2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 5
Candidate
Coleman Darnell Brown
DBN: 05M175
IEP: No
ELL No
DBN: 05M129
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant
Background
Personal
Statement
Candidate
Salima Cassanova
Applicant PTA President at my child School PS 129 , Co - President of President Council in Dis 5 School
Background Leadership Team in Dis 5 Serving on PS 129 School Leadership Team Sunday School teacher for Pre
Teens , and working in administration in Sunday School Department Served on executive board at west
Harlem Head Start with diverse parent and children
Personal I believe as a caring individual, I can help impact my community and be an advocate for families, I
Statement believe every student and their families should have and is entitle to a higher standard of education.
They should be in a comfortable environment I am willing, and is motivated to be in a elective office ,
my goal is to help my community grow in all areas that is needed I strongly believe that sharing my
experience will help and support the effort I am willing to make in the CEC. I believe this will lead to
increase the the engagement of my community and will encourage families to become active
participants in their children's education
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2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 5
Candidate
Worokya Duncan
DBN: 05M036
Applicant
Background
Personal
Statement
Candidate
IEP: No
ELL No
05M362
No
No
Since 2001, I have taught with the NYC Public Schools and am currently an educator with the KIPP
Charter Schools. My children, however, have never attended the charter, as my husband and I
intentionally wanted to work from within to improve the New York City Public Schools while our
children attended. I have been on a Parent Review Council with P.S. 36 and we are paying member of
the PTA at Columbia Secondary. We've contributed to numerous bake sales and have donated books
to certain classrooms as well. I am dually certified as a Special Education teacher and I tutor within my
community.
I believe that when we say education is the key to leveling the playing field, we misunderstand the full
historical and economic context of New York City Public Schools. It is not simply education, but
EQUAL education that is the key to leveling the playing field. I have had the opportunity to teach in a
traditional public school and a charter school. My children have attended traditional public schools and
one is now in a specialized middle school. The level of teacher training and professional development,
in addition to the financial support in these three types of schools could not be more different. It is a
shame when zip codes or parental education are the SOLE deciders (in most cases) as to whether a
child in the United States will be successful. Class, race and educational attainment should stop at the
doors of our public schools. We should ALL be as invested in these children as we are in our own. I
intend to be a vocal advocate for the specific needs of the students in this district. Though I do not live
in this district, I have chosen to work here for the past 10 years. I believe I can serve as a liaison
between like-minded parents, the children, the community and the schools.
Quintin Fields
DBN: 05M517
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant I have been an active participant in PA meetings since my oldest daughter began kindergarden here at
Background TCC , I have joined and participated in school committees,i have built a rapport with staff ,students and
other concerned parents through collaborative efforts in order to enhance the development of the
students. I am also currently a volunteer interviewer for the New York Public Library which is an oral
history project that works to both preserve and document Harlem neighborhood history through the
stories of people who have experienced it.
Personal What i have learned from several studies and as well my own personal observations are that cognitive
Statement development ,as well as social and emotional maturation is most effectively achieved when the cultural
context,the academic content , and the physical environment is aligned and consistent with the cultural
orientation of the child. My personal and professional experiences as a life skills teacher,counselor
,mentor and leader has equipped me with the initiative to succeed by understanding and recognizing
the social,political, economic ,and cultural context within the policy formation process .
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Page 2 of 5
2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 5
Candidate
Ayishah G Irvin
DBN: 05M036
Applicant
Background
Personal
Statement
Candidate
IEP: No
ELL No
05M517
No
No
As a member of the council for the past 4 years i have had the opportunity to be a part of common
core workshops for parents and currently i am working with the superintendent as the district prepares
for the STEM Expo, the Spelling Bee and the Special Education Institute for families of children with
I.E.P's
For the past 4 years i have had the pleasure of serving on the community education council for District
5. In that time i have had the opportunity to be an active part of committees for the S.T.E.M. Expo, the
District wide Spelling Bee, workshops held for families, the CEC Bazaar, the Distict 5 Family Day. I
am running to be on the council for another 2 years help all the children of District. We need
transformative parent engagement, we need more workshops for both the parents and the community.
Together we can continue to make a positive change in this District and empower our children to be
college and career ready by the time they graduate from high school.
Janet C. Mayers
DBN: 05M318
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant PTA, SLT, Literacy Inc.
Background
Personal I am a retired teacher. However I still have the same passion for teaching and helping the community.
Statement My grandchildren attend school in District 5 and I want to be involved in their school community.
