Edgility Associate Partner, Ron Rapatalo, sat down with five educators to discuss the challenges of hiring and retaining teachers in 2022.
Simon Rodberg
- Simon Rodberg was the founding principal of DC International School, a public charter school, and is the author of What If I’m Wrong? and Other Key Questions for Decisive School Leadership.
- He now consults and teaches school leadership at American University.
- His articles have appeared in Harvard Business Review, Educational Leadership, Principal magazine, and more.
Shanita Rapatalo
- Shanita Rapatalo is currently a national independent education/literacy consultant and co-owner of the Rapatalo Group, LLC.
- She has worked in the education non-profit sector as well as district and charter schools in New York City and Washington, DC, and began teaching 19 years ago as a Teach For America corp member.
- She is currently a doctoral student at Fordham University focusing on Administration, Policy and Supervision.
Dumar Paden
- Dumar Paden has over a decade of experience as an educator and school leader and currently serves as a high school principal at Achievement First Public Charter Schools
- Prior to working at AF, Dumar was a founding staff member and leader at New Dawn Charter High School.
- His experiences growing up in Brooklyn as a first-generation college graduate keep him committed to his community while ensuring all black and brown youth receive quality education opportunities
Mariana Tejada
- Mariana Tejada is a Teach For America corps member.
- She teaches 4th and 5th grade Dual Language English-Spanish Language Arts and Reading at Christene C. Moss Elementary School in Fort Worth ISD.
- Mariana is a North Texas native and is proud to teach in the same district where her father worked as bilingual teacher.
Emily Kremers
- As a 10 year educator in the elementary and middle school setting, Emily strives to help other educators seek clarity, find their purpose, and ignite their passion to find personal and professional success.
- She has a passion for mentoring, supporting, and onboarding educators.
- She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from California State University, Bakersfield and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
