean of Culture, with a focus on student support, strong systems, and family partnership. Ms. Sillah is dedicated to creating positive school environments rooted in strong relationships, consistency, and high expectations for all students. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education from The City College of New York and her Master’s degree in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education, and she is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Organizational Innovation.

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.

Carolyn Konopka is a Lead Teacher 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.

Carson Rockefeller is the Principal at Bold Charter School. Mr. Rockefeller believes that the strongest education is one grounded in high expectations and authentic relationships with students and families. Mr. Rockefeller completed his undergraduate degree in Elementary Science Education at SUNY Oneonta and received his Masters from Hunter College in Elementary Science and Mathematics Education.

Cave Voss is a Teaching Fellow at Bold Charter School. Prior to joining Teach For America, Cave had a longstanding passion for education as a tool for structural progress and socioeconomic mobility. He nurtured this interest by teaching courses on the United States government and civic engagement while studying at Harvard University, where he earned his B.A. in Economics with a secondary in Government. Cave is dedicated to pursuing and cultivating excellence, and he is eager to advance his commitment as a member of the Bold community.

Celine Peña is a Lead Teacher at Bold Charter School, where she brings a deep commitment to educational equity and community empowerment. A proud Bronx native, Ms. Peña’s passion for teaching stems from her desire to give back to the community that shaped her. Through years of volunteering and working with local Bronx organizations, she discovered a strong connection to working with children and supporting their academic growth. Ms. Peña holds a Master’s degree in Childhood Education from Hunter College, where she also earned her Bachelor’s degree. As a certified educator, she is proud to be part of a dedicated team at Bold Charter School, where she continues to inspire and uplift students alongside like-minded colleagues who share her vision for educational excellence.

Dane Sherman is excited to begin another year teaching English Language Arts at Bold. Originally from Seattle, he graduated from the University of Notre Dame as a Hesburgh-Yusko Scholar, where he studied American Studies and International Peace Studies and developed a passion for helping students become thoughtful readers, confident writers, and curious learners. Outside of school, Mr. Sherman enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, and discovering new cultures. He loves bringing those interests into the classroom through stories, food, and celebrations from around the world.

Daphne Luciano is a Teaching Fellow at Bold Charter School. Raised in Westchester County, New York, as a first-generation American and college student from a Brazilian family, Daphne developed a deep appreciation for the power of education to create opportunity and strengthen communities. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychological and Brain Sciences, with a minor in Criminal Justice, from The George Washington University, where her studies focused on child development, learning, and the social systems that shape students' experiences. Following graduation, Daphne joined Teach For America as a 2026 Corps Member, driven by her commitment to educational equity and her passion for empowering young learners. At Bold Charter School, she is dedicated to fostering a classroom where every student feels valued, challenged, and supported. She believes in building strong relationships with students and families, creating engaging learning experiences, and helping children develop the confidence, curiosity, and resilience they need to thrive both in school and beyond.

Daviana Morales is a Lead Teacher at Bold Charter School. Ms. Morales discovered her passion for education while teaching archery at a summer camp, an experience that inspired her to pursue a career working with children. As a Bronx native, she is dedicated to empowering students in her community and fostering a love of learning that extends beyond the classroom. She strives to help her students build confidence, think critically, and embrace challenges, believing that these skills will serve them well throughout their lives. Ms. Morales earned her Bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Potsdam.

Destiny Torres-Blas has spent the last eight years leading high school academic operations in high-performing public schools, ensuring systems are in place to support every student to achieve their goals as they prepare for college success. Destiny holds an undergraduate degree in Biology and Masters in Biotechnology Management, both from Brown University.  

Ms.Boyle's passion for education stemmed from her experience as a K-8 tutor in San Francisco, where she worked with students in a range of subjects, aiming to give them the tools to create strong study habits and independence. Ms. Boyle continued tutoring throughout her time at Vanderbilt University, where she majored in Human and Organizational Development and minored in Educational Studies. Since graduating from Vanderbilt, she has joined the Teach For America Corps in New York. Ms. Boyle is currently pursuing her Masters at Relay Graduate School of Education and is excited to foster a welcoming, equitable, and joyful learning environment.

