17th Cohort

Left to Right: Pamela Brown, Jeannette Benie Binjour (Program Assistant), Joel Boyd, Leslie Boozer, Robert Peterkin (Program Director), Frank Barnes, Irvin Scott, Simone Sangster (Graduate Assistant), Rebecca Thessin

Frank D. Barnes

Doctoral Student

Prior to returning to graduate school, Frank was a Senior Associate at the Annenberg Institute for School Reform where he worked with urban school districts to strengthen central office supports and raise student achievement at scale. He taught in the Boston Public Schools at a large comprehensive high school and at an award winning pilot school. At the latter he was elected to the faculty cabinet and helped to implement a system to graduate students by portfolio.

Education: Ed.M., Harvard Graduate School of Education; BA, Political Science/Speech & Communications, Macalester College.

Contact: Uspbarnes@gmail.com

Joel D. Boyd

Doctoral Student

Joel is an experienced school leader and classroom teacher who focuses his professional efforts on improving instructional quality and providing more equitable learning opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Prior to coming to Harvard, Joel worked as the Vice Principal of Operations K-9 for a regional charter school, as a Middle School Vice Principal, and as Curriculum Coordinator and as a Middle School Teacher and Team Leader.

Education: M.Ed., School Leadership, Wilmington College; B.S., Education, University of Delaware

Contact: uspboyd@yahoo.com

Pamela Brown

Doctoral Student

Pam served as principal of three elementary schools in Charlotte (NC), Director of Second Language Acquisition Programs in Phoenix, and Spanish-English bilingual teacher and specialist in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco. She specializes in promoting strong student academic achievement through data-driven and collaborative planning processes, positive student behavior, second language acquisition, and community partnerships.

Education: B.A. from Stanford University; Bilingual/Cross-cultural Teacher Certification, U.S.C.; M.S.ED., San Francisco State University.

Leslie Boozer

Doctoral Student

Leslie specializes in secondary literacy, high school redesign, urban school curriculum reform, and leadership. She previously worked as a high school teacher and Teaching Fellow in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Prior to transitioning into education, Leslie worked as a business litigation attorney for Frost Brown Todd, LLC.

Education: JD, University of Cincinnati; Graduate Teacher Certification Program, California State University, Dominguez Hills; BS, Business Administration, Cumberland College, summa cum laude.

Contact: uspboozer@gmail.com

Irvin L. Scott

Doctoral Student

Irvin began his education career as an English teacher at J.P. McCaskey High School where he taught Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate English. After 11 years, Irvin left the classroom to direct Project Forward Leap, a non-profit, academic enrichment program for urban middle school scholars in Pennsylvania. After two years of leading PFL, Irvin returned to McCaskey East as principal. As principal of McCaskey East, Irvin lead a team to reform the 3200 pupil school. He is looking to scale up his effort to lead improvement in teacher practice and student performance.

Education: B.S. in English Education, Millersville University; M.Ed., Temple University.

Rebecca Thessin

Doctoral Student

Rebecca specializes in the use of data to influence instruction, the design of skills-based curricula, and professional development. She has experience as a high school history teacher, an assistant to the Deputy Superintendent in the Boston Public Schools, and a principal intern. Rebecca holds principal certification at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

Education: M.Ed., School Leadership, Harvard Graduate School of Education; B.A. in History and Teacher Certification, Yale University.

Contact: uspthessin@gmail.com