Candidate
Victoria Popoola
DBN: 05M036
Applicant
Background
Personal
Statement
IEP: Yes
ELL No
05M036
No
No
I currently volunteer in my children's school. As a parent of a special education child I have educated
myself in the things I needed to know. I have made contacts with different agencies that are there to
help parents through the process. I have also help others by sharing my experiences with certain
matters.
I would be a good fit on the council because I strongly believe that we are our children's only
advocate.There are a lot of children that fall by the waist side because their parents just did not know
where to begin to get the help. As parents we need to look deeper into your children's academic
struggles and work with the teacher to find out the best solution. It can be the simplest things that will
make a difference. I can help others go through a very stressful process and instruct them of the right
steps to take. Just educating yourself with the right information will make the process much easier.
Parents need to know this because at times it can be very frustrating and make you want to just give up.
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2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 5
Candidate
Janette Reyes
DBN: 05M123
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant
Background
Personal I WOULD LOVE TO BE A PART OF THIS ORGANIZATION TO GIVE THE KIDS AND
Statement PARENTS A VOICE AND A VIEW IN TO A WORLD THAT THEY SHOULD BE
INVOLVED WITH,WITH OUT THEM THERE IS NO US.TOGETHER WE ARE A FORCE
TO BE RECKONED WITH .WE ARE POWERFUL AS ONE AND NOT DIVIDED.I
ALWAYS SEE INTELLIGENCE NEVER COLOR OR IGNORANCE. THE FUTURE IS NOW
IN OUR SCHOOLS WITH OUR KIDS WE ARE THE HOPE THAT HELPS MOVE
FORWARD.
Candidate
Hope Scott
DBN: 05M123
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant I have held offices on the Parent Association Board as PA President, Vice President and Treasurer.I
Background am also on the School Leadership Teamat my childs' school.I am also on the District Leadership
Team.
Personal Hi my name is Hope Scott my child attends PS/MS 123M .I am a certified parent volunteer and a very
Statement active parent in my childs' school. I am now the Treasurer on the Parent Association Board at the
school. I have been at this school for 10 years and I am hoping to continue to give my services to the
students and the parents of the community.
Candidate
Danielle Sullivan
DBN: 05M133
IEP: Yes
ELL No
Applicant I am currently the President of the Parents Association of CS 133 and Co-President of District 5's
Background Presidents' Council. I am a Parent advocate for New York City for Families of Children with Special
Needs.
Personal I would be honored to serve on the Community Education Council for District 5. I am currently very
Statement active in the Harlem community especially in the critically important areas of Youth & Education and
Special Education. My belief in ALL children's ability to succeed, drives my activism daily as I am also
the Parent of a Child with Special Needs. Although many of Harlem's children are born into adverse
conditions , I am of the sincere belief that all individuals do well when supported. As such, I take it
upon myself as a Parent Leader of New York City to encourage not just the children in my community
but entire families, to strive for more, be and do more and assist them in achieving their aspirations and
dreams. Becoming a member of the CEC would allow me to lend my expertise to a cornerstone of
parent support in district 5 and assist in the future growth of our Community.
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2015 NYC Education Council Elections
Candidate Profiles for
Community Education Council 5
Candidate
Diane Tinsley
DBN: 05M517
IEP: No
ELL No
Applicant I have shown my commitment to this community through numerous leadership roles. As a member of
Background Convent Avenue Baptist Church for over 38 years, I’ve served in several leadership positions, such as
Vice President of the Convent Avenue Baptist Church Business Empowerment Ministry. Additionally,
as a parent of a student at Teachers College Community School, I have served as the Founding Parent
Association Treasurer and on the School Leadership Team for 2 years. I have further experience
collaborating with diverse groups, such as co-chairing the school-wide Spring Fling Committee and as a
member of the Afterschool Committee. Lastly, as a Learning Leader, I’ve gained extensive experience
with educational programming in a school community.
Personal As a resident of District 5 for 52 years, I’m uniquely in touch with the needs and concerns of our
Statement diverse community. Through my own experiences growing up in the community and as a single parent
of a public school student; I believe that District 5 needs stronger representation to truly address the
needs of our schools and children. Just like every other family in our district, I want only the best for
my child and truly want to be a part of collaborating with others to make this dream a possibility for
every student in our district. My professional experiences as a bookkeeper for organizations such as the
New York Historical Society and El Museo del Barrio, in addition to founding and running a business,
have given me the analytical skills and attention to detail necessary to successfully serve on our council.
Most importantly, my willingness to challenge the status quo and strong desire to ensure that ALL of
our students have an enriching educational experience in a healthy school community will enable me to
support District 5 in making this vision a reality.
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