Emily Gunn is a Lead Teacher at Bold Charter School. The daughter of a first-generation immigrant and raised in San Francisco, California, Emily developed an early appreciation for diverse perspectives and experiences. This passion led her to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in History at Wake Forest University. Through her liberal arts education, she gained an understanding of the systems and structures that shape opportunity in the United States. Emboldened to advance educational equity, Emily joined Teach For America as a Corps Member in 2025. In her current role at Bold, she is committed to cultivating inclusive and engaging learning environments that empower students to realize their full potential as lifelong learners, globally minded citizens, and fascinating individuals.

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 an Associate Principal 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. She is thrilled to be joining Bold’s team to support the 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.

Grace Linnehan, a Mentor Teacher at Bold, discovered her passion for education through mentoring K–8 students during college, where she saw the transformative impact that meaningful relationships, curiosity, and engaging learning experiences can have on young people. Over the past six years, she has taught grades 2-4, striving to make learning joyful, purposeful, and intellectually engaging every day. She believes that fostering a lifelong love of learning empowers students to see new possibilities for themselves and equips them with the confidence and skills to pursue opportunities beyond the classroom. She earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Vermont and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education.

James O’Hurley serves as a High School Launch Fellow and Lead Teacher at Bold. Before joining Bold, he spent four years teaching AP Literature and Senior Capstone courses, achieving strong AP pass rates and preparing students for success in competitive college environments. James holds undergraduate degrees in English and French from Florida State University and a master’s degree in English from Fordham University. His work is grounded in a deep love of literature, a commitment to excellent teaching, and the belief that all students deserve access to rigorous and meaningful academic experiences.

Jessie Wiener is a Teaching Fellow at Bold Charter School. Her passion for education began in high school when she interned in a third-grade classroom. She continued working with her third-grade students in a summer school program and then at the same school as a paraeducator. Ms. Wiener went on to pursue her passion for children and learning at the University of Michigan, where she earned a degree in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience with a minor in Education. During college, she continued working with children as a substitute teacher and through pen-pal programs that paired her with children sharing letters back and forth. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in education at Relay Graduate School of Education. As a 2026 Teach For America corps member, Ms. Wiener is excited to join a team of dedicated educators committed to helping every student reach their full potential.

Joana Assef-Garcia is the Operations & Community Impact Lead 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.

Joey Speziale brings 10 years of experience in education, including roles as a middle school math teacher, instructional coach, and curriculum manager. Joey has worked alongside leadership to maintain and improve systems across a network of high-performing schools in New York City. He is passionate about using data to drive student outcomes and inform curricular decisions. He earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Statistics from SUNY Oneonta and a master’s degree in teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education.

Karyn Salazar grew up in a Bronx neighborhood not far from Bold and is proud to serve her community. Being familiar with both the richness and needs of the community fuels her commitment to creating an environment that fully supports our students and families. Through outreach, enrollment, and work with Bold's Operations team, she hopes to provide the resources that empower the community to raise fully prepared and successful individuals. Karyn studied Emerging Media and Africana/Latino Studies at Hunter College.

Kayla Bostwick is a Curriculum Design Lead at Bold Charter School. Prior to joining Bold, she spent 10 years at a high-performing charter school in Harlem, serving as an early elementary teacher before joining the school leadership team as Principal. Ms. Bostwick is passionate about educational equity and believes every student deserves access to a rigorous, high-quality education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Culture and Politics from Georgetown University.

Larson Bodden is an educator and school leader with over a decade of experience in New York City schools, and thrilled to be joining the Bold Charter School community as Dean of Students. His career has taken him from the classroom, where he taught grades 2, 4, and 5 math at a high-performing charter network in the Bronx, through instructional and school culture leadership roles including Assistant Principal and Director of School Culture and Family Engagement. Most recently he served as a Professional Learning Specialist at Curriculum Associates, where he supported educators across the country to implement high quality curriculum. Larson is deeply rooted in the Bronx and cannot wait to work alongside the team at Bold.

