SPARK Quality Support Center (QSC) or “SPARK Philly” is dedicated to the providers in the City of Philadelphia's PHLpreK program by delivering high quality support services that are designed to improve the quality of early learning.
SPARK Philly is powered by Shine Early Learning who operates nationally and is dedicated to helping early childhood programs implement proven practices that deliver positive results through supporting the education providers serving children, families, and communities.
The SPARK QSC develops programs that are responsive to the needs of early childhood education providers. Whether providers need support in running their business or managing their students, SPARK Philly strives to provide easy access to the right resources at the right time.
Our Team
Leadership
Julie Beamon-Jackson
Project Director
Dena Short
Deputy Director of Coaching
and Technical Assistance
Management
Aliyia Brown
Coaching Manager
Ann Boccuti
Manager of Data,
Impact, & Technology
Nicole Lejet-Morton
Help Desk and Professional Development Manager
Lauren Merrell
Coaching Manager
Alissa Vazquez
Administrative Assistant
Specialists
W. Burke Bodo
Health and Wellness Specialist
Taneeshi Campbell
Early Childcare and Education Business Specialist
Dayona Evans
Early Childhood Education Specialist
Mindi Leiber
Education Specialist
Tihana Williams
Family and Community Engagement Specialist
Coaches
Ben Cady
PHLpreK Coach
Dionne Singletary
PHLpreK Coach
Dominique Hinton
PHLpreK Coach
Eric Johnson
PHLpreK Coach
Tasha Lopez
PHLpreK Coach
MaryPat Tait
PHLpreK Coach
Michelle Warren
PHLpreK Coach
Sedudzinam Fugar
PHLpreK Coach
Paty Boyd
PHLpreK Coach
Wendy Wagner
PHLpreK Coach
Josalyn Cambridge
PHLpreK Coach
Shana Jones
PHLpreK Coach
Ejah Thompson
PHLpreK Coach
Stephen Carter
PHLpreK Coach
De’Zebbra White
PHLpreK Coach
Relationship Between Shine, PHMC and OCF
Shine Early Learning (“Shine”) serves as the PHLpreK program’s Quality Support Center (Known as SPARK QSC) and is responsible for serving as a centralized location that coordinates the quality support services available to contracted and pre-qualified PHLpreK childcare providers. The Quality Support Center serves as a key contractor for the Early Childhood Education division of the City’s Office of Children and Families along with the PHLpreK Program Intermediary that is responsible for oversight and monitoring of the PHLpreK program.
Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) is the administrative and fiscal management agency selected by The City of Philadelphia to conduct monitoring and oversight of the PHLpreK program.
The Office of Children and Families (OCF) aligns the City of Philadelphia’s policies, resources, and services for children and families. The priorities of OCF include Safe Children, Strong Families and Supported Schools. OCF administers a number of City-Supported programs, including Out-of-School Time, WorkReady, Community Schools, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, the Philadelphia Free Library, Adult Education, and PHLpreK. OCF also gives oversight to the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Philadelphia Children and Families Cabinet.
Julie Beamon-Jackson is the Project Director for the SPARK Quality Support Center Center. Julie previously served as part of the Mayor's Office of Education leadership team that launched the PHLpreK initiative in 2016 and served as the Director from 2017-2019. Julie has extensive experience working to improve Early Childhood Education systems at the local and state levels. Julie began her career in early childhood education as a Preschool Early Intervention Service Coordinator in 2010 and subsequently went on to serve as a Special Projects Manager and Regional Director for Elwyn Early Learning Services in Philadelphia.
As the Deputy Director of Coaching and Technical Assistance, Dena Short, M.Ed., focus is coordinating successful use of evidence informed quality supports. Those supports include technical assistance, professional development, coaching, and mentoring to both current and potential PHLprek program providers. Dena has over 20 years of early childhood experience. Prior to working with Spark Quality Support Center Dena was the PHLpreK Compliance Supervisor with the Urban Affairs Coalition. In this position she supported providers in meeting the PHL contract deliverables while paying close attention to the growth providers as they moved through the Keystone STARS quality initiative.
