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.
Alison Leshan
Deputy Director of Coaching and Technical Assistance
As the Deputy Director of Coaching and Technical Assistance, Alison Leshan, M.Ed. is responsible for the successful implementation of all technical assistance and training services that are provided as part of the PHLpreK Quality Support Center.
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 Data, Impact & Technology
As Manager of Data, Impact & Technology, Ann Boccuti is accountable for project management for Spark QSC's support of the PHLpreK program...
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...
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.
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.
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.
Sam Jones
Family and Community Engagement
Specialist
Sam Jones joins SPARK Quality Support Center with ten years of experience in organizational management and childcare services.
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...
Tiffany Akai
PHLpreK Coach
As a PHLpreK Coach, Tiffany Akai, 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.
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.
Alison Leshan
Deputy Director of Coaching and Technical Assistance
As the Deputy Director of Coaching and Technical Assistance, Alison Leshan, M.Ed. is responsible for the successful implementation of all technical assistance and training services that are provided as part of the PHLpreK Quality Support Center.
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 Data, Impact & Technology
As Manager of Data, Impact & Technology, Ann Boccuti is accountable for project management for Spark QSC's support of the PHLpreK program...
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...
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.
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.
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.
Sam Jones
Family and Community Engagement
Specialist
Sam Jones joins SPARK Quality Support Center with ten years of experience in organizational management and childcare services.
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...
Tiffany Akai
PHLpreK Coach
As a PHLpreK Coach, Tiffany Akai, 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.
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.