14th Cohort

Left to Right: Carl Hermanns, Shonda Huery, Petal Walker, Barbara Adams, Sean Mc Phetridge, and Mishe Harvey

Barbara Leimomi Adams

Doctoral Candidate and Chief Academic Officer, Boston (MA) Public Schools

Barbara is the current Chief Academic Officer for the Boston Public Schools. Prior to this position, she served as the Chief of Schools for the Portland (OR) Public Schools, a position she held since August 2005. As Chief of Schools, Ms. Adams supervised the five Area Directors who evaluate principals, leads the district's school improvement planning process, develops performance objectives for school leaders, and directs the implementation of curriculum initiatives. In addition to these leadership positions, Barbara has also served as Regional Superintendent for the West Contra Costa Unified School District in Richmond, California, and has been a school principal in San Mateo (CA), and Foster City (CA). She began her teaching career in the Portland (OR) Public Schools.

Education: Ed.M., Harvard University; M.Ed., Western Oregon State University; B.A., Mundelein College-Loyola University

Mishe Harvey

Doctoral Candidate and Chief Academic Officer at Christian Unified Schools of San Diego

Mrs. Harvey is currently dedicated to the pursuit of academic excellence for Christian Unified Schools of San Diego. She is focused on bringing not just accountability, but intentionality to the instructional core of the district through a comprehensive realignment of curriculum, teaching and learning professional practices, and increasing stakeholder engagement. Mrs. Harvey?s doctoral research focuses on social perspective taking within the formal youth mentoring relationship. Prior to attending HGSE, Mrs. Harvey was a teacher leader and local community council woman in San Diego County.

Education: M.Ed., Harvard University; M.F.A., University of California at San Diego; B.A., University of California at Berkeley

Contact: uspharvey@aol.com

Carl Hermanns

Doctoral Student & Assistant Superintendent/Chief Operating Officer, 4-J Eugene School District (OR)

Carl is currently focusing on the emerging literacy development of preschool-age English language learners. His dissertation research specifically investigates vocabulary development in this population. Prior to attending Harvard, Carl taught in urban elementary schools and was the founding principal of the Museum School, a San Diego City Schools elementary charter school. Before returning full time to education, his career path also included fifteen years as a professional musician and conductor.

Education: M.Ed., Harvard Graduate School of Education; M.F.A., Carnegie-Mellon University; B.Mus.Ed., Temple University.

Contact: usphermanns@aol.com

Shonda Huery

Doctoral Student, & Principal, Memphis, Tennessee

Upon completion of an internship with Superintendent Carol Johnson in Memphis, Tennessee, Shonda was responsible for coordinating the opening of a newly constructed elementary school. She currently serves as the principal of the new school where students are exposed to an enriched instructional program emphasizing the following areas: Math, Science, Technology and the Arts. Her previous experience includes: School Improvement Coordinator (Memphis), School Administrator (Washington, DC), Instructional Facilitator (Washington, DC), English Teacher (Washington, DC), Congressional Correspondent (US Congress).

Education: Ed. M Harvard University; MA in Education Administration, Trinity College, BA in Journalism, Howard University.

Contact: shuery@aol.com

Sean McPhetridge

Doctoral Student and Consultant

After his internship, Sean served multiple roles simultaneously with Alameda Unified School District (AUSD): Director of Secondary Education, Director of Career Technical Education and Principal of Alameda Science and Technology Institute, one of the first Early College High Schools realized in the nation and recognized for its exemplary practices. In AUSD Sean led different district-wide instructional improvement initiatives, ranging from exit exam curriculum design, CTE new course development and work toward improving Oakland-Alameda Regional Occupational Programs in the SF Bay Area. Sean's teaching experience spans elementary to post-secondary settings. Before USP, Sean was a high school administrator after building a college degree program at San Quentin State Prison. Currently he is consulting with districts and agencies interested in CTE and secondary reform.

Education: M.Ed., Harvard University; M.A., Claremont Graduate School; B.A., UCLA..

Contact: mcphetridge@gmail.com

Petal Walker

Doctoral Candidate, & Law Student

Mrs. Petal Walker taught History at the Frederick Douglass Academy (FDA). She focused on holding low-income students to high standards and inculcating them with the discipline and tenacity to succeed in college and beyond. While at FDA, Petal's students performed well on standardized tests and other measures of student achievement. At FDA, she served in several extra-pedagogical functions including chairperson of the history department, co-director of the HBO Mentoring Program and coordinator of the Historical Society.

Education: Ed.M., Harvard University; B.A., Yale University, Summa cum laude