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

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.