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Tenure awarded to 39 educators at Mount Vernon Board of Education meeting

Seven people stand in the foreground holding bouquets of flowers, with a plain wall and wooden paneling in the background.
Tenure awarded to 39 educators at Mount Vernon Board of Education meeting

Thirty-nine Mount Vernon City School District educators were awarded with tenure at the Board of Education meeting this Tuesday. These four administrators and 35 teaching staff members earned their tenure through four-plus years of dedicated support of their students and colleagues. 

“Tonight is truly a special milestone in our District,” said Associate Superintendent of Human Resources Jessica Graves. “You have shown your dedication, commitment, reflection and excellence to our school community and students.”

Dr. Strickland emphasized that these educators truly earned tenure, with all credentials reviewed closely to ensure that the highest quality teachers and staff were awarded with the recognition. 

“It’s important to, of course, acknowledge our individuals that have earned tenure,” said Dr. Strickland. “And I'm saying ‘earned’ tenure because I literally went through every single tenure packet to ensure that we were giving tenure to individuals that earned it.”

Congratulations on this milestone! The Mount Vernon City School District is grateful for educators such as these.

Tenure Recipients

Administrators

Kristin Cipriano - Assistant Principal, Lincoln School
Eunice Marte - Assistant Principal, MV STEAM Academy
Matthew Wilbelkin - Assistant Principal, MV STEAM Academy
Raisa Langaigne - Assistant Principal, Benjamin Turner Academy

Mount Vernon STEAM Academy

Brittany Benjamin - English Teacher, MV STEAM Academy
Roy Ettere - Mathematics Teacher, MV STEAM Academy
Amanda Herran - School Psychologist, MV STEAM Academy
Shelidah Duprey - Special Education Teacher, MV STEAM Academy
Iris Pogue - School Counselor, MV STEAM Academy

Graham School

Michela Byrne - Literacy/Reading Teacher, Graham School
Jason Jenkins - School Counselor, Graham School

Grimes School

Joycelyn Alfreida Rios - ENL Teacher, Grimes School
Charlicia Watson -Teacher Assistant, Grimes School

Lincoln School

JeanMarie Castracucco - Special Education Teacher, Lincoln School
John Kozloski - Physical Education Teacher, Lincoln School
Alison McGean - School Social Worker, Lincoln School
Angela Riina - ENL Teacher, Lincoln School
Lisa Ludwicki - ENL Teacher, Lincoln School

Rebecca Turner Academy

Stefan Grosch - Teaching Assistant, Rebecca Turner Academy
Jennifer Fuller - Literacy/Reading Teacher, Rebecca Turner Academy

Denzel Washington School of the Arts

Trevor Latasa - Social Studies Teacher, Denzel Washington School of the Arts
Kaila Thomas - Speech & Language Disabilities Teacher, Denzel Washington School of the Arts
Kevin Sibblies - Teaching Assistant, Denzel Washington School of the Arts

Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School

Jasmine Seda - Elementary Teacher, Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School
Dahalia Jarrett Samuels - Teaching Assistant, Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School

Traphagen School

Sparkle Richardson - School Social Worker, Traphagen School
Tamaria Johnson - Teaching Assistant, Traphagen School

Hamilton School

Jisette Vargas-Castillo - Music Teacher, Hamilton School
Rosita Rosario - ENL Teacher, Hamilton School
Eric Neuman - Library Media Specialist, Hamilton School
Alaysia Cowans - Teaching Assistant, Hamilton School

Mount Vernon High School

Cheryl Prentis - Reading Teacher, Mount Vernon High School
Matthew Taylor - Special Education Social Studies Teacher, Mount Vernon High School
Dulce Nunez - Spanish Teacher, Mount Vernon High School
Pamela Schancupp - French Teacher, Mount Vernon High School
Erika Ramos - School Psychologist, Mount Vernon High School

Pennington School

Giselle Cabarcas - Speech & Language Disabilities Teacher, Pennington School
Celine Nwaigwe - Teaching Assistant, Pennington School 
Nicole Boone-Muckler - English Teacher, Pennington School

A group of people stand in a room with a seal of Mount Vernon High School in the foreground and red seats in the background.
Eight people stand in a room with red seats in the foreground and a wall with a clock in the background.
A group of seven people, some holding certificates and flowers, stand on a stage in front of a plain wall.
A group of nine people stand in front of a plain wall, with a wooden podium in the foreground.
Dr. Pearce standing with District admin and MVHS tenure recipients holding certificates
Seven people stand in a line holding certificates and flowers, with a wooden podium in the foreground and a plain wall in the background.
Seven people stand in a room with wood-paneled walls, holding certificates and flowers.
Six people stand in a line holding certificates in front of a wooden wall with a flag.
A group of nine people, some holding certificates, stand in a room with wooden furniture in the background.
A group of people stand in the foreground holding certificates and flowers, while a wooden podium with a logo is visible on the right, and a dimly lit auditorium with red seats forms the background.
Four smiling people, two young women and two older women, pose for a photo in front of a stage with orange curtains.
Six people stand in front of red theater seats, holding awards and flowers, with a wooden podium in the foreground.


 

A colorful spinning wheel is projected onto a large screen in a room with tables and chairs in the foreground and people seated in the background.
Lottery for UPK-3 hosted at Board of Education

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An end of the year message from Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland

My first year as superintendent of the Mount Vernon City School District has been unforgettable, thanks to the support and dedication of our families, students, faculty, and staff. It has been my honor to serve this community and work toward building a brighter future for all of us. This was a successful year, and I want you to know that every bit of it was felt and heard. We faced real challenges and grew stronger because of them, and the progress we made together touched me deeply. It belonged to every family, student, teacher, and staff member who showed up and gave this district their best. 

A group of people stand on a stage holding certificates in front of a white screen, while an audience sits in a dark auditorium in the foreground.
PTA Council awards $1,000 Edith Kaplan Scholarships to 16 students

Sixteen students from the Class of 2026 were awarded with $1,000 Edith Kaplan Scholarships from the Mount Vernon PTA Council at the Board of Education meeting this Tuesday. The scholarships, raised through the Edith Kaplan Scholarship Dinner Dance, will help support the students' college goals, which were highlighted as they received the scholarships. 

A young boy and an adult man sit in the foreground with tables of snacks and people in colorful clothing in the background.
3rd annual Gentleman's Brunch hosted at Pennington School

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