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 email Boardoftrustees@DemocracyPrep.org
For information about the DPNY Board of Trustees, including minutes and upcoming meeting dates, click here.