Aliyia Brown is a twenty-year veteran in the field of education with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Studies from Chestnut Hill College. Aliyia's experience started in the classroom as an assistant teacher. She has continually grown in her career holding titles that include Lead Teacher, Assistant Director, and Academy Director. She most recently has been a Field Director in which she supported 8 daycare facilities in the City of Philadelphia through coaching, modeling, and aiding with health and state compliance. As a coaching manager for SPARK QSC, she will continue to bring her experience with coaching and modeling to our PHLPrek providers.
As Manager of Technology Systems, Ann Boccuti is accountable for project management for Spark QSC's support of the PHLpreK program, partners with the development team to continually progress Shine Insight's reporting system, as well as supports data collection and management outside of Shine Insight's data system.
As Help Desk and Professional Development Manager, Nicole Lejet-Morton is responsible for providing direct support and connecting PHLPreK providers with the support, resources, coaching, and training they might need. She also coordinates Professional Development events and trainings for our providers.
Lauren Merrell has over 25 years of experience in early childhood education, serving as a teacher, a program leader, and as a Technical Assistance Supervisor under the Urban Affairs Coalition's PHLpreK system. With a Bachelor's degree in Behavioral Sciences from York College of Pennsylvania and a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from Arcadia University, Lauren brings a wealth of expertise to her role as Coaching Manager. She is dedicated to providing programs with the necessary tools and resources to support the children in their community.
As the Administrative Assistant, Alissa Vazquez provides support to the Spark Quality Support Center. Alissa has served in Early Childhood Education for over 5 years starting in ECE as an assistant teacher at a child care center located in Center City Philadelphia. Alissa then took a position with Acelero Learning providing home-based services. After earning her Child Development Associate's degree Alissa began work in administration at the Acelero Center working with families in the Head Start and PreK Counts Programs. In addition to Alissa’s administrative duties, she serves as a family advocate, working with families and creating systems to support their children's development in school and at home by providing them with resources to be successful.
As the Health and Wellness Specialist, W. Burke Bodo is responsible for guiding providers through Philadelphia's support systems to ensure their children are receiving comprehensive care. Burke is also responsible for arranging focused resources and training to providers and their families to facilitate positive decisions towards each child's health, as well as community resources when additional support is needed.
As the Early Childcare and Education Business Specialist, Taneeshi Campbell is responsible for providing support to providers with strengthening business and administrative operations as well as regulatory compliance. Taneeshi develops content, technical assistance, and training supports related to advancing business quality, stability, and sustainability.
Dayona has been in the Early Childhood Education professional field for 12 years. She started her journey in the infant’s environment and within 3 years span she worked her way up the developmental line, eventually serving as a preschool lead teacher for an additional 5 years.
As Education Specialist, Mindi Leiber supports the program’s mission to provide increased access to quality learning opportunities by supporting providers through coaching and mentoring actions.
Tihana holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Alvernia University. Tihana is currently pursuing her Masters in Social Work. Upon her BA graduation, she accepted a full-time position at Acelero Learning Head Start as a Family Advocate. While working with Acelero Tihana received a promotion as LEAD Family Advocate where she helped train, create, and promote family engagement training among the Family Advocates. Tihana has been working with Acelero for 6 years.
As a PHLpreK Coach, Ben Cady, M.Ed is responsible for providing key aspects of the PHLPreK Quality Support Center’s professional development approach and supporting providers through cohort-based and individual coaching and mentoring.
As a PHLpreK Coach, Dionne Singletary, M.Ed is responsible for providing key aspects of the PHLPreK Quality Support Center’s professional development approach and supporting providers through cohort-based and individual coaching and mentoring.
Dominique Hinton has worked as an education and family engagement strategist, partnering with administrators to expand their parent and child outcomes. With over a decade of early childhood education experience, she believes diversifying family engagement is key to making genuine connections with families and schools.
As a PHLpreK Coach, Eric Johnson is responsible for providing key aspects of the PHLPreK Quality Support Center’s professional development approach and supporting providers through cohort-based and individual coaching and mentoring. He supports the program’s mission to provide increased access to quality learning opportunities by supporting providers through coaching and mentoring actions. This includes areas such as developmentally appropriate practices, instructional support, curriculum support, evaluation and diversity, equity and inclusionary practices as well as business development.
Tasha has been in the Early Childhood Education field for over 10 years serving as a Teacher and Director. Before her transition to SPARK, she was with Acelero Learning as a Center Director for a partnership site, then a site in Camden, NJ, and most recently supported in opening their newest 17th street site. She has a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Eastern University and is currently working on obtaining her Master's degree from Eastern University in Multicultural Education. She also maintains a PA Director's Credential.
