Meet our 2022-23 Fellows.
We are proud to introduce you to the newest members of the 22-23 tiltForward fellowship!
Meet our 2022-23 Fellows
We are proud to introduce you to the newest members of the 22-23 tiltForward fellowship!
Shane Donovan
(he/him)
Shane Donovan
Shane Donovan
This is my 13th year teaching. I’ve taught physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and computer science. I’m working towards a world where kids leave school with great options to be positive, contributing citizens who will solve global problems. I want to build a school that directly addresses inequity and injustice through great teaching and learning. Outside of school, I play lots of soccer, run, and try to keep up with the latest in computing, technology, and math.
Debby Romero
Debby Romero
Debby (she/her/hers) grew up in a Mexican-American immigrant household in Anaheim, California. Her own turbulent relationship with the U.S educational system sparked her to pursue a career in teaching at the ripe age of 6. Upon graduating from the University of San Diego with a B.A. in Sociology and Spanish, Debby moved to New York City, where she earned a Master’s in Teaching. She has served a writing instructor, Science Department Head, as well as a 3rd grade Special Education Teacher. Currently, she is an English Language Learner Coordinator. Overall, her experiences have fostered a sense of urgency in providing a rigorous, reflective, and intentional education for our communities so that every learner has a chance to dismantle the opportunity gap. When she is not Ms. Romero, you can find Debby cooking, dancing salsa and cumbias, reading or on Facetime with her family.
Melany Justice
Melany Justice
Melany Justice is a Talent Management Associate at EdFuel, where she partners with education organizations nationwide to develop and strengthen their talent systems to support their ability to recruit and retain diverse, high-quality staff.
She graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Black American Studies. She also holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University. Melany began her education career as a 5th-grade teacher near her hometown and has experience working with data analytics and student enrollment at DC Public Schools.
Melany currently lives in Delaware and is most proud to be growing in her faith as a Christian, making new memories with her large charismatic family, traveling with her friends, and finding her balance to living a purpose and passion-driven life.
Brandon Johnson
Brandon Johnson
Brandon Johnson is an African American male father and husband who began his career in education with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. In serving this community, Brandon served at an alternative high school. In his tenure there, he worked as one of the school’s community based social workers. In conjunction with working, Brandon Johnson attended graduate school at Case Western Reserve University where he obtained his masters in nonprofit management and community and social development. After completing his masters, Brandon Johnson was accepted into the Urban Teacher Residency Program in 2011 where he began his career as a 3rd-grade math and science educator. Upon completing the program, he received two additional master’s degrees in elementary and special education. As an educator, Brandon Johnson has completed multiple fellowships and leadership positions such as Education Innovation, Teachers Central to Leadership, Chancellor’s Cabinet, Teacher Selection Ambassador, Department Chair, and Grade Level Lead. Brandon Johnson opened the Social Justice School, a single site public charter middle school in Ward 5. Brandon Johnson deeply believes in Education as a tool of liberation and is committed to serving communities of color.
Nathalie S. Navarrete
Nathalie S. Navarrete
Nathalie S. Navarrete (she/her/hers) currently serves as the Manager of Educator Pipelines and Credentialing at D.C. Public Schools (DCPS). Before this role, Nathalie was in the classroom as a 2016 Teach For America D.C. region Corps Member, and she also worked on the organization’s recruitment team. Nathalie’s interest in education access stems from her experience growing up as a Latina student in the public school system and her year of service with City Year. Upon completing her Master of Public Policy at Brandeis University, Nathalie researched teacher diversity at the Center For American Progress as a Leadership for Educational Equity fellow. Nathalie also holds a Master of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University and received her Bachelor’s in politics and French from Bates College. Nathalie has been awarded the 2022 Standing Ovation award from the DC Public Education Fund. Outside of work, Nathalie enjoys Pilates, being outdoors with her dog, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family.
Melodie Miranda West
Melodie Miranda West
Melodie Miranda West is currently the Assistant Director of Partnerships for Urban Teachers. She was born in Boston Massachusetts and identifies as a proud Cape Verdean American. Melodie started her career in Boston Public Schools as a Humanities and Special Education teacher after graduating from Boston College with her Bachelors and Master’s degree in Education. With an undeterred work ethic and a commitment to social justice, Melodie thrived as a classroom teacher and teacher leader in Boston. Melodie transitioned into school leadership after attending the University of San Diego and earning a second Master’s in a principal preparation program. Melodie has served two high schools as an Assistant Principal with Green Dot Public Schools in Los Angeles, California. She has also served at a comprehensive and application high school with the District of Columbia Public Schools in Washington D.C. Melodie is committed to recreating equitable K-12 public schools to ensure post secondary opportunities for all students, especially first generation students of color. Melodie loves spending time with her two daughters, Sarai and Noah and husband, Theron in Washington D.C.
Cami Touloukian
Cami Touloukian
Cami Touloukian’s dedication to the collective effort to create a socially just and humanizing system of schools is at the heart of her personal and professional life. Formerly an elementary and early childhood educator, Cami has taught in schools across the country. After years of teaching and learning with young people, she moved to higher education to work as a teacher educator and mentor. Her work with classroom students, future teachers and broader communities has allowed her to observe firsthand how schools contribute to social and racial injustice. As such, her research interests focus on the relationship between dominant racial ideologies, educational (in)justice and social change. Cami is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in the Sociology and Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She has been blessed to work on several research projects including Black Education in the Wake of COVID-19 and Systemic Racism and Pedagogies of Possibility: Exploring Culturally Responsive Education during COVID-19. She also co-teachers the Master’s Integrative Project course for the Sociology and Education department.
Jay Snead
Jay Snead
My name is Jay Snead, and I am a Strategic School Operations Specialist for DC Public Schools. I first joined DC Public Schools in 2016 working at Savoy Elementary School as a second-grade teacher. I then transitioned into the DCPS Central Office where I had the pleasure to work on the School Leadership IMPACT team. I then had the honor to serve five years on the Teacher Recruitment, Selection and Retention team where I helped to lead hiring for all DCPS high schools by creating Open Houses, Virtual School visits, and even leading the DCPS Teacher of the Year selection process.
Nate Garneau
Nate Garneau
After being raised in environments that lacked diversity, in his adult life, Nathan (he, him) has sought to be a part of diverse communities. He was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala and taught for a year in Puerto Rico. He then taught at two schools in Brooklyn. He became an instructional math coach and now strives to improve culturally responsive teaching at his school.
Donté Ray
Donté Ray
He/Him. Currently, I am the manager of teacher selection and cultivation at DC Public Schools. The first 5 years of my professional career started in corporate but eventually pivoted to working in education. My experiences as a black man navigating the education system, my volunteer work, and my work in organizing pushed me to make my passions my career. Since 2012, I’ve worked school districts (both charter and public) and nonprofits in the education sector. I spend most of my free time watching or playing sports, cooking, playing pool, obsessing over television series, or spending time with family.
Phyllis Elick
Phyllis Elick
Phyllis Elick (she/her/hers) is the Senior Director of Programs at the Breakthrough Collaborative. She lives in the Philadelphia suburbs and is a recreational softball player, kettlebell lifter, dog lover, Home and School representative, and a reluctant soccer mom. Phyllis is the child of two Philadelphia School District educators, and she has always worked in education and college access. Phyllis loves mentoring and hanging out with high schoolers, and she joined the Breakthrough community in 2010 as the Director of High School Programs at Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia. In 2016 she transitioned to the National Office to support building high school programming for all 24 affiliates. She has her BA in Government from Smith College and MS. Ed in Education Policy from the University of Pennsylvania.