Our Story
Seeking to provide scholars with a rigorous and joyful school environment as early as possible, Democracy Prep Harlem Elementary opened with Kindergarten in 2013 and will add a grade each year. Starting at age 5, 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 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
Mia Backon
GRADES SERVED
K – 5
CURRENT ENROLLMENT
400 Scholars
The DREAM Team
Mia Backon
Principal
Chelsey Palmer
Assistant Principal
Allison Roberts
Instructional Coach
Eugene Newsome
Principal in Residence
Judy Yoo
Operations Manager
Norberto Troncoso
Operations Coordinator
Irene Polanco
Administrative Manager
Jessica Loubriel
Receptionist
Fitzroy Saunders
DREAM Coach
Jennifer Myers
DREAM Coach
Erin Chilelli
Social Worker
Kristyn Demartinis
Social Worker
Sue Kim
K-2 SETSS ELL Coordinator
Paola Peñuela
K Teacher & Grade Team Leader
Pamela Peñuela
Kindergarten Teacher
Christine Jurado
Kindergarten Teacher
Leesa Pea
First Grade Teacher
Alyssa Harris
First Grade Teacher
Amanda Johnson
First Grade Teacher
Madison Pinto
Second Grade Teacher
Kristen Turpin
Second Grade Teacher & Grade Team Leader
Khadidja Sow
Second Grade Teacher
Anna Longo
Thrid Grade Teacher
Jackie Dimitrief
Third Grade Teacher
Kara Miranda
3-5 ACT Specialist & ACT Coordinator
Sheila Sullivan
Third Grade Teacher & Grade Team Leader
Joseph Anderson
Third Grade Teacher
Chris Melendez
Fourth Grade Teacher
Khadijah Lewis
Fourth Grade Teacher
Alexis Renko
Fourth Grade Teacher
Kianni Johnson
Fourth Grade Teacher
Taylor Chiola
Fifth Grade Teacher
Claire Hughes
Fifth Grade Teacher
Alissa Jacquess
Fifth Grade Teacher
Kamille Campbell
Fifth Grade Teacher
David Outten
Fifth Grade Teacher
Michael O'Dea
ACT & CCT Leader
Tyler Harl
Fifth Grade Teacher
Rachel Lee
Science & Social Studies Teacher & Co- Curricular Leader
Nicole Taylor
Third Grade Teacher
Cherby Laguerre
Physical Education Teacher
Robert Subjenski
Music Teacher
Grace Lopata-Linn
Dance 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.