Leslie Santana is a Kindergarten Teacher at Bold Charter School, where she has proudly taught Kindergarten since 2020. With 6 years of experience in education, she is passionate about building strong foundations in early literacy and math while creating a joyful, rigorous classroom where every student is challenged to grow. Leslie believes that all children can achieve at high levels through engaging instruction, high expectations, and strong partnerships with families. In addition to teaching, she enjoys mentoring fellow educators and collaborating with colleagues to strengthen student outcomes across the grade. She earned her Bachelor of Science from SUNY Oneonta and her Master of Professional Studies from LIM College and is proud to be part of the Bold community.

Lucy Beimfohr is a Lead Teacher at Bold Charter School. Her passion for education began while working as a summer camp counselor, where she developed a deep belief in the potential of all children. This early experience inspired her to deepen her knowledge of child development and the science of learning by pursuing a major in Psychology and a minor in Education, Inquiry, and Justice at Georgetown University. After graduation, Lucy began her career as a strategy consultant at L.E.K. Consulting, staying connected to her commitment to educational equity by volunteering with Reading Partners in NYC and leading pro bono engagements for education-focused nonprofits nationwide. A 2025 Teach For America corps member, Lucy strives to foster a student-centered and inclusive classroom community in which every child feels valued, challenged, and empowered to achieve ambitious goals. She is currently advancing her expertise by pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching at Relay Graduate School of Education.

Lucy Economos is a Teaching Fellow at Bold Charter School. She attended University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and received her Bachelor of Music in Lyric Theatre, a combination of musical theatre and opera. After graduating, she spent several years performing and working as a Teaching Assistant at her childhood middle school in the Chicago suburbs. While working as a TA, she launched her own private math tutoring business, helping 5th-9th grade students sharpen their math skills, test-taking strategies, executive functioning, and confidence. The ability to shape her community and help students learn the skills needed for their continued success inspired her to join the Teach For America New York Corps. Alongside her current role at Bold, she is pursuing her Master's in Middle Grades Education at the Relay Graduate School of Education. Ms. Economos brings positive and engaging learning experiences to her classroom, and is dedicated to cultivating confident, multifaceted individuals ready to thrive both in and out of school.

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.

Marcela Reyes is a proud member of the Bold community where she has worked for the last two years, supporting student enrollment, family engagement, and operational excellence.

Matida Sillah is a Lead Teacher at Bold Charter School. Matida is passionate about creating a classroom where scholars feel supported, challenged, and excited to learn every day. She believes that building strong relationships, maintaining high expectations, and fostering a positive classroom culture help every scholar reach their full potential. Matida earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Lehman College and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education.

Orquidia Rodriguez is an Operations Lead 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 students to reach their full potential. She is excited to be part of a team that strives to lead and empower one another to grow.

Oumou Hani Diallo is a Lead Teacher at Bold Charter School. Originally from Togo, West Africa, Ms. Diallo immigrated to the United States at 15 and attended ELLIS Preparatory Academy, where she learned English, became valedictorian, and discovered a passion for education. Her journey taught her the power of perseverance, community, and the transformative impact of learning. Now, as a Kindergarten teacher, she is committed to helping every child—especially immigrant and multilingual learners—gain the confidence and support they need to succeed.

Patricia Ruggiero is a Lead Teacher at Bold Charter School with over seven years of experience in education. Throughout her career, she has taught third and fourth grade at some of the top-performing charter schools in New York City, bringing a strong commitment to academic excellence and student growth. Mrs. Ruggiero is deeply passionate about providing all students with access to a high-quality education and holds a firm belief that all children can achieve at high levels of academic success when given the right tools and support. She is dedicated to creating a classroom environment where students feel empowered, challenged, and inspired every day. Mrs. Ruggiero earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware.

Rachel Mehler is a Teaching Fellow at Bold Charter School. Rachel is committed to providing every student with an excellent education grounded in rigor, inclusion, and authentic relationships. She strives to create a classroom where students feel supported and challenged to build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to pursue their goals. Rachel graduated from Harvard College with a Bachelors degree in Environmental Science and Public Policy, and a Spanish language citation. A 2026 Teach For America corps member, Rachel is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Teaching at Relay Graduate School of Education.

