Our Story

We provide scholars with a rigorous and joyful school environment as early as possible. Democracy Prep Harlem Elementary opened with Kindergarten in 2013 and added a grade each year. DPHE is now a K-5 elementary school. Scholars will grapple with rigorous material, civic engagement and character education through the DREAM values that will set them up to Work Hard, Go to College, and Change the World! Upon completion of 5th Grade, scholars will transition to a Democracy Prep Harlem Middle School and then High School where they will continue on their path to and through college and a life of active citizenship.”

PRINCIPAL
Chelsey Palmer

GRADES SERVED
K – 5

CURRENT ENROLLMENT
353 Scholars

 

The DREAM Team

Chelsey Palmer

Principal

Paola Penuela

Assistant Principal

Erin Chilelli

Dean of Culture

Ashley Silver

Learning Intervention Coach

Joyce Chung-Ruzzo

Leader U Resident

Kelechi Ogbonna

Operations Manager

Maureen Gardner

Administrative Manager

Sheila Delva

Receptionist

Anabell Pena

Operations Coordinator

Christine Jurado

Kindergarten Teacher

Akia Burris

Kindergarten Teacher

Imrana Faizi

Kindergarten Teacher

Grace Lopatia-Linn

Kindergarten Teacher

Kianni Johnson

First Grade Teacher

Helen Luc

First Grade Teacher

Hanna Kerr

First Grade Teacher

Candy Bloise

First Grade Teacher

Ismenette Riche-Victor

Second Grade Teacher

Abdul Odigie

Second Grade Teacher

Paula Garzon

Second Grade Teacher

Akua Owusu

Second Grade Teacher

Tiara King

Third Grade Teacher

Chelsie Park

Third Grade Teacher

Jackie Dimitrief

Third Grade Teacher

Daricel Calcano

Third Grade Teacher

Eyoab Desalegn

Third Grade Teacher

Shaquana Johnson

Fourth Grade Teacher

Kamille Campbell

Fourth Grade Teacher

Gwen Spalding

Fourth Grade Teacher

Rebecca Han

Fourth Grade Teacher

David Outten

Fifth Grade Teacher

Fantisha Sanogo

Fifth Grade Teacher

Tyler Harl

Fifth Grade Teacher

Tshala Pajibo

Fifth Grade Teacher

Richard Cabassa

DREAM Coach

Rachel Lee

Social Worker

Ena Rasic-Redzematovic

Social Worker

Montgomery Fishoff

Social Worker

Robert Subjenski

Music Teacher

Angel Figaro

P.E Coach

Linda Brown

Learning Support Specialist

Markita Wallace

Learning Support Specialist

Molly McLaughlin

K-2 SETTS Teacher

Taylor Chiola

3-5 SETTS Teacher

Aboubacarr Ceesay

K-2 Science / SS Teacher

Halimatou Diallo

3-5 Science / SS Teacher

DPNY Board of Directors

Dr. Robert North

Chair, Harlem Hospital

Josh Pristaw

Vice Chair, GTIS Partners

Brian Berger

Treasurer, Glocap Search

Doug Snyder

Vice Chair, Starboard Value, L.P.

Roger Berg

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman

Trevor Gibbons

Prosek Partners

Sean Windsor

BDO USA, LLP

Ken Weiller

Westfield Investment LLC

Alastair Wood

Kindur

Brittany Mullings

Human Resources Business Partner, National Basketball Association

Gregory Weston

Winston & Strawn LLP

Jake Foley III

Khary Barnes

Vice Chair, American Express

Ross Frommer

Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Stephanie King

Columbia University

Farida Ilboudo

Columbia University

To contact the DPNY Board, please emailĀ Boardoftrustees@DemocracyPrep.org

For information about the DPNY Board of Trustees, including minutes and upcoming meeting dates, click here.