Ms.Hosendove
Dean of Enrichment
Greetings to my Jumoke Family,
I am so proud to say I have been a part of this village since the beginning when Jumoke first opened its doors in September 1997. Alongside my Grandmother, Thelma Ellis Dickerson, our adored founder, I assisted wherever I could. The students and families then were just like our Jumoke families are today: eager to learn and be a part of whatever is best for their children.
Since then, I have grown together with Jumoke Academy, initially as a volunteer, moving on to assisting the lead classroom teacher, and for the last three years developing the position of Enrichment Coordinator. I am now eager to be a part of Jumoke’s new organization as the Dean of Family and Student Enrichment. This year will be a pivotal one as we grow stronger together.
As a new mother, I am anxious to use the same approach of love and discipline that we apply to all of our children. My favorite saying is: “We only get one chance to do today, so make the most of it.” Imagine how powerful our children will be if we all are doing everything we can to empower them to excel academically and socially! I will always be available to help and, likewise, expect that when the School needs your assistance, you will be available too.
As your Dean of Family and Student Enrichment, I will continue to place the utmost importance on our family units. This includes all aspects of family; even the ones we may not agree on. Just remember, every opportunity we take to learn from each other and work together, our children will follow.
Ms. Woodson
Dean of Family and Students
Nichelle Woodson, MSW—Dean of Health and Student Support Services
B.A. Vassar College 1998
M.S.W. Columbia University School of Social Work 2008
Teach For America New Jersey 1999
In the area of Health and Student Support Services the number one priority is to provide all students with services and programs which allow them to be successful and productive members of the Jumoke Academy community. Our department ensures the necessary resources and supports are available to students with and without special programming needs.
I have the privilege to work with a dynamic staff of people. Included in our department are the offices of special education, speech and language, counseling/social work, health/nursing, leadership, tutoring, and special programming. We are here to assist all students in their academic, social/emotional, and physical development.
Ms. Burke
Dean of Language Arts and Social Studies
Dr. Angela Burke
Brandeis University- ’98 (BA) Simmons College- ’01 (MS) University of Hartford ’11 (EDD)
Literacy instruction has always been my favorite area of education as a classroom teacher. After several years of professional development in early literacy development I found myself developing an expertise in the area of effective teaching strategies and began coaching my peers through instructional best practices.
As the Dean of Language Arts it is my goal to continue serving as a role model for instructional excellence through the coaching and mentoring of classroom teachers. Language Arts encompasses reading, writing, speaking, listening, phonics/word study, vocabulary, grammar, and spelling. My hope is to streamline all of the best practices at Jumoke and develop comprehensive Language Arts curricula that includes academic rigor inline with the new Common Core standards, as well as incorporating culturally responsive teaching strategies and 21st century skills.
Every child that attends Jumoke Academy will experience a world-class education that will prepare them to compete in the global economy.
Mr. Pistorius
Dean of Mathematics
Justin Pistorius
B.A. Rutgers University 1998
M.A.T. Johns Hopkins University 2001
Teach For America Baltimore 1999
In order to raise student achievement in math at Jumoke Academy to a level of academic excellence that will ensure academic success at the most rigorous high schools in the country, the Jumoke Academy math curriculum is designed with the ideal Jumoke Academy 8th grade graduate in mind. That is to say, the 8th grade mathematics program is designed to provide a complete course of Algebra I instruction for all 8th grade students. Each grade level teaching team preceding grade 8 works together with support from the Dean of Mathematics to prioritize CT math standards in a way that will allow for the necessary accumulation of all skills prerequisite to Algebra I.
The idea is that a recent Jumoke Academy alumnus is a highly skilled and successful high school freshman. Algebra I is widely accepted to be the standard mathematics course of 9th graders across the country. However, it also common for many high achieving 8th grade math students in affluent districts to take Algebra I in middle school. These students are then able to enter high school one year ahead of their peers in mathematics, positioning themselves onto a highly advantageous track for college admittance. With the fundamental belief that all students can learn at high levels, it is both a challenging and realistic student expectation and it is in accordance with the mission of the school that instruction in a full course of Algebra I be provided to all 8th graders.