Sharon Cole: Sharon joined Excel in 2011 as Excel Academy-Chelsea's founding 5th gradescience and social studies teacher. She has experience as a fifth grade teacher in California and worked as a Teach for America corps Member. She holds a a Bachelor's degree in anthropology and French and francophone studies from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a Master's degree in education from Alliant International University.
Dai Ellis: Dai is Excel's Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for management of the network, holding non-instructional responsibilities including board relations and governance, educational accountability, personnel issues, budgeting and finance, legal and regulatory compliance, facilities issues and external relations. In addition, as the network of schools grow, Dai will be responsible for overseeing these additional institutions and managing the network team. Prior to joining Excel, Dai served as the Executive Vice President of Access Programs at the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), where he led the Foundation's work on improving the marketplace for HIV/AIDS and malaria drugs, diagnostics and other essential commodities. He also co-founded Orphans of Rwanda, a nonprofit organization that provides university scholarships to orphans and other vulnerable youth. Dai holds a Bachelor's degree from Harvard University and a J.D. degree from Yale Law School.
Saidu Ezike: Saidu joined Excel in 2011 as Excel Academy-Chelsea's founding 5th grade math teacher. He comes to Excel after teaching fifth grade mathematics at the Fahari Academy Charter School in New York City. He previously taught ninth grade mathematics as a Teach for America corps member in Philadelphia, where he also founded "Inner Circle," an after school mathematics program for gifted students and "Cypher 101," a hip-hop education program. Saidu holds a a Bachelor's degree in policy from Cornell University's College of Human Ecology and a Master's degree in urban education from the University of Pennsylvania.
Krista Fincke: Krista joined Excel in 2011 as Excel Academy-Chelsea's founding Teaching Fellow. Previously, she worked as a site coordinator at Tenacity, Inc. in Boston where she oversaw a school-based partner program serving students in an extended learning time school. She has also held positions as a student teacher and service learning volunteer with Rider Community Scholars and completed a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA. Krista holds a Bachelor's degree in elementary education and integrated science from Rider University.
Sarah Gordon: Sarah joined Excel in 2009 and is currently Excel Academy-Chelsea's founding English Language Learner Specialist. Prior to joining the Chelsea founding team, Sarah was part of Excel Academy-East Boston team as an English Language Learner Specialist where she designed a comprehensive English curriculum for language learners in a pull-out setting. She has a history of educational work as a teacher's assistant in a first grade classroom in Maine, English language tutor in Spain, and as an academic mentor for Colby Cares About Kids. Sarah holds a Bachelor's degree in government and international studies Colby College.
Nina Keough: Nina is Excel Academy-Chelsea's Dean of Operations. Her extensive educational background has led her to positions such as program manager with Edward Brooke Charter School, college transition and graduate support coordinator at University Park Campus School, and a variety of consulting and coordinating experience. Nina holds a Bachelor's degree in public policy and American institutions from Brown University and a Master's degree in teaching from Clark University.
Stephanie-Lee Morgan: Stephanie joined Excel in 2007 and is the Principal of Excel Academy-Chelsea. She is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the educational program including management of instructional staff, curriculum development and delivery, assessment development, promotion of school culture and school-family relations. Prior to serving in this role, Stephanie served as Excel-East Boston's 7th & 8th grade Dean of Students, the 7th and 8th grade Science teacher and as the head of the Science Department. Prior to Excel, she taught for three years in a New York City public, middle school through Teach for America. Stephanie holds a Bachelor's degree from Connecticut College and a Master's Degree from Pace University.
Carol Pacheco: Carol is Excel Academy-Chelsea's Operations Associate. A recent graduate of Bryant University with a Bachelor's degree in business administration, she brings with her a well-rounded background and bilingual proficiency in both Spanish and English. Carol has held positions as a bank teller, football manager, and receptionist.
Zeke Phillips: Zeke is Excel Academy-Chelsea's founding 5th grade English teacher. Most recently, he was employed at Democracy Prep Charter High School in New York as a founding writing teacher. His background in education has led him to hold a variety of positions such as grade level chair, writing department chair, co-advisor, English teacher and English department co-coordinator. Zeke holds a Bachelor's degree in English from Amherst College and a Master's degree in education from Harvard University.
Sarah Truitt: Sarah is Excel Academy-Chelsea's founding Learning Specialist. She comes to Excel after serving as Teach for America corps member at Philadelphia Learning Academy South, an alternative high school. Sarah served as the school's founding special education teacher, the special education liaison, a member of the year round planning committee, and received the 2011 Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. She holds a Bachelor's degree in politics from New York University and a Master's degree in secondary education from Chestnut Hill College.
