MVCSD highlight APs for Assistant Principal Appreciation Week

This week, the Mount Vernon City School District celebrates all assistant principals who play a major role in making schools a beacon of learning and safety. From April 7 to 11, schools around the country are showing love and well-deserved praise for National Assistant Principal Week, highlighting the heavy impact these people have on schools.

Assistant Principal Raisa Turner of Benjamin Turner Academy always knew she wanted to become an educator. She realized from an early age that teaching was her calling and was inspired by her mother and best friend, who worked in higher education to pursue becoming a teacher. Before assuming the position of AP at BTA, Ms. Turner worked as a K-2 teacher at a school in Brooklyn for three years and taught ninth-grade algebra for six years in Queens. 

“From a young age, I have always had a passion for helping and teaching others. I distinctly remember pretending to be a teacher at around eight years old, using my younger twin siblings as my students. It was a perfect classroom setup for me,” said Ms. Turner. “ I genuinely believe that my purpose here is to serve as a positive role model and a supportive guide for every student and parent I meet on their journey.”

Not every AP knew their true calling was to pursue education right away. Kenyetta Hopkins, Assistant Principal at Pennington School, planned to become a lawyer and ultimately a judge and has worked several careers before and since becoming an AP. Whilst being an educator, Ms. Hopkins worked as a communications specialist for the Mount Vernon Police Department from 1999-2020 and is currently a crime analyst for the Wellness Division. 

“My interest in education was planted by my aunt,” said Ms. Hopkins. “I became a mom at the age of 26 and my aunt suggested to disregard law school and to become a teacher so that I could have the holidays and summers off with my daughter. So that is how I became interested in becoming an educator. I have been in the field of education since 2006.”

Every school in the MVCSD has a unique and positive atmosphere brought on by the staff, administrators, and students that enter its halls. 

“The culture of this school is wonderful,” said Yvonne Wright, Assistant Principal at the Denzel Washington School of the Arts. “The staff is great to work with. Everyone is collaborative and is always willing to pitch in. The students are amazing! There is always music resonating in the halls or students rehearsing for a performance or assisting each other on a project. It's a great environment to work in each day.”

Being an AP includes creating a diverse school community, serving as a leader and support for students and staff, and being able to solve issues and communicate effectively with members of the school community. Each AP aims to leave students feeling fulfilled, happy, and educated at the end of the day. 

“Greeting the students and inviting them to a new day of learning is most exciting,” said Tanganyika Linder-Brown, Assistant Principal of Nelson Mandela/ Hosea Zollicoffer School.  “I want them to feel welcomed and cared for from the start.  When they return the greeting with such enthusiasm, it also makes me feel good.”

“The best part of my day is connecting with students and staff,” said Tiffany LeFever, Assistant Principal at Edward Williams School.  “Knowing that I have the opportunity to make a difference — whether it’s offering support, celebrating achievements or helping someone through a challenge — makes every day meaningful.”

Assistant Principal of Cecil H. Parker School and proud alumni of the MVCSD, Tamisha Grey, looks back on the fond memories of being an AP. 

“Last year, the 6th grade class asked the staff to participate in a Black Music Assembly,” said Ms. Grey. “We all came together in our 80s & 90s outfits and performed for our scholars.”

Assistant principals are crucial to the smooth functioning of the district and its schools. At Mount Vernon High School, Tiffany Izzo, Erica Naughton, Allan Grant and Kelvin Roopchand turn ordinary school days into days full of learning and joy. At DWSA, Sonya Wingate and Yvonne Wright foster their students' creativity and make the halls a safe place for self-expression. Assistant Principals Eunice Marte, Anjanette Brown, and Edwin Alexander pick their students’ brains, keeping them sharp and ready for academic challenges at the Mount Vernon STEAM Academy. 

Lucille Martir from Grimes School, Tamisha Grey from Cecil H. Parker School, Francia Mendoza from Graham School, and Gregory Casey and Tiffany LeFever from Edward Williams School provide excellent support to staff, students, and families of their school community. Kristen Passarello from Traphagen School and Tanganyika Linder-Brown from Nelson Mandela/ Hosea Zollico show remarkable leadership through empathy and discipline. 

At Pennington School and Lincoln School, Assistant Principals Kenyetta Hopkins and Kristin Cipriano nurture students' academic and emotional development, offering advice and a platform for students to prosper. At Benjamin Turner Academy and Mount Vernon Leadership Academy, Assistant Principals Raisa Turner and Matthew Wilbekin never leave students without a smile, keeping their spirits up for the day ahead.