Regina Lau is the Data Strategy Lead at Bold. Her journey in education began through her work in educational research, where she discovers the power of using data to better understand students' experiences and support educational growth. With a background in mathematics and statistics, Regina is passionate about transforming data into meaningful insights that help support students, educators, and school communities. Regina earned her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a Concentration in Analytics from Muhlenberg College.

Sara Frances Jones was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Denison University, where she double majored in Global Commerce and Environmental Science and minored in Spanish. After graduating, Ms. Jones spent a year in Madrid, Spain, teaching English to elementary school students before moving to New York City, where she taught seventh-grade Chemistry and a senior-level Environmental Economics course. Ms. Jones enjoys working with students of all ages and values building meaningful relationships with every child she crosses paths with. She is proud to be part of the team at Bold, where a culture of excellence and high expectations reflects her belief that every student can achieve extraordinary success when challenged, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

In my 5th year working in education, I’m excited to continue my journey as a part of the Bold team! As a graduate of Hamilton College, my academic journey was a blend of theoretical mathematics and creative arts, a combination that sparked my passion for sharing logical reasoning and a love of learning with students. Originally from California, I also spent five years living in Oslo, Norway, before making New York City my home. In my free time, you can find me staying active and enjoying the outdoors through basketball, tennis, soccer, hiking, and biking. I also love cooking, music, fashion, and cinema.

Shade Chapman-Au is the Associate Principal, Operational Strategy 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 Lead 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.

Taren Ikea is a Curriculum Design Lead at Bold Charter School. He began his career teaching high school math at an international school in Indonesia. For the past four years, Mr. Ikea has worked at a high-performing charter school in the Bronx, where he taught middle school math and served as a Grade Team Leader. He is passionate about infusing joy into math and making it an engaging, accessible subject for all. Mr. Ikea earned a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Math Education from Corban University and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University.

Taylor Gordon is an Associate Principal 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.

Thomas Khadoo is the Business Operations Lead at Bold Charter School. Mr. Khadoo's passion for utilizing business as a vehicle for social change began as a Marketing Assistant for a nonprofit specializing in nonpartisan news. Mr. Khadoo is especially excited to be a part of the Bold Team and support school-wide functions through operational excellence. Mr. Khadoo earned a Bachelor of Scienceand Masters in Business Administration from New York University.

Tristan Bernhard is Chief of Staff at Bold Charter School, where he works with network leadership to build world-class K-12 public schools. He previously served as an Assistant Principal at a high-performing charter school network in New York City, leading instruction across multiple AP disciplines and supporting student outcomes. Before that, he was an Assistant Principal Fellow where he taught Algebra I and supported school leadership during key academic cycles. Earlier in his career, Mr. Bernhard taught and led teams in Columbus City Schools and held education roles in Iowa, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Germany. He holds master’s degrees from Harvard University and Ohio State University, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Northern Iowa.

Victoria Martini is a Lead Teacher at Bold Charter School with six years of experience teaching middle school ELA. She spent five years teaching 6th through 8th-grade ELA at a high-performing charter school in the Bronx prior to joining Bold. Driven by her love for literature, Ms. Martini is passionate about fostering strong critical thinking, reading comprehension, and empathy in her students. Ms. Martini earned her Bachelor’s degree in English and Theatre from Hunter College and holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education.

Zach Biedermann serves as a Dean of Students at Bold Charter School. He began his career as a school psychologist with Boston Public Schools, where he developed a strong commitment to supporting students in all areas of their growth - academic, emotional, and behavioral. Mr. Biedermann believes that addressing the whole child is essential to their success and is excited to partner with the Bold team and families to ensure every student thrives both in and out of school. He is especially inspired by Bold's commitment to excellence and care, and looks forward to contributing to a school community that values high expectations and strong relationships. Mr. Biedermann holds a Bachelor of Science in Family and Child Sciences and Psychology from Florida State University and a Master of Science in Applied Educational Psychology from Northeastern University.