MaryPat graduated from Neumann University with an Early Childhood Education degree in 2013. Upon her graduation from Neumann, she accepted a full-time position at the Rocky Run YMCA in the Greater Philadelphia area, with the Early Learning Center.
Michelle Warren has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Science degree in Psychology. Michelle is currently working on obtaining a doctoral degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology as well. Michelle has been the ECE field for over 10 years serving in Family Advocacy, Teaching, and Directing.
Sedudzinam Fugar is responsible for providing key aspects of the PHLPreK Quality Support Center’s professional development approach and supporting providers through cohort-based and individual coaching and mentoring. This includes areas such as developmentally appropriate practices, instructional support, curriculum support, evaluation and diversity, equity and inclusionary practices as well as business development.
As a Bilingual PHLpreK Coach, Paty Boyd is responsible for providing key aspects of the PHLpreK Quality Support Center’s professional development approach and supporting providers through cohort-based and/or individual coaching and mentoring. Paty coaches and mentors in areas such as developmentally appropriate practices, instructional support, curriculum support, evaluation, and diversity, equity, and inclusionary practices as well as business development.
Paty holds a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Valley Forge. Upon her graduation, she accepted a full-time position at Audubon YMCA as a lead Pre-K teacher and supervisor with the Early Learning Center. After leaving the YMCA, she became a lead Head Start teacher for the Montgomery County Intermediate Program. She was with Head Start for 6 years, working with children from ages 3 to 5 years old. She looks forward to building relationships with PHL PreK providers. 
As a PHLpreK Coach, Wendy Wagner M.Ed. is responsible for providing key aspects of the PHLpreK Quality Support Center’s professional development approach and supporting providers through cohort-based and/or individual coaching and mentoring. Wendy coaches and mentors in areas such as developmentally appropriate practices, instructional support, curriculum support, evaluation, and diversity, equity, and inclusionary practices as well as business development.
Josalyn has been dedicated to the field of early childhood education for 10 years. She had been a teacher and a director starting as a lead teacher with Acelero Learning, growing into a compliance manager, and then a Director for two sites supporting Head Start and PreK Counts. Josalyn has her Bachelors of Education Studies from Grand Canyon University and is looking forward to supporting PHLPreK providers with outstanding coaching services.
Shana has been an elementary certified educator since 2012, having graduated from Shippensburg University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education K-6 and an Early Education minor. Her professional journey began as an Infant Teacher at The Malvern School before transitioning into an Account Manager role outside of the education field. Later, she taught First Grade for 6 years in the School District of Philadelphia. Shana then became an Early Literacy Specialist with the Children's Literacy Initiative, coaching teachers in the School District of Philadelphia on Literacy Instruction and equity in the classroom. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Elementary Education and Reading Specialist certification.
Meet Ejah, a seasoned professional in the field of early childhood education with over 22 years of experience in various roles. Starting as an infant/toddler teacher in 2000, she has continuously grown and taken on new challenges throughout her career. From being a head start assistant teacher to an assistant center director and eventually a center director, Ejah's journey has led her to her current role as a PHL preK coach.
Stephen is an experienced and dedicated professional in the field of Early Childhood Education and holds a Bachelor's degree from Arcadia University. With nearly two decades of experience, Stephen has made a significant impact in the communities of Philadelphia throughout his career. His roles have included Early Learning Inclusion Specialist, Center Director for Early Head Start & Head Start, Education Coordinator, and Early Head Start teacher. Stephen has worked for renowned organizations such as Acelero Learning and Gateway Community Action Partnership.
Meet De’Zebbra White, an advocate for Early Childhood Education with over 20 years of experience. She has enriched the lives of children and families through teaching, leadership roles, and her YouTube channel dedicated to early childhood books. In addition to her role at SHine, De’Zebbra also serves as a Developmental Intervention Specialist for the State of New Jersey. Outside of her work, she is a humanitarian and founder of Beautiful Educated Girls Giving Back Inc., uplifting low-income single mothers and their children. De’Zebbra holds a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education Administration and a Master's degree in Education. She is dedicated to making a positive impact on future leaders.