MEET THE TEAM
MEET THE TEAM
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City of Philadelphia
You support Philadelphia's
children and families.
Let SPARK support you.
Powered by
City of Philadelphia
You support Philadelphia's
children and families.
Let SPARK support you.
MEET THE TEAM
Our staff ignites a SPARK in each child's creative mind!
Our staff ignites a SPARK in each child's creative mind!
SPARK Bios
Traci Childress
Director
As Director of the SPARK Quality Support Center, Traci Childress, MA, M.Ed. coordinates support services for the PHLpreK program, serves as the primary liaison between partners, and is accountable for developing and managing all elements of the QSC.
Alissa Vazquez
Administrative Assistant
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.
Raksmeymony (Rex) Yin
Deputy Director Content Development and Strategy
Raksmeymony (Rex) Yin is a 1.5 generation Cambodian American queer educator passionate for education equity, social equality, and community healing.
Dena Short
Deputy Director of Coaching and Technical Assistance
Ann Boccuti
Manager of Technology Systems
As Manager of Technology Systems, Ann Boccuti is accountable for project management for Spark QSC's support of the PHLpreK program...
Ben Cady
PHLpreK Coach
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...
Dayona Evans
Early Childhood Education Specialist
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...
Dionne Singletary
PHLpreK Coach
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
PHLpreK Coach
Dominique Hinton has worked as an education and family engagement strategist, partnering with administrators to expand their parent and child outcomes.
Eric Johnson
PHLpreK Coach
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...
Tasha Lopez
PHLpreK Coach
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...
MaryPat Tait
PHLpreK Coach
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
PHLpreK Coach
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...
Mindi Leiber
Education Specialist
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.
Nicole Lejet-Morton
Help Desk and Professional Development Manager
As Help Desk and Professional Development Manager, Nicole Lejet-Morton is responsible for providing direct support and connecting PHLPreK providers with the support, resource and coaching they might need.
Sedudzinam Fugar
PHLpreK Coach
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.
Taneeshi Campbell
Early Childcare and Education Business Specialist
As the Early Childcare and Education Business Specialist, Taneeshi Campbell is responsible for providing support to providers with strengthening business...
Tihana Williams
Family and Community Engagement Specialist
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.
Paty Boyd
PHLpreK Coach
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.
Wendy Wagner
PHLpreK Coach
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...
W. Burke Bodo
Health and Wellness Specialist
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.
Afroza Hossain
EIB Specialist
Afroza Hossain is the EIB Specialist for the Spark Philly PreK program; she has been working in DEIB (/IDEA) in various fields, with a particular passion for education and policy, for almost two decades.
Aliyia Brown
Coaching Manager
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.
SPARK Quality Support Center is proud to have team members serving early childhood education and care programs across the City of Philadelphia.
SPARK Bios
Traci Childress
Director
As Director of the SPARK Quality Support Center, Traci Childress, MA, M.Ed. coordinates support services for the PHLpreK program, serves as the primary liaison between partners, and is accountable for developing and managing all elements of the QSC.
Alissa Vazquez
Administrative Assistant
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.
Raksmeymony (Rex) Yin
Deputy Director Content Development and Strategy
Raksmeymony (Rex) Yin is a 1.5 generation Cambodian American queer educator passionate for education equity, social equality, and community healing.
Dena Short
Coaching Manager
As the Coaching Manager, 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.
Ann Boccuti
Manager of Technology Systems
As Manager of Data, Impact & Technology, Ann Boccuti is accountable for project management for Spark QSC's support of the PHLpreK program...
Ben Cady
PHLpreK Coach
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...
Dayona Evans
Early Childhood Education Specialist
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...
Dionne Singletary
PHLpreK Coach
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
PHLpreK Coach
Dominique Hinton has worked as an education and family engagement strategist, partnering with administrators to expand their parent and child outcomes.
Eric Johnson
PHLpreK Coach
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...
Tasha Lopez
PHLpreK Coach
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...
MaryPat Tait
PHLpreK Coach
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
PHLpreK Coach
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...
Mindi Leiber
Education Specialist
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.
Nicole Lejet-Morton
Help Desk Lead Support
As Help Desk Lead Support, Nicole Lejet-Morton is responsible for providing direct support and connecting PHLPreK providers with the support, resource and coaching they might need.
Sedudzinam Fugar
PHLpreK Coach
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.
Taneeshi Campbell
Early Childcare and Education Business Specialist
As the Early Childcare and Education Business Specialist, Taneeshi Campbell is responsible for providing support to providers with strengthening business...
Tihana Williams
Family and Community Engagement Specialist
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.
Paty Boyd
PHLpreK Coach
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.
Wendy Wagner
PHLpreK Coach
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...
W. Burke Bodo
Health and Wellness Specialist
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.
Afroza Hossain
EIB Specialist
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.
Aliyia Brown
Coaching Manager
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.
As Director of the SPARK Quality Support Center, Traci Childress, MA, M.Ed. coordinates support services for the PHLpreK program, serves as the primary liaison between partners, and is accountable for developing and managing all elements of the QSC. In addition to 12 years experience as a direct service leader in early childhood in Philadelphia, Traci brings a commitment to supporting families, children and the individuals who create educational spaces for them.
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. 
Raksmeymony (Rex) Yin is a 1.5 generation Cambodian American queer educator passionate for education equity, social equality, and community healing. His family are immigrants and former war refugees from Cambodia, surviving the Cambodian genocide that took place after the Vietnam War then eventually resettled in Philadelphia, PA. Throughout his undergraduate and professional career, he strived to serve in urban, socioeconomically disadvantaged, high-potential, and immigrant/refugee communities. He worked extensively with nonprofit organizations, religious organizations, public (including charter) and private schools, citywide agencies, and philanthropy.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
As Help Desk Lead Support, Nicole Lejet-Morton is responsible for providing direct support and connecting PHLPreK providers with the support, resource and coaching they might need. 
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 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.
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.
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 Coaching Manager, 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.