Bellevue Elementary School​

530 Stolp Ave. Syracuse, NY 13207



School Principal:  Dr. Angela Draper

Dr. Angela Draper served as Dean of Instruction and Literacy Coach for the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools in Tennessee for the last two years. Previously, she also worked in Nashville as Parent Involvement Coordinator and No Child Left Behind Specialist and has been an Adjunct Professor for education graduate students. Raised in Detroit, Michigan with strong family roots in Tennessee, Dr. Draper began her career in education as a middle school teacher in Nashville and she has also taught elementary school in Virginia. Dr. Draper states, “My mission statement is Grow Where You Are Planted because I believe it is always your choice if you flourish or wither in challenging or new situations. There is always a lesson to learn; you just have to be resilient in all seasons, good and bad, to see the fruits of your labor.” She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State University and Master’s and doctoral degrees from Trevecca Nazarene University.





 

 

Danforth Middle School​

309 W. Brighton Ave. Syracuse, NY 13205



​School Principal: Dr. Ronardo Reeves

Dr. Ronardo Reeves was most recently the Chief Academic Officer at the Louisiana School for the Deaf in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Previously, he served for 5 years as Assistant Principal at Conyers Middle School, a school with over 1,000 students in the metro Atlanta area. A veteran of the Air Force, Dr. Reeves began his career in education as a paraprofessional in Georgia and later worked as a middle school special education teacher and school counselor at both the middle and high school levels.  Dr. Reeves states, “It is my belief that all students can learn and have the ability to make great academic gains when challenged and supported to do so. As educators, it is our responsibility to challenge students and set high instructional expectations.” Born in Georgia and raised in Florida, he holds a Bachelor’s degree from Oglethorpe University, Master’s degree from Clark-Atlanta University, and doctorate from Argosy University Sarasota.

 



​Frazer K-8 School​

​741 Park Ave. Syracuse, NY 13204
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School Principal: Mr. Matthew Carpenter

Mr. Matthew Carpenter served as Principal of Arundel Elementary/Middle School within the Baltimore City Public Schools for the last five years. Previously, he was the Assistant Principal of Hampstead Hill Academy, another school in Baltimore City that serves students from Pre-K to 8th grade. Additionally, Mr. Carpenter served as adjunct faculty at the Johns Hopkins University, developing and teaching a course titled "Teaching, Learning, and Leadership in the Successful Urban School." His career in education began in Baltimore City Public Schools as a 6th grade teacher and has now spanned 16 years. Mr. Carpenter states, "Bringing compassion, consistency, and high expectations to public schools is more than essential – it is non-negotiable. Effective school leaders must lead by example and must demand high performance from everyone who is charged with expanding students’ options in life." He holds a Bachelor's degree in elementary education from Elmira College and a Master’s degree from Notre Dame of Maryland University.



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Porter Elementary School​

​512 Emerson Ave. Syracuse, NY 13204

School Principal: Mr. William Mecum

Mr. William Mecum spent the last two years as Vice Principal of Henninger High School, where he led the school’s Rapid Results Project in algebra. Previously, he also served in the district from 2009 – 2011 as a Curriculum Coach, focusing part of that time specifically at ITC. Mr. Mecum began his career in education as a Visual Arts Teacher at Corcoran High School, where he worked for 5 years. Mr. Mecum states, “I believe the primary purpose of an educational institution is to prepare students for a future of their own determination. We must be committed to developing well-rounded students who demonstrate skills in critical thinking, communication, and creative problem solving.” He is a proud city resident who holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Syracuse University and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership from SUNY Oswego.





Seymour Dual Language Academy 

108 Shonnard St. Syracuse, NY 13204

 

School Principal:  Mr. Geovanti Steward

Mr. Geovanti Steward served as Founding Principal of two middle schools in the New York City Department of Education for the last four years. He began his career in education as an elementary teacher in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. In his eleven years working in Brooklyn and Bronx public schools, he has served as Principal, mathematics coach, and teacher at the elementary and middle school levels. At the center of his work he states, “We need to internalize this idea of excellence. Not many folks spend a lot of time trying to be excellent.”(Barack Obama) Mr. Steward holds a Bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University, Master’s degree from Pace University, and New York State School Building Leadership certification from Baruch College.
 

 

 

Van Duyn Elementary School

​401 Loomis Ave. Syracuse, NY 13207
 

School Principal:  Mrs. Eva Williams

Mrs. Eva Williams served as Principal of Frazer School for the past year. Previously, she served as a Guidance Counselor at Corcoran, Henninger and Jamesville DeWitt High Schools. As a Senior Admissions Advisor at SUNY Cortland and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry she aided in the recruitment and the retention of underrepresented students. Mrs. Williams states, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” (Nelson Mandela, 1993). She is an invested, active member of this community and is focused on improving the quality of life of its stakeholders.  Mrs. Williams holds two Bachelor’s degrees from Binghamton University, a Master’s degree from Syracuse University and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership from SUNY Oswego.





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Westside Academy at Blodgett

​312 Oswego St. Syracuse, NY 13204



School Principal:  Mr. Alton Hicks

Mr. Alton Hicks has been Principal of Westside Academy at Blodgett since 2012 and is a product of the Syracuse City School District; he graduated from Nottingham High School. He has been with SCSD for 18 years, previously serving as a Teaching Assistant, Teacher, Dean of students, and Vice Principal. Born in Durham, North Carolina and raised by two parents who instilled in him the importance of family, education, and community, Mr. Hicks ties his strong commitment to increasing student achievement back to his own upbringing. He states, “My personal thought on being a good school leader is based on the premise that every student has a gift.  We just need to find out how to expose that gift and utilize it for the good of the community.  Therefore, I believe our most precious resources are the children.” Mr. Hicks received his undergraduate degree from Winston-Salem State University in Psychology, along with a Master’s degree and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational Leadership from Lemoyne College.