Highlighting Black Administrators Encouraging Mandarin Language Learning!

We are excited to highlight that Jamila Dugan is beginning the school year as the Vice Principal for Yu Ming Charter School in Oakland, CA. . Ms. Dugan is currently a graduate student at the University California, Berkeley. She is excited about her opportunity to assist families, improve and enhance outcomes and she has been a great partner with PAASSC. We are excited to highlight Jamila and look forward to continue working closely with her and Yu Ming throughout the school year. Jamila was born and raised in East Oakland with an incredible passion for education driven by social justice. She previously served as the Director of Professional Development at Yu Ming Charter School and also teaches English to first and second graders in the Yu Ming immersion program. Previous to her current role, Jamila was both a New Teacher Coach and Director of Teacher Learning at Teach For America Oakland. She has taught several grades in early elementary in Washington D.C. and holds a masters degree in Early Childhood Education from George Mason University. She comes to the LEEP program with a thirst for knowledge and interest in equity issues in education and beyond.

I am always excited to highlight the many accomplishments of Jolynn Washington, Principal at Jose Ortega Elementary School. As principal of Jose Ortega Elementary School, JoLynn Washington emphasizes a culture of service. Ms. Washington initiated the Mandarin Immersion program to enrich the learning experiences of the diverse population of students. Jose Ortega also offers students the opportunity to participate in community garden and greening projects, as well as various social awareness drives. Principal Washington ensures her students have access to after school programs and extracurricular activities such as a monthly book club. Her effective leadership is evident in the vast progress Jose Ortega has made on both an academic and community level. She obtained the teacher of the year award for the 2010/2011 school year.

 

Marquita Hart is the Principal at Yu Ying Elementary School in San Francisco. Ms. Alexander has celebrated many incredible firsts during her tenure at Yu Ying. Most recently she organized an opportunity for the children at her school to participate in official White House ceremonies to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan to Washington, DC. Over 100 Yu Ying students representing Kindergarten, third grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade will take part in various ceremonies throughout the two day state visit. These events include presenting flowers upon arrival to the Chinese First Family at Andrews Air Force, participating at the arrival ceremony on the White House South Lawn, and performing Chinese songs and dances for U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan at the Washington National Zoo.

Willie Adams is the Middle School Dean of Student Life, and also works in our three divisions as the K-12 Diversity Counselor. Head Royce does not offer an Immersion program but they do offer their students the unique opportunity of selecting Mandarin as a second language as early as kindergarten. In his role as Dean of Student Life, Willie will work to strengthen our service learning efforts in the Middle School, advise the Middle School student government activities, and join the MS deans group working closely with Middle School Head Carol Swainson. Willie is no stranger to Head-Royce, having served as a Lower School Intern for two years and having played a significant role in strengthening our diversity efforts for the last several years as a member of our Diversity Committees. Willie received his B.A. in Film and Media Studies from UC Irvine, has worked at the Katherine Burke School, the Aim High Program, and the Mills College Upward Bound Program. Willie is a member of the Heads Up Advisory Board and is also the Dean of Students for the Heads Up Program.