Ms. Chandra Karhu
I graduated from ECSU in 2000 with my Bachelors in Early Childhood Education and then in 2007 earned my Masters in Reading and Language Arts from CCSU and am certified in Remedial Reading & Remedial Language Arts, Grades 1-12. I’m the teacher representative for the Board of Trustees and a trained TEAM Mentor.
I’m honored and very excited to be the school leader for Steps to Prep. My goal as the school leader is for students to acquire a positive attitude about learning as they develop life-long strategies for academic success. The staff at Steps to Prep will provide differentiated instruction that meets the needs of all children. We are dedicated to children meeting all learning benchmarks. Collaboration and team work is what makes our talented staff successful. My colleagues and I understand that Early Childhood is a crucial time for children to build a strong foundation for educational success. Children who attend Steps to Prep will be provided with a warm and engaging learning community that invites young learners to grow and explore.
Michele Sharpe
Elementary School Office Manager, Administrative Assistant to the Principal
Ms. Sharpe began her career with Jumoke Academy since 2001. She attended Central Connecticut State University in New Britain. She curve
Ms. Carnegie
Ms. Carnegie has been a part of the Jumoke Academy family since 2007. She is presently pursuing a Bachelors of Arts degree at Ashford University, majoring in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Carnegie also judges and coaches for Connecticut Odyssey the Mind (CTOM), a nonprofit educational organization program allowing all individuals to use their artistic qualities while building collaboration and demonstrating the value for everyday purposes.
Her favorite subject growing up was Math, which gave her a creative way to express myself. As an adult, Ms. Carnegie appreciates its importance and how to apply that skill to everyday life, finding math encrypted into every subject. She enjoy spending quality time with family and close friends. Ms. Carnegie is a very athletic person, having played volleyball, basketball, and tennis in high school. She enjoys the outdoors and, for relaxation, listens to music, preferably Reggae.
Mrs. Henry
Mrs. Henry has taught prekindergarten here at Jumoke Academy for the past four years. Previously over a seven year time span she attended college and was an assistant prekindergarten teacher. Mrs. Henry now holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood. As you can see, prekindergarten has been her passion! She is currently attending Saint Joseph’s college working on her master’s in early childhood and special education. She loves working with children and making a difference in their lives. Her goal is to create a warm and caring environment in the classroom and throughout the school for all of her students. Aside from teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband and family. Last but not least, She loves the Red Sox!
Ms. James
Graduated from ECSU in 1997 with her Bachelors in Elementary Education and earned her Masters in Early Childhood Education in 2008 from CCSU. She joined Jumoke Academy in 2008.
Her favorite subject growing up was Reading. She spends a great deal of time reading when she has a spare moment. Outside of reading she enjoys spending time with her family and close friends. She also enjoys playing soccer, dancing and going for a good hike.
Ms. Smith
Ms. Pizzuto
Mr. Cassarino
Ms. Hofsess
Laura Hofsess is entering her 17th year as an educator and her 7th year employed by Jumoke Academy. She is currently teaching second grade and her second grade students have placed in the statewide Constitution Day Contest two years in a row. She holds a Bachelors of Arts degree from Trinity College, a Masters Degree in Education from Smith College and has accrued post-degree credits from Teachers College, Columbia.
Besides teaching, she enjoys orchestrating field trips to places that extend her classroom to significant landmarks of culture and art: Harlem, the Hartford Stage, Washington D.C., Sturbridge Village and the Wadsworth Atheneum have all been visited by Jumoke students under Laura’s supervision. Laura also enjoys knitting, crocheting, quilting, cooking, antiques restoration and painting. Laura loves teaching at Jumoke Academy Charter School and is excited to participate in the development of the new Pre-K-2 school. “Go Owls!”